Modern Language GCSE needed for Oxbridge/ Russell Group?

[2020again]

How important is it to have a modern language GCSE to apply for a Russell Group university, (including Oxbridge)?

The only place I can see that requires a modern language (if you’re not studying a modern language degree) is UCL and even then they allow you to take a language course during your first year instead. So:

-Is it strictly necessary?

-Does it show some kind of all roundedness that universities look for even if what you want to study has no foreign language element?

-Even if not strictly necessary is this something the universities expect, so a student will be at a disadvantage if they do not have it? And is the position the same for Oxbridge?

Do you think the expectation of universities may be different for private school students where often language GCSEs are compulsory?

Thanks very much.

I've certainly never heard this when I worked in secondary education. RG unis used to list their 'facilitating subjects' which they would expect students to have studied at A Level and these included MFL alongside maths/science / English /geography /history. But no, you wouldn't need a specific GCSE in a subject unrelated to your course, apart from decent Maths and English.

No, it's not necessary. We looked into this as ds wanted to go RG but had no language gcse, none of them needed it.

Just about all universities don't expect or ask for modern languages at GCSE.

I would have liked DD to take French, but the teaching at her school was awful, so she chose subjects that she was interested in. I figured that an A* in geography was worth more than a C in French.

It used to be a requirement. My poor father had to study German I think it was in the 1940s to take up his place at Durham (for medicine). He had been baptised C of E but had to be confirmed too before he could enter so his father roped in the Bishop of Durham to do his confirmation. I think there were specific universities in London if you were jewish you could go to which did not require you to be Christian. How times change.

Despite the change I wanted all 5 of my children to do a modern language GCSE. 4 did French and one German. (I did both and A level German). I just see it as part of being well educated - that you can go to France and understand the language etc. However if someone is going to get a low trade in it then don't bother.

To answer your questions: no, no, no and no. Hope that helps

UK schools are really poor on modern languages - should be compulsory through to GCSE in every school. It’s a basic of a good education.

I agree Parker231

Completely unnecessary nowadays, fortunately. I had a colleague who is a genius in his STEM field but dyslexic who back in the old days couldn't go to oxbridge because he had a hard enough time getting an english O level, no chance of doing MFL. But even back then he could get into what's now an RG uni and he's got a very good post in a Cambridge research institute now. Not everyone is, or should need to be, an all-rounder. Excellence in your chosen subject is often more important.

Not compulsory for most subjects but I agree that it's a shame we don't study languages, at least recreationally, until 16. I do feel it's part of a rounded education and have insisted mine study mfl to GCSE, at least.
I have degrees in English Literature and Psychology and I've studied English Language at undergraduate level too. French O Level helped with language structure as well as vocabulary and word routes and helped my understanding of linguistics and the language acquisition aspects of psychology. Unless they're hell bent on STEM, and would actively struggle with mfl, then why not?

Tickled, I agree and I found my French and German useful even for things like understanding certain terms used in law (my career) and also I learned a lot of English grammar through doing French and German too. I don't see GCSEs as just a box to tick but instead part of a well rounded education. in fact the one of my children who did not do history GCSE for example now says she regrets it.

Xenia you're spot on. I forgot I also did German o level. Grade U - teacher abandoned us at Christmas. Still learnt some things I remember today!
One of mine who struggled with a level chemistry said it changed the way she thought. A paradigm shift, I guess.
I know we want good results for our children but we also want them to learn to learn and to think in new ways. It's depressing when schools especially focus on just harvesting what's already there

I agree that it's a shame we don't study languages, at least recreationally, until 16.

I agree with that - the over-emphasis on grades rather than learning for learning or interests sake isnt good.

I found studying French to A level, and German to O level has helped enormously with understanding English grammar.

It also helps with cryptic crossword clues