A level subjects for Cambridge

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DS starts sixth form in September and is trying to finalise his A level choices. He is keen on applying to Cambridge - course yet to be decided, but probably Modern Languages, or possibly Psychological and Behavioural Sciences. I know that facilitating subjects no longer exist in the way that they did, but some colleges refer to things like 'keystone subjects' which are effectively the same - and recommend that no more than one A level should be in subjects other than these. Two definite choices for A level are Music and Spanish - the third one could possibly be History, Psychology, English Lit, or English Lang. Am I right therefore that Psych or English Lang could jeopardise his chances, given that Music isn't a 'keystone subject', and therefore making two 'other subjects'?

Look up the entry requirements for the different degrees and work backwards.
If Music is a definite for A level why isn't this his second degree subject option?
For psychology type degrees Maths A level or a Science subject such as biology may be needed. None of his other potential options are Sciences.

Thanks @catndogslife - I've checked all those, and most colleges aren't too prescriptive about subjects, even for Psychology. (Some say they might like a science, but most don't require it.) It's more the general Cambridge 'don't do too many subjects that aren't facilitating' principle that I'm interested in. He doesn't want to do a music degree.

Your D'S should a look at this

www.undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/applying/entrance-requirements/course-requirements

Is he likely to get at least an A in the music -- that is, is he hot on composing and analysing, not just performing? Our DC found A-level music quite a trial despite grade 8 under the belt (and indeed a part-time paid job as a musician).

I'd suggest history or English lit. I have a DD heading for Oxford to do MFL this autumn, and though it's not the same course, the interviews were very much about analysing literature and making connections.

Well, the chances of getting in to do modern languages are better than for many other subjects.

At A Level English Lit goes best and, obviously, another language if you can. He should be able to read a wide variety of books in original language.

Thanks all. Yes, decent chance of an A at least in Music.
I've looked at various course requirements for various colleges; yes, my thinking is that History or English Lit would be the preferred options - but I'm really interested to know if Psych or English Lang would actively disadvantage him due to not being 'facilitating' subjects...
He can't do another language due to only being able to take one for GCSE (long story).

English Language would not be a bad choice for a Modern and Medieval Languages application. It makes total sense for someone interested in languages. My understanding is that the reason they have reduced the talk of facilitating/keystone subjects is because it was putting off students with perfectly good combinations (like Drama, Philosopy and Ethics, History) from applying for courses that their subjects are good preparation for.

If he’s seriously considering psychological and behavioural sciences then he’ll have limited choice of college without a science (includes maths) and he would need two sciences for some Cambridge colleges.

Ab initio second languages are a thing at both Ox and Cam anyhow -- does Cambridge do the terrifying 'here's a made-up language, see if you can translate it' entry test? Has he heard of (and had a go at) the Linguistics Olympiad? DD did dismally in last year's, but put it on her personal statement anyway and said it was good practice.

Yes @MadameMinimes - that's kind of my thinking re English Lang... But one of the colleges he's interested in says quite clearly: There are, of course, many other subjects that we have not mentioned at all on this page. The fact that we have not mentioned them does not mean that we think that they are not individually worth taking. However they are either rather specialised in focus and not a good choice if you are looking to keep your options open, or else the way in which they are taught and assessed means that they do not provide good preparation for the courses offers at the University of Cambridge. If you are thinking of applying to Cambridge, our advice is to ensure that amongst your three or four A-level subjects (or equivalent), you are doing no more than one of these other subjects'.
So, given that Music is already one of 'those other subjects', another one could be risky...

Definitely English Lit. DD’s friend does Eng Lang and its focus is a little different and the texts studied not quite so…. well, literary is the only way to put it!

Isn’t that taken from this booklet?

www.undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/files/publications/the_subject_matters.pdf

If so then both English Language and Music are both listed as good subjects to combine with languages, history etc for arts and social science courses. Neither fall into the “not mentioned at all in this leaflet” category.

Too many booths. Sorry.

Boths. Not my day at all.

DD is also off to 6th form in September and aiming for Cambridge or RG uni.

After much prevarication she's opted for Law, Politics and Business Studies.

She contacted Cambridge, Oxford and couple of RGs admissions departments and asked their advice. General consensus was strong grades in 2 recommended subjects and a third 'other' subject was fine (Business Studies in DD's case...she's hoping to study Law).

Incidentally she ditched Photography, as although technically it would have been fine for the third option, she felt something a little less 'soft' would be a better choice for her.

She did English Lit on the taster day but didn't enjoy it and is currently doing an internship with the local council hence going for Business as it ties in with her work experience.

DD studied MML at Cambridge 2 years ago. Her A level subjects were 2 languages and Geography. Given the high literature content of the course, I would say English Literature, rather than English Language, would be a wise choice.

MML at Cambridge will entail the study of literature in two languages, OP. You can't do a single language there. I would definitely recommend English Lit over English language as an A level. If you look at the course content of Eng Lang A level you'll see that a lot of it is about language development (eg how children develop language skills) as well as power/bias/gender/technology and language. Whilst this may be interesting, it isn't really going to translate well for MML at C.
If he's choosing MML he will need to think about which second language alongside Spanish he wants to do.

My dd did French/Latin/Hist/Eng Lit A levels and is doing MML at C, FYI.

Thanks all. I think I might contact the the relevant admissions offices and see what they say.
@MadameMinimes it was taken from the Kings website, in a section about choosing subjects - but I'll also have a look at your link - thank you.

Not quite the question you've asked but is there an option for your daughter to take up a second language and get a GCSE in it during sixth form as that will also show the interest in studying languages.

Look carefully at the content for the Behavioural and Psychological sciences. You may find Maths or Biology more relevant than a humanity subject or even Psychology. Also there will be aptitude papers and work submission as part of the selection process, so ensure that is something she will have ready to meet the criteria.

I can help here as have had two DC through Cambridge and have done Eng Lit and Lang A levels. Each college has its own requirements and these may vary depending on what school your DC is at. Eg if they don’t offer Eng Lit then Eng Lang might be ok, whereas another applicant would be expected to have Eng Lit as their school offered it. So pick up the phone and discuss with Admissions. This is probably the only time you as a parent can get in touch - after this should only be your DC.

I would say definitely do Eng Lit as it’s much more demanding but also would definitely encourage some self-study of Eng Lang at home - it’s very accessible and very interesting and would be something to write about in the personal statement and would show extra interest in the subject and independent study which is what Oxbridge look for. They want teachable students who are interested in their subject.

Good luck!!

Thanks @GU24Mum - sadly no option to pick up another language GCSE, but he is happily dipping into French and Italian on his own. He pick up languages very quickly.
@LIZS - yes, I agree. He was previously looking at Behavioural and Psychological Sciences, and was planning to do Biology A level with a view to that. He's since realised though that he's much more interested in (and better at) languages, and is therefore now looking to replace Bio with something else.
@WorkingItOutAsIGo - yes, I know he should be doing this, not me - but I'm just trying to get the ball rolling School offers both Lit and Lang. I can't help thinking he'd enjoy Lang more, but Lit is more demanding and rigorous and therefore perceived as 'better'. Maybe Lit with a Lang-based EPQ might work. A phone call to admissions will help, as you say...

His choices of undergrad course seem at odds. For languages he would need at least one language with English lit, Lang, another language as his second/third subject.
Psychological and behavioural sciences would be more maths/biology/psychology.
He needs to either pick a degree and work backwards or do his favourite/best subjects and go for a degree that fits them.
If he’s set on music and isn’t doing maths I would forget behavioural sciences and do music, eng lit and a MFL. He can do other things with languages such as learning throu duolingo, a futurelearn course, and epq on something relevant etc.

Would echo advice to call Admissions.
No direct experience of MML at Cambridge but re DC's friends at Cambridge doing MML, one has A Levels in German, French, Maths and FM, the other German, French, English Lit and Art.