Modern Languages degree for my BBB/BBC DC

[BigVaseofTulips]

where would people recommend. Leicester is the aspirational one (say ABB but clearing suggest they take lower). What about Aber, Swansea, Surrey, Ox Brooke’s, Sheffield Hallam?

Unfortunately it’s way lower in any ranking worth reading. Not slightly lower. The DD in question really doesn’t need to look at the lowest ranked. For MFL you can aim highish with BBB. Not top elite but RG (plus) if they offer the course. It’s very poor advice to suggest the lowest that would probably take anyone who applies. Plus does UCLAN actually offer German ab initio? It says A2 level is needed.

@TizerorFizz @Piggywaspushed we are in Northampton. Tizer, how can we check whether ab initio German is well taught? It seems Spanish would give us more options but DD really wants to take up German. No German at Surrey for instance as PP alerted us to. Really hard to find 5 choices - Cardiff and Lancaster for sure (both ABB whereas DD will be predicted BBB/BBC) so we need 2 ‘realistic’ choices and one ‘safe’ choice (eg. CCC). Unlike in other subjects, modern languages mainly preserve of top unis. Why is this do you know?

Unlike in other subjects, modern languages mainly preserve of top unis. Why is this do you know?

Sadly many languages departments that used to exist in higher education institutions ranking lower in the academic pecking order have ceased to exist, presumably due to fewer students taking languages. Decades ago when I was a student I remember that Wolverhampton Poly had quite a decent languages department. Coventry Poly also offered degrees in French and German, and there were no doubt others that offered languages then, but no longer do.

DD has looked into Reading today. Defo possibility. Thank u for highlighting it.

When I went to uni (early 90s), Aston was really rated for languages for less academic students - several friends went there. So DD and I looked - they don’t even offer languages now!

We love Newcastle but DD has investigated thoroughly and would struggle there - offer is ABB (DD predicted BBB/BBC) and, more importantly, DiscoverUni stats show that 71% of students on the Modern Languages BA have AT LEAST AAA. 90% have ABB or above. So she would be in bottom 10% even if offered a place. She wants to be challenged but doesn’t want to be at the very bottom

OP - I can't work out how to use DiscoverUni. Could you see what A levels MFL students at Leeds have? Please!

Here is it if you click on entry requirements:

https://discoveruni.gov.uk/course-details/10007795/R1R1/Full-time/

It does have some caveats attached to it.

My username keeps wilfully changing!!

Why German so much OP? She could broaden her range if she considered other languages too? (eg Asian languages?)

Yes, Nottingham Trent have lost their full languages department too. It's sad.

However, this does mean it is often easier than it looks to get into the remaining universities.

@BigVaseofTulips
As students see MFL as too difficult, they take other “easier” A levels. Or ones with no native speakers! How often do you see that pupils don’t do a MFL at all at gcse? Many quite happily take 5 sciences but drop MFL without a second thought. The universities have reacted to this lack of students by either dropping MFL completely or just offering courses that are very basic to complement other degrees.

By checking ab initio, I mean look at facilities. Look at teaching sessions and how strong the German department is in terms of options offered. Is it just a few bolt on modules (for management degrees), or is there a wide choice of literature, visual arts, history and politics for example? Try and find out how many do German ab initio. Have some questions on this at open days. Anyone doing ab initio will greatly improve after 1 semester abroad in y3. (DDs other semester will be French speaking). This element is also key to proficiency.

As you are south midlands near the M1, nowhere is ruled out geographically.

OP, has anyone suggested Bangor yet? Seems to offer beginners' German. Fits our lower entry requirements criteria and is definitely regarded for MFL.

Quite far from you but not inaccessible (Aberystwyth is harder to reach from your are, I'd say)

Apologies if my previous post wasn't clear - Surrey DO have French with German, standard offer BBB.

www.surrey.ac.uk/undergraduate/modern-languages-french-german#entry

(Whereas Oxford Brooked doesn't seem to do German at all)

I read some stats that only c2000 students took a level German last year. I assume demand is therefore very low at Unis, hence the limited opportunities.

@BigVaseofTulips Yes. Surrey do offer ab initio German. So worth a look as highly rated. Queen Mary London also offers ab initio French and German! BBB but I bet they are flexible. You need an essay subject at A level. They put students into sets according to experience of the subject.

I am also not sure you need CCC. I would take a punt on universities who actually offer ab initio German and are generous with regards to A levels studied. BBC is about the lowest you need.

@BigVaseofTulips
I have looked at a few more: Kent is BBB. Royal Holloway is BBC. Portsmouth might offer BBC. So the latter two are possibilities. Look at Bangor. Not highly rated though. If Reading looks better, decide if location matters! I think you will find most of the BBBs are flexible. I think you have a long enough shortlist!

That is really kind of you to investigate! Kent looks good and Bangor too. Is Bangor better for languages than Aber or Swansea?

I tanked my A Levels (capable of A’s, got 3 C’ s - various reasons in my personal life which I won’t go into).

Took a year out and applied to various MFL languages courses. Ended up getting a place at a Russell Group that advertised BBB but took me with CCC. That was a fair few years ago now but it can happen.

@Frances24 yes, applying with grades in hand can be beneficial DD’s French teacher also said. Thanks

@BigVaseofTulips
Yes. A friend of DDs did that too. Improved her MFLs by being an au pair and applied post results. It improved her single MFL and she got into Bristol. Possibly difficult with French there (friend didn’t do French) but other RG such as QMU would be worth looking at. It’s a 4 year degree though so it really depends how much time you went to throw at it.

I would say Swansea and Aberystwyth are better than Bangor. French is the more competitive element and German less so. My DD1 did MFL degree and always wanted a city. Her second MFL was not offered in that many universities either. It’s a case of working out which is better. It’s not easy. What does DD want to do with the languages? DD never used hers!

DD wants to go into the police or the army! No need for languages but wants to get a degree so can apply for graduate entry. You make a good point about adding a year onto an already long degree if she takes a year out and she really doesn’t want to do that! @TizerorFizz

@BigVaseofTulips Reading looks like a great option, also they ahave this firm choice scheme so while standard offer for Modern Languages is BBB they will if you firm them be more flexible if you miss the grades. I quote:
"Select Reading as your firm choice on UCAS and we'll guarantee you a place even if you don't quite meet your offer. For details, see our firm choice scheme."

To the v kind poster who PM’d me to say Bristol have a list of state schools that qualify for contextual offers - DD says her school is on there! She feels a bit intimidated by Bristol because thinks it’s MFL dept will be full of v clever Oxbridge rejects (like Newcastle’s - see upthread) but she is now on TikTok looking into it 😂

My niece applied to Bristol for French and got a non-contextual ABB offer within 24 hrs. They clearly didn’t even read her PS, I think for modern languages they offer to anyone with predictions that meet their standard contextual or non contextual offers. She has firmed them. She is sweet and not at all intimidating… has some anxiety issues so decided oxbridge was never going to work for her. All going well she will be off there in Sept!

@Piggyiseatingfire thanks for the Leeds link but I can't find what A level grades people got - am I missing the obvious?

@BigVaseofTulips DD1 did MFL at Bristol. Many people there are perfectly normal! You do need to be aware though, in many universities ,big chunks of MFL students do come from private schools. This is because they still take MFL seriously. Many state schools don’t. I’m glad yours does but my dd did 2 MFL A levels. Many schools never support good linguists because options for MFL are reduced to one from an early stage at school. This makes joint MFL degrees more difficult for them.

Yes, DD did have higher grades and got a place at Oxford. Then dropped a grade at A level, (not in her MFLs) so Bristol it was! However MFL departments are welcoming linguists and an A or B really doesn’t make much difference! Do not be put off by others. Bristol has a generous offer for schools on their list so don’t ignore it. If DD gets an offer, then she’s worthy of being there. The breadth of the options is great and, as long as DD works at the German, she will be fine. Bristol would be one choice out of 5, so why not?

DD did Italian as well as French and this could be a tad easier than German ab initio when combining with French. The main thing is that all students doing ab initio are in the same boat! Do not look at other languages without a link to Latin at this stage. Asian languages are simply a step too far!

Bristol have clear info about reading the personal statement and assessing GCSEs as well as A levels. In cases where there is a need to choose between candidates, they read the PS. Always do a good PS! Do not assume they won’t read it.