Leicester uni - top choice for DS but school pushing back

[Backflips]

DS (year 13) and I went to open day at Leicester earlier this month and he loved the campus and exploring the city. We were both smitten after spending two days there. The course is perfect.

Leicester now top choice of DS over other unis he’s also applying to (Birmingham, Nottingham etc). School saying he can apply but should regard Leicester as insurance choice not first choice (grades the same ABB as at other unis). We disagree but don’t know enough to challenge. DS really loved Leicester! My DH says that schools are judged on how many students go to Russell Group unis and, as Leicester isn’t one, that’s why they are not being v supportive. Is that a thing?

Not RTFT but DD2 was in exactly the same position, compounded by the fact that Leicester then offered her an unconditional offer for firming them. DD was really wobbly, so we went to visit and on spec, called in at the Student Village. The lovely lady gave us a personal tour and DD loved it. I told her to accept where she thought she would be happy, and if her Head of 6th form said anything, he could say it to me (he's a colleague) and I would put him straight.

DD is now in her Masters year there, having had a great time so far. She was offered a bursary if she achieved more than a certain number of points in her A levels, so rather than the unconditional offer making her slacken off, she worked really hard and got the bursary which covered her 1st year accommodation costs. This course also gave her the option of a year's study in Japan, a key thing for scientist DD. The now former head of 6th form has followed DD's progress with interest and invited her back into school to talk to younger years about a year abroad.

Good for your DS! I went to Leicester 30 years ago before RG was a thing. I did Italian as a supplementary subject for 2 years and a friend did French. I'm sure the courses have changed (!) but we both really enjoyed them. Agree with PP that the halls in leafy Oadby were a big plus. I came from a tiny village and the introduction to city life was perfect. Had a lot of med student friends - nice that it's kept up its reputation in that area!

Do Leicester do any MFL degrees?

I also think that scientists can do degrees anywhere and as long as they are competent, it’s not overly competitive to get a job. They are wanted. If you study English, for example, you don’t really have a special area of work to aim for. Ditto History, Psychology, Anthropology, Classics, etc. Therefore what you study within these degrees might be of little interest to employers. It’s of greater interest to the student. The other skills learnt on the degree is what employers want. Not if you have read Dickens or Byron. It’s usually clear that stem degrees have higher employment rates so it’s always worth looking at a uni beyond what the course offers. Unless you really want to research and teach your specialist subject of course!

Do Leicester do any MFL degrees?

Yes

@WednesdaysPlaits So how is my search wrong?

https://le.ac.uk/study/modern-languages

Do Leicester do any MFL degrees?

Given that the OP has clearly stated that her DS has applied for modern languages at Leicester I would have thought it was blindingly obvious the answer was yes.

https://le.ac.uk/courses/modern-languages-with-management-ba/2024#:~:text=Modern%20Languages%20with%20Management%20BA%2C%204%20years,of%20management%20theory%20and%20practice.

This is particular course Op has mentioned. It came up immediately from a search of modern languages Leicester.