Single or combined honours degree

[Fabfabfab]

After getting 4 offers so far for History, DC today talked about whether he would rather do a combined History and English degree. Thankfully it wasn't a strong wish as I imagine it's not possible to change at this point. He's still waiting for a decision from Durham and I was wondering if it's worth emailing them to say he would consider this as an alternative if he didn't get an offer for History BA. Or would this suggest he wasn't as committed to History and mean it could disadvantage him? The grades are the same for both courses (and the same as his PGs) but not sure if History BA would be more popular (I'm guessing so but could very well be wrong).

I would hang on and see if he gets an offer. Then consider what offers he has and then maybe apply next year for a different course after he’s got all the facts and decisions from this year. I think History is very sought after at Durham and I don’t know if applications can be tweaked by ringing them up. Others will know.

If he gets the offer from Durham, I would suggest going to the offer holders day and going and talking to the Admissions team. In our experience they’re not very good at emails, but if you can talk face to face with someone then they respond.

I think it may have been due to the fact that a few of his friends have offers for English at Durham and teenagers are so easily influenced by their friends! Must admit I was slightly frustrated given how much work has gone into the personal statement for History but expect it was a fleeting thought rather than really wanting to make a change…

If he’s worried about getting offers and then meeting those offers he may have been better throwing in a few applications for Ancient History than History. It wouldn’t change his PS too much. My DS were advised to do this by their sixth form on the basis that there isn’t much difference between achieving a history degree and ancient history degree, but there is more chance of an offer especially if you slip up with an exam. I thought that was good advice and may make more sense than a joint degree. I appreciate this advice may be coming a little late though.

@Lobbygobbler he looked at ancient history but wasn’t keen and would much rather do History BA at Bristol/Warwick/Exeter than go to Durham for Ancient history. So I don’t think it’s that he’s desperate to go to Durham although he would definitely like an offer.

I knew someone who did go to a very good university for ancient history and was required to study some Latin and Greek. Could not grasp it at all, so had to change course.

Maybe they were just a bit thick?