Music Technology, Music and 'soft' A-levels

[Questingvole]

Is a Music Technology A-level acceptable to Russell League universities as one of three A-levels?

Trinity College, Cambridge publishes a list which says a clear NO; see www.trin.cam.ac.uk/index.php?pageid=604 .

Do the top non-Oxbridge universities have the same attitude?

I have a 19 year old DS who did MT at a top school which didn't warn us that it might present any kind of problem, but in the event it hasn't been a problem, as he has ended up at a music college instead of uni.
I have a younger DS, also musical, who would probably excel in a music technology A-level, too, but who also has other strings to his bow. I have just discovered that Oxbridge, at least, treat it as a soft subject, i.e. a non-subject. Should he avoid MT as an A-level?
And can I safely presume that pure Music is in a completely different category as far as top universities are concerned, and that it will be regarded as a 'proper' A-level ?

It isnt 'academic' - that why Cambridge are against it. They want the sharpest academic brains, they aren't interested in much else. Music is better regarded as it has the required academic rigour.

Other top Unis will all be different on this - and a great deal depends on the subject he's applying for. Electronics Engineering has an obvious connection/relevance to MT, Ancient History clearly doesn't.

The other important factor is the other A level subjects he'd be taking and his likely grades in those. If those are seriously traditional and academic and he can expect A grades, then MT as a 3rd subject won't be so much of an issue.

Thanks very much MrsBright. I am working on the basis that he'd be doing a degree in History or English, so a competitive humanities subject, at a Russell League university ... Have you experience from the inside?
(Incidentally, thanks very much for you thoughts in a different thread about secondary school choices)

This is a pretty good guide as to which A-levels are more valued than others. Obviously not all universities/courses apply the same criteria but to answer one of your questions, Music is definitely a 'proper' A-level. HTH.

Both English and History are HUGELY oversubscribed/competitive at RG Unis. He will need 3 A/A*s in the named subject and very traditional 'essay' subjects (including Music). MT would be okay as an additional AS but not as 1 of the main three.

He will also need a strong PS and a very supportive academic reference that stresses his high academic potential. Lots of reading outside the A level syllabus, plus demonstrable evidence of his interest in the subject outside school is essential.

My dd is doing 3 A levels, including Theatre Studies (generally considered a "soft" option) and has so far had 4 university offers, including Edinburgh and Exeter. Not sure whether this helps- but it does show that "soft" options don't necessarily mean trouble.

Theatre Studies is accepted by Cambridge and other Universities if combined with English as it is complimentary. It would not be much good with sciences. Music tech would be OK with Music A level for a music degree.