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Original poster

Can't do triple science unless you're predicted at least a C in MFL

84 replies

sandyballs · 11/02/2014 10:22

To be fair I haven't discussed this with school yet, my DDs are year 8. But friends with older kids have been discussing it and getting tutors for languages.

Has anyone heard of this before, what on earth has achieving in a language got to do with science?

OP posts:
bruffin · 12/02/2014 18:56

The only university i came across that wanted a C in mfl was UCL. They didn't even get a look in with DS as they dont have a that good reputation for engineering.

ChocolateWombat · 12/02/2014 19:17

Oxbridge want it too, iirc.
Not relevant to most, I realise. Says something about the value of breadth at GCSE level though.

bruffin · 12/02/2014 19:31

I didnt think it was needed. Cambridge dont seem that interested in gcses.

ChocolateWombat · 12/02/2014 19:38

Iirc, it is one of their general requirements. A C or above is needed, just to show a broad education.
It is not true that they pay no attention to GCSEs. They would be looking usually for at least 7 A*, as well as looking at the AS level UMS marks. Candidates with module results over 90 and 95 in particular are much more likely to get interviews.
There are so many kids these days with great GCSes and all As at AS that they need some way to cut the numbers down.

Martorana · 12/02/2014 19:42

Oxbridge are very keen on GCSEs. Oxford more than Cambridge- but still looking for 7 A*s!

bruffin · 12/02/2014 19:51

GCSEs requirement for Cambridge from their website

With the exception ofMedicineandVeterinary Medicine, there are no GCSE (or equivalent) requirements for entry to Cambridge.GCSE results are looked at as a performance indicator, but within the context of the school/college performance.It is generally expected that applicants will have achieved high grades in subjects relevant to their chosen course, and most students who apply have at least four or five As or As at GCSE. However, there are always exceptions and one of the strengths of the Cambridge admissions system is its ability to assess all applicants individually.*

No mention of mfl at all

wordfactory · 12/02/2014 19:53

bruffin there is no requirement. However, there is a preference.

These are extremely selective universities with far too many applicants for the places available. Most successful applicants will have more on their CV than the basic requirements.

LynetteScavo · 12/02/2014 19:57

Well, this would not work for my DS. He is predicted excellent grades in science, and every subject except PE, but would never have achieved a C in a language. Ever.

As far as I'm aware, it means he will not be able to study at LSE (I think that is the only uni which requires a language at GCSE - I'm happy to be corrected).

nickymanchester · 12/02/2014 19:58

With regard to UCL. I really don't know why people keep on trotting out these old cliches.

THis is what UCL actually say:-

If you did not take an MFL GCSE, or if you got a D grade or below, don’t worry! You can still apply to any UCL degree programme, and it won’t negatively affect your application

However, you will need to complete a short course in a modern foreign language, either on a summer school or in the first year of your degree

UCL runs a Languages and Study Skills Summer School for students who wish to study at UCL but who do not meet the MFL requirement. This is open to all year 13 students who attend a non-selective state school or college, who hold an offer from UCL but do not have an A-C in a modern foreign language. If they attend the summer school in the summer before they start at UCL, they meet the MFL requirement and do not need to complete any further language study during their degree.*

I'm speaking as a UCL graduate

LynetteScavo · 12/02/2014 20:02

Have I confused LSE with UCL? [stupid emoticon]

nickymanchester · 12/02/2014 20:04

Lynette maybe?

I posted too soon above. I meant to say:-

I'm speaking as a UCL graduate who got a D in French

bruffin · 12/02/2014 20:08

I know what UCL actually say, but why waste time doing a summer school or taking a subject for a year when there are better universities out there that dont require their to do it. Ds has had offers from RG universities despite his d in german.
My ds did french and german from yr 7 to yr9 and german until yr 11. I find their attitude pretty insulting to be honest. Not sure that a summer school is going to make much different.

harbinger · 12/02/2014 20:20

Are you concerned because your DC's school will not allow the study of the three sciences and a MFL?

nickymanchester · 12/02/2014 20:21

I know what UCL actually say, but why waste time doing a summer school or taking a subject for a year when there are better universities out there that dont require their to do it.

I would argue that there are quite a few subjects that UCL are really good at. In my particular area - going back many many years ago - there were only two universities that were worth considering, they were UCL and Warwick. At the time I felt the UCL course was better and that justified going there - I have no regrets in this decision.

Having said that, UCL have now dropped the actual course I did and if I were applying today I would choose Warwick as they are still at the very top in this area.

Not sure that a summer school is going to make much different.

The summer school is just a box ticking exercise - there is no exam to pass

bruffin · 12/02/2014 20:47

Its not that highly ranked for ds subject.

Martorana · 12/02/2014 20:58

Isn't at least a C in a MFL- not hard to get, frankly, for a student predicted As in other subjects- the least you could expect from a person claiming to have a rounded education?

Phaedra11 · 12/02/2014 20:59

TBH owl you don't even need to be that good at maths for triple science.

There was some unhappiness in DS's Physics class in Year 10 when the Teacher was assuming Maths awareness in all the class that only those in the Maths top set had. There were complaints from parents and children and I think it got resolved eventually.

bruffin · 12/02/2014 21:04

Martorano
Its easy to get if you can memorize pages of text with no context, but not if you are dyslexic with memory problems.

harbinger · 12/02/2014 21:10

DD2 at Oxford. I would advise to go for the A*s at GCSE. She was put in for a Stats one (no lessons) and got an A. The chap,looking at her results, said 'Shame about the A'.

harbinger · 12/02/2014 21:12

German :; if you can't get Latin or Greek.

nickymanchester · 12/02/2014 21:28

Martorana

If you actually read the thread, you'll find that there have been quite a few people who have struggled with MFL but have gone on to get straight As in everything else and be not too unsuccessful in later life.

nickymanchester · 12/02/2014 21:30

bruffin

I'm sure it isn't - but that doesn't mean that there aren't plenty of subject areas for which it is very highly rated and so this is a relevant concern for people applying for those courses

Martorana · 12/02/2014 21:38

Absolutely. Many people are highly successful without a MFL. But deciding not to do one at GCSE is, IMHO, a mistake. A NT student capable of getting As in other subjects should not find the rqther limited amount of language necessary for a GCSE much of a struggle, and it's a bit of paper she might well find useful in the future.

LynetteScavo · 12/02/2014 21:43

bruffin - do dyslexics find learning another language more difficult than others?

I'm curious because I have an Aspergers DS who scored incredibly badly on the language aptitude test he was given at school (I was never really sure if he's done so poorly on purpose) and I also have a dyslexic DD...just wondering what the future holds for her.

DS2 has also taken a language aptitude test and did very poorly. (He is academically the most average DC on the planet according to SATs, but has been tested for dyslexia, so I'm guessing the school had some concerns - and to say he didn't do very well is an understatement!)

Obviously, we could just be a family who isn't good at languages, despite none of us being "thick". Grin

nickymanchester · 12/02/2014 21:57

I must admit, I never really do understand these people that say that somebody must find MFL ''not much of a struggle'' because they are intelligent enough to do well in other subjects.

I think that it's fair to say that most children who would otherwise do very well will not find it a struggle. However, I would suggest that there is a substantial minority that do find it a struggle.

To dismiss these children simply because they are not in the majority is doing a very big disservice.