[thediamonds]

I have moved to a new country this year with my family and am attending an international school that offers A levels. I study:

English Literature
History
Geography
Business Studies

I am currently in the process of completing my AS year and have been thinking of applying to Cambridge to read Law. However, due to the fact that I didn't take GCSE's and studied at a school in a country outside Europe, which offered education that is not recognised, I wasn't prepared enough for my courses. Therefore, the effort that I had to make was considerably higher than my classmates and people from the UK. Thus, I am expecting B's/low A's in August (probably 1,2 resits).

I noticed that very few international students take up essay based subjects for A level, taking Maths, Physics instead. Will taking humanities subjects give me an advantage over other international applicants? Will Cambridge understand my circumstances and appreciate the effort that I had to make?

Also, when applying for a course as an international student, are we competing with other international students or with students from UK too?

[Derek_the_Sheep]

(Original post by thediamonds)
Thus, I am expecting B's/low A's in August (probably 1,2 resits). I noticed that very few international students take up essay based subjects for A level, taking Maths, Physics instead. Will taking humanities subjects give me an advantage over other international applicants?

No.

(Original post by thediamonds)
Will Cambridge understand my circumstances and appreciate the effort that I had to make?

Maybe they will, but even so the minimum offer will stand. If you look like you are not likely to make that, they will not make you an offer. To be blunt, there are many more candidates who are predicted the minimum grades or above; why would they take a chance on you?

(Original post by thediamonds)
Also, when applying for a course as an international student, are we competing with other international students or with students from UK too?

Everyone is competing for places against everyone else, regardless of origin.

[Chiseph]

I would say that that it does give you an advantage when applying to universities in the UK in general, because you're competing mainly against other international students for being part of the small percent that has to be filled with them. If you're a non-EU citizen, humanities does look good (my brother was the only one in his year to get an offer from Durham even though at least 15 others in his year had better gcses and as grades), but when applying into Oxbridge a low grade by their standards is still a low grade full stop.

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