[Calllu-m]

Joint honours in History and Arabic
Ideally at Durham (College of St Hild and St Bede)
then St Andrews
Edinburgh
Exeter
SOAS

[KMLeeson]

Joint honours in 2 of Ancient History, History and Archaeology.

I'm thinking Durham
Birmingham
Kent
Exeter
Not sure on a 5th

Anyone else considering the same?

[paddypower]

(Original post by Harry S Truman)
I'm a first year history student at Cambridge. Feel free to ask me about the Cambridge course in particular, or university applications in general. Just make sure you quote me so I know I've been summoned.

Hi, I was wondering how much emphasis is put on your A levels by the history admissions at Cambridge? I might consider reapplying for Cambridge if I get 3 or 4 A*, but would this give me a particular advantage over other candidates given that I would be a reapplicant?
I've got an offer from Durham at the moment so it's quite a big call...
Thanks for any help.

[Harry S Truman]

(Original post by paddypower)
Hi, I was wondering how much emphasis is put on your A levels by the history admissions at Cambridge? I might consider reapplying for Cambridge if I get 3 or 4 A*, but would this give me a particular advantage over other candidates given that I would be a reapplicant?
I've got an offer from Durham at the moment so it's quite a big call...
Thanks for any help.

I'm not in a great position to speak on this since I only had AS results and A2 predictions going into admissions, and the exact weighting of each element of an application is really unknowable. Some things I will say though:

Basically, if you have solid grades (A or A*) in your three best subjects (including History), and an A* in at least one of them, you're more or less guaranteed an interview. The interview is really your chance to shine, or at least that is how I viewed it - if you really do well in the interview, I doubt any small blemishes in your exam results will stop you getting an offer, and if you're utterly inept no amount of A*s will get you in. Your grades will of course be important since interview performance is rarely that extreme, but remember that Cambridge is less interested in your actual surface grade than other universities - you submit your UMS marks in every module you take, so they can see if your grade has been brought down by a fluke bad performance, and excellence elsewhere will be spotted.

Ultimately, if you do well enough in exams to get an A* or two and the rest As, and you think you'd perform well in an interview, I'd say go for it. But you do already have a rather compelling offer, and if you think you have a shot at Cambridge it is really for you to decide whether you want to risk it or not.

[Darrenh800]

(Original post by Kimiechi)
Oxford/Cambridge, Durham, St Andrews, Edinburgh, Nottingham/Glasgow/Lancaster (depends whether I decide to do normal History or Ancient and Modern). Ideally I'd like to specialise in American history, but I'm interested in loads of other areas too what about you?

Glasgow are supposedly really good for American History. We're doing the Civil War just now and our teacher was telling us that they have specialists and that they teach in year 2. I'm sure you know but I hope it helps

[Kimiechi]

(Original post by Darrenh800)
Glasgow are supposedly really good for American History. We're doing the Civil War just now and our teacher was telling us that they have specialists and that they teach in year 2. I'm sure you know but I hope it helps

Thanks gosh, that post is either old, or I change my mind a lot (probably the latter ;P) only like two of those choices are still the same as what I'm currently looking at

[Darrenh800]

(Original post by Kimiechi)
Thanks gosh, that post is either old, or I change my mind a lot (probably the latter ;P) only like two of those choices are still the same as what I'm currently looking at

Sorry, I didn't even notice the dates :/

[Mod Calm]

(Original post by soindie)
Where should I look at with these "possible" grades: AS - AAAB and A2 - A*A(*)A. Also, what A Levels you guys doing?

If you're predicted A* A* A, you can apply anywhere and have a good shot at getting in. I'd say either Oxbridge or Durham for History. Good luck!

(Original post by soindie)
I'm doing History, Politics, French and English Lit. I want to drop French! Which top universities offer a lot of freedom in modules/mainly modern modules (I'm not particularly interested in medieval history)

In first year you'll have to do introductory modules which will include some early modern history. They usually span large periods of time and have a thematic/geographical focus (History of the Americas; Themes in European History etc). Once you get past the introductory first year modules, you can start to specialise in the areas of history you're more interested in.

(Original post by JollyGreenAtheist)
I'm hoping to apply for a joint honours in English Literature and History at:

- Durham
- York
- Exeter
- Nottingham
- Lancaster/Sussex/UEA/Sheffield/Leeds/possibly elsewhere

It would be nice to get AAAA at AS. I study English Lit, History, Politics and Sociology, and expect to drop Sociology after AS because it's ever so slightly mind numbing.

I'm writing my Lit coursework at the moment on A Streetcar Named Desire, and Hamlet. Afterwards, I'll be moving onto aspects of narrative with The Great Gatsby, Birdsong, The Rime of the Ancient Mariner and assorted Hardy poems. I'm aiming to get 30/30 for both of my c/w pieces, which will hopefully compensate for my often poor exam results.

I'm sitting sociology and politics exams in January, which (without trying to sound arrogant) should both be As, questions permitting.

If I get amazing UMS at the end of AS (which I doubt) I might half-consider Cambridge, but I doubt it.

Durham is the only uni to require an A* in History at A2, so be careful if you're pinning your hopes on Durham as a first choice. If you're predicted AAA or higher, you can pretty much apply anywhere and have a good shot at getting in. Give more than a half-consideration to Cambridge, you'd stand a good chance of getting in!

[JollyGreenAtheist]

(Original post by Mod Calm)
Durham is the only uni to require an A* in History at A2, so be careful if you're pinning your hopes on Durham as a first choice. If you're predicted AAA or higher, you can pretty much apply anywhere and have a good shot at getting in. Give more than a half-consideration to Cambridge, you'd stand a good chance of getting in!

Ah, that's very kind of you to say so.

In light of this old post, my views on university and whatnot have changed completely, but it's still kind of you to offer advice. Thanks

[historygirl]

I'm hoping to get AAAA in my AS exam results.
The subject I do are: history, English literature, English language (these two could go bad, though for me that would mean a C or even a B) and government & politics.
I'm thinking of applying to/going to the open days:
-Durham (A*AA)
-York (AAA)
- Sheffield (AAA)
- Leeds (AAA)
- Manchester(AAA-AAB)
- Liverpool (AAA)
- Hull (BBB-AAB)
- Lincoln (BBC)

(Original post by Mod Calm)
Durham is the only uni to require an A* in History at A2, so be careful if you're pinning your hopes on Durham as a first choice. If you're predicted AAA or higher, you can pretty much apply anywhere and have a good shot at getting in. Give more than a half-consideration to Cambridge, you'd stand a good chance of getting in!

I've just looked at the Cambridge website and it also says A*AA by the way.

[pink pineapple]

(Original post by historygirl)
I'm hoping to get AAAA in my AS exam results.
The subject I do are: history, English literature, English language (these two could go bad, though for me that would mean a C or even a B) and government & politics.
I'm thinking of applying to/going to the open days:
-Durham (A*AA)
-York (AAA)
- Sheffield (AAA)
- Leeds (AAA)
- Manchester(AAA-AAB)
- Liverpool (AAA)
- Hull (BBB-AAB)
- Lincoln (BBC)

I've just looked at the Cambridge website and it also says A*AA by the way.

hey i'm also thinking about Manchester and Leeds

[Mod Calm]

(Original post by historygirl)
I'm hoping to get AAAA in my AS exam results.
The subject I do are: history, English literature, English language (these two could go bad, though for me that would mean a C or even a B) and government & politics.
I'm thinking of applying to/going to the open days:
-Durham (A*AA)
-York (AAA)
- Sheffield (AAA)
- Leeds (AAA)
- Manchester(AAA-AAB)
- Liverpool (AAA)
- Hull (BBB-AAB)
- Lincoln (BBC)

I've just looked at the Cambridge website and it also says A*AA by the way.

I said Durham is the only university to require an A* in History. Cambridge's standard offer is A*AA, but they don't require you to have an A* in History. I point this out because if you're not going to get an A* in History, but you may in one of your other subjects, you will still end up with A*AA, but that A* in English instead of History might mean the difference between admission and rejection from certain institutions.

[historygirl]

(Original post by Mod Calm)
I said Durham is the only university to require an A* in History. Cambridge's standard offer is A*AA, but they don't require you to have an A* in History. I point this out because if you're not going to get an A* in History, but you may in one of your other subjects, you will still end up with A*AA, but that A* in English instead of History might mean the difference between admission and rejection from certain institutions.

Thats alright, Mod Calm, I was just checking.

(Original post by pink pineapple)
hey i'm also thinking about Manchester and Leeds

Are you going to the open days? What do you like about their courses? I like Manchester's modules. Leeds' modules are also good, but I think that the first year isn't as good as some of the others I'm looking at. However, Leeds to have a good range of joint honours, one is History and Roman civilisation which requires ABB - may make an ideal insurance choice if I like the uni when I visit on Friday 22nd June.
Shouldn't be too problematic in the personal statement either.

[jada897]

HMmm waiting on AS results but choices atm: Gloucestershire, Oxford Brookes, UWE, Bath Spa

[vickymouse]

I'm also waiting on my AS results, but my choices are: Reading(I reaaaaaally want to go there!), UWE, Chester, possibly Birmingham and Winchester, I'm looking at others like Oxford Brookes, but my heart lies with Reading. I just need to make sure I get the grades!

[pricey26]

hi, at the moment I'm looking into:
Nottingham
Sheffield
Bristol
Reading
UEA
Aberystwyth

anybody also considering these/a student at these unis doing history?

[jada897]

(Original post by vickymouse)
I'm also waiting on my AS results, but my choices are: Reading(I reaaaaaally want to go there!), UWE, Chester, possibly Birmingham and Winchester, I'm looking at others like Oxford Brookes, but my heart lies with Reading. I just need to make sure I get the grades!

Ooh i have really looked in to reading to be fair I probably should I just want my results now :L

[pink pineapple]

(Original post by vickymouse)
I'm also waiting on my AS results, but my choices are: Reading(I reaaaaaally want to go there!), UWE, Chester, possibly Birmingham and Winchester, I'm looking at others like Oxford Brookes, but my heart lies with Reading. I just need to make sure I get the grades!

Thinking about doing history and French but really liked Reading too!

[cl_steele]

Well i deffered my entry so i guess im a 2013 History applicant? either way History at UCL

[NiallC]

I'm hopefully going to apply to Sussex, UEA, York, Exeter and Durham but it depends on my AS Results which I think will only be average so I am going to look elsewhere.