Cambridge Modern and Medieval Languages (MML) Students and Applicants

MMLer here who just graduated yesterday!

Another language at A-level would obviously be good and potentially open more options, but is not necessary as you can pick up a second language as a beginner. What's an ab initio A-level – does it mean you'd go from beginner to A-level standard in two years? If so and you can do well at it then that is potentially a very interesting thing to put on your application, whether you apply for Italian or something else at Cambridge.

English literature isn't going to be seen as better than English language for MML. Pick whichever one you enjoy more. If you're interested in literature but opt for language then as you say you can pursue it as a super-curricular. (I'd recommend reading a few books for your personal statement in any case, though they could relate to history, current affairs or linguistics just as much as literature.)

You won't have an advantage applying with more than three A-levels versus just three, so unless you want to do more and think you can do more to a consistently high standard then stick with three.