Hist & Pol (Ox) or SPS (Cam)?

So, I thought I was completely sure of my 5 UCAS choices but then I realised that Hist & Pol at Oxford might be a better choice than SPS at Cambridge. My other four choices look like this:

ESPS, UCL
IR, LSE
IR, Edinburgh
IR, St. Andrews

Politics is by far my favourite subject/sub-topic within the area. The SPS course allows for specialisation in year 2 and 3, but seeing that I don't really have an interest in Psych or Sociology it might still be a bad choice since I'll have to go through these in the first year. It's not that I'm going to find them boring I believe, it's just that I've never studied them and Politics is seriously what I love.
I like modern history as well but it seems like most of Oxford's history options are pre-20th century.

So far it definitely looks in favour of HistPol, but the thing is that our uni advisors clearly told me that our school's reputation is much higher at Cam than at Ox, which leaves me a bit dubious. I know that shouldn't pull me of - and it doesn't - I just don't want to waste my Oxbridge application slot because of it.

I know I don't really have any clearly stated questions, I'd just like some comments and advice on this issue... :woo:

Reply 1

Diachrom

For what it's worth, my friend is doing Hist&Pol at Trinity (going into final year in Sept) and raves about it on quite a consistent basis. It gets rather annoying actually...

As I'm sure most people will say, just go for the course that you think you'll enjoy more. Having to study psych/sociology to a Cambridge level would require lots of work - if you didn't enjoy it, you'd HATE it...

Reply 2

The West Wing

You will have to show at least some commitment to Psych and Soc at the interview, but as you say, if you want it is possible to study politics for 1/4 of the first year and 100% of the other years. It's up to you which course you think fits you best.

Reply 3

Slothuus

Thanks to both of you...

One of my concerns is the Historical Aptitude Test (HAT). It looks quite difficult - a lot more tricky than the IB History exams (which I find rather simple, tbh).
I'm writing my EE in History and I think it is going to be excellent. Will that perhaps be able to make up for a couple of missed points in the HAT?

Reply 4

Diachrom

It looks quite difficult

The HAT, along with any other entrance exams, is meant to be difficult... too difficult. Even the best candidates will get something wrong - this allows for greater stratification.

To me it sounds like you want to apply for Oxford but are a bit insecure. Don't worry! You will not fail the HAT. It's there to let you show off :p:

Reply 5

Wise One

Do you have to apply to Oxbridge?

Reply 6

Slothuus

Wise One

Do you have to apply to Oxbridge?

I want to. There is not, in addition, any other fifth place I'd like to apply. That should be Durham then, but I'd rather have Edinburgh as my safe choice (and Aberystwyth through Clearing as my safe-safe-choice) and then give Oxford a shot. I think I stand a decent chance.

Reply 7

jennipenny

Edinburgh is better than Durham for Politics anyway unless you had a particular interest in the Middle East. But a question - you seem to be going for prestige over course specialisms / location, would you really be happy at all of those choices? E.g. I'd have thought someone who liked the idea of London would hate St Andrews or Aberystwyth and vice versa. And if you are really into IR, would you be able to do enough of it at Oxford for it to be satisfying? And do you want to do a language / year abroad that UCL's course demands?

Reply 8

Wise One

jennipenny

That was kind of what I was getting at. Neither SPS nor Hist&Pol have that much in common with your other choices. Remove the prestige factor, and it doesn't even sound as if you'd enjoy either course that much.