[Renaissance_boy]

Hello everyone! I'm going to apply read History of Art at Oxbridge (I'm thinking Corpus Christi college Cambridge!). The problem is my A levels. Having grown up in a Muslim household, my parents and family have always pressured me to pursue a career in Medicine, with both my parents and most of my uncles being doctors and surgeons. So I almost feigned an interest in Medicine, knowing that I would have to study three scientific A-levels. I applied for Medicine in 2008, and was accepted at Edinburgh and St. Andrews, and come results day, I impulsevely withdrew from UCAS. At GCSE, I fell in love with Classical Civilisation, History, Art, and English Literature, and French, hence I decided to study History of Art at A level All my teachers at school said I was a natural Historian of Art, and I genuinely do have an unending passion towards the subject, and do believe that I am very good at it. I have read litteraly hundred of art history books, and just LOVE the subject. I have secured two internships at art galleries in the next few months, and am determined to get into Oxbridge. For my gap year, alongside my teaching in Africa, I have secured a place in a language course in Paris, so that I can develop my French, which I think would help towards a History of Art application at Oxbridge. I just question my chances to get into History of Art at Oxbridge considering my scientific academic background. What do you guys think? Thanks for your time! Amrou x

[shabanrauf]

You certainly have a very good chance. Especially since you have studied it at A level

[peachmelba]

I'm about to start my third year studying hoa at York but applied to Oxford.

You are clearly passionate about the subject (declining places for medicine demonstrates that!) & that will certainly help. Hoa a level is not a requirement for any course but they do ask for an essay subject. Although unis say they will accept a mix of science subjects, it is subjects like English, History or languages that they regard as helpful. From my own experience at interview, doing Maths was regarded as "admirable" (subtext: they hadn't done any sciences and couldn't really understand why anyone else would want to).

There are big differences between the Cambridge and Oxford courses. Cambridge has quite a traditional, Western Art with a capital A approach. Oxford's department is more focused on visual studies (incidentally Martin Kemp curated the Leonardo exhibition at the V & A and is very interested in the interchange between art and science). As a very small department, some Oxford modules are taught by other departments such as Classics. Think carefully about which would suit you best.

Although hoa is generally a lot less competitive than say english or medicine, this is not necessarily the case at oxford and cambridge. In my year, there were over 5 applicants/place, of whom most would be well qualified. That means that even with a brilliant PS, reference, written work and interview, there are no guarantees of a place at Oxbridge.

So, i'd recommend you consider applying to some other unis. The Courtauld, UCL and York have the biggest hoa departments in the country (so you will have more choice of modules after first year). All three have excellent research ratings and arguably better hoa reputations. I wonder if you've set your heart on the prestige of oxbridge to placate the disappointment of your family at not pursuing medicine? Incidentally, UCL also offers a hoa/picture conservation course which would be a great match for your A level combination.

If you want to know any more about the course at York or my Oxford interview experiences, please feel free to PM me.

Good luck

[Demoskratos7]

Originally Posted by amrou

Hello everyone! I'm going to apply read History of Art at Oxbridge (I'm thinking Corpus Christi college Cambridge!). The problem is my A levels. Having grown up in a Muslim household, my parents and family have always pressured me to pursue a career in Medicine, with both my parents and most of my uncles being doctors and surgeons. So I almost feigned an interest in Medicine, knowing that I would have to study three scientific A-levels. I applied for Medicine in 2008, and was accepted at Edinburgh and St. Andrews, and come results day, I impulsevely withdrew from UCAS. At GCSE, I fell in love with Classical Civilisation, History, Art, and English Literature, and French, hence I decided to study History of Art at A level All my teachers at school said I was a natural Historian of Art, and I genuinely do have an unending passion towards the subject, and do believe that I am very good at it. I have read litteraly hundred of art history books, and just LOVE the subject. I have secured two internships at art galleries in the next few months, and am determined to get into Oxbridge. For my gap year, alongside my teaching in Africa, I have secured a place in a language course in Paris, so that I can develop my French, which I think would help towards a History of Art application at Oxbridge. I just question my chances to get into History of Art at Oxbridge considering my scientific academic background. What do you guys think? Thanks for your time! Amrou x

Aww. You sound lovely. And yes, you do sound as if you stand a good chance for History of Art at Oxbridge. Don't let family/friends pressurize you into taking something you're not interested in or passionate about; it's got to be your choice about your future. History of Art sounds like your genuine passion; as long as you can explain articulately at interview & in your personal statement the fact that you've always been interested in it. French indeed would be a helpful subject for your course but I don't think it's necessary; I know a historian of art at my college who can't speak it.

Best of luck with your plans.

[Milady de Winter]

History and History of Art rock. If you go to Oxford, look out for Dr (Prof?) Gervase Rosser and his rainbow-striped jumper!

Feel free to PM me about applying to Oxford, or about HoA

[AlexAAT]

chillout
it'll be okay
cambridge isn't your ticket to nirvana