Cambridge Anglo Saxon Norse and Celtic (ASNC) Students and Applicants

I got an offer to do ASNAC at St Catharine's, but so far I haven't been able to find anybody else who's received an offer for ASNAC.

I GOT AN OFFER! From Caius college!!

Congratulations everyone, I got an offer from Murray Edwards!! Super excited!!😁

Congratulations everyone, I got an offer from Murray Edwards!! Super excited!!😁

Hey people, don't know if anyone still looks at this thread but what did you get in your gcses? Sorry about opening old threads

hello all!
i'm in year 12, planning to apply for ASNC 2019 entry. i've read up on the degree and know that there are no specific subject requirements, but it is helpful to have studied history, english, and/or a modern language. i'm not studying history or english at a-level but my gcse grades were A for history, 7 for eng lang and 6 for eng lit. my a-level subjects are maths, french, economics and sociology. i completed my spanish a-level with a grade A in 2017.
i'm super passionate about old english, anglo-saxon history and palaeography (specifically glossing, but i do love everything palaeography entails to a pretty high degree!!). i also have a curiosity for medieval welsh and history related around wales, and latin; i already know what 6 topicts i'd choose out of the 10 offered in ASNC!
i'm currently self-teaching old english and i'm having an absolute blast.

i have a few questions, if anyone is still around on this thread:

1. should i do spanish a-level again in summer 2019? since the spec has changed i'm not sure whether my a-level is still relevant.

2. i'm interested in the following colleges: jesus, christ's, trinity, catz and st. john's. which one would you recommend for me to apply to? i understand that it is not common to have more than one ASNaC in each college year group- i'm more concerned about which college has better ASNC learning resources/a generally nice study atmosphere.

3. what are my chances of getting into ASNC at cambridge? it's quite a unique subject and from what i can tell, no other unis offer anything quite like it. i'm really invested in getting on this course because it seems to be exactly what i want and love.

4. in case i don't get into cambridge, can anyone suggest other similar courses (study of old english is a must) at other universities in or around london?

thank you! also, if anyone is planning to apply for ASNC 2019, please reply! i'm interested to know more about fellow enthusiasts since i am the only person i currently know that is interested in all things ASNC.

4. in case i don't get into cambridge, can anyone suggest other similar courses (study of old english is a must) at other universities in or around london?.

Otherwise, Scandinavian studies is offered at Edinburgh and UCL though I don't think those include Old English. I am not certain, though, and so I recommend looking at their respective websites and having a nose at their courses in detail.

Hi I'm the current Access Officer for ASNaC at Cambridge, so if you have any other questions (this applies to anyone), feel free to send me a message and I will try my best to reply.

Current ASNaCs come from a myriad of backgrounds with almost every A level (or otherwise) combination possible. It is really the case with ASNaC that all that is being looked for is a curiosity for the subject and a willingness to learn

It's great to hear that you are enjoying reading up on ASNaC-y stuff! When I arrived I knew practically nothing, though, and I still have found the course really enjoyable. So don't let fears of not knowing enough deter you at all.

To specifically answer your questions;

1) If you acquired an A level qualification then it will still be relevant regardless of whether or not the specification has changed. It might not be particularly beneficial to spend your time re-doing something you have already done, either. However, if you are still curious about your subject choices I suggest you consult with a HE+ adviser or lecturer. The grade requirements are A*AA so as long as that is achieved/predicted in some way, this should still be fine.

2) Choose whichever college you like best ! In terms of resources, the ASNaC section of the English library has pretty much everything you need so you don't need to worry about that. Just pick one that you think would suit you most, personally!
I chose my college based on the prettiness of the library so it really doesn't matter (like at all).

3) You can look at past application statistics via https://www.undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/apply/statistics

However, statistics don't mean everything, and the only way you have no hope of getting in is if you don't apply. If you are meant to be at Cambridge then you will inevitably end up here. BUT regardless, that is never a reflection of your personal worth.

4) While there is, unfortunately, a lack of ASNaC based degrees, there are some variations of English/history courses out there. If it is the English side you are more inclined towards, I suggest looking at the University of York, I believe Nottingham as well, and St Andrews?? Otherwise, Scandinavian studies is offered at Edinburgh and UCL though I don't think those include Old English. I am not certain, though, and so I recommend looking at their respective websites and having a nose at their courses in detail.

I hope this helps,

Nia

You can combine Scandinavian Studies with English at UCL (via the Modern Languages Plus BA), which allows you take take both Old Norse and Old English, as well as a modern Scandinavian language.

Hi everyone!
Is anybody here applying for 2020 entry?

Yes! How did you find the course? It's so niche, I'm really curious about how anyone else got into it.

Honestly, I wish I remembered... I think I was just browsing Cambridge's website, but the moment I saw it, I knew that that was something I wanted to study. Cliche as it might sound, I've always been drawn to the history, languages and cultures of early medieval British Isles, which might be even more unusual given the fact I'm not from the UK - I'm Polish.

Hi, I’m applying for 2020 entry (Trinity Hall)
Honestly I think I found the course just browsing on the internet a few years back - I found out about the course 5 years ago and it’s been my dream ever since to study it!