[member9876]

My sister is in yr 9 and is about to choose her subjects for gcses. She has one last option to pick and that is between pe and performing arts. I am wondering whether either of these subjects is on the 'blacklist' at either of oxford/cambrdige and whether they would affect her chances in the future. I am under the impression they are more concerned in relation to what a levels are chosen.

[jink]

I think that it doesn't really matter. What are her other subjects?

[Bezzler]

GCSE choices make very little difference to universities, provided you keep whatever you're planning to do at uni! A levels matter much more because you won't be doing the core subjects like maths and science, so media studies or hair and beauty are taking up one of three or four options, whereas at GCSE it doesn't make so much difference.

I personally think performing arts would be better, though (depending on the school) I believe a more specific course (i.e. drama or music) is better.

[Economies_of_scale]

There is no GCSE blacklist at Oxbridge. Subject choices only become relevant at A-Level.

[Jimmy Jazz]

I really, really doubt they'll care.

The 'blacklist' is for A level subjects, anyway.

[caroline147]

If there were a blacklist for GCSEs, I'm sure both PE & Performing Arts would be on it

[Lindath]

what the heck is a blacklist? Ô.o
illegal subjects? like what?

[River85]

AFAIK it's only Cambridge that has a "blaclist" and that's only A-levels.

One GCSE doesn't really matter. She should chose whichever subject she thinks she'll enjoy more.

[Derek_the_Sheep]

Both Oxford and Cambridge will only care about "academic" GCSEs. They will want to know two things: (1) has the applicant done enough of them ? (2) has the applicant done well in most of them ?

Since they will be most unlikely to consider either PE or PA as "academic" GCSEs, the choice is irrelevant as far as Oxbridge entrance goes. She should just choose what she enjoys most.

DtS

[tommm]

They couldn't give a ****. End of.

[Metamorphosis_S]

I doubt they'd care. I did media studies, art and foodtech as my choices and still got an offer.