Is English Language looked down upon by top universities?

I'm hoping to get into a top university to study History (currently, I'm trying to get into Cambridge). I have done History, English Literature and English Language in my AS Year (I did Biology but dropped it at Easter because I couldn't get above a U.It was wasting my time in the end, and I wanted to focus on my arts subjects as I'm more arts inclined).

I've been reading about blacklists and things, and I was wondering if English Language is looked down upon by top universities?

Reply 1

Abstract_Prism

Language is not a facilitating subject, but you'll be fine because you've got History and Lit.

Reply 2

rhensis

I did English Language, History and Religious Studies at A2 (+English Lit/Crit Thinking at AS) and I'm an offer holder for Cambridge (and I got offers from all 4 of my other choices) - you'll be fine :smile:

You don't necessarily 'need' all facilitating subjects to get into uni, it's more that they give a good variety of subjects at uni you can choose from.

Reply 3

SteamboatMickey

Original post by rhensis

You don't necessarily 'need' all facilitating subjects to get into uni, it's more that they give a good variety of subjects at uni you can choose from.

Congratulations for your Cambridge offer! I'm glad you don't need all facilitating subjects, and I will be fine. But, when it comes to Cambridge, will I be disadvantaged because I only have three AS levels (although they don't count much under the new system)? I am very good at History, and I find English Language a breeze, so I feel like I could pull off A*AA, or even A*A*A.

English literature is slightly harder but the head of department said I'll easily get an A grade in it at A2. It's just I didn't do critical thinking and I dropped my fourth subject before I sat the exam so there is no proof I ever did Biology.

Reply 4

rhensis

Original post by SteamboatMickey

It's hard to say, especially since the AS changes, but there will be schools that aren't allowing the sitting of 4 AS anymore so you won't be alone. I wouldn't worry too much though since your 4th AS would have been basically irrelevant to your course and even worse if you'd had a poor prediction in it, and they have new admissions exams which will directly relate to History, so I'd just focus on displaying your enthusiasm for History instead of worrying about a 4th AS which you can't change! :smile:

Reply 5

SteamboatMickey

Original post by rhensis

My enthusiasm for History is great (and I'm talented at it) so I'm just hoping it makes up for it. If I don't get AAA/AAB (we didn't have a proper teacher at AS for English lit and according to a current law student at Kings that I befriended, they'll allow extenuating circumstances as long as I get an A the following year which I can) at AS. I'm just going to try for A*A*A and apply with my A2 grades (and another A* if EPQ is included).

Thank-you so much! I'll just focus on the entry exams, independent reading, and hope I pull through on results day. :smile:

Reply 6

jamestg

Original post by SteamboatMickey

You should be fine

Although the combined 'English Language and Literature' course ASFAIK isn't as well regarded as the separate English Language A-level.

Reply 7

SteamboatMickey

Original post by jamestg

You should be fine

Although the combined 'English Language and Literature' course ASFAIK isn't as well regarded as the separate English Language A-level.

I do English literature and English language separately :smile:

Reply 8

fefssdf

Original post by SteamboatMickey

i study english language and i got offers from nottingham and manchester for maths and they're Brussel groups

Reply 9

fefssdf

Original post by rhensis

You don't necessarily 'need' all facilitating subjects to get into uni, it's more that they give a good variety of subjects at uni you can choose from.