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Official Cambridge Applicants Thread 2016 Entry

I'm thinking of applying for History if I can get the grades, I'm currently taking A levels in history, philosophy&ethics and English literature but I do not know what to take as a 4th option. Could you recommend anything?

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Those three are fine on their own. The only criteria for the 4th are, then, 1) aptitude, and 2) enthusiasm. A language is always useful: there's a Themes and Sources option at the moment which requires A level French or equivalent, and a Part II special subject with the same requirement. As a medievalist I've found latin useful, but it's nothing like essential.

If you'd like to do more economic and social history, something more quantitative might be helpful. You'd be amazed at how many historians (including, to be honest, myself) really aren't very numerate...

Reply 261

suzywithaZY

18

Original post by JAIYEKO

Maths
Further Maths
Biology
Chemistry
Physics

Predicted A*s at least and I'll have a high chance of getting into Oxbridge

No you don't. Nobody has a high chance of getting into Oxbridge.

Is there a thread like this for Oxford? :awesome:

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I made an Oxford one if anyone wants to join me . . . !

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Reply 264

suzywithaZY

18

Original post by Edminzodo

I made an Oxford one if anyone wants to join me . . . !

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Nope xD I live in Oxford, I certainly don't want to go to university there xD

Reply 265

WithoutMuchHope

13

Scottish student, can't help feeling this is a little too early though...

Doing six highers: Chemistry, Physics, Maths, English, Spanish and Business. Interested in Engineering, Nat Sci or Mathematics.

Reply 266

littlelightwood

you'll all hate me but I'm undecided about oxford and cambridge (assuming i get the GSCE grades for either)!! but ive read cambridge is top for history...so probably cambridge...
but im doing IB next year! HL history, philosophy and english or physics.
See y'all on the other side of results day and GOOD LUCK!!

Reply 267

Veni Vidi Fugi

17

Original post by littlelightwood

you'll all hate me but I'm undecided about oxford and cambridge (assuming i get the GSCE grades for either)!! but ive read cambridge is top for history...so probably cambridge...
but im doing IB next year! HL history, philosophy and english or physics.
See y'all on the other side of results day and GOOD LUCK!!

Probably best to look at the different faculties' websites before you make a decision. Oxford and Cambridge have different strengths. The history of political thought is very strong at Cambridge, whereas Early Modern Europe is not so well covered.

Reply 268

littlelightwood

Original post by Gorwell

History is great! It's never too late, surely a cave in France isn't too bad? :wink:

What IGCSE subjects are you taking, If you don't mind me asking? If you need any help with them then let me know. :biggrin:

Im applying for history too! See you there (hopefully) my friend!

Reply 269

littlelightwood

Original post by Veni Vidi Fugi

Probably best to look at the different faculties' websites before you make a decision. Oxford and Cambridge have different strengths. The history of political thought is very strong at Cambridge, whereas Early Modern Europe is not so well covered.

thanks! Probably an incredibly stupid question..but where can I read/learn a bit more about strengths and weaknesses of each course?

Reply 270

Veni Vidi Fugi

17

Original post by littlelightwood

thanks! Probably an incredibly stupid question..but where can I read/learn a bit more about strengths and weaknesses of each course?

Not a stupid question at all, although one that's difficult to answer. The best way to find this out is to talk to students from both and to look at who's where. For example, Professor Christine Carpenter has a lot of influence over teaching of medieval history in Cambridge, and we still feel Quentin Skinner's influence even after he moved to London. You're best off choosing on the basis of which course you prefer though, as the faculties' relative strengths won't have a huge influence on you at undergraduate level

Reply 271

littlelightwood

Original post by BBeyond

Believe me they weren't...

My course work went really well, because I put a LOT of effort it, I think I got 14/15 on question 1 and 25/25 on question 2. Those topics look so much better than mine :redface:

Thank you, and that's annoying :frown:

I feel like that for English literature, it really sucks :frown:

We did loads of mocks so I kind of know what I got/ to expect :biggrin:

Hey you people! did anyone do the question on Hitler's germany that asked about events leading up to the election after the reichtstag fire?

Reply 272

littlelightwood

Original post by Veni Vidi Fugi

Not a stupid question at all, although one that's difficult to answer. The best way to find this out is to talk to students from both and to look at who's where. For example, Professor Christine Carpenter has a lot of influence over teaching of medieval history in Cambridge, and we still feel Quentin Skinner's influence even after he moved to London. You're best off choosing on the basis of which course you prefer though, as the faculties' relative strengths won't have a huge influence on you at undergraduate level

its probably too early to say this with confidence, but I am interested in so many areas of history, from the wars of the roses to world war two and i cant decide which i'd study! Do I have to narrow it down and study only one era, or can I do multiple over the course?

Reply 273

Veni Vidi Fugi

17

Original post by littlelightwood

its probably too early to say this with confidence, but I am interested in so many areas of history, from the wars of the roses to world war two and i cant decide which i'd study! Do I have to narrow it down and study only one era, or can I do multiple over the course?

The Cambridge course lets you take five papers in your first two years, and there are a few requirements, but you could do five papers from five different time periods. Have a look at the tripos papers for Part I http://www.hist.cam.ac.uk/undergraduate/tripos-papers

Reply 274

littlelightwood

Original post by Veni Vidi Fugi

The Cambridge course lets you take five papers in your first two years, and there are a few requirements, but you could do five papers from five different time periods. Have a look at the tripos papers for Part I http://www.hist.cam.ac.uk/undergraduate/tripos-papers

that link is really brilliant. Thank you so much! :smile:

Reply 275

afern

3

My IB HLs are going to be English, History and Philosophy. My SLs are going to be Maths Studies, Enviro and French. I'm hoping to History at Cambridge.

Reply 276

littlelightwood

Original post by afern

My IB HLs are going to be English, History and Philosophy. My SLs are going to be Maths Studies, Enviro and French. I'm hoping to History at Cambridge.

Im doing the same HLs as you and want to study history too! Are you worried there are too many essay based subjects or are you ok with that? Because im slightly worried about the work load :/

Reply 277

afern

3

Original post by littlelightwood

Im doing the same HLs as you and want to study history too! Are you worried there are too many essay based subjects or are you ok with that? Because im slightly worried about the work load :/