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What's Oxbridge's view of Drama/Theatre Studies A-level versus Classics? Aargh.

What's Oxbridge's verdict on Drama and Theatre Studies, out of interest? I've just completed my AS levels (Music, English, Drama/Theatre Studies and Classics) and got four As. However. I'm now at a loss as to what to drop since I didn't think I'd do very well in Classics and was assuming that would be the subject I'd get rid of - in fact I got a good enough mark that I could theoretically get a C at A2 and still get an A overall, whereas I just scraped the A in Drama and would need to get an A next year to get the overall grade - something I feel is too risky since two of the modules are practical and can't be moderated or re-marked.

I'd like to study Music, and four A2s isn't an option for me with all the extracurricular lessons (I'm a singer recovering from vocal damage which makes these lessons even more vital). I've been doing four subjects for about a week now and for three days straight I've been up until two in the morning finishing work, since I have no free periods at school any more, which I don't think will be particularly conducive to my long-term wellbeing :smile:

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I love Drama, and I'd always promised myself I'd continue it to A2. However, I get the feeling Oxbridge might view it as a soft option, plus I did much better in Classics and if I do Music, English Lit and Classics I'm much more likely to get the straight As, even though I despise Classics and never wanted to do it in the first place (long story short - it was the only space left when they messed up my option lines).

Then again, perhaps English and Classics are too closely linked, and perhaps I've shot myself in the foot with the subjects I've chosen and won't get into any of the places that offer the grades I'm hoping I'll be able to get. Damn.

I should mention that I'm planning on applying to places during my gap year, mainly to have extra time to sort out my vocal health (however academic the course, there'll still be some performing) so whatever I get, any offers from universities won't be conditional with regards to grades.

Anyway, I've rambled and I'm sorry, but I'm tearing my hair out here. Any help would be much appreciated. Thanks muchly.

-Emma

Reply 1

Jigglypuff

16

I know of people who received offers from Oxbridge with drama. If you enjoy it, carry it on. I would say both drama and classics have a degree of relevance to english. Email admissions tutors if you are worried because, ultimately, it's down to them. Also, I don't know how realistic this is, but there are a couple of other options:
-Carry on with all four to A2 but don't attend the classics lessons. If you're good at it, and only need C grades this year, is it possible for you to get the grades simply with some study in your free time? (as opposed to attending all the lessons, doing the homework and so on).
-As you are having a gap year, you could perhaps take the 3 A2 modules in that gap year so universities will see you (hopefully) three As and then that you are also taking classics to A2. If they hated drama that much, they could make your offer conditional on one A grade (classics).

But I'm no expert, I'd say email them.

Reply 2

Satine

OP

7

(Oh, first, just to clarify, I'd like to study Music not English. Not sure if I mentioned that. Oops).

Jigglypuff

-Carry on with all four to A2 but don't attend the classics lessons. If you're good at it, and only need C grades this year, is it possible for you to get the grades simply with some study in your free time? (as opposed to attending all the lessons, doing the homework and so on).

If I did that I think I wouldn't be entered for the exam. My school is positively Draconian about this sort of thing and the idea that perhaps I could go to two out of three lessons was met with horror, so I don't think this would work. They're not into any sort of "special treatment", unless you're doing Medicine, but don't get me started on that :redface:

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In any case, I've postponed one Music performance module for health reasons which I'll take in June, and will also be resitting the only Drama module I can retake. I'm not sure I can cope with all the exams.

-As you are having a gap year, you could perhaps take the 3 A2 modules in that gap year so universities will see you (hopefully) three As and then that you are also taking classics to A2. If they hated drama that much, they could make your offer conditional on one A grade (classics).

I'm actually really tempted to do this with the Drama, since the synoptic paper doesn't rely so much on the existing AS stuff and it wouldn't matter if I'd forgotten what I did at AS. I'd need to find a centre that would support me, though.

Thanks :smile:

Reply 3

Jigglypuff

16

Satine

(Oh, first, just to clarify, I'd like to study Music not English. Not sure if I mentioned that. Oops) Thanks :smile:

Oh sorry, you did mention it...I think I just assumed because at one point you mentioned classics being relevant to english. But that's not what you meant, so ignore that.

I'm actually really tempted to do this with the Drama, since the synoptic paper doesn't rely so much on the existing AS stuff and it wouldn't matter if I'd forgotten what I did at AS. I'd need to find a centre that would support me, though.

The only thing is...that wouldn't help the fact that you don't enjoy classics (you'd still be taking classics as one of your 'first' A2s) and, chances are, Oxbridge wouldn't make an offer conditional on the Drama as they would (presumably) be happy with your first three A2 choices. Saying that, if you enjoy Drama and are taking the year out anyway it might be a nice way to fill some time and gain an extra qualification. Maybe email an admissions tutor and ask their opinion, as I'm merely speculating here.

Reply 4

Satine

OP

7

Arsemonkeys. I've just rung up Cambridge's admissions department and been told very firmly that Drama is blacklisted, and that I should take Classics.

Unfortunately this comes after a commission to compose the incidental music for my Drama group's devised performance this term, which had finally made my decision for me that Drama was going to be the more relevant course. I guess I'll find somewhere to take it in my gap year.

*le sigh*

Reply 5

Jigglypuff

16

Oh right, I guess the recent 'blacklist' that they put out is actually being enforced. Good luck, if you can put up with doing classics in order to get where you want to be I guess it's well worth doing. :smile:

Reply 6

Nutter

16

I never knew Cambridge maintains an official "blacklist" of subjects, but it is common knowledge that Oxbridge in general do not include General Studies in offers (though exceptions have been made in several cases already). I have, however, seen a page on the Cambridge site which states what subjects candidates should preferably have undertaken at A Level before applying.

LSE on the other hand explicitly categorises their subjects and maintain an official blacklist that is regularly updated on their website.

Reply 7

Jigglypuff

16

Nutter

I never knew Cambridge maintains an official "blacklist" of subjects, but it is common knowledge that Oxbridge in general do not include General Studies in offers (though exceptions have been made in several cases already). I have, however, seen a page on the Cambridge site which states what subjects candidates should preferably have undertaken at A Level before applying.

LSE on the other hand explicitly categorises their subjects and maintain an official blacklist that is regularly updated on their website.

No fair! Heh, if my offer had included General Studies that would have saved me a LOT of stress and anxiety this year. As for the blacklist...I don't think Oxford were involved but Cambridge mentioned it this year. http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,591-2324825,00.html there is something on the Cambridge website as well about it but I can't find it. As you say though, it's not so much a 'blacklist' as a list of less suitable subjects. That's why I was shocked to hear that the admissions people said drama is 'blacklisted'. I thought when combined with two 'academic' subjects it was fine.

Reply 8

Satine

OP

7

I assume the list is the one on the Times website...there's a graphic representation of it somewhere around, a sort of table with lists of the subjects and the number of students taking them. It was the admissions department I went by, though - the upshot seems to be that drama will only be considered acceptable if I'm an absolute prodigy in all other areas and my ability in music is far beyond an applicant with three "traditional" subjects. I'd rather not take that risk.

Reply 9

Danny_777

16

Don't worry about it. I'm on a gap year, reapplying with my brand spanking new and improved grades, and I had the same concern as one of my A's is in Drama and Theatre Studies. I phoned a couple of Cambridge colleges, and this subject is absolutely fine as long as you've got two 'real' subjects to back it up; in my case English and History.
That said, Classics will undoubtedly look a lot better. If getting into Oxbridge is really that important to you, then take Classics. They'll love it as a subject, and you personally are a lot more likely to get an A in it, which is tremendously important.

Reply 10

Simplicio

This webpage would be useful.
http://www.cam.ac.uk/admissions/undergraduate/requirements/#course

Reply 11

Nutter

16

Simplicio

This webpage would be useful.
http://www.cam.ac.uk/admissions/undergraduate/requirements/#course

Yeah, that's a site everyone should look at.

Oxford doesn't state it quite as explicitly but I suspect they have the same guidelines...

What's Oxbridge's view of Drama/Theatre Studies A-level versus Classics? Aargh.

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