I’m a first-year French student at Oxford University - AMA!

Hi guys, I thought I’d try to do a wee Q+A on here for any prospective modern languages students on here who are considering applying to Oxford. A little background about myself - I’m a 19 year old from Northern Ireland who is in my first year, I enjoy sport and of course learning languages, and I took French, Spanish, and Moving Image Arts to A-Level. Ask away!

I'm an offer holder for French and Spanish to start this October! I was wondering how you manage the workload and the work around literature analysis/ commentaries having not done English Literature A-level? I do French, Spanish and History instead and I'm worried this will set me back - do you feel that your tutors build this up a lot? Also, what college are you at? Thanks

Hi guys, I thought I’d try to do a wee Q+A on here for any prospective modern languages students on here who are considering applying to Oxford. A little background about myself - I’m a 19 year old from Northern Ireland who is in my first year, I enjoy sport and of course learning languages, and I took French, Spanish, and Moving Image Arts to A-Level. Ask away!

Why did you choose Oxford instead of Cambridge. Is it because of the affirmative action that Cambridge seems to be applying, so you thought you would try a "harder" (and proper" university?

What made you want to study French over Spanish?

How hard is the jump for French between A-Level and degree level ?

Ooooh this is a bit of a difficult question! I feel that it would vary at each uni, as some seem to follow on from A-level level and just continue from there, whereas others go more in depth to different areas that hadn’t been covered on the A-level syllabus, so it can be a bit daunting. I think most unis will have a bit of a jump as suddenly all of your time is focused on this subject rather than just a third/quarter like in Sixth form, but I would say the jump here can feel a bit intense. However, it’s quite alright once you get used to (though icl, it did take a few weeks/months). It’s definitely worth it though, and it’s such an enjoyable course.

I'm an offer holder for French and Spanish to start this October! I was wondering how you manage the workload and the work around literature analysis/ commentaries having not done English Literature A-level? I do French, Spanish and History instead and I'm worried this will set me back - do you feel that your tutors build this up a lot? Also, what college are you at? Thanks

Why did you choose Oxford instead of Cambridge. Is it because of the affirmative action that Cambridge seems to be applying, so you thought you would try a "harder" (and proper" university?

Hi guys, I thought I’d try to do a wee Q+A on here for any prospective modern languages students on here who are considering applying to Oxford. A little background about myself - I’m a 19 year old from Northern Ireland who is in my first year, I enjoy sport and of course learning languages, and I took French, Spanish, and Moving Image Arts to A-Level. Ask away!

Hey, I would love to do this course at uni, but some people say there is no point. What job are you looking to get after uni?

Hey!! I’ve got to be completely honest here, I’m still not entirely sure. I’ve thought of going into translation because I do love it, though I might get a job in France which could be fun! As I say, I’m only in my first year, so the options are endless - there are so so many jobs that languages are involved in, and I just haven’t made my mind up yet.

Oh my goodness, congrats on the offer! What college is this for? I’m currently at Worcester .
Managing the workload is something that comes differently for everyone; I have friends who are the most organised people you could ever meet, and then you have the rest of us aha. It’s definitely manageable, though I do admit that it can be a little hectic at times. Personally, I find it quite a good workload and that I usually have time to do things with friends as well, although obvi at times there are crunch points/all nighters.
Literature analysis was something pretty new to me, and the tutors were so understanding of this - at the start of the year, we had a lecture series literally just teaching us how to write essays and commentaries, which I found quite helpful! Apart from that, we get a lot of personalised feedback on each essay we write, and that kinda points us in the right direction. I don’t think that will set you back, as history is a humanity anyways and a lot of the humanities share similar writing styles - just believe in yourself!
Congrats again on the offer, and if you have any more questions, just lmk!

That's great, thanks so much for your response🙂 I have an offer from Catz!! (Hoping they will have a functioning dining hall and JCR by Oct...) If I get in that is because mid A-Levels rn and it does not feel great! Again thanks for responding