How much do GCSEs affect oxbridge applications pls help

I am currently sitting my exams and am worried I’m only going to get a six in one of my core subjects (I don’t plan on taking it at oxbridge or for a level). Would getting a six in this core subject affect my chances of getting in or would they only focus on the subjects I want to take? I am predicted 8s and 9s in the GCSEs I do want to take to a level.
Thank you!!

Sorry love i am not sure

It really depends on your course and which uni you go for. Cambridge puts less emphasis on GCSEs than Oxford, for instance. I’m at Cambridge and got a 6 and a C in non-core subjects that have nothing to do with my degree, and it made no difference to my application. If one of those unis has a course you really want to do, 100% still apply and if you don’t get in, you’ll still have 4 other unis on your UCAS application.

It really depends on your course and which uni you go for. Cambridge puts less emphasis on GCSEs than Oxford, for instance. I’m at Cambridge and got a 6 and a C in non-core subjects that have nothing to do with my degree, and it made no difference to my application. If one of those unis has a course you really want to do, 100% still apply and if you don’t get in, you’ll still have 4 other unis on your UCAS application.

As a Cambridge grad whose youngest two applied last year and knowing several Admissions Tutors… the reverse is true. They care very much unless there are extenuating circs. particularly now GCSEs are back on track with grade boundaries restored. Oxford also sometimes offer more leeway with A level grades- eg in Music the most academic (Merton) at Oxford will take an A in music, Cambridge won’t drop from an A*

That’s ok, thank you for replying

Thank you! If I did get a grade 6 in the subject would you recommend I resat it or focussed on getting my application and personal statement as good as it can be?

I'm at Cambridge doing Maths and I got a 6 in English Literature and a 5 in RS and Drama so it's definitely possible. I also applied in 2020 for 2021 entry having done my GCSEs normally. This is also without declaring my extenuating circumstances on my application, though I did come from a non-selective state school. I don't know if that makes any difference but I would be doubtful. In Cambridge, you study one subject (perhaps more under certain more broad degrees like Natural Sciences or HSPS but they're still under one umbrella) and they care primary about your ability to do that subject.

As a Cambridge grad whose youngest two applied last year and knowing several Admissions Tutors… the reverse is true. They care very much unless there are extenuating circs. particularly now GCSEs are back on track with grade boundaries restored. Oxford also sometimes offer more leeway with A level grades- eg in Music the most academic (Merton) at Oxford will take an A in music, Cambridge won’t drop from an A*

Perhaps it depends more on college then. I’ve worked for my college admissions department and they said that if a subject has no relevance to your degree (for example, PE if you’re applying for Physics) and you get a lower grade, it shouldn’t impact your application much if at all. We were encouraged to tell prospective applicants that, if their A level predictions are in line and their GCSE averages show overall academic confidence (especially in related fields) they should definitely apply. Honestly most people I know from all colleges how at least one grade that’s below a 7/A (including years that weren’t impacted by Covid - my degree is longer than some). But of course, that isn’t to say GCSEs don’t matter, just that they’re not not the be all and end all if other parts of your application are strong.

If there are extenuating circumstances you should be fine. You will have to submit written work with your application so if this is a high standard that will help. I would also take a suitable EPQ to demonstrate your abilities and in your Personal Statement mention why you’ve chosen this.
The Cambridge website and these forums both have useful info on additional reading & preparation which you should do. Lastly if you are currently Yr 11 then you could consider entering the odd essay competition next year? Doesn’t really matter which subject, it would show your ability to write. All of that collectively drowns out a 6 and demonstrates your commitment & focus. Best of luck!

It really depends on your course and which uni you go for. Cambridge puts less emphasis on GCSEs than Oxford, for instance. I’m at Cambridge and got a 6 and a C in non-core subjects that have nothing to do with my degree, and it made no difference to my application. If one of those unis has a course you really want to do, 100% still apply and if you don’t get in, you’ll still have 4 other unis on your UCAS application.

Makes an enormous difference which school you attend. Cambridge gives extra weight to state school applicants, many colleges have quotas for certain subjects too. (Eg Music at Caius) Also you don’t really need English in a Maths degree… I presume you got an 8 or more probably a 9 in your Maths and and an A* at A level?) Certainly it’s one of the few subjects where this would apply.
The most disadvantaged applicant group is those applying from small independent schools. No school support, no Oxbridge programme, but the Cambridge formula discriminates equally as if they were at the top public schools. (That’s a quote from a senior don). My FIL is retired Prof of Maths at Cam, BIL a current Prof of Engineering & they also told us similar.

Do you have a source for "many colleges have quotas for certain subjects too" ? I've never heard of this and I spend a lot of time doing outreach and working with the admissions office, though admittedly mostly in my college.
Regarding "[c]ertainly it’s one of the few subjects where this would apply", I think there could be more depending on how OP defines a core subject, e.g. some Welsh schools consider Welsh to be a core subject. I think it's hard to comment without stating exactly which GCSE OP is expecting a 6 in and which subject they wish to study at Cambridge.
Regarding "[t]he most disadvantaged applicant group is those applying from small independent schools." I can understand the argument specifically regarding support received by otherwise identical candidates at the point of application, but I would argue that the much more long-term disadvantaged candidates, especially those with significant contextual data and access flags, have significantly more disadvantages when factoring in the longer period. This is not something I will argue about further.
Regarding "Cambridge gives extra weight to state school applicants" and "the Cambridge formula discriminates equally as if they were at the top public schools", I feel like this policy may be changing, though only officially from this year and with significant backlash.

Yes. A specific example is Caius for Music.
I also detest the trend to encourage everyone to “have a go”. It overloads the system and family members in two departments say it’s not fair on the candidates. If you aren’t getting top grades with ease at GCSE in subjects you want to study at uni you are going to struggle.

I am currently sitting my exams and am worried I’m only going to get a six in one of my core subjects (I don’t plan on taking it at oxbridge or for a level). Would getting a six in this core subject affect my chances of getting in or would they only focus on the subjects I want to take? I am predicted 8s and 9s in the GCSEs I do want to take to a level.
Thank you!!

I meant like do you have a source for your example. This isn't to dispute you, just that I haven't heard of anything like that before and I can imagine this being relevant. If you can't find one, don't worry, I'm happy to email their admissions department.
I agree with your sentiment that actively encouraging students to apply when they will not have a competitive application is detrimental to them. However, I would argue that, from the information OP has provided, they may have still have a viable application, speaking from experience.