Should I Retake English Language?

Hi, I’m in Year 12 currently studying Maths, Further Maths, Chemistry and Physics and I plan on applying to Oxbridge (maybe even America) in Y13, though, I’m a bit worried because my GCSEs were 99988877664 (9 in Maths and Chem and 8s in Physics and Bio). I want to do Materials Science, but I got a 6 at English Language GCSE (I don’t know how it happened). I just wanted to know if I should retake English Language GCSE, I’m predicting myself 4A*s at A-Level. And from what I’ve heard, it’s very rare to go to top unis with a 6 in Language because it’s a core subject. Please help 😭😭

Its worth resitting GCSE English - just ask your school - I've never known an applicant to get a lower grade.

Hi! I just wanted to ask you about this because ive been told before that some unis have issues with resits so would that be an issue if someone was to resit English language gcse? Just curious 🙂

Unis don't care about GCSE resits in the same way as A level resits.

I’ll ask my school but I doubt they’ll do it, I go to a selective sixth form (everyone has basically only 9s 8s 7s), if they can’t do it what should I do.

They will usually just enter you for the exam - and you would have to pay the small exam fee - and you do the revision/prep for the exam yourself, so it doesnt actually involve any extra work for the school at all.

So I study materials science... they will not care that you got a 6 in English Language GCSE, they will care about your experience and interest in science. You are probably better off devoting your time to some work experience, laboratory experience, some external certificates etc, something to talk about in an interview and on your application.

yea i resat my english language paper because i got 5 in English language and the rest where 9's and 8's, i resat it in November and i will get my results on January 1st week, i asked my school to resist and if you do pass you english language your school wont normally pay for your resit papers, but in my case my school said they would pay for the papers

Where would you recommend I find it, also, how competitive is the course

Competitive in what sense? To get onto the course, when on the course, graduating etc?
In terms of work experience, materials science is very adaptable to different fields, but the main ones fall into: manufacturing, aerospace, nuclear, chemistry, biomaterials, transport etc. I would look locally, do you have a major engineering firm, a big laboratory company etc.
This website might be helpful for the kind of things you would learn studying materials science:
Dissemination of IT for the Promotion of Materials Science (DoITPoMS)

To get on the course, it’s adaptability is the main reason I want to do it.

What the difference between the BEng and MEng , is it more applied than theoretical, or is there much more material?

Depends on the university, typically years 1 and 2 are the same and then 3rd year looks a little different. So I had extra optional modules in year 3 instead of an individual project, which meant my final year is just a giant research project.
Answer to other question:
The University of Birmingham - They have a very good materials school, with a lot of Rolls Royce, military, industry funding. They provide paid summer internships for materials students, plenty of opportunities to do independent laboratory work, lots of research-based modules, opportunities to get published while doing your degree, great industry links, help with personal development, great pastoral care, they have financially helped students, have a scholarship £2,500-£3,500 based on A-Level grades etc. It's a small school with massive amounts of resources and they truly do care.
Grades: A* A* A A A*

Wow, that’s amazing, my dad went to the University of Birmingham for his MBA, he said it’ s a good school now I believe it. You’re super lucky, I wish you the best of luck and I’m sure you’re going to find a great job, I’m going to consider this school as well now. Thanks for the insight!