The Student Room Group

is not have any Sciences or modern languages a problem?

I have got 6 GCSEs but I didn't manage to pass French or Physics (I dropped Biology). I am in year 12 and at the moment I am looking at either attending Cambridge University, University of York or Royal Holloway University. At Cambridge I want to study ASNC, at York I want to study English and at Royal Holloway I want to study English and American Literature. Having a modern language or Science GCSE isn't mentioned in the course requirements but does the fact that I don't have those qualifications mean I won't be able to study any of those course at any of those universities?

Reply 1

Reply 2

If it's not mentioned, I would assume that it won't be a basis for rejection, although if you had them, maybe you would be in a better position to apply, but I think that the most important thing for you is to study hard for your A-Levels which are coming up. Good Luck!
Original post
by killabitis
I have got 6 GCSEs but I didn't manage to pass French or Physics (I dropped Biology). I am in year 12 and at the moment I am looking at either attending Cambridge University, University of York or Royal Holloway University. At Cambridge I want to study ASNC, at York I want to study English and at Royal Holloway I want to study English and American Literature. Having a modern language or Science GCSE isn't mentioned in the course requirements but does the fact that I don't have those qualifications mean I won't be able to study any of those course at any of those universities?

Hi there,

Thanks for your query.

I would recommend contacting our Admissions team directly about this and they should be able to clarify this for you. You can chat to them here: https://api.unibuddy.co/og/royal-holloway/buddies/staff/61b0cec53930b3073cf8541f

I hope this helps - best of luck with your application.

Best wishes
Royal Holloway, University of London

Reply 4

If you apply to Cambridge you will be competing against candidates with nine or ten GCSEs at high grades. Cambridge does not have GCSE grade requirements, but treats GCSE performance as an indicator of academic potential. Failing French may be an obstacle when applying for a language course such as ASNC. You may need to manage your aspirations downwards.
(edited 8 months ago)

Reply 5

Original post
by Stiffy Byng
If you apply to Cambridge you will be competing against candidates with nine or ten GCSEs at high grades. Cambridge does not have GCSE grade requirements, but treats GCSE performance as an indicator of academic potential. Failing French may be an obstacle when applying for a language course such as ASNC. You may need to manage your aspirations downwards.

No I won't lower my aspirations don't suggest such a thing. aim for the sky then you might hit the ceiling.

Reply 6

Dreams should be tempered by realism. Failing GCSE French is likely to be a significant problem when applying to Cambridge for a language course. If you can't learn French, a relatively easy modern language, how likely is it that you can learn Old English, Old Norse, and Old Irish or Welsh, which are difficult languages?

Reply 7

Original post
by Stiffy Byng
Dreams should be tempered by realism. Failing GCSE French is likely to be a significant problem when applying to Cambridge for a language course. If you can't learn French, a relatively easy modern language, how likely is it that you can learn Old English, Old Norse, and Old Irish or Welsh, which are difficult languages?

would they reject me on the basis of failing french?

Reply 8

Original post
by killabitis
would they reject me on the basis of failing french?

You are proposing to apply to learn medieval languages in three years, and have failed a GCSE in a modern language after (probably) several years studying that language. I think that might well be seen as a negative by academics assessing your application.

Reply 9

Original post
by killabitis
I have got 6 GCSEs but I didn't manage to pass French or Physics (I dropped Biology). I am in year 12 and at the moment I am looking at either attending Cambridge University, University of York or Royal Holloway University. At Cambridge I want to study ASNC, at York I want to study English and at Royal Holloway I want to study English and American Literature. Having a modern language or Science GCSE isn't mentioned in the course requirements but does the fact that I don't have those qualifications mean I won't be able to study any of those course at any of those universities?

Hi,

They all sound like great choices! If you have any questions about studying at York, do get in touch 🙂

Quick Reply

How The Student Room is moderated

To keep The Student Room safe for everyone, we moderate posts that are added to the site.