Clearing options for languages

2

I currently have an offer to study Arabic and French at Cambridge (A*AA) and need to decide which uni I’m putting down as my insurance.
I want to put Durham (AAA), but also understand that this is quite high for an insurance.
My other offers are Manchester (ABB), Edinburgh (ABB) and St Andrews (AAB). Recently I’ve been out off St Andrews as it is a 5 year degree, and have my heart set on Durham as an insurance.
If on results day thing go wrong, and I miss the grades for both my firm and insurance, how easy would it be to get into Edinburgh through clearing (bearing in mind it’s languages, and so I imagine a lot less competitive than other courses)?

Reply 1

mike23mike

16

Most languages course in universities are struggling with applications being down. Understandable since a languages student needs to have taken a language at A level and fewer and fewer students are taking a language at A level. I suggest you put Durham down as your second choice. If you fail to get AAA then you will be snapped up by Edinburgh and Manchester.

Reply 2

McGinger

20

As above, many 'top' Unis will have language courses in Clearing - and also because of the lack of competition places, many Unis will accept you 'below offer grades' just to fill the course.

Reply 3

laive4567

9

Hi, I also want to study French and Arabic at Cambridge, but have a few questions:
1) I’m aware that you can’t study the two languages through a modern and medieval languages course, however through AMES, so would this mean that I’m applying for an AMES course?
2) Following the previous question, if I am applying through the AMES course, would my personal statement need to be focused more on the Arabic side of the course, rather than the French. As I would like to study more of French, but I am aware that at Cambridge you can’t study one language, so I would choose Arabic.
Thanks!

Reply 4

MelH123

OP

2

Original post

by ibbyndow

Hi, I also want to study French and Arabic at Cambridge, but have a few questions:
1) I’m aware that you can’t study the two languages through a modern and medieval languages course, however through AMES, so would this mean that I’m applying for an AMES course?
2) Following the previous question, if I am applying through the AMES course, would my personal statement need to be focused more on the Arabic side of the course, rather than the French. As I would like to study more of French, but I am aware that at Cambridge you can’t study one language, so I would choose Arabic.
Thanks!

I applied to the AMES course because I wanted to do Arabic and French - didn't know about the one language rule until you just said.
My personal statement was a split down the middle, in fact perhaps more towards the French side because of work experience/competitions/pen pal being all French based. I think they understand that you will have had more opportunities to do French-based super curriculars if you are doing it at a level, just make sure that you show your passion for Arabic through stuff you've read.

Reply 5

mayaa0809

2

At St. Andrews you don’t need to do a five year language degree.

You can just do 4 years like everyone else, then do a semester abroad in third year at your desired place. Some people do two semesters abroad in their 3rd year and still graduate in 4th year. Not many language students here do 5 year degrees.

Source: language student at St. Andrews

I also do Arabic here so if you need any advice/opinions feel free to ask :smile:

Reply 6

MelH123

OP

2

Original post

by mayaa0809

At St. Andrews you don’t need to do a five year language degree.
You can just do 4 years like everyone else, then do a semester abroad in third year at your desired place. Some people do two semesters abroad in their 3rd year and still graduate in 4th year. Not many language students here do 5 year degrees.
Source: language student at St. Andrews
I also do Arabic here so if you need any advice/opinions feel free to ask :smile:

Oh right! I actually put St Andrew’s as my insurance in the end despite not thinking I would! On the course information on UCAS it says 5 years, does this mean that if I do end up going there I’ll be locked in for 5 years or could I switch it to 4?

Reply 7

mayaa0809

2

Original post

by MelH123

Oh right! I actually put St Andrew’s as my insurance in the end despite not thinking I would! On the course information on UCAS it says 5 years, does this mean that if I do end up going there I’ll be locked in for 5 years or could I switch it to 4?

No, you’re not locked in. The degree options are quite flexible in St. Andrews especially in the first two years so if you do end up going, just talk to the department and your academic advisor about your options.

(edited 9 months ago)

Clearing options for languages

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