Advice to Prepare for my Second Rejection

I have been rejected by Oxford for English literature.
I fear I will be rejected by St.Andrews for English and Arabic (joint honours). I applied on 29th of Jan and I have still not heard back.
I don't know if I'll be able to cope with the rejection for the second time.
The only other option is Durham English Lit. But I don't solely want to English Literature anymore. And I live near okay universities like the Uni of Manchester. Hence, I just can't seem to justify spending so much money for accommodation.
Please can I have some advice?

There is nothing wrong with Manchester University. So, could you take up a place there?
Oxford and St. Andrews are very prestigious for English Literature.
But you seem set on completing a joint honours English and Arabic degree? 😧
So, surely you should re-draft your UCAS Personal Statement? Perhaps even consider doing work experience in an Arab speaking country during your gap year? Also, you could take up A-Level Arabic?
Don't give up so easily. Also, English at Cambridge gets just 2 applicants per place and so does Languages. So, perhaps you should re-apply and choose Cambridge University this time? 😉
Also, do you have an offer for Durham? If so, which degree course? Do you want to firm it?

There is nothing wrong with Manchester University. So, could you take up a place there?
Oxford and St. Andrews are very prestigious for English Literature.
But you seem set on completing a joint honours English and Arabic degree? 😧
So, surely you should re-draft your UCAS Personal Statement? Perhaps even consider doing work experience in an Arab speaking country during your gap year? Also, you could take up A-Level Arabic?
Don't give up so easily. Also, English at Cambridge gets just 2 applicants per place and so does Languages. So, perhaps you should re-apply and choose Cambridge University this time? 😉
Also, do you have an offer for Durham? If so, which degree course? Do you want to firm it?

Hello,
Thank you so much for the response!
Sorry I should've made it clear that I am already studying Arabic in my first year at Manchester Uni. I like the Arabic Language side of the degree, but it is only 40% of the course, the rest of the modules do not at all allign with my goals (I explain this later). However, even with the language part of the degree due to the lack of 1:1 support, I don't believe I am being pushed, considering that I have been studying Arabic grammar for many years. Many of my peers came as beginners who could not read the Arabic alphabet, which is completely fine, and I understand the need to simplify everything for a beginner; Arabic is a solid language, but it means that others who already know how to read and know some grammar are left to self-study if we want to progress steadily.
Also, I do not like the degree's heavy history focus, which I completely understand is my fault and has nothing to do with the University since I didn't look at the modules before deciding on the course. I just, initially, chose the course closest to home. I truly believe learning the Arabic language is hard enough without adding extra random history modules.
I have received an offer for English Lit at Durham, which I am grateful for, but that's about it right now. And you're right; I am set on a joint honours with Arabic and English lit. Or Arabic alone, but I know you cannot focus on the Arabic language alone, which is unfortunate. My goal is to become fluent in Arabic and become an Arabic translator. I really wanted a course that only focussed on learning the language, but until now I haven't found any. Therefore, instead of studying random history modules, I decided to supplement them with English literature modules since I enjoyed English literature at A level. That's why I decided to apply for the joint honours at St. Andrews.
I also dislike the fact that I live at home for university. I do not feel I can truly immerse myself into studying as a student with many commitments from home and my community.
There are many reasons why I need to leave, and unfortunate I have not yet found a secure route to escape at the moment.
I really hope that St.A offer comes through otherwise I am really in a predicament.
Please advise further if you can 🫶

You should apply to Cambridge University this time, as you will be able to study Arabic and French or Spanish or any other language.
arabic_flyer.pdf
Faculty of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies
However, do you have A*AA or more as your A-Level grades?
Manchester is 'heavy' on history of Arabic? If so, then you need to drop out or risk failing your degree with a 3rd or pass?! ☹️
Cambridge also has history module papers, even if you combine 2 languages, i.e. Arabic and French.
So, you would be best advised to wait for the outcome of St. Andrews as it is an Arabic and English Literature joint honours degree course.
Oxford is heavy on literature too. But Cambridge is slightly less so. Also, Durham has history papers too. So, there is no escape from studying the history of literature of your Arabic language, unfortunately. But it will not be the case if you're made an offer by St. Andrews?!

Just to note this poster is neither an Oxbridge student nor do they study a relevant subject to the discussion. If you can draw your own conclusions from the respective websites, this poster is doing the same thing.
Also Cambridge only accepts students from other UK universities in exceptional circumstances and only if you are changing subjects. See below:
"We normally do not consider applications from students enrolled on a degree course at another UK university.
We’ll only consider this if:
You will:
If you transfer to Cambridge from another UK university, you will need to start your chosen Cambridge course from the beginning (first year). It is not possible to transfer credit to Cambridge from another university.
Please be aware that if you have previously studied at another university, this may impact your eligibility for student finance and/or a student visa."
https://www.undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/apply/before/entry-requirements
In terms of how this works in your case, I'm not sure. You would have to ask your preferred college.
I think Oxford may have something somewhat similar but I'm not sure as I'm not a student there and I don't profess to know what I don't.

Hello,
Thank you so much for the response!
Sorry I should've made it clear that I am already studying Arabic in my first year at Manchester Uni. I like the Arabic Language side of the degree, but it is only 40% of the course, the rest of the modules do not at all allign with my goals (I explain this later). However, even with the language part of the degree due to the lack of 1:1 support, I don't believe I am being pushed, considering that I have been studying Arabic grammar for many years. Many of my peers came as beginners who could not read the Arabic alphabet, which is completely fine, and I understand the need to simplify everything for a beginner; Arabic is a solid language, but it means that others who already know how to read and know some grammar are left to self-study if we want to progress steadily.
Also, I do not like the degree's heavy history focus, which I completely understand is my fault and has nothing to do with the University since I didn't look at the modules before deciding on the course. I just, initially, chose the course closest to home. I truly believe learning the Arabic language is hard enough without adding extra random history modules.
I have received an offer for English Lit at Durham, which I am grateful for, but that's about it right now. And you're right; I am set on a joint honours with Arabic and English lit. Or Arabic alone, but I know you cannot focus on the Arabic language alone, which is unfortunate. My goal is to become fluent in Arabic and become an Arabic translator. I really wanted a course that only focussed on learning the language, but until now I haven't found any. Therefore, instead of studying random history modules, I decided to supplement them with English literature modules since I enjoyed English literature at A level. That's why I decided to apply for the joint honours at St. Andrews.
I also dislike the fact that I live at home for university. I do not feel I can truly immerse myself into studying as a student with many commitments from home and my community.
There are many reasons why I need to leave, and unfortunate I have not yet found a secure route to escape at the moment.
I really hope that St.A offer comes through otherwise I am really in a predicament.
Please advise further if you can 🫶

You should apply to Cambridge University this time, as you will be able to study Arabic and French or Spanish or any other language.
arabic_flyer.pdf
Faculty of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies
However, do you have A*AA or more as your A-Level grades?
Manchester is 'heavy' on history of Arabic? If so, then you need to drop out or risk failing your degree with a 3rd or pass?! ☹️
Cambridge also has history module papers, even if you combine 2 languages, i.e. Arabic and French.
So, you would be best advised to wait for the outcome of St. Andrews as it is an Arabic and English Literature joint honours degree course.
Oxford is heavy on literature too. But Cambridge is slightly less so. Also, Durham has history papers too. So, there is no escape from studying the history of literature of your Arabic language, unfortunately. But it will not be the case if you're made an offer by St. Andrews?!

Just to note this poster is neither an Oxbridge student nor do they study a relevant subject to the discussion. If you can draw your own conclusions from the respective websites, this poster is doing the same thing.
Also Cambridge only accepts students from other UK universities in exceptional circumstances and only if you are changing subjects. See below:
"We normally do not consider applications from students enrolled on a degree course at another UK university.
We’ll only consider this if:
You will:
If you transfer to Cambridge from another UK university, you will need to start your chosen Cambridge course from the beginning (first year). It is not possible to transfer credit to Cambridge from another university.
Please be aware that if you have previously studied at another university, this may impact your eligibility for student finance and/or a student visa."
https://www.undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/apply/before/entry-requirements
In terms of how this works in your case, I'm not sure. You would have to ask your preferred college.
I think Oxford may have something somewhat similar but I'm not sure as I'm not a student there and I don't profess to know what I don't.

Oxford applies a similar approach.
"Applying to transfer whilst on an undergraduate course at another university
Oxford University does not accept transfer students. If you wish to follow an undergraduate course here, then you would need to start the course from the beginning. However, this option is not available if you are currently enrolled on a Medicine course elsewhere and wish to apply to study Medicine at Oxford.
Applying to start the first year of an Oxford undergraduate course whilst at another university
If you are currently studying at a UK university and are thinking of applying to Oxford to start the first year of an undergraduate course, please note that normally we will only consider such applications in exceptional circumstances and you should make very clear in your application why you do not wish to continue on your current course. Please note we are not able to give examples of these exceptional circumstances as applications will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
If you do decide to apply whilst at another university and you do not have A-level or equivalent qualifications at the grades required for the standard offer for the course you are interested in applying for, you will need to demonstrate how your subsequent study has prepared you for studying at Oxford, including any evidence of your performance on your current course, as well as a reference from your current tutor or equivalent.
Please note that you must declare on your UCAS form whether you are currently studying at another university, and that failure to do so could result in Oxford withdrawing any offer made to you.
Please also remember that not only will you incur a year of additional costs but your eligibility for government support or loans may be affected by any study you have already undertaken, whether or not you have completed your course."
https://www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/undergraduate/courses/admission-requirements/uk-qualifications#:~:text=Oxford%20University%20does%20not%20accept,to%20study%20Medicine%20at%20Oxford.

Last time, I was rejected from Oxford, and I fear it was because I didn't make my transfer clear in my PS. But another girl in my course applied to Cambridge and didn't mention anything in her PS, but she was offered. Does that mean Cambridge is more lenient in this sense?

None of us can know what disclosure was made to Cambridge in that instance, and you shouldn't clutch at straws based on someone else's case. You might have been rejected by Oxford on academic grounds, in any event.

I have been rejected by Oxford for English literature.
I fear I will be rejected by St.Andrews for English and Arabic (joint honours). I applied on 29th of Jan and I have still not heard back.
I don't know if I'll be able to cope with the rejection for the second time.
The only other option is Durham English Lit. But I don't solely want to English Literature anymore. And I live near okay universities like the Uni of Manchester. Hence, I just can't seem to justify spending so much money for accommodation.
Please can I have some advice?

That is also very true although I thought an AAA is acceptable and fine. And isn’t a reason why you would get rejected. I also showed my PS to a current English student there, and they said it’s the best they’ve ever read.

just to say quickly that st andrews havent finished giving out offers yet!! a lot of my friends have received offers or rejections but I have still heard nothing for english lit and french! also fyi the languages department in st andrews is tiny; so with the large amount of applications they receive with the added small department it usually takes them longer to get back with offers especially in join honours as its both the english department and languages which will have to look at your application 🙂 x

While the feedback you got is nice, i would take this with a large bucket of salt as most students have a very small pool of experience on PS (think about it most students generally have only read their own or one or two others PS). If a course director or someone with a key role in the application process had said that, then you could have faith in what they said. I am not saying your PS was poor but sometimes people with little experience say lovely platitudes when the reality is there are key errors, ommissions or issues which actually need to be reviewed.
Greg