A-levels subject & University applications

Hello, I am in year 11 and will start 6th form in September (It is in the same school as I am currently in).
(Exam Board:-WJEC)
SUBJECTS
- Drama
- English lit
- Second Language Cymraeg
- Politics
- WBQ (mandatory)
_____________
I am likely going to drop one after year 12 after I've done the AS
__________________________________________________
I was told by someone that Uni's wont take 2nd language Cymraeg as an A-level and I wanted to know what you guys know & think. While I am not sure yet I think I want to go to UNI in Cymru
Something English it-Media-Journalism related (properly)

But I want to know what you guys know and think since I have no idea what universities do and do not accept. So any advice I will be grateful for. Thanks

Reply 1

McGinger

Why do you assume that Unis wont accept 2nd language Welsh.
Is this stated on their websites. Have you checked this with any of them.

Reply 2

Gwill Withers

Original post

by McGinger

Why do you assume that Unis wont accept 2nd language Welsh.
Is this stated on their websites. Have you checked this with any of them.

I was told be someone on another platform
Here is what the person said
"Sorry to be that guy, but I would highly recommend choosing something other than second language Welsh. I have sat through part of the course and not only is it pointless (having to memorise parts of poems, for example), but also the film Patagonia is awful. Furthermore, no universities or workplaces accept Welsh second language A level as a valid A level, mainly because of how easy it is. At my school, some people do second language GCSE early, and if you do ok in it then you go on to do second language A level in year 10 and 11; but those who actually do well go on to do 1st language GCSE in year 10 and 11.
1st language and literature GCSE is largely considered more useful and more challenging than second language A level, I can only advise you to definitely not pick it, or at least do Welsh lit or actual Welsh language A level, if it is offered in your area."

Since i am in Year 11, and not applying yet idk how the websites work so I don't know where to find it.

Reply 3

McGinger

no universities or workplaces accept Welsh second language A level as a valid A level

You need to check if this is actually true by emailing the Unis you might apply to, but I have never heard of this, and I find it unlikely that a Welsh Uni wouldn't accept an A level in Welsh.

BTW, there is no point in taking 4 A levels - Unis will only ever require/count 3, and taking on more work just risks all your grades. Also, many Unis will count Welsh Bac as an extra or substitute A level. At the end of Year 12, its worth having a complete reassessment of what you are doing, and why, and rationalising which subjects you then take forward to full A level.

Reply 4

McGinger

As an example - Cardiff's requirements for a degree in Welsh language accepts grade B in Welsh First or Second Language. Welsh and a Modern Language (BA) - Study - Cardiff University

Reply 5

Gwill Withers

Original post

by McGinger

no universities or workplaces accept Welsh second language A level as a valid A level
You need to check if this is actually true by emailing the Unis you might apply to, but I have never heard of this, and I find it unlikely that a Welsh Uni wouldn't accept an A level in Welsh.
BTW, there is no point in taking 4 A levels - Unis will only ever require/count 3, and taking on more work just risks all your grades. Also, many Unis will count Welsh Bac as an extra or substitute A level. At the end of Year 12, its worth having a complete reassessment of what you are doing, and why, and rationalising which subjects you then take forward to full A level.

In my school we HAVE to take 4 in year 12 along with WBQ, then drop one after year 12.
Many people do end up dropping early, and some never drop. This is just the way it works.

I am going to evaluate how I am doing in my subjects and how I feel etc, . I am likely going to stay in Cymru for university. Swansea and Cardiff are both viable options, i have emailed Cardiff and so i will see what they say.

Reply 6

CardiffUni Rep 4

Official Rep

Original post

by Gwill Withers

Hello, I am in year 11 and will start 6th form in September (It is in the same school as I am currently in).
(Exam Board:-WJEC)
SUBJECTS
- Drama
- English lit
- Second Language Cymraeg
- Politics
- WBQ (mandatory)
_____________
I am likely going to drop one after year 12 after I've done the AS
__________________________________________________
I was told by someone that Uni's wont take 2nd language Cymraeg as an A-level and I wanted to know what you guys know & think. While I am not sure yet I think I want to go to UNI in Cymru
Something English it-Media-Journalism related (properly)
But I want to know what you guys know and think since I have no idea what universities do and do not accept. So any advice I will be grateful for. Thanks

Hi Gwill!

Hope everything is going well.
Yeah I would think it highly highly unlikely that they wouldn't accept it, Cardiff is very proud of the Welsh language in my opinion, and I would say having Welsh language proficiency is a skill and asset to have in uni and in life.
Let me know what they say but fingers crossed!

Grace - Cardiff Uni Rep

Reply 7

Gwill Withers

Original post

by CardiffUni Rep 4

Hi Gwill!
Hope everything is going well.
Yeah I would think it highly highly unlikely that they wouldn't accept it, Cardiff is very proud of the Welsh language in my opinion, and I would say having Welsh language proficiency is a skill and asset to have in uni and in life.
Let me know what they say but fingers crossed!
Grace - Cardiff Uni Rep

I managed to get in contact with their students via the students question thing.

They say they don't accept some critical thinking subjects?? They should accept second language Cymraeg

All I really need for the course I'm doing is a b or above in English language (or A-level equivalent)

Thank you thou,. Is really helping me feel better about my choices. I was panicking in for a second 😂

Reply 8

University of Bath

Official Rep

Original post

by Gwill Withers

Hello, I am in year 11 and will start 6th form in September (It is in the same school as I am currently in).
(Exam Board:-WJEC)
SUBJECTS
- Drama
- English lit
- Second Language Cymraeg
- Politics
- WBQ (mandatory)
_____________
I am likely going to drop one after year 12 after I've done the AS
__________________________________________________
I was told by someone that Uni's wont take 2nd language Cymraeg as an A-level and I wanted to know what you guys know & think. While I am not sure yet I think I want to go to UNI in Cymru
Something English it-Media-Journalism related (properly)
But I want to know what you guys know and think since I have no idea what universities do and do not accept. So any advice I will be grateful for. Thanks

Hi there,

I think you would have to check out some of the types of courses you'd like to consider online to see if they'd accept an A-Level in second language Welsh, however as it is a technically a foreign language I don't see why many unis would not accept it.

Even if you have to start out with 4 A-Levels, as McGinger says, you will only ever be asked for 3 results by unis, and so as you go through sixth form, just see how you go with your subjects and see which you enjoy most, and consider dropping the one you don't enjoy so much or are not as strong in.

Its completely up to you whether you stay in Cymru or venture further afield - I would advise you to prioritise unis which offer the courses that best suit your interests and needs. Perhaps do a bit of looking at different unis' websites for their course catalogues, and visit a few open days to meet some students and lecturers, go to a few talks and see some campuses. All of these things will help you come to a decision about what you may want to do and where you may want to go. I find the Complete University Guide a helpful resource to check out some high-performing unis for your chosen subjects if you wanted some ideas of where to start.

I hope some of this helps, best of luck with everything!

University of Bath

(edited 10 months ago)

Reply 9

CardiffUni Rep 4

Official Rep

Original post

by Gwill Withers

I managed to get in contact with their students via the students question thing.
They say they don't accept some critical thinking subjects?? They should accept second language Cymraeg
All I really need for the course I'm doing is a b or above in English language (or A-level equivalent)
Thank you thou,. Is really helping me feel better about my choices. I was panicking in for a second 😂