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Oxbridge “recommended” subjects for courses.

When an Oxbridge course has required and recommended subjects, does this mean they favour those who have taken the recommended subjects alongside the required. I ask this because intend to apply for English at Oxbridge and both have recommend subjects like history and humanities. However I take bio, chem and English lit.

Also if they don’t judge on students having or not having recommended subjects, then why do they state “recommended subjects.” Is it just that these subjects may provide skills to help in the course or something?
Thanks

Reply 1

Macclesfield

Original post

by Anonymous

When an Oxbridge course has required and recommended subjects, does this mean they favour those who have taken the recommended subjects alongside the required. I ask this because intend to apply for English at Oxbridge and both have recommend subjects like history and humanities. However I take bio, chem and English lit.
Also if they don’t judge on students having or not having recommended subjects, then why do they state “recommended subjects.” Is it just that these subjects may provide skills to help in the course or something?
Thanks

You will be considered more favourably if you have taken the Recommended subjects, as it shows you have ground knowledge in what they will teach, and that you will have less of a transition to the degree.

One nice thing about your options though is that Biology and English Literature are considered "Facilitating subjects", meaning you have a lot of freedom to move into different degree choices with your current options. You will have to demonstrate to Oxford that theyre worth taking you over someone who took subjects like History, but overall you should be fine if you have a strong interview, personal statement, and if you've looked into the subject in your own time.

Reply 2

Stiffy Byng

Original post

by Anonymous

When an Oxbridge course has required and recommended subjects, does this mean they favour those who have taken the recommended subjects alongside the required. I ask this because intend to apply for English at Oxbridge and both have recommend subjects like history and humanities. However I take bio, chem and English lit.
Also if they don’t judge on students having or not having recommended subjects, then why do they state “recommended subjects.” Is it just that these subjects may provide skills to help in the course or something?
Thanks

It doesn't work quite like that. Sixth Form subjects are recommended because they may better prepare a student for a degree subject. A person studying a recommended subject may (not must) be better able to demonstrate to the academics deciding on admissions that he or she will be able to study the subject applied for effectively. A person studying a non-recommended subject may still impress the academics sufficiently to be offered a place. Each candidate is treated equally. Studying a recommended subject does not in itself produce more favourable consideration.

Recommended means desirable or useful. It does not mean "all but required".

Reply 3

Stiffy Byng

Original post

by Macclesfield

You will be considered more favourably if you have taken the Recommended subjects, as it shows you have ground knowledge in what they will teach, and that you will have less of a transition to the degree.
One nice thing about your options though is that Biology and English Literature are considered "Facilitating subjects", meaning you have a lot of freedom to move into different degree choices with your current options. You will have to demonstrate to Oxford that theyre worth taking you over someone who took subjects like History, but overall you should be fine if you have a strong interview, personal statement, and if you've looked into the subject in your own time.

I disagree with your analysis, for the reasons I state in my previous post.

Reply 4

artful_lounger

Universities Forum Helper

Original post

by Anonymous

It varies depending on the course. For English lit I suspect it's just the general useful skills and contextual knowledge those subjects provide.

Does it really matter? Would you decide NOT to apply on the basis of them maybe preferring someone else?

Unless you can find some compelling data to suggest otherwise I see no reason not to apply.

Reply 5

Stiffy Byng

Original post

by username7838380

You should read this - https://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?t=7605383

The school's message at the opening of that thread is miserable. It treats university as a mere commodity. The whole thread is miserable money-grubbing.

Wow, I hate Neo-Liberalism so much.

(edited 1 month ago)

Reply 6

McGinger