I'm a German student I don't have some of the necessary qualifications?

Student Lounge International Students
1

Hello everyone!

Sorry for the crap title, I couldn’t fit more characters. :blush:

I wanted to ask you all if my application will still be considered even though I do not have some of the necessary qualifications. Like I said I am German and therefore cannot take required subjects like English Literature for I want to study Modern Languages at Oxford.

Additionally we do not have clubs but rather teacher-led extracurricular activities we cannot become president of.

I will list my “accomplishments” anyways.
:black_small_square:I have my Latinum
:black_small_square:2x MEP (Model European Parliament)
:black_small_square:"Youth-Trainer" for Judo (+ ~40 hours of volunteering there)
:black_small_square:Class president
:black_small_square:2x Grade president
:black_small_square:School president
:black_small_square:Co-founded a FridaysForFuture Group

My hobbies are Judo (advanced, black belt soon), Taekwondo (beginner, yellow belt) and Ballett (on pointe, intermediate/advanced, Type C) and I just started learning classic Greek.

Please do tell me if any of these count as real accomplishments and if I can put them on my application even though for the most things I dont have certificates. I have turned 16 today and I am in grade 11 so I still have some time, but it is never too early to start preparing. :sweat_smile:

Thanks in advance!

2

For Oxford, there is no option: if a subject is required for admission to a course, it’s required. Full stop.

Moreover, they are not into Clubs, etc the way the US is. They are interested in how prepared you are for the subject you are applying to study*

But, FYI, English Lit is not a requirement for Modern Languages. Go read up on the course & the requirements online.

*unless you are an Olympic-level tower or great at the organ- they are interested in that!

3

What language(s) do you want to study?

4

Here’s the admission requirements for Modern Languages at Oxford: http://www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/undergraduate/courses-listing/modern-languages

It asks for a piece of written work in English, preferably marked, but not from any specific course or about any particular topic. You do probably have an English course at your German high school that you have written a paper for? If so, you can submit that. If you have never written a marked essay in English for school, you can write one specifically for admission at Oxford.

5

@collegemom3717
First of all thanks a lot for your reply.
I went to the website again and for English and Modern Languages those are the requirements:
“A modern language (depending on course choice) and English Lit or English Lang and Lit”. Since I am German I don’t have to take those subjects to AP classes but as a Leistungskurs, “if available”, at least that’s what is says on the website. I want to study English and Beginners Italian because I couldn’t take German as a Leistungskurs and therefore cannot study it which kinda sucks but okay.
Anyways, thanks for the info about clubs etc. and have a great day!

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@Conformist1688
I want to study English and Beginners Italian, English and German would have been great but I cannot take German because I did not have it as a Leistungskurs.

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Sorry, @HaileyShooter - you said Modern Languages above, so I didn’t realize that you meant English + Modern Languages, which does want some form of English Lit/Lang.

Have you already applied? if so, I’m sorry.

If you are applying next year, figure out how to sign up for an international exam in English - AP English Lit or Lang, or a place that offers A level English or similar. If you can manage to have the mark before you apply that would help a lot.