Cambridge announces further changes to admissions process

Less than half of all school students currently take a GCSE in a foreign language

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From 2009, Cambridge University will no longer insist that applicants have a foreign language GCSE in a bid to attract more pupils from state schools.

The move was announced only a month after the university took the decision to scrap its separate application form as of next year.

The changes are part of a wide ranging review into the historic institutions admissions process, and continued attempts to shake off the elitist label which is often attributed to Cambridge and Oxford.

At present, Cambridge is the only British university which has basic entry requirements which apply for all subjects.

Applicants must have studied English, a foreign language, Maths or a science, as well as two other subjects at GCSE level. Applicants must have also passed an A level exam in two of these subjects.

A spokesperson for the university said: “The proposal is that for entry from 2009 on, these requirements should be replaced by subject- specific entry requirements that are more flexible and responsive to curriculum changes in secondary schools.”

The number of school students with a language GCSE has fallen to less that 50 per cent in the past year, despite being as high as 80 per cent in 2000. This is largely a result of a change in government policy, which means that a foreign language is no longer part of the core curriculum for pupils aged over 14.

The decision is aimed at attracting students who are less likely to obtain a GCSE in a foreign language, primarily those from state schools.

Whilst private schools have largely maintained high numbers of students studying foreign languages at GCSE, only 17 per cent of state schools now require pupils to study a foreign language beyond age 14.

The university's spokesperson added: “Discussions have been underway for some time about how this will affect the uptake of languages in schools, and what the consequences will be for the university’s efforts to attract bright applicants who, through lack of opportunity or encouragement, have no language qualification.

“The University feels that having a formal entry requirement that at least half of all GCSE students are unable to meet is not acceptable in the context of Cambridge’s commitment to widening participation and access.”

The Director of the Admissions for the University, Dr Geoff Parks, added: “This change would remove something which has, unfortunately, become a significant barrier impending success at Cambridge.

“We would still encourage all young people to learn a foreign language, and highlight the fact that students at Cambridge are able to study no fewer that 140 different languages through the provision at our excellent language centre.”

On 26 February, The Journal reported that applicants to Cambridge will no longer have to submit a separate application form, leaving Oxford as the only British university which has a separate application process in addition to the generic UCAS form.

Oxford has confirmed that it will hold consultations on the nature of its application process, but it is not yet clear if this will include a review of the separate application procedure.

Last month Dr Parks said that Cambridge was determined to attract more applications from “non-traditional backgrounds.”

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