5/14/2008 6:53:00 AM
The Times 14 May
The University of Cambridge is to drop its requirement that prospective students should speak a foreign language, to avoid discriminating against applicants from state schools. The university has always demanded that candidates – whether arts or science – had qualifications in English, a foreign language, maths or science, and two other subjects. But the requirement for a modern foreign language has been blamed for penalising pupils from state schools. most of which no longer make it a compulsory subject after the age of 14. A university spokesman said that the change had made a significant impact on the qualifications of candidates. He said: “In 2000, 80 per cent of school students overall took a foreign language at GCSE. The proportion has now fallen to below 50 per cent. “While independent schools are generally maintaining their language provision, in only 17 per cent of state schools is there now a requirement to study a language after the age of 14.” The new entry requirement will be introduced next year. Times
FE/HE/ Skills
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