The University of Oxford and Cambridge University consistently rank amongst the world’s best universities.
Although students apply through the standardised UK undergraduate applications platform, UCAS, applying to Oxbridge requires extensive preparation and can be quite a gruelling experience.
Here’s everything you need to know.
Oxford or Cambridge?
Students can’t apply to both universities. When choosing which university they would like to attend, students should, first and foremost, focus on the area of study that interests them and what both universities offer from an academic standpoint.
For instance, Oxford excels in the humanities and social sciences and offers the opportunity to pursue a joint degree. Cambridge is extremely well-known for its flexible and broad natural sciences courses. Both universities are equally prestigious, although, as of 2022, Oxford ranks at the top of the Times Higher Education world university ranking.
Beyond academics, factors such as sports, campuses, and student life should influence students’ choices.
How to get into Oxbridge
The importance of starting early
When applying to British universities, students submit a Personal Statement which conveys their genuine interest in their chosen area of study. However, what’s particular about Oxbridge applications is that students are invited to the interview process once their Personal Statements and academic profiles have undergone careful assessment.
We cannot stress enough how important it is for students to back their interest in their chosen area of study and be able to elaborate on it both in their essays and orally.
Oxbridge applications are highly academic. During the interview, students will be expected to delve into the details of the books they’ve read, explain their opinions and come out with fully formed arguments. It’s easier to build the foundation for these rigorous interviews before the start of the new school year and the rush that comes with it.
It also goes without saying that an excellent academic profile is a prerequisite to a successful application. Generally, the students who stand a good chance rank toward the top of their class and show dedication to one or several extracurricular activities that really make them stand out.
If your dream is to study at Oxford or Cambridge, start focusing on your grades as early as possible. Research, read, and explore your areas of interest.
Finally, as with every university application via UCAS, students will need to share a reference from their high school’s counsellor or professor and predicted grades. In case these don’t live up to your expectations, make sure you start early so you can negotiate the outcome.
The Aptitude Tests
On top of what’s required for UCAS, students have to take additional aptitude tests, either on the day of or prior to your interview. These tests also depend on the college you apply for (we’ll get into the college system later) and can be prepared for through mock exams.
The Interviews
As mentioned above, eligible students will be invited to interviews. Interviewers look for passion and ability, and the standard two-stage interview process reflects this.
On the one hand, the admissions committee will test the student’s thinking and logic skills. This ranges from everything from logic to reasoning questions where the student has to explain their thought process to answer the question. Interviewers are most concerned with how students think, not their final answer.
On the other hand, the admissions committee will schedule an interview that focuses on the student’s interest in the area of study. In this instance, students will be expected to elaborate on the academic topics and ideas discussed in their Personal Statements and give their opinions.
Building excellent subject knowledge is one of the best interview preparations. It all comes down to how the students engage with their chosen area of study, whether they enjoy conducting independent research, and whether they share their genuine enthusiasm with the interviewers.
Navigating the college system
In theory, students’ choice of college shouldn’t affect their likelihood of admission, nor will it impact the prestige of the degree or the quality of education.
If there are too many deserving applicants in one college one year, the university will transfer those who stand out to other less sought-after colleges. All exams and lectures are common to the entire student cohort. The small group classes that Oxbridge universities are famous for(supervisions at Cambridge, tutorials at Oxford) are independent of the college system.
The college you apply for does matter because it influences students’ quality of life during their university years. Some colleges are more central, others more beautiful, others have better sports facilities.
