Applying to Oxford

Like most other UK universities, Oxford applications are made through UCAS. Because of UCAS’s blind system, none of your other chosen universities or institutions will know where else you’ve applied. However, you can only choose one course at Oxford, and you can’t apply to both Oxford and Cambridge in the same year. When you apply, you can either choose a college or make an open application.

There are one or two things that you will need to keep in mind when you are making your application. First of all, your UCAS form MUST be submitted early, usually by the 15th of October, though it’s worth double checking on the admissions website. This is so that the University can organise interviews and request written work.

After you’ve submitted your application, some (not all) subjects may ask for samples of written work or require you to sit a pre-interview test. Written work is typically required by early November. Check the official prospectus for detailed instructions, but samples are usually marked work that you feel reflects your best ability.  It’s a good idea to pick work that demonstrates some flair and evidence of personal research, but there’s no need to write anything specially.

An increasing number of courses with large number of applicants, such as Medicine, History, English and PPE, now require you to sit pre-interview written tests.  These are done at your school and are designed to test general aptitude, meaning that you can’t prepare for them, so don’t panic or worry about revising.  More information and sample tests can be found through the University admissions website and a summary page of test requirements is provided here.  You may have to register separately to sit the tests so check the official prospectus for more information.

Tutors tend to interview a large proportion of students who apply.  More information about interviews can be found on the next page.

You’ll generally hear from Oxford in December or January with the results of your application. Conditional offers are usually AAA at A-level.