If you wish to secure a place at the University of Cambridge or University of Oxford, you will need to meet tough entry requirements, answer famously difficult interview questions and pass admissions tests. The deadline to apply to Oxbridge universities is always much earlier than other universities across the UK, and for 2021 entry it is October 15th.
Learn more: Oxbridge Application Service
Learn more about what is required to submit a high quality Oxbridge application below and if you wish to apply, arrange a free consultation with SI-UK London today.
Applying to an Oxbridge University
Studying at Cambridge or Oxford is equal parts exciting, exhausting and demanding. Both universities have famously high standards of teaching and assessment, but the payoff is that once enrolled and then graduated, you will forever have Oxbridge seal of approval on your CV.
Tough entry requirements, tricky interview questions and standardised tests are all required to successfully apply to Oxbridge universities and before applying it is important to take your time in considering if studying at Oxford or Cambridge is for you. Only the most dedicated students are accepted and applications must be faultless to make it through each step of the process.
- Choosing a Course and College
Applying to a specific college is recommended, but open applications can also be submitted. When picking a college, students should consider if it teaches the subject you wish to study, its academic history and if it is close to your personal interests and hobbies. Not all colleges offer undergraduate or postgraduate courses, so research is vital.
Colleges are also where you will live, where tutorials will take place and each college also has its own library and social activities.
- Admissions Tests
Admissions tests at Cambridge and Oxford are much more than just a further examination of your subject knowledge. In many cases they are designed to test aptitude and will require students to think deeply about a subject, placing a particular focus on the candidates ability to think outside the box. Not all Oxbridge courses require the taking of a set test, and those that do often depend upon the staff’s preference.
- Interview Phase
If you have made it through the initial application and passed the subsequent admissions test, the final part of an Oxbridge application is passing an interview. Oxbridge interviews vary from one college to the next and students will be expected to analyse unseen materials during an interview, whilst also answering questions on inventive and unorthodox topics.
Ensure you read and re-read your personal statement, essays and anything referenced in your submitted work, as the interviewer will likely wish to hear you expand upon many different aspects of your application and what interests you.
Study at Oxford or Cambridge
If you are interested in applying to study at either Oxford or Cambridge for September 2021 entry, the October 15th deadline is quickly approaching. The Oxbridge Service can maximise your chances of submitting a successful application with personal statement editing and interview practice. Arrange a free consultation today to find out if you are eligible to apply.