Applying to the University of Cambridge or the University of Oxford requires dedication and preparation to ensure that you have the capability to make a strong application and satisfy each element of your application. For this reason, we have provided our guide to Oxbridge undergraduate applications below.

Applications to Oxford and Cambridge are mutually exclusive, therefore, you can only apply to one or the other per application cycle. Both are excellent, world-renowned institutions, and researching which would be more suitable for your academic career is essential. Oxford has a stronger reputation for humanities and the arts while Cambridge has a stronger reputation for the sciences.

Preparation for your application commences early to provide adequate time to develop and refine the content necessary for each element. An example outline is below:

• Start of year 11 in September 2019

  • Work hard to achieve excellent GCSE results (A and A*)

  • Choose A level subjects based on the requirements of the course you wish to study.

• Start of year 12 in September 2020

  • Commence application preparation through further reading and academic achievements.

• Start of year 13 in September 2021

  • Submit your application by October 15th, 2021

  • Interview in December, 2021

  • Oxbridge decision in January 2022

  • A level results day in August 2022

• Start your studies at either Oxford or Cambridge in October 2022.

The deadline for applications to Oxbridge falls earlier than the deadline for UCAS applications to other universities; 6 pm (GMT) on the 15th of October is the deadline for applications to Oxbridge each year, regardless of whether it falls on a weekend. 

Applications are made to a specific college, rather than the university itself. You should research the college you wish to apply to; understanding their history and location, as well as if they offer your desired course are all essential. An Open Application is also possible, this involves being assigned a college by a computer. This wouldn’t necessarily improve your chance of being accepted, nor can you rescind this decision later and choose a college. A college may decide to accept or reject your application. If your application was strong but unsuccessful then you will be placed in the ‘winter pool‘, also known as the intercollege pool which enables other colleges to review your application and potentially make you an offer.

Academics

A strong academic performance is necessary to be considered for your course. Most conditional offers from Oxford vary between A*A*A and A*AA, while most conditional offers from Cambridge are A*AA. Universities make you a conditional offer based on your predicted grades; this offer is then confirmed on the basis of your finalised school grades. You should research all information, including entry requirements on the relevant course page online to ensure that your academic performance is strong enough to make your application realistic. You should let your school and teachers know of your ambition to apply for Oxbridge and should maintain regular conversations with your teachers on how to improve and maintain your academic performance.

Personal Statement

Your personal statement will likely provide your interviewer with points to raise with you in the interview so ensure that you are comfortable discussing any reading or concepts that you mention in the personal statement. For further guidance on preparing your personal statement, consult our articles: “How to Redraft the Personal Statement” and “Preparing for Personal Statement Success“.

• SAQ

Cambridge requires you to submit the Supplementary Application Questionnaire (SAQ) in addition to your personal statement and other UCAS information. This is an excellent opportunity to use any useful content that did not make its way into your personal statement. Whereas the UCAS personal statement should not mention any specific universities (as it will be sent to all of your 5 university choices), the SAQ is an excellent chance to specify why you have chosen to apply to your college and Cambridge.

Admissions Tests

Most courses that you apply to for Oxford or Cambridge will require admissions tests in addition to your application. These can take a variety of forms depending on the course and will take place either before or during your interview. You should read the online course page carefully to understand what the assessment will be and prepare for the assessment. Some courses will also require the submission of written work.

Interview

If your application is shortlisted, you will be invited to interview in December. Your interview for Cambridge will usually occur in one college, in one day. Your interview for Oxford will occur over a few days and may take place at different colleges. 

We recommend arriving the day before the interview and staying in a hotel overnight to minimise the number of things to consider and concern yourself about. Ensuring a good night’s rest, a healthy breakfast and a positive attitude should not be underestimated in facing the interview. Although it is a vital component, your performance at interview will be considered in addition to all of the other components of your application. For more guidance on the interview process and how to prepare, consult our article “Oxford Interviews“.

We hope that this article will serve to provide you with greater preparation for your application to study at the University of Cambridge or the University of Oxford. We wish you success in the next stage of your academic career.