applying to oxford. what makes oxford special? the tutorial system colleges challenging and...

Applying to Oxford

What makes Oxford special?

• The tutorial system

• Colleges

• Challenging and stimulating courses

• World-class reputation for research and academic excellence

• Experienced, renowned tutors

• Extensive resources

• Supportive environment

Academic Life

• Small-group teaching – tutorials/supervisions

• Lectures, classes, practicals

• Assessment – end of year examinations

College life

As a student you are a member of the University, a Department AND a College

30 undergraduate colleges; ‘Mini campus’

Facilities include:

Accommodation

Sports facilities

Academic and support staff

Dining Hall

Computing facilities

Bar

Common Room

Library

Social Life

• Sports• Drama• Music• Hundreds of clubs and

societies!• Night life

Careers

Huge range of employment opportunities

90-100% employment rate straight fromgraduation

General employment skills

Connections with quality graduate employers

OU Careers Service

In most subjects, Oxford graduates are in the top 5%-20% of earnings compared with graduates from that same subject from other

universities

UCAS application

(Cambridge Extenuating Circumstances Form))

Submit by 15 October

Result of application

Choose ‘firm’ and ‘insurance’

choices

Exam results/ confirmation

Written work / tests

Start university

Complete online SAQ

(Cambridge)

Interview

Choose course and College

Applying: Choosing a course

• Oxford and Cambridge both offer a range of academic arts, science and social science subjects• Some courses vary:

Oxford• PPE (Politics, Philosophy and Economics)• Classical Archaeology and Ancient History• Earth Sciences• Fine Art• Czech, Polish, Turkish

• Joint Honours degrees

Cambridge• Anglo-Saxon, Norse, and Celtic• Architecture• Education• Land Economy• Human, Social, and Political

Sciences• Veterinary Medicine

• Courses divided into ‘Parts’

You cannot apply to both in the same year

Applying: Entrance requirements

• A Levels: AAA-A*A*A depending on subject.

• 38-40 in the IB (6s / 7s in Higher level)

• Specific subjects may be required for some courses

• Purely academic criteria

Applying: Choosing a college

Open applications

Does it offer your course?

‘Better’ or ‘Easier’?

More similarities than differences

You may like to consider……location…age…size…accommodation…kitchen/dining provision

Each college has a website and an individual page in the university prospectus.

Applying: Tests and Written Work

• Around 85% of Oxford applicants are now required to sit a pre-interview test

• Check for your course at www.admissions.ox.ac.uk/tests

• Tests at interview for some subjects

• Written work required for some subjects

Remember to

register

Applying: Interview

• Applicants invited to Oxford for 2 or 3 days

• Often more than one interview

• Normally with 2 academic tutors for 20-30 minutes

• Cambridge ‘pool’ candidates

Interviews (cont.)

• Mock Tutorial

• Material

• Intelligence and Interest

• Potential

• Benefit from this type of teaching- Don’t freeze

Check website for guidance on preparing

Applying : What is considered?

• Prior academic achievement

• Predicted grades

• Personal Statement

• Teacher’s reference

• Pre-Interview tests (where applicable)

• Written work (where applicable)

• Written tests at interview (where applicable)

• Interview(s)

Financial Help

• Fee Reductions

• Bursaries

• Scholarships

• Other discounts: College scholarships and prizes, availability of course materials, cheap transport, travel grants

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rmvnmj7XrsI&list=PL7660E0CAC88AC436

How to make the best application?

• Read more and read it more critically• Engage with your subject outside of the classroom• Subject specific work experience • Look at the online test papers• Don’t fib in your personal statement• Have a discussion (or practice interview) with your

teacher/parents/friends• Ensure your academic profile matches the entry requirements• Academic language • Research the course more thoroughly, so you know the approach Oxford

has

Come along to an Open Day

June 2013

Further Information

• www.admissions.ox.ac.uk

• UNIQ summer schools – www.ox.ac.uk/uniq

• Target Schools

• Prospectus and Alternative Prospectus

• Ask questions now!