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