Oxford University is one of the world's renowned institutions and the dream of many ambitious students. Admission is very competitive, therefore it is a must to have talent and passion for the field of study. In a sense, the application to Oxford University begins long before the admission process itself: you will have to acquire substantial knowledge about your study program and develop your ability to think independently. Dedication is the key, so it is to be expected that within a year you will be at the gates of the university.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Apply to Undergraduate
Step 1. Decide what you want to study
When you apply to the University of Oxford you will have to know from the beginning what you are going to study.
Step 2. Develop a work ethic
You will have to work very hard to get admitted to the University of Oxford, not to mention that you will too once you start your university studies. Learn to love studying and to thrive under a rigorous study schedule.
Step 3. Be passionate about your area of study
Curiosity and genuine enthusiasm can go a long way in the admissions process.
- Go beyond the standard curriculum. For the ideal Oxford University candidate, the things you learned in school and on standardized tests are still quite limited in scope. Therefore, expand your knowledge as much as possible.
- If you have the financial resources, take additional classes at a local community college, summer school, or tutoring center.
- If you can't afford to pay for additional courses, read enough information about your study program as you can get it so that you can learn more about it yourself. Visit a nearby university library and browse their book collection, search the internet for your syllabus, etc.
Step 4. Get perfect grades
This may seem very stiff but it is important. Oxford University has very high standards when it comes to grades, therefore they have to be perfect grades.
Step 5. Don't let extracurricular activities overshadow your academic work
It is a myth that you have to round off incredibly well in order to be accepted at Oxford. Some Oxford students may have many extracurricular interests while others may be focused solely on a passion for study.
This does not mean that you should give up an activity that you really like and lock yourself away every day with books 24 hours a day. Talents and passions are always attractive to candidates and also make life more enjoyable
Step 6. Decide which Oxford school or institute you want to attend
At Oxford, students belong to a department or faculty, as well as an institute or salon. The university consists of more than 30 institutes, which function as academic communities where students have small group study sessions called tutorials. The lectures, tests, classifications, etc. they are organized by the department. Each institute has its own dining room, common room and library, as well as groups and societies.
- Visit the study program page on the university website to find out which institute accepts applications for your desired study program.
- Find information about the institutes on the website. You will see that they differ in terms of accommodation, location, funding opportunities, and whether they are for undergraduate and graduate students alike.
- Your application will be reviewed by the department, not the institute. Thus, your candidacy will not be affected by the choice of institute. You could also be reassigned to a different institute to which you have applied.
- You also have the option of making an “open entry application” by entering the code specified in your application (see the application instructions for more details). In this case, the university will assign you an institute or classroom.
Step 7. Find the entry requirements for your chosen study program
The quickest way to do this is by visiting the program page on the university website, as well as the general information page on undergraduate admissions. Admission requirements include certain standardized test scores, high school courses, and examples of written work.
You will also need to write a personal essay on the field you chose to study and submit a reference from a professor or advisor
Step 8. Fill out an application
The application process is online only.
- Students with a science degree applying to the Accelerated Medicine course will have a separate application form.
- Review your application deadlines well in advance. You will have to plan ahead to ensure that you have all the requirements completed on time.
Step 9. Take an English proficiency test if you are not a native speaker
The standardized tests that are accepted are the IELTS, the TOEFL, the CAE and the CPE. In addition, the General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) of English language, the International Baccalaureate at standard level in English and the European Baccalaureate.
Step 10. Remember the possible dates for your free interview with the University of Oxford
If the department to which you applied finds your application convincing enough, they will place you on a shortlist. In that case, you will have to attend an interview. However, sometimes applicants are notified that they have been selected only a few days before the date of the interview. In that case, you should be ready to go.
- Check the interview schedule on the university's website for the dates they will take place.
- The talk show is very tight and it is usually not possible to reschedule one.
- Keep in mind that accommodation and meals are free when you go to the interview.
- If you have a disability, inform the university as soon as possible so that they can provide you with the comforts during the interview process and scheduling.
- International students living far from the UK may be able to schedule an interview over the phone or on the Internet. The exception is for medical applicants who must go to Oxford.
Step 11. Find out if you are on the shortlist for an interview
If you were selected to go for an interview, you will receive a letter from the institute. As mentioned above, it could be a warning for a very early date, up to a week from now.
Step 12. Practice how you will speak during the thought process
During the interview you will be asked questions whose objective will not be to answer what you already know, but rather to apply the knowledge you have to solve new tasks. The tutor you interviewed will want to hear you think out loud, so practice that ahead of time with a friend or teacher and have them ask you questions so you speak your answers.
- The Psychology applicant might be asked why studies have shown that Welsh speakers have a harder time memorizing phone numbers than English speakers. Hopefully the interviewee should be able to make a connection between memory and arithmetic and state that this depends on how easily the words are pronounced (the numbers in Welsh are longer than in English).
- The Art History applicant might be asked to talk about a painting they have never seen before. In this case you could apply your analytical skills, make references to relevant movements and influences, etc.
- Remember, the best preparation you can have is a broad knowledge of your area of interest.
Step 13. Review mock interview clips
The university website has mock interview clips. This is a great opportunity for you to get an idea of the interview format.
You can also find sample questions in the “Interview” section on the university website
Step 14. Dress comfortably for your interview
Tutors who interview you tend to dress casually. You don't need to dress formally.
Step 15. You should be prepared to talk about your personal essay and possibly some school work during the interview
To begin with, the tutor will try to make you comfortable with some simple questions, for example, about your personal essay. Make sure to reread your essay and any other written work that you submitted along with your application so that you are ready to talk about it.
Your invitation letter will specify all the documents that you will have to bring, however, a good idea is to bring a copy of your personal essay
Method 2 of 2: Apply for Graduate Studies
Step 1. Develop a strong work ethic
Studying at Oxford is very rigorous, so the university wants students to be able to handle a demanding academic load. Invest time in your studies every day to show that you have what it takes.
- If you need help balancing your academic load with other commitments (work, family, etc.), ask your academic advisor for suggestions.
- Some Oxford departments request a minimum of 3.7 as a school grade on average (on the 4.0 scale) while others request a minimum of 3.5.
Step 2. Take advantage of academic opportunities at your current university
You can become a more attractive candidate for graduate study if you showed a strong interest in your area of study. Your current university is likely to offer opportunities that go beyond requested courses, so it could include clubs related to your degree program, additional research opportunities, and internships.
- If you are unsure about the opportunities available to you, ask your academic advisor to point you in the right direction.
- Don't forget that your university library is an important resource. Review the books about your syllabus and read about topics that interest you.
Step 3. Research the study program you wish to apply to at Oxford
You can do it on the university's website as it has specific pages for each program. Application requirements vary from program to program.
The program pages also provide information on what makes you eligible, particularly with regard to your college grades
Step 4. Read the college admissions “Application Guide”
This guide is available on the graduate admissions page and changes from year to year, so be sure to read the guide for the year you apply. Familiarize yourself with the application process and take note of all the requirements, including standardized tests, undergraduate transcripts, references (letters of recommendation), and any written work you need to submit.
- In general, if there are differences between what the program page and the Admissions Guide state about the application process, the latter will take priority.
- If you have any questions, please contact the Graduate Admissions and Funding Offices via the website.
- Specific application processes apply for the following programs: postgraduate certificate in Education, courses at Saïd Business School, software engineering courses, clinical medical degrees, doctoral program in Clinical Psychology and for the Foreign Service program.
Step 5. Decide which institute you want to attend
Graduate students belong to the department and the institute or salon. The institutes and classrooms are the smallest communities within the university and where you will be assigned a tutor who will give you academic support. Each institute has its own facilities, including accommodation, library, dining room, and common room.
- Find out which institutes accept applications for your study program. You can do it on the program's website.
- Other factors when choosing an institute include: accommodation for couples, families or students with disabilities, funding opportunities, location within Oxford, and whether it is specifically for graduate students (some are for undergraduate and graduate students).
- The status of your application will not depend on the university you choose. However, you may be reassigned to a different institute than the one you applied for.
- Keep in mind that you can also make an "open application" and that this way you will be registered in an institute through the university. In that case, use the code provided in the application to indicate that you do not have a preference for an institute.
Step 6. Research funding opportunities
Unlike American universities, Oxford University does not always provide funding for its graduate students and teaching opportunities, while few, are not institutionalized. You will have to consider how to finance your postgraduate studies at Oxford, which can be a great investment.
Fortunately there are a number of funding opportunities available for UK and international students. Find more information on the “Fees and Funding” page of the university website
Step 7. Choose people who give references about you who know your academic work
As part of your application you will have to provide references. Ideally, they should be professors or advisers who are familiar with your academic work and who can talk about your ability and potential for graduate study.
- Don't be afraid to ask for letters of recommendation - it's something teachers always do.
- Make sure to request them well in advance of the deadline.
- Give the professors clear instructions on the process (for Oxford University everything is done online) and on the deadline. You will need to register the letters of recommendation on the Oxford University online application and then you will receive a referral application.
- Oxford does not send out reminders about the maximum referral deadlines. You are responsible for verifying that the referrer sent the letter on time.
- Don't get referrals from friends or family.
Step 8. Complete the online application
Make sure to do it before the graduate admission deadline. They may or may not request an interview, depending on the department.
Use the checklist on the “Applications” page to make sure you have submitted all the necessary application documents
Step 9. Take an English proficiency test if you are not a native speaker or citizen of a country with a majority of English speakers
Ideally, you should do it before the application deadline. However, if you did it after the deadline, have your results sent to Oxford as soon as they are available or send them electronically. The tests that Oxford recognizes are:
- English Language Testing System: known as IELTS.
- Internet-based Test of English as a Foreign Language: known as TOEFL iBT.
- Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English: known as CPE.
- Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English.
Advice
Be hard-working, have ambition and enthusiasm for new experiences and for gaining knowledge. When you enter, you will be expected to be curious and very passionate about what you study
Warnings
- Don't let rejection put you off. Remember that the competition is very high and that many bright and promising students are not accepted. Even if you are not accepted, remember that you can reapply next year.
- Don't apply to Oxford University just because of its prestige. The main goal at Oxford is to gain knowledge, therefore that should also be your goal if you want to enter there.