• Question: What advise do you have for somebody that wants to apply to Oxbridge?

    Asked by anon-279202 to Tom, Sameed, Martin, Katie, James, Amelia, Alison, Alin on 5 Feb 2021.
    • Photo: Katie West

      Katie West answered on 5 Feb 2021:


      Hi Alisha :),

      I never looked into applying to Oxbridge myself. But this website looks helpful https://www.insideuni.org/ – it has reviews from >2,000 students on their Oxbridge application experiences (broken down by college and course).

      Hopefully, the careers advisor at your school would also be able to help with your application

      Katie 🙂

    • Photo: Alison Young

      Alison Young answered on 5 Feb 2021:


      Just make sure that it’s somewhere you’ll be happy for 3-4 years. Be aware that the terms at Oxford and Cambridge are a lot shorter than at other universities which means you have to fit all the lectures, studying, exams, and any extra-curricular societies you want to do in a much smaller amount of time – it’s intense! And studying science at uni can be tough anyway 🙂 Going to Oxbridge isn’t essential for being a scientist. Out of all the astronomers I know personally, I can only think of a couple who did their undergraduate degree at Oxbridge. Other than that, a genuine passion for the subject is key!

    • Photo: James Marrow

      James Marrow answered on 5 Feb 2021:


      Have a passion for the subject that you want to study – the terms are intense and you are expected to drive your learning with the support of the tutors and lectures. This suits some people, but not all.

      Excellent grades are important, but the admissions process does take account of context so don’t be put off from applying if your school doesn’t have a history of people who went to Oxbridge (there are some excellent access schemes too, and these can help if your school or circumstances are holding you back from the highest grades). Don’t be put off by public/state school misconceptions (Mansfield College at Oxford, for example, admitted 90% of its students from state schools last year..).

      Don’t be put off from applying (I emphasise) – as it won’t affect your other applications if you don’t get in, and don’t be disappointed if you don’t get in – there are so many excellent applicants for the limited places that it is somewhat of a lottery – the courses are many other universities are equally good.

      The interview is important – the interviewers are generally looking for students who can think on their feet and who will get the most from the small group teaching (called ‘tutorials’ or ‘supervisions’ at Oxford and Cambridge). They are looking for your potential. You can expect questions that will make you think, so be prepared to say what you think and how you are thinking about the question that you have been set (even if it’s not the right answer to the question, your approach to it is important).

      I’ve worked and studied at both Cambridge and Oxford (and other universities), and both cities are small places. That doesn’t suit everyone 🙂

      Finally, your college choice does not matter – most courses distribute the admitted students between colleges, and you will grow to love whatever college you join.

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