1. Student Recruitment Officer
Applying to Oxbridge
Gareth Duxbury
Student Recruitment Officer

2. Contents Learning at Oxbridge Life at Oxbridge – College? Application
Finance

3. Academic Life Tutorials / Supervisions Lectures Classes
Laboratory work and fieldwork
Experienced Tutors
Independent learning
Provision of world-class resources

4. College Life 29 at Oxford - 25 at Cambridge
College is primarily where students live
Student rooms Tutors’ studies
Library Computer Facilities
Dining Hall Common room
Sports facilities Music facilities
College Students’ Union
Base for the core tutorial teaching
Most colleges offer places for most subjects

5. Choosing a College Specify a College or make an ‘Open’ application
Colleges have more similarities than differences
Roughly 24% of successful applicants are made offers by a different College to the one that they originally applied (Ox).
Factors to consider:
Check the college offers your subject
Size
Style
Location
Accommodation
Specific facilities

6. Entrance Requirements
Typical offer:
A-level – AAA (Ox) A*AA (Cam) (2010 TBC)
IB (7s & 6s at HL)
Entry criteria are purely academic
Emphasis is on potential
Between 1/5 and 1/6 success rate

7. Tutors Consider Predicted A level grades UMS Scores (Cam only)
GCSE results
UCAS personal statement
UCAS reference
Written tests (where required)
Written work (where required)
Interviews

8. An Oxbridge Personal Statement
Content:
Two-thirds – academic
One-third – all other aspects of student
Style:
Concise
Honest
Clear
Simple

9. Admissions Tests Pre interview tests
BMAT – Medicine & Biomedical Sciences(Ox) Medicine and Veterinary Science (Cam)
LNAT – Law (Ox)
Examples of Oxford specific tests
ELAT – English
HAT – History
PPE and Economics and Management
Physics
Mathematics & Computer Science
Experimental Psychology / PPP
Some subjects require written work to be submitted
Written tests at interview for other subjects (Ox & Cam)

10. Interviews Last between 20-40 minutes normally
2-3 tutors can be present
More than one interview
May have interviews at other Colleges (Ox)
Nearly entirely academic in focus
Students should be prepared to:
Engage with new and challenging ideas
Display intellectual flexibility and curiosity
Be pushed to the edge of their ‘comfort zone’

11. What Are Tutors Looking For?
Academic ability
Academic potential
Independent thought
Interest in your subject
Commitment to study
Selection criteria on the web

12. How to Apply Complete a UCAS form 15 October
Admissions Tests By 4 November
Written work Mid - November
(Written tests at interview for other subjects)
Interviews Early - Mid December
Decisions and Offers Late Dec - Early Jan

13. Residual Household Income
Oxford Opportunity Bursary
Residual Household Income
Bursary
Start-up (First year only)
£0 – £17,999
£3,225
£875
£18,00 – £25,000 £0
£25,001 - £49,999
£3,225 - £200
That’s up to £13,675 for a 4 year course

14. Financial benefits of studying at Oxbridge
University-owned accommodation
College scholarships, prizes and awards
Subsidised College meals
Cheap College entertainment
Availability of course materials
Cheap transport

15. Repaying the Student Loan
Don’t have to pay university fees upfront
Tuition Fee and Maintenance Student Loans combined
Repay 9% of your salary over £15,000
Salary per annum Repay per week
£15,000 £ 0.00
£20,000 £ 8.65
£25,000 £17.30
Loans cancelled after 25 years
Part-time work during term time

16. Oxbridge Regional Conferences
Want to know more?
Check our websites
Oxbridge Regional Conferences
March 2010
Open Days
June & September 2010

17. Any Questions?