Should I apply for Oxford and Cambridge?
Oxford University and Cambridge University, collectively known as "Oxford and Cambridge", occupy a special position in people's imagination. However, they also have some popular and sometimes wrong stereotypes about the types of students admitted. Both Oxford University and Cambridge University emphasize that they seek to attract the best and brightest applicants. Regardless of the background, both universities have strict and fair application procedures, aiming at making the best applicants stand out.
Choose a course
Both Oxford University and Cambridge University believe that the most important decision is to choose the degree you want to study, not which university you want to apply for. Be sure to read the course details carefully. You have to study for several years, so it is important to choose what you really love.
Oxford University and Cambridge University tend to offer traditional academic courses, emphasizing small group tuition fees, while evaluation is often based on exams. Only a few occupations require a specific degree, so keep an open mind and consider topics that you haven't studied directly before, as long as it can help you develop analytical skills and skills that are attractive to future employers. Remember, you will be asked about your choice during the interview, so a strong personal interest is very important.
Choose between Oxford and Cambridge.
You can't apply for Oxford and Cambridge at the same time in the same year, you must choose one of them. These two universities are world-famous in arts and sciences, so deciding whether to admit them is largely a decision of one person.
In the complete university guide ranking, Cambridge University usually ranks ahead of Oxford University, but this is partly because of its combination of disciplines. Some courses are offered in one university, but not in another. It should be noted that the contents of courses with similar titles in two universities may be different, so you should check the course details to see which one suits you best.
Every university has some open days and activities, and we strongly recommend that you attend one before making a choice.
What makes Oxford and Cambridge so special?
Both Oxford and Cambridge are based on the college system, and the students of both universities benefit from the personalized teaching of the team of subject experts.
College system
Both universities are composed of independent colleges and different departments. The academic department is responsible for core teaching and evaluation, while the college provides academic and educational support and arranges group teaching-sometimes taught by tutors or tutors from other colleges. Each college has different students who study different subjects and academic levels.
Each college offers the same excellent teaching standards and the same high academic standards. You will be able to use the facilities of your college, such as a big library and its facilities, as well as the resources of a larger university.
You can specify your favorite school when you apply for UCAS, but it doesn't matter what school you choose. Once you submit the UCAS application, you will make a commitment to the university you choose, so do some research. But you may be interviewed by many universities, and you may receive an admission notice from a university different from the one you applied for.
If you don't want to choose a university, you can apply openly.
teaching method
The teaching methods of the two universities are similar, including lectures, seminars, classes and experiments (depending on your course). Students from Oxford University and Cambridge University can also benefit from the highly personalized teaching time of their subject experts. Oxford calls it a "remedial class" and Cambridge calls it a "supervisory class". Before these courses, you need to prepare a paper or another assignment, and then discuss the assignment with your tutor, maybe with one or two students.
Your Oxford or Cambridge application
In addition to your academic ability and potential, the admission counselor will also pay attention to your skills and motivation, so that you can go beyond the current academic requirements. For example, prove that you can learn independently, be willing to accept new ideas, and be able to explore and discuss ideas and opinions in a logical and thoughtful way. It is very important to show your self-discipline, because you need to manage your time well. You must prove in your application how you meet the above criteria.
Key stage of application
Choose a course: view the course details.
Choose a university: If you have no preference, apply "openly".
UCAS application: The application deadline of Oxford and Cambridge is earlier than the standard deadline of UCAS, that is, 6: 00 pm (GMT) on June 65438+1October 15 every year, regardless of weekends. This is the same as the deadline for medicine, dentistry and veterinary medicine.
University Forms: You may need to complete one or more additional forms.
College exams: For most subjects, extra exams are required. These exams may be taken before or during the interview.
Written assignments: You may be asked to submit some written assignments.
Interview: If your application is shortlisted, you will be invited to attend an interview in June 5438+February.
Decision: You will know whether your application is successful at the end of January.
Other elements of the application will be described in more detail below. Please note: the deadline for overseas students may be different from that for students from Britain or the European Union. Please check with the relevant universities for details.
Apply for evaluation
Many applicants from Oxford and Cambridge are expected to get the best grades and excellent letters of recommendation. Therefore, it is impossible for Oxford or Cambridge to choose the best students only based on their UCAS applications. Each university is slightly different in distinguishing applicants. Your application will be evaluated according to the following factors.
Admission requirements
Make sure that the courses you choose can achieve the required results. Specific courses may have specific subject requirements, especially in the field of science.
The conditions for admission to Oxford University are between A*A*A and AAA (depending on the subject), reaching Grade A or IB with 38-40 points, including core scores. Higher levels may need some points.
Cambridge University usually requires most science courses to get A*A*A, liberal arts courses to get A*AA, and IB courses include core scores of 40-42 and advanced courses of 776. Higher levels may need some points.
Cambridge University usually requires most science courses to get A*A*A, liberal arts courses to get A*AA, and IB courses include core scores of 40-42 and advanced courses of 776. For Scottish students, AAA is usually a requirement for advanced grades.
If you want to take the A-level exam in science-related subjects, you need to complete and pass the practical test.
You can check these course requirements on the websites of Oxford or Cambridge University. In Cambridge, different colleges have different discipline requirements.
Personal statement
Your personal statement is an opportunity to show your potential and stand out in the counseling or supervision system. When writing a personal statement, you should:
Show your commitment to the selected subjects and your independent learning ability by exploring the contents outside the examination syllabus.
Show your self-motivation ability, your ability to plan, organize and study work, and relate these skills to your course requirements.
Remember, your UCAS application is only for five universities, so your personal statement may need to apply for different courses.
School or university reference materials
Your tutor will take your academic achievements as part of UCAS reference materials, including your expected achievements. It can also contain some contextual information about you.
The form of university
Cambridge requires all applicants to fill in the online supplementary application questionnaire (SAQ). If you are applying for an organ scholarship outside the EU, you need to complete the Cambridge Online Preliminary Application (COPA). You also need to complete the Cambridge Online Preliminary Application (COPA). Students taking modular courses are required to report their scores on the Unified Scoring System (UMS) and their level scores (if any) at SAQ. If you are qualified in linearity, the teacher will report your performance through your UCAS recommender.
Oxford University does not require you to fill out any additional forms. However, for most courses, applicants need to take exams as part of their application. The tutor will screen the applicants according to their applications and their performance in the exam.
College examination
Most exams are held before school or university interviews. Applicants must register in the assessment center in advance to take the exam.
BMAT: All students applying for standard medical courses in two universities (A 100) must register for BMAT as part of their application. At Oxford University, students who are studying postgraduate medical courses (A 10 1) and biomedical courses (BC98) also need to take the exam. Make sure that you have written down the correct date of the exam.
Oxford University requires applicants to take written tests in most other subjects before the interview. Please note that in most cases, separate registration is required.
Cambridge University requires applicants to take pre-interview tests for about half of the courses. For other subjects, Cambridge University requires a written examination during the university (if interviewed). You don't need to take an interview assessment.
Written works
Both universities require some applicants to take samples of written assignments as part of their application materials. These two situations will happen at different times, so you should carefully check the deadline when applying to make sure you don't miss it.
Context-related data
Background data, or culture, allows your situation to be considered and aims to provide a fair platform for applicants from different backgrounds. Although your academic performance is still the key factor, contextualization allows universities to evaluate how your school performs, your socio-economic background and so on. You can also provide this information in your personal statement or your teacher's academic recommendation letter.
When evaluating applications, both Cambridge University and Oxford University will consider the performance of the school and your region to help you consider your educational achievements. Your academic performance will also be included in the normal performance of your school.
If you apply to Cambridge University, your teacher can directly submit an excusable form to the school to provide information related to your situation.
Oxford University encourages teachers to know the details of any special circumstances or other relevant information in the main UCAS application. If you can prove your academic ability at Oxford University, you are likely to be considered for an interview except those students who have been identified through the regular screening process.
interview
Cambridge University interviewed about 75% of undergraduate applicants. At Oxford University, there are about six applicants for each quota, and about half of the applicants are shortlisted for interviews. For the most competitive degree, the applicant who best meets the screening criteria may have to go through multiple interviews.
The purpose and structure of the interviews in the two universities are very similar. In essence, they are like a mini tutor or supervisor. The tutor will give you a short passage to read, or set a small question for you to discuss. Contrary to many popular sayings about interviews, there are no skills or psychological games in interviews. The purpose of the interview is to let the tutor know how you deal with the new situation and how you deal with the existing information.
There may not even be the right answer. The tutor just wants to know what you think and how you use your knowledge and skills.
Your performance in the interview does not determine whether you will be admitted; As mentioned above, many factors need to be considered. However, any commercial test will not affect the success of your application, and the university does not support or encourage such commercial enterprises.
ask for advice
Do what:
Choose a course that really interests you.
Read widely on the topic of your choice. Tutors often devote their lives to their own subjects, and they hope that the students they teach can be as enthusiastic as they are.
Practice talking about your topic, not just with your teachers and classmates.
Don't do:
Exaggerate the facts on your application form. The tutor may ask you any questions about the application, so make sure everything is correct.
Spend too much time worrying about which university to apply for.
Despair. This is a competitive environment, but the only way to ensure that you won't succeed is not to try at all.