Oxbridge Entry Requirements: The Grades And Beyond
If you’re setting your sights on Oxford or Cambridge, you’ll know that these prestigious institutions expect nothing but top tier grades from their future students. But there’s more to Oxbridge admissions than grades – so what are admissions tutors looking for and how can you best prepare?
1. Grade Expectations
Your grades are often the first thing Oxbridge admissions tutors will look at, so you want to be sure you’re on track to achieve the very best A Level (or equivalent) grades.
Cambridge will usually demand A*A*A for its science courses and A*AA for its arts courses, but check individual courses for specific grade requirements. At Cambridge, entry requirements can also vary college by college.
Oxford require between A*A*A and AAA, depending on the course. Again, you can check specific courses for their grade requirements.
You may also want to check for subject-specific requirements; some courses will ask for an A* or A in a particular A Level subject – this is most commonly Maths for scientific courses.
If you’re studying the International Baccalaureate (IB), Oxford generally requires 38-40 points with 6s and 7s at Higher Level, and Cambridge asks for 40 - 42 points with a 7, 7, 6 score at Higher Level.
U2 Tuition Tip: Choose A Level / IB subjects that align with your potential future degree choices and check specific course requirements before you make your decision. We can help you choose your A Level / IB subjects, and if you’re having trouble deciding on a subject we also offer taster sessions for particular degrees. Contact us to find out more.
2. Beyond The Curriculum
Any activities that stretch you beyond the usual curriculum are invaluable. Whether you’ve attended academic lectures, read beyond your course syllabus, dabbled in more advanced problems (say for maths or sciences) or written research papers (for humanities subjects), it’s all demonstrative of your passion and commitment to the subject.
U2 Tuition tip: Consider joining societies or clubs related to your chosen subject. Check out Mind Underground, our treasure trove of co-curricular courses spanning Debate, Medicine, Law, STEM, Python and more. U2 Tuition also offers lots of opportunities to engage with professionals and scholars in the field via our research projects, Summer Schools and customised masterclasses. These will help you gain unique insights into your chosen subject and deepen your understanding.
Examples of some of our co-curricular categories on Minds Underground.
3. Personal Statement
It’s a given that most Oxbridge applicants will achieve top grades, so use your personal statement to showcase what makes you, you. This is your chance to shine beyond the grades and secure that all-important interview.
Admissions tutors want to understand how you got to where you are now, what drives you and sparks your passion, and where you see yourself in the future. Think of it as an amalgamation of your past, present, and future aspirations. Be authentic (or it simply won’t hold up at interview) and don’t be afraid to showcase any unique experiences or perspectives that make you stand out.
U2 Tuition tip: Craft a winning UCAS Personal Statement with our help! Our tutors can work with you to get your personal statement Oxbridge-ready, showcasing your passion and potential.
4. School or College Recommendations
Your teachers will report on your academic performance as part of your UCAS application, sharing predicted grades as well as their own perspectives and observations of your character, intellectual curiosity and academic journey overall.
U2 Tuition tip: Cultivate relationships with your teachers so that they can share genuine insights with Oxbridge admissions tutors. Their perspectives will carry weight.
5. The Admissions Tests
Oxbridge entrance exams form a critical component of the admissions process, testing subject-specific knowledge as well as skills such as abstract reasoning, situational judgement, and decision-making.
Some are national aptitude tests used by other top universities too, such as the Thinking Skills Assessment (TSA). Others are specific to Oxford or Cambridge, such as the Cambridge Engineering and Science Admissions Test (ESAT). We’ve included a full list of admissions tests on our Oxbridge admissions page as well as details of how we can help you prepare for each test.
U2 Tuition tip: Preparation is key. Allocate time to understand the format of the test you’ll be taking, hone your skills, and simulate the exam environment with past papers. Our tutors also have a wealth of additional resources and question types that go beyond the past papers available.
6. Interview Excellence
The infamous Oxbridge interview is more than just a chat. It’s where you demonstrate your problem solving and critical thinking skills, your ability to engage in rigorous academic discussions, and your potential to thrive in Oxbridge’s unique tutorial/supervision systems. Remember that your personal statement will be used as a springboard for discussion during the interviews, so you should feel confident discussing everything you included.
U2 Tuition tip: Familiarise yourself with potential questions, engage in mock interviews, and approach them as constructive dialogues rather than interrogations.
7. Written Work
Depending on your chosen course, you may need to submit written work. This applies mainly to arts and humanities courses, as both Oxford and Cambridge will want to see demonstrations of your academic abilities. They most often request written work that has been completed as part of your usual school work and marked by a teacher.
U2 Tuition tip: Admissions tutors will be looking for a snapshot of your analytical, research and writing skills, so choose pieces that you’re particularly proud of and which align closely with your chosen course.
8. The Importance of Context
Oxbridge admissions teams consider the educational disparities that exist. So if you’ve had to overcome hurdles – such as attending a school with historically lower progression to higher education, or facing personal hardships – these will be considered and contextualised.
U2 Tuition tip: Use your personal statement to shed light on these challenges, giving the admissions tutors a chance to view your achievements in the right light.
The path to Oxbridge may seem daunting, but if you have the right blend of academic excellence, passion and preparation, a coveted spot at Oxford or Cambridge could be yours for the taking. U2 can support you throughout the entire application process, from the personal statement to the admissions tests and Oxbridge interview preparation. We’re here to help.
