Student Recruitment Officer Applying to Oxbridge Gareth Duxbury Student Recruitment Officer undergraduate.admissions@admin.ox.ac.uk

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

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

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

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

Entrance Requirements Typical offer: A-level – AAA (Ox) A*AA (Cam) (2010 TBC) IB 38-40 (7s & 6s at HL) Entry criteria are purely academic Emphasis is on potential Between 1/5 and 1/6 success rate

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

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

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)

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’

What Are Tutors Looking For? Academic ability Academic potential Independent thought Interest in your subject Commitment to study Selection criteria on the web www.admissions.ox.ac.uk/courses/criteria

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

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

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

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

Oxbridge Regional Conferences Want to know more? Check our websites www.admissions.ox.ac.uk www.cam.ac.uk Oxbridge Regional Conferences March 2010 Open Days June & September 2010

Any Questions?