1. University of Oxford Julia Richardson, Student Recruitment Officer
Undergraduate Admissions Office
Insert your name and title.

2. Oxford University
Recognised world wide for contributions to learning and research for over 900 years.
Oldest English-speaking University in the world
A Collegiate University
Produced leaders in sciences, arts, medicine and politics who have helped shape modern world – 47 Nobel Prize winners
Offers very special system of tutorial teaching unsurpassed elsewhere today
This is an introduction to Oxford, please embellish as you wish.

3. Structure of Oxford Central University
39 colleges ( 30 UG and 9 PG only)
7 private halls
over 11,000 undergraduate students
nearly 7,000 postgraduate students
1,500 academic staff
1,300 research staff
2,900 support staff
1,500 college staff
14% of UG International

4. Oxford Explained College life Academic life Social life
Application procedure
Finance
Content of talk.

5. Academic life Tutorials Lectures Classes Laboratory work and fieldwork
Emphasise unique nature of tutorial system and the importance of tutorials in daily academic life. Give examples of what a tutorial might include – interactive discussion of essays, problems or assignments set in previous tutorial.
Lectures
Explain difference in amount of lectures between subjects. Talk about the content (so reflects core rubric of syllabus)
Classes
Smaller groups. Discussion of lectures and further reading. Give examples from knowledge.
Lab work and fieldwork
Division of time for science students to spend doing lab work – two ½ days a week.
Fieldwork dependent on subject. Examples from geography and biological sciences etc

6. Academic Life Experienced Tutors Focus on independent learning
Assessment largely through examination
Extensive resources
Chance to elaborate on the very extensive intellectual and material resources at a student’s disposal in Oxford.
E.g. 2 billion pounds of scientific equipment, 100 libraries, 11 million books plus other fun facts of your own!

7. Colleges
As a student you are a member of the University, a Department AND a College
30 Undergraduate Colleges
Primary social & academic community
Facilities include:
Accommodation
Student Union, Common Room and Bar
Computing facilities
Sports facilities
Academic and support staff
Clubs and Societies
Library
Dining Hall
Explain how Colleges are integral to the Oxford system but emphasise that College choice is not vital.

8. Social Life College University Meet first friends
Cheap and extensive social activities
University
Over 11,000 undergraduate students
Over 600 student societies
College
Elaborate on social activities available e.g sports, music, dram, clubs etc
University
Elaborate on student societies (make sure it is appropriate to the audience)
Oxford
The figure includes Oxford Brookes students.
Elaborate on location and transport e.g Oxford Tube!

11. Oxford City Over 25,000 students in a vibrant city of 130,000
Well located on all travel networks
Beautiful city with lots of open green spaces
Outside Oxford – Beautiful countryside; 1hr to London
Clubs, bars, restaurants, theatres, cinemas
Oxford
The figure includes Oxford Brookes students.
Elaborate on location and transport e.g Oxford Tube!
Talk about areas of the city where students live e.g. Cowley, Iffley, Jericho, Headington
Judge your audience and emphasise what you think is relevant.

12. Welfare & Support
The college community ensures there is always help available if you run into any problems.
The subject tutor will be able to help or advise, as will other senior members of your college.
If you wish to talk to somebody outside college, the University Counselling Service is there to help with emotional or psychological problems.
Nightline is a listening, information and support service run by students, for students. It is open overnight, 8 pm–8 am, every night in term-time.
Disability Advisory Service – study related needs assessment, advice & guidance before applying and during the course.

13. Entrance Requirements
Typical offer
AAA at A Level
38 – 40 IB with 6/7 in the HL subjects
SAT I scores of 2100+
ACT score of 32+
SAT II scores of 700+ in ¾ relevant subjects
AP scores of 4/5 in 2 or more relevant subjects
Entry criteria purely academic
Emphasis is on potential
Find out what qualifications the students are studying prior the presentation.
Emphasise that academic grades are part of offer and not a guarantee of a place.
Mention updated success rates if possible.

14. Application – College choice
Specify a College or make an open application
20% of successful applicants are made offers by a different College to the one that they originally applied.
Colleges have more similarities than differences
Factors to consider
Check the college offers your subject
Size
Number of students
Location
Accommodation
Specific facilities
Emphasise to students that choosing a College does not affect their chances of success and that receiving an offer from Oxford is the important part rather than which College makes the offer.

15. Application – UCAS UCAS Application - 15th October Deadline
5 university choices
Blind application and non ordered
Personal Statement
70% academic focussed
Reasons for choosing subject
NO OXFORD FORM
(20th September Deadline for Singapore &
Hong Kong Interviews only)
Depending on date of visit judge detail on UCAS accordingly.

16. Application – what is considered?
High School transcript
Examination grades / predicted grades
Personal Statement
Teacher’s reference
Pre-Interview tests
Written work
Written tests at Interview
Interview(s)
Explain that all of these elements, not just one aspect, are taken into consideration for each applicant.

17. Application – tests and written work
Pre interview tests
BMAT – Medicine & Physiological Sciences
LNAT – Law*
ELAT – English*
HAT – History *
PPE
Physics *
Mathematics & Computer Science *
Economics and Management
Experimental Psychology
Some subjects require written work to be submitted
Written tests at interview for other subjects
* including joint subjects
tests are another piece of information to allow us to assess candidates individualy and shouldn’t be looked on as a bad thing! They are aptitude tests, can’t be revised for and are looking to test the skills that they are learning and using to gain more knowledge, rather than actual factual knowledge. They do not want to just replicate what the A levels are testing. Students should however have a look on the test sites for practice and past papers and try to familiarise themselves with the set up of the test, and the way in which it is trying to test abilities before hand.

18. Application – interviews (how & why)
Applicants invited to Oxford for 2 or 3 days
- Interviews are not guaranteed
- Candidates may be offered telephone or video interview
Often more than one interview, possibly at more than one College
Normally with 2 academic tutors
Usually 20 – 30 minutes
Interview style
Entirely academic focus
Discussion based
Intellectually challenging
Combining existing knowledge with new material
Give examples of your knowledge of interviews and stress that they will be challenging but they are aimed to stretch you in order to get the best out of you.
Give them some helpful pointers about dress e.g. where what makes you feel comfortable.

19. Application – What are tutors looking for?
Academic ability
Academic potential
Independent thought & engagement with new ideas
Enthusiasm for your subject
Commitment to study
NOT looking for sporting / musical ability
Selection criteria

20. Comparison with US Colleges
3 year BA or 4 year MSc – cost efficient
Liberal Arts size Colleges in a Harvard size institution
No core curriculum in non-specified areas
Academic Interviews – not alumni
Little consideration for extra curricular activities
2 : 1 teaching with academic staff on weekly basis

21. Finance – general
When thinking about how much it will cost you to study at Oxford you need to think about the following things each year:
university fee, college fee, living costs & transport costs to & from Oxford.
University fees vary according to the subject you want to study. Current university fees can be found at
In 2008/9 most colleges charged US$8,550 per year. Both fees are payable annually & expect them to rise about 3-5% each year.
Oxford recommends overseas students should budget a minimum of $15,000 for living costs. (or $18,800 if staying in Oxford for the whole year)
Outline standard figures (note figure is for 2009 entry, update when 2010 figure is published)

22. Finance – Fees & Living Costs ($US)
$6,800 – UK and EU students – directed by residence not nationality
$20,000 – Humanities and Social Sciences
$18,975 – Mathematics and Statistics
$23,000 – Physical, Mathematical and Life Sciences – Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Engineering, Earth Sciences, Materials, Physics, Psychology, Philosophy and Physiology.
$40,000 – final 3 years of Medicine.
Course fees do vary for some subjects and you should check the exact fee at
College fees – these are in addition to University fees. Individual colleges can provide information about their fees for particular courses. Typically $9,000.
> $16,000 – 30 weeks living expenses (estimated)

23. Finance - Oxford University owned accommodation
College scholarships, prizes and awards
Subsidised food and entertainment in College
Availability of course materials
Cheap transport
Students at Oxford are guaranteed at least two years of their course in University owned accommodation. Only pay during term time.

24. Finance – careers (post Oxford)
General employment skills
Connections with quality graduate employers
Huge range of employment opportunities
OU Careers Service
Lasting friendships with people from many different disciplines
Median salary of Oxford graduates who go into paid work is 21% higher than for all UK graduates.
45% of Oxford University leavers started further study compared with 28% of leavers from Russell Group Universities and 24% for the UK in general.
Not just about money but about choices from any course.
Employer presentations throughout the year from top graduate employers.
Oxford Careers network – links to previous graduates for work experience, internships and jobs!

25. Further Info www.admissions.ox.ac.uk
Undergraduate Prospectus and College Prospectuses
The Student Information and Advisory Service is responsible for providing international students with advice & guidance.
information on visas and useful contacts.
Oxford University Student Union (
Ask questions now!!

26. Keeping in Contact Admissions Information Centre
Little Clarendon Street, Oxford
(Open Monday to Friday 9-5)