How to Apply to the University of Oxford

Applying to the University of Oxford is a structured process designed to identify the most passionate and capable students. Here’s a brief guide to help you through the application process:

Choose your course and check requirements: Select your course and review the specific entry requirements, including academic qualifications and any required tests or written work.

Prepare and submit your application: Undergraduate applicants use UCAS, while postgraduate applicants apply through Oxford's graduate admissions website. Ensure your application includes all required documents and is submitted by the deadline.

Interviews and decisions: If shortlisted, attend the interview. Await the decision and, if offered a place, accept the offer and prepare for enrollment.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for admission to the University of Oxford, applicants must meet specific requirements, which vary by course. Below is a summary of the general and course-specific requirements:

General Academic Requirements:

• A-levels or equivalent qualifications are required.
• International qualifications are accepted, refer to the course pages for specific details.
• Certain courses have specific subject requirements, particularly in the sciences.

English Language Proficiency:

• Demonstrate high proficiency in English through recognised tests (e.g., IELTS, TOEFL).
• Possible exemptions for students with relevant qualifications or who have studied in English.

Course-Specific Requirements:

You can find specific course requirements here.

Entrance Exams and Written Work:

• Some courses require entrance tests (e.g., MAT for Mathematics, LNAT for Law).
• Written work submissions may be required for specific courses (e.g., English Literature, Modern Languages, History).

For detailed information on specific courses, entry requirements, and the application process, please refer to the University of Oxford’s official course admission requirements page.

University Fees

The course fees at Oxford are determined by your fee status, which can be either Home or Overseas. Here's a summary of the key points regarding university fees:

Course Fees:

• Course fees cover tuition, supervision, academic services, and facilities provided by the University and the colleges.
• Course fees for matriculated students are published as a single figure, combining University and college services.

Home Students:

• Home students undertaking their first undergraduate degree can access a tuition fee loan from the UK government to cover the full amount of their course fee.
• Students with previous undergraduate degrees are classified as ELQ students and are not eligible for financial support from Oxford or the UK government.

Overseas Students:

• Overseas students are charged significantly higher course fees, which vary depending on the program of study.
• Overseas students are not eligible for tuition fee loans from the UK government.
• Clinical medicine fees for overseas students are considerably higher and can be found in the dedicated Fees and Funding section of the Medicine course page.

For detailed information on specific course fees please refer to the University of Oxford’s official fees page.

Scholarships

Oxford offers various scholarships and bursaries to support students financially. Here's a brief overview:

Crankstart Scholarships for UK Students:

• For UK-resident undergraduates with a household income of £32,500 or less.
• Includes a non-repayable bursary, funded internships, volunteering opportunities, and social events.

Oxford Bursaries for Home Fee Status Students:

• For UK students or Republic of Ireland nationals from lower-income households, studying their first undergraduate degree.
• Also available to EU, EEA, and Swiss students with settled or pre-settled status in the UK.
• The bursary amount depends on household income and no separate application is required.

Other Oxford Scholarships:

• Hill Foundation Scholarship: For Russian nationals studying a second undergraduate degree.
• Palgrave Brown Scholarship: For students from specified Eastern European countries or Norfolk/Suffolk residents.
• Reach Oxford Scholarship: For students from low-income countries, covering course fees, living costs, and return airfare.
• Dr Ateh Jewel Foundation Awards: For UK residents of Black African or Black Caribbean heritage from disadvantaged backgrounds.
• Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies (OCIS) Undergraduate Scholarship: For UK residents from Muslim communities, covering course fees and living expenses.

For more details on these and other scholarships, as well as external funding opportunities, visit the University of Oxford’s official scholarships page.

Key Dates

The University of Oxford provides key dates for the following:

• Term dates
• Application deadlines
• Open days