Oct 12th, 2015 at 04:01 PM

Applying to University of Oxford

Follow these five steps to make your application for an undergraduate degree starting at Oxford in 2016 (or for deferred entry in 2017). Please note that the deadline for applications is 6pm (UK time) on 15 October 2015.

UCAS application

If you want to study at Oxford, you need to apply a year before the start date of your course by completing the online application form at www.ucas.com. Applications open in early September, and the deadline is 6pm UK time on 15 October every year. You will need to provide information about yourself, including a personal statement where you talk about your interest in the subject or subjects you’re applying for (see our guidance on writing your personal statement). There is also a place where a teacher or advisor needs to give you a reference. This is all submitted through an online form – no additional references, transcripts, or certificates are required or accepted. Most people apply to Oxford before they have finished their final year of school or college. If this is the case for you, then your referee will need to provide you with predicted grades – where they say what they expect you to achieve in your A-levels (or equivalent qualifications). You may also need to register for a test or send in written work, depending on your chosen course. There is no separate Oxford application form, unless you are applying for: Accelerated Medicine If you have a science degree and are applying for the four-year Accelerated Medicine course, you must complete a supplementary application form, in addition to the UCAS application, to be submitted by 15 October. Choral and Organ Awards If you want to apply for a choral or organ award, you must complete an additional online application form by 1 September.

Tests

For many courses, you need to take a test or tests as part of your application – see below or check your course page. You will need to register separately for any tests, by a set date in October, and can normally sit them in your school or college, or at a centre near your home. It is very important to make arrangements in good time, as your application may not be as competitive - or may not be considered at all - if you do not take any test or tests required for your course. Tests in 2015 All Oxford admissions tests (with the exception of the LNAT for Law) are organised by the Admissions Testing Service. They take place on 4 November 2015, and you must register by 15 October. If you are currently at school or college, ask your exams officer to register you (your school may need to become a test centre first). Otherwise, you can take the test at an open centre. If you are applying to study Law, you will need to take the LNAT between 1 September and 20 October 2015. It is now too late to guarantee a test slot, but it may still be possible to sit the test by 20 October so please register with LNAT as soon as possible. ABCEFGHLMOPT Archaeology and Anthropology You do not need to take a written test when you apply for this course. top Biochemistry You do not need to take a written test when you apply for this course. Biological Sciences You do not need to take a written test when you apply for this course. Biomedical Sciences Test: All applicants must take the Biomedical Admissions Test (BMAT). There is a reduced entrance fee if you register before 1 October. How to register and specimen papers: www.bmat.org.uk. top Chemistry You do not need to take a written test when you apply for this course. Classical Archaeology and Ancient History You do not need to take a written test when you apply for this course. Classics Tests: All candidates must take the Classics Admissions Test (CAT). This test is in three parts: the Latin test, the Greek test and the Classics Language Aptitude Test. Candidates who are studying Latin or Greek to A-level or equivalent (those applying for Course I) must take the test(s) in the language(s) you are studying. Candidates who are studying neither Latin nor Greek to A-level or equivalent (those applying for Course II) must take the Classics Language Aptitude Test. How to register: www.catoxford.org.uk Specimen paper: Classics_Admissions_Test.pdf 307.57 KB Looking for further specimen papers for Classics? Our considered practice is to make just one paper available. Each paper is intended to be a specimen only, to give an example of the format of the test and (in the case of the language aptitude test) an example of the sort of questions you might expect. The Latin and Greek Translation Tests (sat by candidates studying one of both of those languages to A2 level or equivalent) consist each of a short passage in prose and verse in the classical language, to be translated into English. The passages, vetted by experienced teachers, are carefully chosen to be of a difficulty suitable to students at A2 level or equivalent. The Language Aptitude Test (sat by candidates studying neither Classical languages to A2 level or equivalent) is designed to assess your ability to analyse how languages work, in a way which doesn't depend on your knowledge of any particular language, in order to gauge your aptitude for learning a new language rapidly. As part of the selection process there will be a follow-up interview to this test, where problems in the test may be revisited. We strongly recommend that all candidates who sit the Classics Language Aptitude Test work their way through one sample paper. However, we do not recommend that candidates work through more than one sample paper (and we do not make more than one specimen available) as over-practising for the test can make candidates approach it in a more mechanical and consequently less effective way. No special preparation is expected for any component of the Classics Admissions Test, other than diligent participation in your usual work at school or college. Classics and English Tests: Candidates must take the Classics Admissions Test (CAT) AND the English Literature Admissions Test (ELAT). Please note that separate registration is required for each of the two tests. For further information, please see the separate entries for Classics and for English. Classics and Modern Languages Tests: Candidates must take the Classics Admissions Test (CAT) AND the Modern Languages Admissions Test (MLAT). Please note that separate registration is required for each of the two tests. For further information, please see the separate entries for Classics and for Modern Languages. Classics and Oriental Studies (Classics with Oriental Studies - Q8T9) Test: All candidates must take the Classics Admissions Test (CAT). For details please see the separate entry for Classics. Candidates intending to study Arabic, Turkish, Hebrew, or Persian must always take 'Part B' of the CAT (in addition to any other parts required), which is a test of language aptitude. Classics and Oriental Studies (Oriental Studies with Classics - T9Q8) Test: Candidates intending to study Arabic, Turkish, Hebrew, or Persian must take the Oriental Languages Aptitude Test (OLAT). For details please see the separate entry for Oriental Studies. Computer Science Test: All candidates must take the Mathematics Admissions Test (MAT). How to register: www.matoxford.org.uk Specimen paper: Please see the Computer Science website. Computer Science and Philosophy Test: All candidates must take the Mathematics Admissions Test (MAT). How to register: www.matoxford.org.uk Specimen paper: Please see the Computer Science website. top Earth Sciences (Geology) You do not need to take a written test when you apply for this course. Economics and Management (E&M) Test: All candidates must take the Thinking Skills Assessment (TSA). How to register and specimen papers: www.tsaoxford.org.uk. Engineering Science Test: All candidates for all Engineering courses must take the Physics Aptitude Test (PAT). Please note that the format of PAT has been changed this year: section A (Mathematics for Physics) remains unchanged but the multiple choice questions and long problems in section B (Physics) have been eliminated. Section B will now be made up of shorter physics questions worth a maximum of 9 marks each. Candidates are urged to plan their time appropriately and attempt all the questions on the paper. How to register: www.patoxford.org.uk Specimen paper: See Physics website. English and Modern Languages Tests: All candidates must take the Modern Languages Admissions Test (MLAT) AND the English Literature Admissions Test (ELAT). Please note that separate registration is required for each of the two tests. For further information, please see the separate entries below for English and for Modern Languages. English Language and Literature Test: All candidates must take the English Literature Admissions Test (ELAT). How to register and specimen papers: www.elat.org.uk. European and Middle Eastern Languages (EMEL) Test: All candidates will need to take both the Modern Languages Admissions Test (MLAT) AND the Oriental Languages Aptitude Test (OLAT). Separate registration is required for each of the two tests. How to register and specimen papers: Please see the separate entries for Modern Languages and for Oriental Studies. top Fine Art Test: Shortlisted candidates will be invited to interview, which will include a practical test. Candidates will be asked to complete two pieces in a variety of media from a number of possible subjects. Candidates themselves do not need to make any special arrangements for the test, as this will be organised for them by their college. top Geography Test: All candidates must take the Thinking Skills Assessment (TSA). How to register and specimen papers: www.tsaoxford.org.uk. top History Test: All candidates must take the History Aptitude Test (HAT). This year for the first time the HAT paper will have four questions. The final one, question 4, is ONLY for History and Economics applicants. Applicants for History and the other joint schools with History should ONLY answer questions 1, 2 and 3. Applicants for History and Economics should answer questions 1, 3 and 4. History and Economics applicants must answer question 4 INSTEAD OF question 2. How to register: www.hatoxford.org.uk Specimen paper: See History Faculty website History (Ancient and Modern) Test: All candidates must take the History Aptitude Test (HAT). For further information, please see the separate entry for History. History and Economics (HECO) Tests: All candidates must take the History Aptitude Test (HAT), as for History. This year for the first time the HAT paper will have four questions. The final one, question 4, is ONLY for History and Economics applicants. Applicants for History and the other joint schools with History should ONLY answer questions 1, 2 and 3. Applicants for History and Economics should answer questions 1, 3 and 4. History and Economics applicants must answer question 4 INSTEAD OF question 2. History and English Test: All candidates must take the History Aptitude Test (HAT), as for History. Please note that candidates for History and English are NOT required to take the English Literature Admissions Test (ELAT). History and Modern Languages Tests: Candidates must take the History Aptitude Test (HAT) AND the Modern Languages Admissions Test (MLAT). Separate registration is required for each of the two tests. For further information, please see the separate entries for History and for Modern Languages. History and Politics Test: All candidates must take the History Aptitude Test (HAT). For further information, please see the separate entry for History. History of Art You do not need to take a written test when you apply for this course. Human Sciences Test: For this first time this year, all candidates must take the Thinking Skills Assessment (TSA). How to register and specimen papers: www.tsaoxford.org.uk. top Law (Jurisprudence) and Law with Law Studies in Europe Test: All candidates must take the Law National Admissions Test (LNAT). Candidates for Law with Law Studies in Europe who are applying for the French, German, Italian or Spanish Law options may be given an oral test in the relevant European language in December if they are shortlisted for interview. How to register and specimen papers: www.lnat.ac.uk top Materials Science Test: All candidates must take the Physics Aptitude Test (PAT). Please note that the format of PAT has been changed this year: section A (Mathematics for Physics) remains unchanged but the multiple choice questions and long problems in section B (Physics) have been eliminated. Section B will now be made up of shorter physics questions worth a maximum of 9 marks each. Candidates are urged to plan their time appropriately and attempt all the questions on the paper. How to register: www.patoxford.org.uk Specimen paper: See Physics website. Mathematics Test: All candidates must take the Mathematics Admissions Test (MAT). How to register: www.matoxford.org.uk Specimen paper: See Maths Department website. Mathematics and Computer Science Test: All candidates must take the Mathematics Admissions Test (MAT). How to register: www.matoxford.org.uk Specimen paper: See Maths Department website. Mathematics and Philosophy Test: All candidates must take the Mathematics Admissions Test (MAT). How to register: www.matoxford.org.uk Specimen paper: See Maths Department website. Mathematics and Statistics Test: All candidates must take the Mathematics Admissions Test (MAT). How to register: www.matoxford.org.uk Specimen paper: See Maths Department website. Medicine (A100 and A101) Test: All applicants must take the Biomedical Admissions Test (BMAT). There is a reduced entrance fee if you register before 1 October. How to register and specimen papers: www.bmat.org.uk. Modern Languages Tests: All candidates must take the Modern Languages Admissions Test (MLAT). This test is a booklet containing several different papers: please check to see which papers are required for your course. How to register: www.mlatoxford.org.uk Specimen paper: Modern Languages Admissions Tests.pdf 211.3 KB Looking for further MLAT specimen papers? Our practice is to make just one paper available for each part of the Modern Languages and Linguistics Admissions Test (MLAT). Each paper is intended to be a specimen only, to give an example of the format of the test, and the sort of questions you might expect. There may be variations in the language tests from year to year, but their objectives remain the same: The papers in specific languages (when applying for a language already experienced to A-level or equivalent) are always designed to test knowledge of basic structures of the foreign language; they are not primarily a test of vocabulary. The Language Aptitude Test (when applying for certain languages from scratch) is designed to assess your ability to analyse how languages work, in a way which doesn't depend on your knowledge of any particular language, in order to gauge your aptitude for learning a new language rapidly. The Linguistics Test (when applying for a joint course with Linguistics or a single language where the first-year course includes the compulsory study of Linguistics) is designed to assess how you approach various kinds of unfamiliar linguistic data and set about analysing them. While there are 'right' and 'wrong' answers, how you go about finding the solution is as important to us as producing one which is completely correct. For questions carrying more marks, where more space is provided for your answer, try to make as many relevant points as you can think of. Having sampled the relevant test or tests for your language(s), the best preparation would be for you to revisit the grammatical points you have covered thus far – eg by working through a grammar book – to revise all the basic structures. Modern Languages and Linguistics Tests: All candidates must take the Modern Languages Admissions Test (MLAT). This test is a booklet containing several different papers: please check to see which papers are required for your course. How to register and specimen papers: Please see Modern Languages above. Music Test: Shortlisted candidates will be asked to take a practical test in December. For further details: Music test. top Oriental Studies Test: Candidates for course combinations which include Arabic, Turkish, Hebrew and Persian will need to take the Oriental Languages Aptitude Test (OLAT). How to register: www.olatoxford.org.uk Specimen of written test: Oriental Languages Aptitude Test (OLAT).pdf 58.11 KB top Philosophy and Modern Languages Test: All candidates must take the Modern Languages Admissions Test (MLAT). Please see the separate entry for Modern Languages for further details. This test is a booklet containing several different papers including a Philosophy paper for students applying for Philosophy and Modern Languages: please check to see which papers are required for your course. Specimen of written test: Please see the separate entry for Modern Languages. Philosophy and Theology Test: All candidates must take the Philosophy Test. How to register: www.admissionstestingservice.org/phil. Specimen of written test: Philosophy Test.pdf 67.61 KB Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE) Test: All candidates must take the Thinking Skills Assessment (TSA). How to register and specimen papers: www.tsaoxford.org.uk. Physics Test: All candidates must take the Physics Aptitude Test (PAT). Please note that the format of PAT has been changed this year: section A (Mathematics for Physics) remains unchanged but the multiple choice questions and long problems in section B (Physics) have been eliminated. Section B will now be made up of shorter physics questions worth a maximum of 9 marks each. Candidates are urged to plan their time appropriately and attempt all the questions on the paper. How to register: www.patoxford.org.uk Specimen paper: See Physics website. Physics and Philosophy Test: All candidates must take the Physics Aptitude Test (PAT). How to register: www.patoxford.org.uk Specimen paper: See Physics website. Psychology (Experimental) Test: All candidates must take the Thinking Skills Assessment (TSA). How to register and specimen papers: www.tsaoxford.org.uk. Psychology, Philosophy and Linguistics Test: All candidates must take the Thinking Skills Assessment (TSA). See www.tsaoxford.org.uk for further details. Candidates for courses including Linguistics (Psychology and Linguistics, Philosophy and Linguistics) must also take the Linguistics Test. This is part of the Modern Languages Admissions Test (MLAT). Please see Modern Languages above. Please note that separate registration is required for each of the two tests. Specimen papers: See Psychology website. top Theology and Religion You do not need to take a written test when you apply for this course. Theology and Oriental Studies Test: Candidates applying to the Judaism and Islam strands, intending to study Hebrew, Arabic, Persian or Turkish, are required to take the Oriental Languages Aptitude Test (OLAT); candidates for the Buddhism, Hinduism and Eastern Christianity strands do not have to sit a written test. How to register and specimen papers: www.olatoxford.org.uk

Written work

For many courses, you need to send in written work as part of your application - check your course page. You should send something that you have produced as part of your normal school or college work, which has been marked by a teacher. We would expect each piece of written work to be no more than 2,000 words, and to receive it by 10 November. You need to complete a cover sheet for each piece of work that you submit. Download the Written Work Cover Sheet. After you have submitted your application (and usually before the end of October), the college considering your application will get in touch to tell you how you should submit your written work. Most colleges will ask you to post your written work (unfolded), although some will accept it electronically. We can't return written work, so do make sure to keep a copy. You need to complete a cover sheet for each piece of work that you submit. What to send You should send written work that demonstrates your analytical, reasoning, language and writing skills, as appropriate for your chosen degree course. It must be original school or college work, marked by a teacher, and not re-written or corrected in any way. It may be typed or handwritten – as long as it is legible – and photocopies are acceptable. Individual course pages give more information about the best type of work to send and how long it should be, but no course will accept work longer than 2,000 words. If you are not sure what to send, or if you are concerned that you do not have suitable written work, you should contact the college that is considering your application. Extended essays Extended essays for the International Baccalaureate, Extended Projects, or other longer pieces of work which exceed the 2,000 word limit are not acceptable as submitted written work. However, you may like to submit an extract from an extended essay. Also, if you mention your essay in your personal statement, tutors may like to discuss this with you at interview if your application is shortlisted. Language All written work must be in English (except where required for Modern Languages). International students whose work is in a language other than English are asked to submit both the original work and their own translation into English. Subject Is written work required? Archaeology and Anthropology Yes. See Archaeology and Anthropology for details. Biochemistry No Biological Sciences No Biomedical Sciences No Chemistry No Classical Archaeology and Ancient History Yes. See Archaeology and Ancient History for details. Classics Yes. See Classics for details. Classics and English Yes. See Classics and English for details. Classics and Modern Languages Yes. See Classics and Modern Languages for details. Classics and Oriental Studies Yes. See Classics and Oriental Studies for details. Computer Science No Computer Science and Philosophy No Earth Sciences (Geology) No Economics and Management (E&M) No Engineering Science No English and Modern Languages Yes. See English and Modern Languages for details. English Language and Literature Yes. See English Language and Literature for details. European and Middle Eastern Languages (EMEL) Yes. See European and Middle Eastern Languages for details. Fine Art Portfolios must be delivered to the Ruskin School of Drawing and Fine Art by 6pm on Friday 6 November 2015. See Fine Art for details of what to send and the Ruskin School of Art website for information on how to submit your portfolio. Geography No. History Yes. See History for details. History (Ancient and Modern) Yes. See History (Ancient and Modern) for details. History and Economics Yes. See History and Economics for details. History and English Yes. See History and English for details. History and Modern Languages Yes. See History and Modern Languages for details. History and Politics Yes. See History and Politics for details. History of Art Yes. See History of Art for details. Human Sciences No Law No Materials Science No Mathematics No Mathematics and Computer Science No Mathematics and Philosophy No Mathematics and Statistics No Medicine (six year course, A100) No Medicine (accelerated four year course, A101) No Modern Languages Yes. See Modern Languages for details. Modern Languages and Linguistics Yes. See Modern Languages and Linguistics for details. Music Yes. See Music for details. Oriental Studies Yes. See Oriental Studies for details. Philosophy and Modern Languages Yes. See Philosophy and Modern Languages for details. Philosophy and Theology Yes. See Philosophy and Theology for details. Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE) No Physics No Physics and Philosophy No Psychology (Experimental) No Psychology, Philosophy, and Linguistics (PPL) No Theology and Religion Yes. See Theology and Religion for details. Theology and Oriental Studies Yes. See Theology and Oriental Studies for details.

Interviews at Oxford

There are lots of myths about interviews at Oxford, but really they're just conversations about your chosen subject - like a short tutorial. The interview plays a vital part in the selection procedure, but remember that the interview is just one aspect of your application. Tutors will also consider: any admissions tests or written work required for your course your examination results and predicted grades your personal statement the academic reference Admissions tutors' video diaries Watch videos of a tutor’s-eye view of Oxford admissions interviews. Shortlisting: who gets invited to interview? With so many excellent candidates for each place at Oxford, it just isn’t possible to interview everyone. Tutors review each application before deciding on a shortlist in late November or early December. Tutors then interview the shortlisted candidates, usually in early to mid December. Please check the details for your course on the interview timetable. You will receive an email or letter indicating whether or not you have been invited for interview. You may not receive this until a week before the interviews are due to take place. If you have been invited, the letter will include practical details of your interview and further information. Preparing for an interview We recommend that you: think about some basic questions that may be asked at the beginning of an interview and how you might answer them. For example, tutors may ask why you have chosen this particular subject, and why you want to study it at Oxford. read widely around your chosen subject, including newspaper articles, websites, journals, magazines and other publications. take a critical view of ideas and arguments that you encounter at school or college, or in the media – think about all sides of any debate. be prepared to show some background knowledge of the subject, if you are applying for a course not normally studied at school or college, such as Medicine, Law, Biochemistry or Oriental Studies. However, you will not be expected to have a detailed understanding of specific or technical topics. For example, you may be asked what role your subject plays in society. re-read your personal statement, and any written work that you have submitted, thinking about how you might expand on what you wrote. organise a practice interview for yourself. This could be with a teacher or someone else who is familiar with your subject, but preferably not someone you know very well. This will help you to get some more experience of talking about yourself and your work in an unfamiliar environment. remind yourself of the selection criteria for your chosen subject (you can find this on the relevant course page). Coming to Oxford Interviews take place in December, after the end of term. Accommodation and meals will be provided free of charge by the college which has invited you. Although most students will have returned home for Christmas, each college makes sure that there are plenty of undergraduates around to help and advise you. It’s a good idea to bring a book with you or some school or college work to do, as you will only spend a relatively small amount of your time in Oxford actually in interviews. You can also spend time with the other interview candidates as well as current undergraduates. Please wear whatever clothes you feel comfortable in. Most tutors will not dress formally, and it is not necessary for you to do so. We recommend that you bring copies of any written work you have submitted, and a copy of your personal statement, as tutors may refer to these during your interview. Along with your other personal items, we recommend that you bring a mobile phone so that the college can contact you if they need to. Maps and directions The interview Seriously, relax during the interview. Rushing off the first thought that comes to mind will very likely end in a wrong answer. Although, getting an answer wrong doesn’t mean that you will fail if you have fun learning from the interview, chances are that you’ll do just fine. Yedam, 1st year A good deal of the teaching in an Oxford college takes place in small classes or tutorials, and your interviewers – who may be your future tutors – are assessing your ability to study, think and learn in this way. This will depend on how carefully you listen to questions, and how sensibly you answer them. You may be interviewed by two or more tutors at a time, each being an expert in some aspect of the degree course for which you are applying. If you are applying for a joint course, with two or more subjects, you will be interviewed by tutors representing each of the subjects, separately or at the same time. The interview is designed to assess your academic abilities and, most importantly, your academic potential. Tutors are looking for your self-motivation and enthusiasm for your subject. Decisions are not based on your manners, appearance or background, but on your ability to think independently and to engage with new ideas beyond the scope of your school or college syllabus. In many ways, your interview will be like a mini tutorial. If you don’t know the answer to a question, you may wish to explain that you haven’t covered that topic yet, but do try to work out the answer if you can. Many questions are designed to test your ability to apply logic and reason to an idea you may never have encountered before. The questions may seem difficult, but don’t worry: many of the topics you will cover do not have simple ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ answers. Interviewers are not trying to make you feel ignorant or catch you out, but to stretch you in order to assess your potential. See sample interview questions. If you don’t understand something - just ask. Tutors are not necessarily so concerned with what you know, but how you think.

Decisions

Shortlisted candidates will be told whether or not their application has been successful on 6 January 2016. Colleges will send either a letter or an email to arrive on that date. Tutors will make a decision based on: your interview any admissions tests or written work required for your course your examination results and predicted grades your personal statement the academic reference We receive many thousands of applications each year, and sadly many excellent candidates will not be offered places. If you are made an offer, then it may be made by a particular college, or it may be 'open'. If you are currently studying for qualifications, then the offer will probably be 'conditional' on you achieving certain results; otherwise it will be 'unconditional', and your place is guaranteed. Open offers If you get an open offer, your place at Oxford is guaranteed (as long as you meet any conditions attached to the offer). However, the college you will go to has not yet been specified, and will not be decided until after your final examination results have been published. Conditional offers If you have not yet finished your final examinations, then you will be able to take up your place at Oxford only if you achieve certain grades. We usually ask for A*A*A - AAA, depending upon the course, at A-level, or equivalent qualifications. The offer may specify that you need to achieve certain grades in particular subjects. For details of typical offers for your course, please see the Entrance Requirements tab on the relevant course page. Please note that any offer may also include a requirement for evidence of proficiency in the English language. When you receive your exam results For students holding a conditional offer from Oxford If you have met all the conditions of your offer, congratulations! Your place is assured. If you received an open offer and have met the conditions of that offer, please remember that you may still be placed at a different college from the one which underwrote your offer. You may not know which college this is until after the A-level results are confirmed in August. If you have not met all the conditions of your offer (for example if you have not achieved the required grades) your college will make a final decision regarding your offer once all A-level results have been confirmed in August. Please contact your college if you require any further information. For students not holding a conditional offer from Oxford Oxford does not participate in UCAS Clearing, Extra or Adjustment. Further information about places available at other institutions can be found on the UCAS website at www.ucas.com. If you have achieved top grades, you may wish to apply to Oxford University to start your studies next year. However, please remember that even excellent results will not guarantee you a place, and if you are holding an offer from another university, you may wish to focus on your studies there.

How to apply

http://www.ox.ac.uk/content/ug-applying-how-apply-video?width=1150&height=850