We’ve collated a range of resources to help teachers support their students who are considering or making an application to Oxford or Cambridge. We know this can be a daunting challenge, so our student contributors have compiled the best resources and advice they used during their application, plus all of the advice they wish they’d have had while applying.
Research from The Sutton Trust has found that in 2018, 43% of state secondary school teachers said that they rarely or never advised their bright pupils to apply to Oxbridge. We know from experience that all students can thrive and enjoy studying at Oxford or Cambridge, regardless of their educational background. So we’d like to support you in providing students with accurate information and advice regarding Oxbridge, to enable them to decide whether one of the universities could be the right place for them. We’ve included advice and experiences from current students throughout.
Introducing InsideUni
InsideUni is a non-profit project which empowers students to make university applications more transparent and accessible for all. InsideUni Oxbridge was launched in 2018 and is driven by a community of 20+ students who crowdsource their peers’ application advice and share it for free.
Our website includes a multitude of application support guides:
- Guides - we have put together three sections of
application support guides, all containing links to helpful resources, and advice from current students.
- Subject Guides: collections of resources relating to many popular subject studies, which may be useful when deciding what subject to study, or writing a personal statement..
- Course Pages: specific guides about each undergraduate course offered at both Oxford and Cambridge.
- General Application Support Guides: these contain more resources relevant to Oxbridge applicants, such as
Mentorships Schemes and Open Days and Finding Wider Reading on a Budget.
- Videos - we regularly host online Q&A
panels with members of the InsideUni student community, covering different aspects of student life at Oxford and
Cambridge, for students interested in finding out more. Recently, these have included Q&A with
Oxbridge Science students and Perspectives from
Black students
- Blog - our blog features writing from students and current university staff about what it's like to apply and study at Oxbridge.
- Interview experiences - a crowdsourced database of over 3000 students’ interview experiences to help demystify the experience. In these insights you can hear directly from current students about what happened, how they prepared, and what they wish they’d had known. Some students are deterred from applying due to rumours about the interviews, so this huge collection of real experiences demonstrates that they aren’t always as daunting as the newspapers make them out to be.
2. Stereotypes versus Reality
We completely understand that Oxbridge isn’t for everyone, and neither institution is perfect. However, change
is ongoing to make both universities more diverse and accessible to students of all educational and socio-economic
backgrounds. Because of this, we believe more students should have the confidence to apply, undeterred by often
outdated or inaccurate stereotypes. (Source)
2.1. "Oxbridge is elitist; working-class students won’t fit in."
Of the 2021 Cambridge intake, 71.6% of students came from state schools. In Oxford, state school students account for
68.2% of the 2021 intake. Statistically, students from private/independent schools have always been over-represented
at both Oxford and Cambridge, however both universities are committed to widening participation and ensuring all
applicants are given a fair chance. More statistics are featured in this BBC News article, and you can also read more about
the universities’ widening participations plans at Cambridge and Oxford. Both Oxford and
Cambridge also have branches of the student-run 93% Club at Oxford
and Cambridge, referring to the 93% of UK
students who are state educated, which aims to foster a social community and a powerful network for state-school
students to allow for post-graduation guidance.
"Growing up, the cultural interpretation of Oxford is definitely a snobbish one, but the University is made up of
a diverse set of students from a diverse set of backgrounds. Joining societies and college groups is a fantastic
way to meet people who have experiences in common." - Felix, Engineering, Oxford
2.2. "I'm not intelligent enough to study at Oxbridge; I won’t get in."
Students are not expected to know everything about their subject when they are applying! Both universities are
looking for high-achieving students with an interest in their subject. If the student is on track to achieve the
entry requirements and likes the look of their chosen course, that is enough! This page from Jesus College,
Cambridge, explains more here. But
equally, there are lots of very intelligent people who do not get into Oxbridge - students should definitely not tie
their self worth into getting into Oxbridge, and they’re not ‘stupid’ if they don’t get in.
"Being told that I was very likely to get into one of my four other university choices gave me the confidence to
apply, because I wasn’t losing anything by submitting an application." - Fiona
2.3. "Oxbridge is more expensive than other universities."
The tuition fees for Oxford and Cambridge are exactly the same as all other UK universities: £9,250 per year
for Home students. Furthermore, Oxford and Cambridge are both very wealthy and very generous universities! Both
universities have bursary schemes (Oxford and Cambridge) which all students are assessed
for, based on the household income declared on their Student Finance application. There are also a variety of grants
available from colleges and departments, some of which require a short application process at Oxford
and Cambridge. You can read our guide to financial aid and
scholarships here.
"I receive £1000 of Oxford bursary every year as I come from a lower income household. I get three equal instalments, one each term. It’s been invaluable to help support me as my parents can’t really provide extra money after student finance. It has helped contribute towards the costs of formals, study materials, and other events, so that I’ve been able to participate in fun activities while studying. It’s made my experience and quality of life here so much more enjoyable knowing that I don’t need to worry so much about money." - Ellie, Geography,
Oxford
2.4. "The interviews are mysterious and impossible."
Interviews at both Oxford and Cambridge are neither mysterious nor impossible. The interview is also only one factor
in the application process - all applications are assessed holistically, taking into account any admissions tests;
submitted work; and the personal statement. InsideUni has crowd-sourced over 3000 interview testimonies from
current students, including what happened; how they prepared; and what they wish they had known. These are all
freely available on our website, to ensure all applicants can
access reliable and useful advice about the interview process, regardless of their background or educational
experience.
Both Oxford and Cambridge have also produced videos where admissions tutors and successful applicants discuss the
interview process here and here.
"Looking back, I realised I worried about the interviews far more than I needed to. The interviewers are friendly
and are just trying to have an interesting discussion - I actually enjoyed them in the end!" - from an InsideUni interview
testimony
2.5. "The course isn’t what I’m looking for."
This is completely understandable. Oxford and Cambridge offer a limited range of courses, which doesn’t include
some popular courses such as Business Studies, Sports Science and Media Studies. However, students can often still
access these vocational careers after doing a different degree. Both Oxford and Cambridge have fantastic and
well-connected Careers Services here and here, which can advise students about the graduate employment
opportunities available after less-vocational degrees. Furthermore, it is important that students understand that
course content varies across universities - the modules available in the Geography degree at Oxford, for example,
differ greatly from those offered at Bristol, Exeter or York. Students should research their chosen subject
thoroughly to choose a course which complements their interests, and not apply 'because Oxbridge is the best'.
2.6. "There is a lack of diversity amongst students, staff and the curriculum."
For many students, this remains a valid concern, as there still exists a relative lack of diversity in both
universities. In recent years, however, both universities have worked to tackle diversity issues in their admissions
procedures. Organisations such as Target Oxbridge provide specific
support for Black African and Caribbean students, for example. The Cambridge SU BME Campaign and Oxford SU Campaign for Racial Awareness and
Equality work with both students and the university to raise awareness of racial issues at the
universities. You can also read our guide to
resources for students from under-represented ethnic groups.
"Cambridge is taking decolonizing the curriculum very seriously, and students are working very closely with them
to ensure every single subject is as diverse as possible. We want to see a variety of reading and resources that
really represent the diverse people who study at Oxbridge." - Tami, HSPS, Cambridge
2.7. "The environment seems pressurized; some students are resigned to dropping out."
Both universities have cultivated highly academic and challenging environments, and this atmosphere inevitably does
not suit all students. Oxford and Cambridge have some of the lowest drop-out rates in the country - Oxford’s
was 0.9% in the 2019/20 academic year compared to a 5.3% UK average (source). Both universities are acutely aware that the academic environment can be
stressful, and have worked to provide mental health support for students. Oxford have supplied this informative page about the different support
systems they provide for students. Similarly, Student Minds Cambridge have produced this list of contacts and
resources for students seeking mental health support. Rather than dropping out entirely, it is more common for
students to suspend or intermit their studies (source 1 and source
2). This involves the student taking a term or year out if their personal circumstances are causing
difficulties with their studies. They then return to university when they are able to, continuing their course from
the point they left (or repeating a term/year if necessary). Cambridge also offers students the chance to complete
their degree in 'Double
Time' for personal or medical reasons, which involves taking the course over a longer period of time,
as an adjustment to accommodate for disability, chronic illness or caring responsibilities.
"I was able to make an appointment to see my college counsellor early in my first term, which I found really
helpful when adapting to university life with pre-existing mental health problems. It was reassuring to know
that support was available whenever I needed it." - Natalie, History, Cambridge
2.8. "Oxbridge students don’t have time for anything aside from their studies."
It is true that the workload at Oxford and Cambridge University is comparatively high, but students still find plenty
of time to socialise and participate in societies. There are nearly 1000 societies across Oxford and Cambridge, spanning sports, theatre,
journalism, debating, gaming, music, faith, volunteering, political activism and so much more. We also have time to run InsideUni Oxbridge alongside all of our academic and extra-curricular commitments!
3. Supporting potential Oxbridge applicants
3.1. Resources
What makes Oxford and Cambridge different?
Both universities have produced comprehensive guides to the learning opportunities, resources and support they offer,
which may be particularly useful when discussing the merits of the universities with students. See these Oxford and Cambridge for
more.
What are Oxford and Cambridge looking for in applicants?
From the official Oxford outreach
service: "There is no blueprint for the ideal Oxford student. We are looking for academic ability and
potential; a learning style that suits our environment; and a truly diverse student body which reflects modern
society."
Very similarly, the University
of Cambridge website notes that they're looking for:
- Academic ability and potential
- The ability to think critically and independently
- Suitability and enthusiasm for the course
What resources are available for teachers when supporting their students’ applications?
- Oxford has a dedicated web page containing information for
teachers, including upcoming events such as regional teacher conferences and free teacher summer
schools.
- Recently, Oxford has launched several new regional access initiatives, 'Oxford for North East' and 'Oxford for East Midlands', and 'Oxford for East Midlands''Oxford for North
West'. These programmes host school visits, learning days and a variety of student and teacher
conferences.
- For many other regions, Oxford hosts free
CPD accredited Regional Teachers’ Conferences, including a chance to talk to academic staff and
student ambassadors.
- The Cambridge Admissions Office also organises a number of events for teachers and HE
advisers each year, including webinar series’ and conferences.
- Both Oxford and Cambridge produce regular newsletters for teachers, containing details of upcoming events, open
days and webinars. Sign up here
and here.
- Advancing Access: for
teachers contains more resources to support students in making the right choices regarding post-16
study. Their most recent series is focused around 'creating a culture of success in schools' including self-directed interactive lessons, and you can access all their downloadable content (some require an email address to unlock) here. Finally, their blog contains tailored advice on supporting students applying for specific courses at Oxbridge and elsewhere.
- 'Help your students
get into uni': advice from UCAS about personal statements, financial support and career guidance.
- Advice
for teachers and careers advisers from the Russell Group, including how these universities work to
challenge negative perceptions of higher education, and help students find the right course for them.
3.2. Timeline for supporting potential Oxbridge applicants
3.2.1. KS3 and KS4
- Especially for first generation university students, it can be really helpful to implant ideas about high-aspiration options like Oxbridge early in their education. Both universities provide opportunities and resources
for KS3 and KS4 students, which are designed to inspire and encourage students beyond the school curriculum, so
are valuable even for students who might not appear to be obvious future Oxbridge applicants.
- The Language Centre at the University of Cambridge offers a variety of taster days for younger students
interested in languages, including opportunities to try lesser-taught languages such as Arabic or Mandarin.
- Balliol College, Oxford, have compiled lists
of recommended resources for students in KS3-5 who are interested in exploring a particular subject
further. These include websites, magazines and videos, as well as additional resources for teachers.
- Cambridge runs a series of annual events called 'The Subject Matters' for Year 10
and Year 11 students and their teachers. These offer valuable advice about considering potential future
university courses when choosing A Level (or equivalent) subjects. Students who have personally experienced
Oxbridge prior to the application process may be less deterred by outdated stereotypes, as they have seen the
diversity of opportunities the universities offer.
3.2.2. Year 11
- When discussing A Level choices with students, have a look at Informed Choices for Russell Group
universities to help them link their favourite school subjects to potential university courses and future
careers. Encourage students to consider which subjects may be required if they have a specific course in mind
already. Be aware that students from lower-income backgrounds are far more likely to focus on vocational
subjects with obvious career paths, such as Medicine or Law. It can be useful to talk to students about what
they can do with a less vocational degree, such as History or English, and encourage them to pursue subjects
they are good at and passionate about.
- It’s understandable that more niche A Level subjects cannot always be offered, but that doesn’t have
to be the end of it - would it be feasible to partner with a nearby school offering resources for these
subjects, to help out a bright student showing an interest in Latin or Classics? - see this article about Ark
Walworth liaising with St Pauls.
- Cambridge’s HE+ website contains a huge range of
super-curricular resources for Years 11-13, providing students with an insight into what it would be like to
study a subject at university level, and suggesting some further resources for them to check out. Similarly,
Oxford has launched Oxplore, based on encouraging students to consider
‘big questions’ by breaking them down, considering different viewpoints, and defending their
judgement.
- Assure students that they do not need a clean sweep of A* grades at GCSE or A grades at National 5 in order to make a competitive Oxbridge
application, although strong candidates have typically achieved a high proportion of A and A* grades (source
1 and source
2). While both universities take GCSE/National 5 grades into account when assessing applicants, this data is
contextualised based on any extenuating circumstances and the average performance of their school, and slightly
lower GCSE/National 5 grades can be counterbalanced by a strong performance in the relevant admissions test, for example.
- For Scottish Students, both universities will also look at Higher grades but similarly students do not need a clean sweep of A grades to make a competitive application.
3.2.3. Year 12
- Conditional A Level offers from Oxford range between A*A*A and AAA (source).
For Cambridge, offers will be either A*A*A or A*AA, depending on the course (source). Mock and
predicted grades are key in the application process, however both universities will assess candidates
individually, taking into account factors such as any extenuating circumstances and contextual data. See here and here. Students
should definitely be working hard and aiming to achieve these top grades.
- Starting a Sixth Form Debating
Club - Particularly for humanities subjects, debating is a brilliant way for students to become
familiar and confident with sharing their ideas, acknowledging different viewpoints, and defending their
arguments. This is also useful interview preparation for humanities students, who are likely to be asked to
discuss academic ideas and consider alternative interpretations.
"I was fortunate that from Year 7 to Year 13, my school constantly encouraged debates and debating competitions.
This gave me confidence and allowed me to develop my debating skills for university." - George, History,
Cambridge
- Offer students guidance on wider reading related to their chosen subject. Recommend to students any relevant
journals or magazines which teachers/schools subscribe to, such as History Today or New
Scientist. Many subscriptions also include access to huge online archives of articles and essays, which
students may find useful. Encourage students to use this wider reading as the basis for their personal
statement. Although wider reading is not always mentioned at interviews, it is definitely not a waste of time.
Exploring their subject further develops students’ ability for self-motivated work and picking up new
ideas, which are crucial skills for university-level study. The further reading they undertake may also enrich
their A Level (or equivalent) course, which could in turn improve their grades and therefore the likelihood of
receiving/meeting an offer from Oxford or Cambridge.
- Also if possible, take students to an Oxford or Cambridge open day. These are typically held in June/July,
however you can contact the universities to arrange a school visit at other points in the year. There is often
financial support available to enable students to attend open days. You could also contact the Schools Liaison
Officer for your region here or here to
organise a school visit. Cambridge also host subject masterclasses for many
subjects, which include sample lectures and discussions with academics, and can be extremely helpful in giving
students in insight into studying a subject at university.
- Encourage students to explore the InsideUni subject
guides and course pages! These contain a huge range of resources for helping students decide which
subject they would like to pursue at university level, and suggestions for wider reading in preparation for
writing their personal statement.
- Students may want to start writing their personal statement towards the end of Year 12, or over the summer
before Year 13. The application deadline for Oxford and Cambridge is 15th October, and some students don’t
end up applying because they miss this deadline. Read over their personal statement draft (mainly spellcheck!).
See here
and here.
This should be personal to the applicant; there is no set formula for success. Official advice from both
universities recommends that the personal statement is 80% academic-focused (including super-curricular
activities), and 20% extra-curricular.
Ensure also that students have submitted any required written work on time, completed the My Cambridge Application Form, and registered for admissions tests. There is much more guidance available on our 'Preparing an Application'
guide on our website.
3.2.4. Year 13
- Discuss preparation for admissions tests see here
and here. Most applicants are required to sit an admissions
test, either pre-interview or at-interview, which is specific to the course they are applying for. For most
science and maths admissions tests, a syllabus is provided (see this for the Oxford
Physics Admissions Test syllabus) to enable students to prepare for the types of problems they may
encounter in the test. Most humanities subjects, however, do not require a syllabus, and the only preparation
necessary is knowledge of their A Level (or equivalent) course. Specimens or past papers may be useful, and can
be found on the university’s websites.
- Write them a useful reference: guidance here under ‘give us all the information we need in the UCAS
form’ (this applies to both Oxford and Cambridge). These
include some really useful advice, including that the references don’t have to include a testimony from
every subject teacher. Use space wisely by focusing on clearly explaining what makes the applicant an A* student
in the subject they’re applying for.
- Ask students about their college choice: are they simply applying to a college they’d heard of? Have they
been to visit, or looked at the website? See here and here. College choice
isn’t the most important factor - most colleges have similar facilities, and there isn’t a
‘best college for x subject’ at either university. The Winter Pool system at Cambridge is designed to ensure
that the best applicants receive an offer, regardless of the College to which they applied. At Oxford, students can make an "open application" and be randomly allocated a college, and may even be re-allocated before their interview. See here
and here. Take
little notice of the admissions statistics for each college: they change every year and once again, the college
system ensures every applicant is given a fair chance.
"While I was initially shocked upon receiving an acceptance email from a college I had never heard of, the more I
researched it, spoke to other first-years and then moved it, I came to find this college to be my true home." -
George, History, Cambridge
- If students receive an invitation to interview, point them towards the InsideUni collection of interview testimonies, which provide realistic examples of
what they can expect. A lot of these testimonies emphasise that the interviewers are not attempting to catch
candidates off-balance or make them feel ignorant. Rather, questions will likely initiate discussion and
candidates are encouraged to share and debate their ideas. It’s absolutely fine to slip up, make
mistakes, or change their view; candidates are not expected to know everything before they’ve even started their course.
Official advice from both universities states that interviewers are looking for ‘flexibility of thought;
the ability to think critically; and enthusiastic engagement with new ideas’. They are not looking for
‘a completely smooth performance, or a good public speaker.’
- "In my interview, I couldn’t integrate x squared over 2, which I had done in Year 11! The interviewer
told me to breathe and calm down, and that he was sure I could do it because I had done similar stuff
before. It’s quite normal to struggle even with the basics when you’re nervous, and the
interviewers are aware of that." - Areeg, Engineering, Cambridge
- If possible, organise a mock interview. These videos are produced by Oxford and Cambridge to give some guidance
about the types of questions and discussions to initiate:
- You could also ask students to expand upon areas in, or areas relating to topics addressed in their personal statement; talk through how to solve a given
problem question (for science or maths); or discuss an aspect of their submitted written work (for humanities
subjects). However, one or two mock interviews is certainly enough - ensure students are prepared but be wary of
over-doing it!
"Asking teachers if they can conduct a mock interview can be really useful - even if it's just a chat about
something beyond the curriculum, as long as you're stretched a little further it can be very beneficial. It also
made me more reassured, knowing I could handle being in an interview-like setting." - from an InsideUni interview
testimony
- Be prepared to provide some emotional support where required. The application process is complex and stressful,
and some students may struggle to balance all of these application processes alongside their studies. Try to
refrain from telling students you are sure they will get in, as this will only add more pressure. If students
are very anxious, practising mindfulness can help.
"The most valuable piece of advice given to me by my school was to ‘throw my hat in the ring and hope for the best’. My head of sixth form really encouraged me to just go for it and have confidence in my ability, which made me feel so much more confident about the application" - Ellie, Geography,
Oxford
- Offer holders: what if students miss their offer? Universities can access students’ A Level (or
equivalent) results a few days early, meaning they can make a decision about whether to admit a candidate who
has narrowly missed the required grades. See here and here. On Results
Day, candidates may be asked to submit mark breakdowns, or they may choose to have a paper remarked. Grades are
also contextualised based on any extenuating circumstances and the average performance of their school, however
decisions are made on an individual basis and are entirely at the discretion of each College.
"I was predicted A*A*A in History, Geography and Maths respectively, but got AAA. I found out that my Geography
was two marks off an A*, so I emailed the university to let them know this. I had to wait a couple of days for
them to get back to me, and then I was informed that they had decided to let me in anyway." - Olivia, History,
Cambridge
- Adjustment: if results day goes better than expected (Cambridge). In 2019, Cambridge participated in the
Adjustment process for the first time. This is available to students who:
- Were interviewed in the most recent application cycle
- Did not initially receive an offer
- Meet the university's Widening
Participation criteria
- Met and exceeded their conditional firm offer
- Achieved at least the
typical offer for the Cambridge course they applied for
4. Stay In Touch
Follow our social media to keep up to date with InsideUni, including all the support we offer and events we’re
hosting.
If you have any questions or would like to get in touch, email [email protected].