A Guide to Preparation for Applying to

Cambridge and Oxford Universities

Oxbridge Booklet

1. Why (or why not) Oxbridge?

2. What sort of students are they looking for?

3. What subjects are best to do at AS/A Level?

4. What do I need to do to prepare?

5. Where can I get help?

6. Financial and Personal Support

7. Music Scholarships

Contents

The first thing to consider is the same no matter what university you might

apply to:

‘Is this the right course for me?’

It is really important to start by looking for the right course for you before you

look at which universities offer it. Having decided on a course, look in detail at

the courses offered at Oxford and Cambridge universities and see if they offer

you what you want.

‘Why is it different to other universities?’

If they do offer you a course that interests you then the two universities offer a

different experience to most other universities, particularly in the way that

subjects are taught. For most subjects, in addition to lectures (which vary in

number depending on the subject) you have a tutorial (in Oxford) or

[supervision] (in Cambridge) where it is you (plus one or two other students)

meeting with a tutor for an intense session of work.

In addition to being a member of the university, you belong to a college which

is a small community with a lot of facilities. Each college has its own sports

teams, orchestras, drama societies, etc in addition to all that the university has

to offer.

Why Oxbridge?

There is no ‘ideal’ Oxbridge student but you can be sure that everyone who

gets a place will have done very well at GCSE and A Level. In choosing students,

both universities consider the following:

GCSEs (the more A* the better! A typical successful applicant

will have 6+ A* and the rest A grades)

A Level grades (you must be predicted grade A by the end of Y12)

AS results (Cambridge will ask for your AS module results and a

typical successful candidate will have achieved at least

95% in relevant subjects, that’s a score of over 80/300

at AS)

School’s reference

Personal statement This must focus on your love for the subject

and what you have done to extend your study of this

Your enthusiasm for the (you must show that you have done more than

turn up to subject lessons and get top grades. The AQA Extended Project

would be one way of doing this)

Entrance tests (for some subjects you will need to sit a test before

they ask you for interview, see page [ ])

Interview (all applicants who satisfy the above will be asked to

go for interview)

What are they looking for?

Each university website gives details of which A Level subjects are required for

each course but our experience indicates the following:

Cambridge Courses

A Level Subjects

Must have Desirable

Medicine Chemistry + 2 other sciences/Maths

Vet Science Chemistry + 2 other sciences/Maths

Law Combination of science and arts

Economics Maths Economics

Maths Maths, Further Maths

Natural Sciences (Biological) Biology, Chemistry Maths to AS

Natural Sciences (Physical) Physics, Maths Chemistry

Modern Languages At least one language 2 languages at A Level

Engineering Maths and Physics Further Maths

Architecture Art Maths or Physics

English English Lit

Theology English and/or RS and/or History

Oxford Courses

A Level Subjects

Must have Desirable

Medicine Chemistry + science/Maths

Law Combination of science and arts

Politics, Philosophy & Economics (PPE) Maths, History

Philosophy, Psychology and Physiology 2 sciences/Maths

Maths Maths, Further Maths

Biological Sciences Biology, Chemistry Maths

Biochemistry Chemistry Biology and/or Maths

Chemistry Chemistry Maths

Physics Physics Maths

Modern Languages At least 1 language 2 languages

Engineering Maths and Physics Further Maths

Experimental Psychology Maths or a science

Computer Science Maths Further Maths

Earth Sciences Maths Chemistry and/or Physics

English English Lit

Which subject to do at AS/A Level?

For other subjects, such as History, an A Level in that subject is a must.

The following subjects have been specified as ‘less favourable’ by the

universities and it is advisable not to do more than one of these if applying:

Art & Design unless applying for Architecture Business Studies can accept instead of Economics if applying for Economics &

Management Drama ICT Sports Studies

Preparation is the key and it needs to start at GCSE! Getting excellent GCSE results is the first step and without them it is very unlikely that you will be successful. In Y12, you have to aim to get over 90% on every module without any retakes. This means getting your study right straight away from September of Y12. From Y12 specific preparation will be needed:

Reading around the subject to extend your knowledge beyond AS and A Level

Preparing for any entrance tests (see Page [] )

Preparing for any essays that may need to be submitted to the university (some subjects require you to submit examples of your work)

Writing your personal statement for your UCAS form

Ensuring that you have done enough relevant work experience (absolutely vital for vocational courses such as medicine or vet science)

At the start of Y13:

Completing your UCAS form

Working with the relevant subject mentor (see table on page []) to make sure that you are adequately prepared for entrance tests (if applicable) and interview

Doing practice interviews

Researching which college to apply to

Preparation

Oxford uses entrance tests more than Cambridge. Cambridge tends to put

greater emphasis on your AS scores. The following entrance tests take place:

Oxford

Course Applying for Test When

PPE Thinking Skills Assessment (TSA) November of Y13

Economics & Management TSA November of Y13

Maths Maths Aptitude Test (MAT) November of Y13

Computer Science MAT November of Y13

English English Lit Aptitude Test November of Y13

History History Aptitude Test (HAT) November of Y13

Law Law National Admissions Test (LNAT) November of Y13

Medicine BMAT November of Y13

Physics Physics Aptitude Test (PAT) November of Y13

Fine Art Subject test At interview

Modern Languages Subject test At interview

Philosophy Subject test At interview

Cambridge

All students applying for Medicine or Veterinary Medicine must take the

BMAT.

All students applying for Law must take the LNAT

All students applying for the following subjects will be required to take the TSA

at interview:

Computer Science, Economics, English, Land Economy, Natural Sciences, Social

& Political Sciences.

Maths at Cambridge is a special case. If successful, you will be made an offer

based on your A Levels and Sixth Term Examination papers (STEP). You take 2

STEP papers at the same time as your A Levels. They are graded from 1

(highest) to 3 and, generally, the offer is based on achieving a grade 1 on the

first paper and either grade 1 or 2 on the second. They require separate

preparation.

Entrance Tests

Estimated Competition for places 2009

Detailed information on colleges, courses, entrance tests and interviews are

available on the university websites:

www.oxon.ac.uk

www.cam.ac.uk

We provide a comprehensive preparation for Oxbridge applicants:

Oxbridge Evening in January of Y12

Oxbridge Conference in April of Y12

University visits in June/July of Y12

Subject Mentor for each applicant

An Oxbridge Coordinator to help with applications

Practice Interviews

Preparation for entrance tests

Help available

Many members of staff have experience of Oxbridge but the following

teachers are designated mentors for specific courses:

Course Subject Mentor

Fine Art Miss Hanlon

Medicine Mrs Ashby and Dr McGregor-Jones

Vet Science Miss Dean

Chemistry Dr Mayers

Physics Dr Dinsdale & Mrs Botham

Natural Sciences & Biological Sciences Mrs Birkhead & Miss England

Natural Sciences ( Physical) Dr Dinsdale & Mr Mozley

PPE & PPP Mr Fuller

Psychology & PPP Mrs Jackson

Economics Mr Spick

Law Dr Raymond

History Mrs Duddridge

Geography Mrs Haynes

Theology Mrs Casey

Mathematics Mr Mozley

English Mrs Bradfield

Engineering Dr Dinsdale

Modern Languages Miss Salmon

Archaeology and Anthropology Mrs Ashby

Classics Mr Knowles

Both universities want to get the best students regardless of background so

they each have support available if you have a particular need (whether that is

educational, physical or financial).

Cambridge Special Access Scheme (CSAS)

If your schooling has been disadvantaged for certain reasons, this scheme

could help you.

All colleges support the CSAS. You are eligible for the scheme if your education

has been significantly disrupted or disadvantaged through health or personal

problems, disability or difficulties with schooling.

CSAS will ask the school to provide additional information and a much fuller

reference than usual. This enables the college to assess applicants more fairly,

especially in deciding on appropriate levels for conditional offers.

Oxford Access Bursaries

Similarly, Oxford colleges have financial support for students but these are

assessed after the application process.

If you have an educational or physical need or have had a disrupted education

then each college will look at the information provided by the school.

To be considered under either scheme, you should apply in the normal way

but you need to discuss your personal circumstances with Mrs Dunsford.

Financial or Personal Support

Choral Awards

Both universities offer particular music scholarships or awards but they differ

in the way that they are awarded. For Cambridge, the application process

occurs whilst you are at school. In Oxford, they make the awards once you

have a place (but your ability will no doubt be taken into account in their

decision). In both cases, award-holders receive a small financial award for each

year. In most colleges, they also receive a subsidy towards singing lessons as

well as other perks such as subsidized meals.

Organ Scholarships

Most colleges in Cambridge offer Organ Scholarships whose duties are centred

around providing music in the college chapel and Organ Scholars are usually

expected to commit themselves to music-making in the college in general as

well. If you have a high level of organ playing and/or conducting there is a

wealth of opportunities on offer. In all colleges, the Organ Scholar receives a

small financial award each year (usually £250 or £300). In most colleges the

Organ Scholar is also given a subsidy towards organ lessons as well as a piano

in her room. Other perks, including subsidized meals and choir tours, are

determined by the individual colleges.

Music Scholarships