OXBRIDGEOxbridge

Why apply to Oxbridge?Two of the best universities in the worldEmployabilityThe Collegiate systemOutstanding teachingOutstanding facilities £: accommodation/financial support/resourcesWealth of extra-curricular opportunitiesNo more competitive than other leading

universitiesA BHASVIC track record of success: 57 places

over the last 3 years

Application timetable Research courses/Open DaysRead recommended texts Begin work on Personal Statement Research other universities – 4 required – aim for a range of

offersBHASVIC deadline – mid-SeptemberUCAS deadline for Oxbridge – mid-OctoberSubmit requested workSit required tests Interviews – beginning DecemberOffers – Ox. in late December, Cam. in early JanuaryCambridge Pool – by end of JanuaryFinal acceptance through UCAS - May

Approach to Admissions either/or – not both

CAMBRIDGE OXFORD

GCSE scores (in context)AS grades and UMS marksPersonal StatementReferenceSubmitted work1 day of interviews (x per

place per subject)Tests at interviewOffer or Winter Pool

(further interviews?)

GCSE scores (in context)AS gradesPersonal StatementReferenceSubmitted workPre-interview testsUp to 3 days of interviews

(3 per place per subject)Offers (Initial college or

other)

Two areas of particular interestCourse choice: crucial College choice: not crucial

Significant differences between O. & C. in course substance

Investigate requirementsThink flexibly – the full range

of courses on offer Subject specific Open DaysSubstantial advice on pre-

application reading etc. ‘Super-curricular’ knowledgeFocus for Personal

Statement

Admissions procedures seek to iron out the ‘distortions’ of popular colleges

Offers are frequently made by non-first choice colleges

Status of ‘open’ applicationsAvoid ‘Hogwarts’ mentalityNo particular pattern to

BHASVIC successCollege-specific Open Days

Common misconceptions & FAQs

GCSE scores: 8A*s+3As average this year

AS marks: very important for Cam.Tests: do not require ‘teaching’ but

student understandingLittle direct weight is given to

extra-curricular activities: “Brains on legs” – Personal Statement will need 80/20 split

One Personal Statement for 5 universities

Other universities – possible to apply for different courses

Being an undergraduate at Oxbridge is not expensive

An application to Oxbridge is not disliked by other leading universities

At BHASVIC we aim to be inclusive and supportive but also realistic: ‘Students, don’t under-sell yourselves but equally Oxbridge is not the be-all and the end-all’

Any questions? n.commin@bhasvic.ac.uk