Applying to Oxford and Cambridge

Tayma Cannon, University of Cambridge

The application process

Choose course and

College

UCAS application

(Cambridge Special Access Scheme)

Submit by 15 October

Result of application

Choose ‘firm’ and ‘insurance’

choices

Exam results/ confirmation

Written work / tests

Start university

Complete online SAQ

(Cambridge)

Interview

The Universities and the Colleges

Role of the Universities

• Decide on course content

• Organise lectures, seminars, classes, practicals

• Set and mark examinations

• Award degrees

Role of the Colleges

• Admit undergraduate students

• Organise tutorials (Oxford) / supervisions (Cambridge)

• Responsible for academic and pastoral care

• Provide accommodation and places to eat

Collegiate universities:

Choosing a College

• Differ in terms of:

• Accommodation

• Appearance

• Facilities

• Location

• Size (number of students)

• Research

• Open application route

• 30 (Oxford) / 29 (Cambridge) Undergraduate Colleges

Supplementary Application Questionnaire (SAQ)

(Cambridge only)

• Used to collect information not on the UCAS application

• Ensures consistent information about all our applicants

• Completed online, in multiple sessions if you want

What are we looking for?

Applicants who have:

• chosen a subject that truly engages them

• complimentary interests and aptitude for our courses and teaching methods

• a strong record in examinations

• an excellent school/college reference

• the potential to succeed at the highest academic level

• vocational commitment (where appropriate)

Information used in selection

We treat each applicant as an individual

• Academic record (e.g. GCSEs, AS and A Levels)

• School or college reference

• Personal statement

• Submitted written work (where requested)

• Test results (where applicable)

• Performance at interview

Subject Matters

• Cambridge: ’essential’, ‘highly desirable’, ‘desirable’ and ‘useful’ A Level subjects for some of our courses.

• Oxford: ‘essential’, ‘highly recommended’ and ‘helpful’.

• These subjects include: Chemistry, English Literature, History, Languages, Music, Mathematics and Physics. Other subjects that also facilitate course choice include Further Mathematics and Biology.

• Please see Undergraduate Prospectus for further guidance.

School/college reference and personal statement

School/college reference

• How do we use them?

• Why are they useful/important?

Personal statement

• How do we use them?

• What should they include?

Admissions tests

Cambridge

• Bio-Medical Admissions Test (BMAT)

• Cambridge Law Test

• Thinking Skills Assessment (TSA)

• College tests

Oxford

• BMAT / UKCAT

• LNAT

• TSA

• Aptitude Test for Maths and Computer Science

• English Literature Aptitude Test (ELAT)

• Classics Language Aptitude Test

• Linguistics Aptitude Test

• History Aptitude Test (HAT)

• Physics Aptitude Test (PAT)

• Tests at interview for some subjects

Why interview?

• What are interviewers looking for?

• Your academic ability and potential to thrive at Cambridge

• Your self-motivation, commitment and passion for your chosen subject

• Your ability to think independently and critically

• No trick questions!

What happens at interview?

• Format

• What will I be asked about?

• Focused and challenging questions, typical of teaching and learning at Cambridge/Oxford

• New approaches to existing knowledge and problem-solving questions

• After Interview

1. Successful application

2. Unsuccessful application

3. Application placed in the ‘pool’

Outcome

• One applicant in four receives an offer, but …

• Every year more than 10,000 unsuccessful applicants go on to achieve three or more A grades at A level

• We would take more applicants if there were places available

• Competition is tough and our decisions are very difficult to make

• Not receiving an offer is not the end of the world!

What we have to offer

• Challenging, stimulating courses

• Top-rated teaching by top-rated lecturers

• Unique system featuring extensive small group teaching

• Superb facilities and unparalleled levels of student support

Academic life

• Tutorials / supervisions

• At least one per week

• One tutor + usually two students

• Exams: end of year, rather than termly

• Degree classification based on exams

Welfare and support

• Academic

• Pastoral

• Bursary Schemes

• Students supporting students

• University Counselling Services

• Disability Resource Centre (DRC)

Student life

• College community

• Cambridge University Students’ Union – CUSU

• Nightlife

• College and University societies

• Sport at every level

• Music and drama

Applicant Toolkit (www.cam.ac.uk/applicant-toolkit/)

Information of teachers, tutors, HE advisers

E-Newsletter

Information of teachers, tutors, HE advisers

Forthcoming Events

Cambridge

• Teachers’ Conference, 3-5 April 2011

• HE Advisers’ Conference,12-13 September 2011

Oxford

• Oxford Regional Teachers‘ Conferences 2011,

June- July 2011