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ELVIS OXFORD ADMISSIONS and TUTORING

Jul 13, 2023

How to write an excellent Oxbridge personal statement - 3 top tips

Updated: Feb 8

The first step in the Oxford and Cambridge application process is to craft a personal statement that sufficiently captures the interest of the admissions tutors. The personal statement serves as a tool for you to show off your unique interests within the subject you are applying for, how this interest was sparked, what extracurricular activities or reading you have done to expand on this, and, ultimately, why you should be considered for studying your subject.

The personal statement is not, however, an extended essay in which you write arguments for and against an issue or a step by step breakdown of a molecular pathway or technique. That is the purpose of the interview. The personal statement is used to assess your motivations and the extent to which you have read beyond the scope of your A-Level/IB syllabus, as well as whether you have considered the significance of your subject on the wider world. The interview will then test your knowledge of the content of your personal statement, and look to stretch your intellectual capacity a bit further.

Now that we better understand the purpose of the personal statement, let's answer the question: how to write an excellent Oxbridge personal statement? Here are my three top tips to write a compelling personal statement for Oxford and Cambridge University admissions. 1. Pick an 'angle' or 'theme' within your subject.

Oxbrdige degrees are notoriously broad . While you may be interested in multiple topics, you run the risk of not communicating your passion and knowledge in sufficient depth if you discuss too many topics. Worse still, if there is no connection between your interests, you risk coming across as disorganized and confused in your thinking. This would be a big red flag. For example, in the case of my subject, Biochemistry, I could have genetics or genetic modification as the theme of my personal statement and then go on to discuss my interests in crop modification, human genomics and gene therapies in a cohesive manner. If your subject happens to be PPE, your theme could be the role of AI and how it may threaten democracy (politics), revolutionize the world of work (economics) and what I means for the nature of man (philosophy). By having a theme, you can produce a cohesive personal statement, while still touching upon multiple areas.

2. Link your specific subject interest to concrete examples of recent developments or research.

Once you've made apparent your theme/specific interest in the opening paragraph, it is essential to connect this to examples of scientific advancements in the relevant field or recent societal events that reflect the issue(s) at hand. If your interests lie in cancer research, don't talk loosely about a new class of drug that is being developed. Instead refer to the specific research group or published paper in question and briefly comment on the mechanism of action and how and why this is an improvement over the current standard of care. You can go even further and discuss what impacts this might have on society e.g human longevity. Alternatively, for humanities / social science subjects you can provide your criticisms of a political / societal event or the vision presented in a published book. Regardless of your subject, it is essential to be specific and give your take on the recent developments. The tutors want to assess your originality and intelligence as it relates to recent research or developments.

3. Consider including a conclusion paragraph to summarize your interest, to emphasise the importance of your subject on the world, and what contributions you might make.

Oxford and Cambridge love 'big-picture' thinking. If you can produce a cohesive summary of your specific subject interest, whilst at the same time linking this how new breakthroughs in your subject may revolutionize society or resolve some of our greatest challenges at present, you will come across as that type of 'big-picture' thinker. Remember, the personal statement will not be read by administrative staff, but rather the very tutors who teach at Oxford. These are passionate academics, potentially leaders in their field. Accordingly, it is in your interest to excite them by emphasising how important their subject is and what role you might like to play in the future (i.e. researcher at X institute or director of a policy think tank or NGO).

I really hope you found this guide to writing an excellent personal statement useful! Remember, you still have plenty of time to keep working on yours until the deadline on 16 October 2023. Whether you are struggling with idea generation or finding it difficult to effectively communicate your interests and activities within the word count, Elvis Oxford Admissions and Tutoring is here to help you with your personal statement needs. Book a session today! Stay tuned for more great content over the coming months.

Oxford University Interviews: What to Know & How to Plan

Oxford University interviews are designed to assess candidates’ academic potential, critical thinking skills, and suitability for their chosen course of study. As such, they are a crucial component of the admissions process. These interviews are an opportunity for candidates to demonstrate their academic potential and passion for their chosen subject. But the prospect of going through with one is quite scary!

Oxford interviews aim to evaluate applicants’ aptitude for the subject they have applied for, as well as their ability to think analytically and engage with complex ideas. The interviews provide an opportunity for tutors to assess candidates’ academic potential beyond their written application.

Interviews at Oxford typically take place in December, following the submission of UCAS applications. Candidates are usually interviewed by tutors from the relevant academic department or college. The format of the interview may vary depending on the subject and college, but it often involves a series of academic discussions, problem-solving exercises, or subject-specific questions.

Why Does Oxford Have an Admission Interview?

Oxford University conducts interviews as part of its admissions process for several reasons. First of all, as we mentioned above, interviews provide an opportunity for tutors to assess candidates’ academic potential beyond their written application. But there’s more.

Tutors can pose challenging questions or present complex problems to assess candidates’ ability to engage with academic material at an advanced level. Interviews also assess candidates’ communication skills, including their ability to articulate their thoughts and ideas clearly and coherently.

Effective communication is essential for academic success at Oxford , and interviews provide a platform for candidates to demonstrate this skill. Plus, they offer candidates the opportunity to interact directly with tutors from their chosen academic department or college.

What's the Interview Like?

The Oxford interview is an opportunity for candidates to demonstrate their academic potential, passion for their chosen subject, and ability to think critically and analytically.

Oxford interviews typically take place in December, following the submission of UCAS applications. Candidates are usually interviewed by tutors from the relevant academic department or college. The format of the interview may vary depending on the subject and college, but it often involves a series of academic discussions, problem-solving exercises, or subject-specific questions.

The interview is also:

Subject-Specific

Oxford interviews are tailored to each subject, with questions designed to assess candidates’ knowledge, understanding, and intellectual curiosity within their chosen field of study. Candidates should expect questions related to their academic interests, as well as broader questions designed to test their ability to think critically and engage with complex ideas.

Problem-Solving

In addition to academic discussion, candidates may be presented with problem-solving exercises or puzzles designed to assess their problem-solving skills and logical reasoning abilities. These exercises may involve mathematical problems, scientific experiments, or abstract reasoning tasks.

Academic Discussion

The interviews typically involve a discussion of academic topics relevant to the candidate’s chosen subject. Tutors may ask candidates to discuss a particular text, solve a problem, or respond to hypothetical scenarios. The focus is on assessing candidates’ ability to think analytically, articulate their ideas clearly, and engage in academic debate.

Assessment Criteria

Tutors assess candidates based on their performance during the interview, as well as their academic record, personal statement, and reference. Successful candidates demonstrate intellectual curiosity, critical thinking skills, and the potential to thrive in their chosen course of study.

Are Oxford Interviews Online?

Oxford University typically conducted interviews in person, with candidates being invited to attend interviews at the college or department to which they have applied. However, for the 2024-2025 entry, ALL interviews will be done online.

5 Tips to Prepare for the Oxford Interview

Here are five tips to help you prepare for an Oxford University interview:

Know Your Subject : Ensure a thorough understanding of your chosen subject, including key concepts, theories, and current debates. Be prepared to discuss academic topics related to your subject area and demonstrate your passion and enthusiasm for the subject.

Practice Problem-solving : Practice problem-solving exercises and critical thinking tasks relevant to your subject area. This will help sharpen your analytical skills and prepare you for any problem-solving tasks or hypothetical scenarios that may arise during the interview.

Review Your Personal Statement : Familiarize yourself with your personal statement and be prepared to expand upon the points you’ve mentioned. Tutors may ask you to elaborate on your academic interests, extracurricular activities, or any relevant experiences you’ve highlighted in your personal statement.

Mock Interviews : Participate in mock interviews or practice sessions with teachers, mentors, or peers . Mock interviews can help you become more comfortable with the interview format, refine your responses to common interview questions, and receive constructive feedback on your performance.

Stay Calm and Confident : Approach the interview with confidence and a positive attitude. Remember that the tutors are interested in your academic potential and intellectual curiosity, so be yourself and engage enthusiastically with the interview process. Stay calm under pressure and take your time to consider your responses thoughtfully.

Oxford interviews play a crucial role in the admissions process by allowing tutors to assess candidates’ academic potential, depth of understanding, communication skills, and personal suitability for their chosen course of study. They contribute to the university’s goal of admitting students who have the intellectual ability, passion for learning, and potential to excel at Oxford and beyond.

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Aug 12, 2018

How to write an Oxford personal statement

Make sure your personal statement conveys your interest in the subject – write down talks you’ve been to (and what they made you think), open days you’ve attended (and what you took away from them), and maybe even books you’ve read (and whether or not you agree with the author and why). Are you seeing a common thread? It’s less about what you’ve done and more about what you make of it! It’s best to only mention one book or one talk, but really go in to some critical analysis, rather than to just write a list of seven without any additional commentary.

Any extra-curricular activities should be ‘super-curricular’, i.e. related to your degree: for Maths, maybe the Maths Olympiad, for Science, maybe a Science EPQ or that time you entered a Lego competition (totally relevant to Engineering!). For Law, I talked about teaching and debating, and the self-discipline involved in teaching myself a language as an A Level. You can honestly make anything work – try to make yourself stand out a little by having something people don’t normally have! But don’t worry about not having twenty different hobbies – you don’t have space to mention more than one or two, and you won’t really be asked about your personal life at interview.

What I would reiterate, above all, is to not stress over the personal statement. If you’ve spelt everything correctly and you’ve got all your proof that you’re genuinely and voluntarily interested in your subject outside of school then you’re doing it right! And, to the year 12s going in to year 13 – for the love of all that’s holy, take a few weeks off this summer. Breathe. Let yourself detach from the intimidating university admissions process and the pressure of A Levels for a bit, because that will let you be so much more engaged when you jump back in.

#Oxford #OxfordUniversity #PersonalStatement #UCAS #College #Oxbridgeapplication #OxfordPersonalstatement

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12 Personal Statement FAQs and answers!

There is often a large amount of confusion surrounding how to write personal statements, especially when it comes to oxford and cambridge and other top research universities., every year, we have thousands of students ask us what qualities go into making a successful personal statement., to help, we have broken down this question into 12 of the most frequently asked questions our prospective students ask when they are trying to draft their personal statements., 1. how do i write the introduction.

Introductions are often disappointingly generic. To help you achieve more specificity and concision, the best way to write a good personal statement introduction is to complete the rest of it first. When you are getting started on the first draft, it can be overwhelming to begin at a blank page, but discussing your achievements and interests – relevant to the courses and universities you are applying to – can help you clarify what your motivation to study the subject really is. Then you can come back and explain the reasons behind your passion for Mathematics, Anglo Saxon literature or your subject of choice.

2. How many books should I talk about?

This question can be answered in various ways depending on the subject you intend to study. Clinical scientific subjects will not require many book mentions, however, Arts and Humanities personal statements for Oxbridge see a great benefit from discussing at least two books in detail, with further reading mentioned.

It’s also important to remember that academic sources shouldn’t be only limited to books. A well-rounded personal statement discusses specific theories, touches on lectures you have attended or essays and articles you have read to gain a better understanding of specific academic points rather than a general discussion. One of the biggest pitfalls students fall into when drafting Oxbridge personal statements is getting stuck waffling about general points around a subject of interest. To avoid getting stuck in general chatter, try to use only specific examples in your personal statement.

Centrally, admissions tutors want to see that you know you are getting yourself in for. Only reading a couple of books from their introductory list will therefore not tantalise them; try to follow your interests in a bit more depth and look at readings and ideas which are representative of degree level material.

3. What do I do if I have no work experience?

Referencing work experience in your personal statement is dependent on the subject you intend to study. A rule of thumb is to ask yourself whether you think an academic in the faculty you are applying to will think your work experience was relevant for the course. If you are applying to study History, for example, your two-weeks at an accounting or law firm organising files will be of little interest.

For Medicine, work experience is integral not only to the application process but will help build a strong personal statement. When applying to a vocational subject such as Medicine, where possible you should always ensure you are able to reference at least one work experience placement held. If you don’t have any work experience and your personal statement is due, make sure to arrange some and refer to this in the future tense in your personal statement when talking about your upcoming placement.

Work experience can also be useful for other more vocation-leaning subjects, such as architecture and engineering. More widely, doing work experience is extremely useful to help you begin thinking about what you might want to do with your career, and can build highly useful skills, but, unless it is relevant to the course content, it is unlikely to proffer you any credit for university admission.

4. How long should I talk about extra-curricular activities?

Leading research universities are looking for your potential to succeed on the course you are applying for. Nevertheless, two applicants who seem academically matched might be distinguished from each other by their ability to balance their time with several other things. Do include what you do outside of academia, then, but keep non-relevant activities mentioned to a minimum rather than an exhaustive list. This might mean sacrificing some of the things you do outside of your course and focus on those few things you do most often, or to the highest level. (N.B. Your reference might be able to discuss some of your extra-curricular activities too, and you don’t want to overlap this material).

What you do mention, try to link to your subject. This might be easy, as with an English literature student who has directed lots of theatre, or less easy, such as a maths applicant who plays the violin to a high level. Nevertheless, making these links convincingly can bring originality and creativity to your statement.

5. How can I tailor it for different courses?

Subjects like HSPS at Cambridge or Classical Archaeology and Ancient History at Oxford might make it tricky to tailor your statement for different courses. Oxford and Cambridge are very understanding of this, and specific guidance can usually be found on faculty websites about their expectations.

However, as a rule of thumb, focus on the areas of convergence between the courses you are applying for. If these differ in title, then avoid stating the title of the course in your statement and instead refer to the disciplinary area or focus instead. This involves: a) making sure the courses you are applying for are sufficiently similar to give you a chance of doing this, and b) doing your research on the course content and options so that you are covering the appropriate material.

This research stands even if you are applying for the same titled course everywhere. English, for example, is taught very differently at Oxford to Bristol, and focusing on an interest which does not feature in either course will result in your application being put aside.

Doing this research early can also help you to direct your reading and research to build material for your personal statement which speaks to all your choices.

6. How should I talk about my other A-level subjects?

Lots of students are told to discuss the skills they have gathered from their A Level subjects, but we caution around this; your UCAS application includes a full list of A-Level subjects studied, and your school reference will discuss your A-Level abilities. Talking about the time management or analytical skills you gained from studying history, and the logical skills you gained from physics, can therefore come across as ‘fodder’ which could have already been inferred.

You can, however, talk about how other subjects provide further insight into the course or subject you’d like to study. For example, students who have taken Classics that intend to study English Literature at university can talk about translating texts, such as the Aeneid, and how this helped gain a greater understanding of classical influence in modern English Literature. As with the whole statement, the more specific you can make this, the better.

7. How long should it be?

This is an easy one. Your personal statement should be at most, 4,000 characters or 47 lines, whichever you meet first. Although it can be shorter, we strongly recommend taking full advantage of the available space. Ideally, you want your first draft to be much longer so you can cut down and edit your personal statement to be shorter, rather than using general waffle or struggling to fill the space.

Cutting it down is usually relatively easy, but it might take an outside eye to see the ‘wood from the trees’. Any non-relevant, generic material, anything which is likely to be in many other statements, and frilly, decorative language or repetition can all be chopped down.

If you find you are struggling to reach 4,000 characters or 47 lines, you probably need to revisit the body of your personal statement and discuss more subject-specific content. You may, alternatively, need to go back to the research and reading phase of writing.

8. What formatting should I use?

The final version of your personal statement will be submitted in a digital form with no formatting options, so there is no need to worry about formatting. That means you won’t have to decide what font or colour to use and there is no need for styles such as bold or italics. If you do include these, they won’t appear in the submitted version.

Your school should already have discussed best practice for writing your personal statement but as a reminder – do not write your statement draft in the real form! As with any content that is going to be submitted digitally, you should write it in a word document first (Microsoft Office, Google Docs, Pages, etc) where you can save a copy locally to your computer (and back-up regularly). This way, you can avoid the devastating loss of your best statement draft due to an accidental refresh or the internet dropping out.

9. How many paragraphs should it be?

There is no set-in-stone rule for the number of paragraphs but generally, a well-structured personal statement will be broken up into five or six paragraphs and be easy to read. Admissions tutors will need to comprehend your statement very quickly, so structure with this in mind.

A frequently-successful structure follows this pattern: an introduction, two to three course/subject-specific main paragraphs, a penultimate paragraph detailing your extracurricular activities, and then a final summary paragraph. The final two paragraphs are sometimes pushed together to form one.

10. Will they find out if I slightly…exaggerate my talents?

Yes! Your personal statement for Oxford and Cambridge should be considered a springboard for your interview and you could and should expect to be questioned about any single detail of it. At Oxbridge Applications, every year, we have students that approach us in January who are upset that their Admissions Tutor spent 20 minutes focused on a certain author when “I only mentioned that book briefly as a side note”.

However, you DON’T need to be an expert, or even particularly knowledgeable, about a particular idea or author to mention it in your statement. If you are questioned about an aspect of an author’s work you have mentioned which you are unsure about, then be intellectually honest and say so, but try your best to have a go given what you already know about them or similar authors/ideas.

This is not only the case for authors/books mentioned, but also if you put forward a highly ambitious or critical view in your statement. If you want to argue that Marx was totally wrong, then you better be ready to defend your view in a nuanced way. The bottom line is: stay intellectually honest and err on the side of modesty; academics tend to become less rather than more sure about the ‘truth’ the further they delve into their subject matter.

11. How many teachers should check my personal statement?

Preferably, you will get your drafted personal statement checked by at last two of your teachers or guidance advisers. One should be subject-specific who can check over the content of your paragraphs and the other can be from a different department to provide feedback on grammatical accuracy and quality of the statement.

Getting guidance from second and third parties can be useful ensure you retain editorial control, and that your voice and taste runs through the statement. If you try to include everyone’s different opinion, you can quickly end up with a jumbled statement that no longer reflects on you and your communication style and strengths.

Make sure you leave plenty of time between completing your first draft and the Oxbridge personal statement deadline ensuring you have time for others to check it over and you can make changes as necessary.

12. Should I start my personal statement with a quote?

‘Most people are other people. Their thoughts are someone else’s opinions, their lives a mimicry, their passions a quotation.’ Oscar Wilde.

How much have you learned about me from reading Wilde’s words?

Quotes are used each year by applicants who end up getting offers from top universities, including Oxford and Cambridge. It’s not necessarily going to bring your application to an end. Quotes are also awarded marks in certain A Level subjects, if you have taken the time to remember them and give them a bit of context.

However, your personal statement gives admissions tutors the chance to hear your voice, and to get a sense of what you might be like as a student on their course. By definition , using a quote – i.e. someone else’s words – is not personal. It is therefore preferable to avoid using a quote unless it’s absolutely essential. Using a quote doesn’t make YOU sound more interesting.

Before you decide to use a quote, think long and hard. If you would really like to use a quote, try to make it as pithy and concise as possible, and make sure it elevates and builds on what you are saying; that it expresses something you couldn’t have otherwise expressed on your own. (Also, by ‘quote’, we are not talking about specific concepts or theories – these are absolutely fine to include.)

Driven by 20 years of research and first-hand experience in guiding thousands of applicants, our consultations provide an honest and detailed assessment with guidance on individual personal statements.

If you would like to speak to one of our oxbridge-graduate advisors about your own personal statement, contact our oxbridge advising team on +44 (0)207499 2394 , email at [email protected] , or request a callback to discuss your situation., explore oxbridge applications, request a callback, application resources, related content, a guide to building a compelling portfolio for art and design degrees, what should you wear to your oxbridge interview, which top uk universities interview applicants.

Our Oxbridge-graduate consultants are available between 9.00 am – 5.00 pm from Monday to Friday, with additional evening availability when requested.

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Personal Statements for Further Study

A personal statement is your chance to explain your motivation for applying and why you are a great candidate for the course..

Guidelines given vary from the simple “Provide evidence in support of your application” to the more common “Tell us why you are interested in the course to which you have applied. Describe your academic interests and reasons for applying to XXX”. For some courses there may be a much more prescriptive and structured approach, requiring you to write a series of shorter responses to specific questions relating to your motivation, experience and suitability for the course. You may also come across some institutions that ask you to reflect on how you might add to the diversity of a cohort should your application be successful.

If you are applying to more than one university, each statement will need a different emphasis – do not use the same statement for all applications.

In your statement, you should demonstrate:

Motivation, enthusiasm, and a clear understanding of why you are making the application to this particular course, and to this particular institution.
How your academic background and other experiences have shaped your decision to apply and how the course contributes to your plans for the future.
Evidence that you have the ability, experience, skills and motivation to successfully contribute to the course, and to complete it.

Structure and Content

The opening paragraph sets the framework for the rest of the statement, think of it as your ‘trailer’. This is where you can grab the reader’s attention or lose it… You might start with a powerful anecdote, a brief narrative of your initial inspiration, or a thought-provoking statement linked to your academic interests.

Within the main body of the essay you should aim to cover:

Why you want to study this topic or field

Is it a natural extension of your current interests? How did you become interested in this area? Why does it continue to fascinate you? What have you done within your degree or outside of your study to fuel this interest? Would the course provide a step towards a longer-term goal?

Why you have chosen this specific course and institution

Are there particular options or modules that interest you? Is there particular expertise in that department? Has access to specific resources such as museum collections, libraries or laboratory equipment been a factor? Has the reputation (through recommendations or other means) of the course inspired you? Are you attracted by opportunities for collaboration or work placements? Have you attended any Open Days or other visits?

How your experience equips you for the course

Consider the subjects you studied at undergraduate level; your relevant skills (technical, language, computing, research methods); independent study or research; prior (relevant) experience; academic awards and other achievements. The focus here is likely to be on your academic suitability for the course, but if you have relevant work experience or extra-curricular activities that provide further evidence of your interest or ability then include them too. Your non-academic achievements might also provide evidence of project management, resilience, effective communication and so on.

Where the course might lead you

You don’t need to have a detailed career plan, but you do need to show how this course fits in with your general aspirations. Are you intending to continue on to a PhD? Do you have a broad interest in contributing to a particular issue or field, e.g. social enterprise, public policy, human rights, sustainability? Or do you have a more specific goal in mind? How will your chosen course help you to achieve your goals?

Closing paragraph

Use your closing paragraph to summarise your application, return to any themes you introduced at the beginning, and to restate your enthusiasm for the course.

Practical Advice

Writing effective personal statements takes time. Expect to go through several drafts and ask tutors, peers, careers advisers and others to review your statement before you submit it.
Good English, grammar and spelling are essential. Avoid jargon and make sure it can be understood by non-experts.
Keep the tone positive, fresh and lively in order to convey enthusiasm and make yourself stand out, but remember that this is a document introducing you in a professional capacity.
It’s a good idea to mention relevant individuals whose work has truly inspired you, but avoid name-dropping for the sake of it, and excessive and evidence-free flattery of the institution or the course.
If you refer to any papers or books then reference these correctly in a bibliography at the end of the statement.
Pay attention to any word limits. If none are stated then aim for no more than two sides of A4 or 1000-1500 words.
It is usually possible to apply for multiple courses at a single institution. Many (including Oxford) will require you to complete a separate application form for each course that you wish to apply for.

Research Proposals

For many PhD and some research Masters applications the personal statement is often accompanied by a research proposal – a document that sets out your research interests and proposed area of study. The detail required in this section varies hugely for different disciplines. For some science subjects it may simply be a list, in order of preference, of the named PhD projects you wish to be considered for. However, for most areas – and especially in the arts, humanities and social sciences – you will need to devote a considerable amount of time to developing your ideas, discussing them with potential supervisors and writing a proposal. Your academic tutors should be able to give you some guidance on writing research proposals, and there is some useful advice from Vitae and from Find a PhD .

Admission Essays for US Graduate Schools

The information in this handout applies also to applications to American universities. However, there are subtle differences in the style and approach to essays aimed at the US context. A statement written for the US is likely to feel more personal; think of it as your academic biography – setting out your inspiration for the academic path you have followed in the past, the present and into the future. The Careers Service runs a workshop on US applications early each Michaelmas Term. The Fulbright Educational Advisory Service also publishes guidelines on completing US applications. US university career services often provide useful advice on writing graduate school admissions essays. See for example: MIT graduate school essay advice , UC Berkeley advice on writing graduate admissions statements , UNC application essay advice and Yale advice on writing personal statements for graduate school.

Teacher Training Applications

The personal statement for postgraduate teacher training is the key part of your application. The question is quite prescriptive, and your focus should be on your motivation for becoming a teacher: particularly how your teaching and other experiences have contributed. Ideally you should also set out how these have helped you to understand the role, and the sort of teacher you aspire to be. The Careers Service runs a workshop on careers in teaching each Michaelmas Term, which includes advice about the application process. For more information, see the Careers Service information on Teaching in Schools .

Graduate Entry Medicine

Applications to graduate entry medicine courses are submitted via UCAS and include a personal statement. Much of the advice in this document also applies to medicine applications, but you are likely to need to place considerable emphasis on the relevant work experience you have gained prior to your application.

See Careers Service's information on Medicine as a Second Degree for further information.

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Are you ready for your interview?

Do you feel nervous about your oxford interview, are you worried that your mind will go blank and you won’t know what to say, or that the interviewers will ask a question that seems impossible.

It is very clear from our experience that there is a vast discrepancy in the amount of preparation candidates do before their Oxford interview. Some schools are very experienced with applications to Oxford and provide a great amount of support to applicants. However the majority of schools are not familiar with the process, leaving their students at a huge disadvantage.

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Subject Interview Guides

General interview guide, personal statement and application review, interview preparation sessions, mock subject interviews, oxford interview questions.

Our Subject Interview Guides help you to prepare and go into your interview with confidence.

Each guide discusses Oxford Interview Questions in depth with answers and approaches – along with possible points of discussion to further demonstrate your knowledge. They have been specially edited for applicants for each subject by a team of Oxford and Cambridge graduates.

Download a sample page from our Physics Guide here.

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The Oxford Interview Guide – PPE

The Oxford Interview Guide – Economics and Management

The Oxford Interview Guide – Archaeology and Anthropology

The Oxford Interview Guide – Chemistry

The Oxford Interview Guide – Biological Sciences

The Oxford Interview Guide – Physics

The Oxford Interview Guide – Medicine

Why are you sitting in this chair?

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With so many applicants with great grades, these questions provide the perfect opportunity for you to demonstrate your personality, creativity and thinking ability.

Every year we hear from students trying to prepare who have no idea where to start with these types of questions and what would sound like a strong answer.

In response a team of Oxford and Cambridge graduates have worked to put together “Oxford Interview Guide – The General Interview”. Download a sample page here.

This guide is now available to download: The Oxford Interview Guide

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Subject for which you are applying (optional) Archaeology and Anthropology Biological Sciences Chemistry Classics Computer Science Earth Sciences Economics and Management Engineering Science English Geography History History of Art Law (Jurisprudence) Materials Science Mathematics Medicine Modern Languages Music Oriental Studies Philosophy PPE (Philosophy, Politics and Economics) Physics Theology

Personal Statement and Application Review

Are you finding it difficult writing a great personal statement? Have you run out of ideas of how to telegraph your enthusiasm and passion for your subject? Are you worried that an area of your personal statement might be picked on at interview?

Getting your Personal Statement right is essential to securing your interview. Our Personal Statement Review will provide an objective and informed opinion of your statement as it currently stands.

Let our Oxford experts review your personal statement for 24 hours before providing constructive feedback and valuable improvements via a 45 minute Skype consultation – allowing you to discuss your application and have your questions answered, as well as a written report.

The written report will provide pointers on areas where you can improve your statement, as well as providing a list of potential Interview questions which could arise based on your personal statement.

Do you feel that you aren’t ready for your interview? Do you have no idea what to expect?

Our Interview Preparation session prepares students to talk about and discuss their subjects with confidence – as well as suggesting questions and readings beyond the syllabus. These sessions work on the skills required for a successful interview.

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Mock Interviews

Our Mock Interview service gives you an opportunity to experience what to expect from your subject or general interview, as well as to receive objective feedback.

The session lasts one hour, the first 30 minutes of which takes the form of a one-to-one, subject specific mock interview, followed by a 30 minutes of feedback and discussion.

The feedback will give you a better idea of your strengths. We will discuss your application with you, and how best to prepare for your interview – including reading suggestions. The discussion session also gives you an opportunity to ask any questions about the course and life at Oxford.

The Mock Interview session is available both in person and online via Skype.

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Suggested Subject Resources

Whether you need inspiration for your personal statement, something to think about before your interview or whether you are simply intellectually curious, you might find the suggested reading and resources below useful and entertaining. They are intended to give you an idea of the kind of material you might engage with during a course at Oxford. We've also included links to the University's current research to give you an idea of how academic research can impact upon society.

Remember, these are only suggestions for further reading, so please don't feel restricted to only reading what we recommend! We have also compiled the best of our cross-curricular digital resources to support learning and exploration in our Digital Resource Hub .

You can also enjoy an insight into what it's like to study at Oxford by exploring our free podcasts and videos. These include public lectures covering a wide range of subjects, plus teaching resources, interviews with leading academics, and more. You can watch and listen on your computer, or download files via our podcasts page .

You may also like to have a look at our Medium channel for articles about Oxford research, covering topics from the weirdest plants in the Botanical Garden to how to teach a computer to recognise your cat.

Archaeology and Anthropology

Suggested reading for Archaeology and Anthropology .

You may also like to take a look at the website Discover Anthropology .

Oxford research:

Reconnecting Indigenous Nations with their Material Heritage
Who Needs Migrant Workers
Endangered Archaeology video

Biochemistry (Molecular and Cellular)

Read the recommended reading list for Biochemistry.

At present we do not produce a reading list for students applying for Biology but we encourage you to read New Scientist , National Geographic or any other Biology materials which you find interesting.

Putting ticks on the map
Poetry in motion
Defeating dengue with GM mosquitoes
The loneliness of the long-distance seabird
Balancing conservation and commerce in the world’s forests
The surprising uses of silk
Bringing back the large blue butterfly - Jeremy Thomas
Preserving Endangered Trees: A Chilean case study
Jatropha Curcas in the Global Race for Biofuels
Peru's Data Collectors
Researching the Reef: fish and coral of the Caribbean

Biomedical Sciences

Introductory Reading for Biomedical Sciences .

Bringing together universities, industry and the NHS to benefit people in the Oxfordshire region and beyond
Restoring Sight With Gene Therapy
Cooling babies to save lives
Innovative genomics
Helping diabetes sufferers
Transforming the diagnosis of Tuberculosis
Mending broken hearts
The million women study
Helping the brain to control Parkinson’s
Combining cultures
Preventing strokes

Research videos:

The TOBY Trial - Cooling Babies
Tackling and tracking TB through DNA analysis
"Bionic eye" trial in Oxford
Fighting Arthritis: the development of anti-TNF therapies
The Paternal Age Effect: Identifying reproductive risks

Introductory reading for Chemistry .

You may also like to read Chemistry World magazine , and view other resources from the Royal Society of Chemistry .

Turning orange into grapefruit
Fuel cells inspired by nature video
Chemistry in the garden video

Classical Archaeology and Ancient History

There is no reading list for students applying for Classical Archaeology and Ancient History, as we encourage students to engage with whatever they find interesting about the ancient world. If you are interested in Classical Archaeology and Ancient History, this will include the historical and archaeological evidence through which we learn about that world.

As well as visiting your local museum, or other museums, you may wish to explore some websites which have excellent links to historical and archaeological materials, such as the British Museum or Oxford’s own Ashmolean Museum's collection highlights , or the BBC Radio 4 archives , for example for the programme ‘In Our Time’, covering material from Ancient Greece and Ancient Rome .

There are also many social media sites which you can join such as Classics Confidential, Classics Outreach and Classics International.

Classics for the people
Endangered archaeology video
Conserving by copying: 3D Printing Tutankhamun's Tomb video

There is no reading list for students applying for Classics, as we encourage students to read as widely as possible about any Classics materials they find interesting (in literature, history, philosophy, archaeology, and/or philology), and to think critically about their reading. You may also wish to explore some websites which have excellent links to materials about the ancient world, such as the British Museum or the BBC Radio 4 archives , for example for the programme ‘In Our Time’, covering material from Ancient Greece and Ancient Rome .

Classics and English

For the English Literature element of the course, we recommend that you read as widely as possible, and think critically about all the texts – literary or not – that you read. Read more about this in our examples of interview questions . You can find literary resources on our Great Writers Inspire site . You may also like to look at literary websites and listen to radio programs such as BBC Radio 4's ' In Our Time '.

Dramatic research
Making Britain
Digitising Jane Austen's fiction manuscripts
On the joy of not rehearsing Shakespeare video

Classics and Modern Languages

Please view the guidance on the FAQs section of the Modern Languages faculty website under the heading 'How best to prepare for the entrance procedure'. You can also find reading lists on the individual pages of the following languages:

Modern Greek
Shedding new light on Tchaikovsky’s Eugene Onegin
Writing Brecht, living well

Classics and Asian and Middle Eastern Studies

You may also wish to explore some websites which have excellent links to materials about the ancient world, such as the British Museum or the BBC Radio 4 archives , for example for the programme ‘In Our Time’, covering material from Ancient Greece and Ancient Rome .

Suggested reading for Asian and Middle Eastern Studies can be found on the Asian and Middle Eastern Studies website by following the relevant links below:

BA in Arabic
BA in Sanskrit
BA in Persian
BA in Turkish
Recreating an experience of ancient Egypt
Helping the UK understand China

Computer Science

Introductory reading for prospective applicants to Computer Science can be found on the departmental website.

You may also like to look at our GeomLab website which will introduce you to some of the most important ideas in computer programming in an interactive, visual way through a guided activity.

Securing the internet of the future
Putting out ‘Digital Wildfires’ before they take hold
The friendly face of robots
Safety by design
Computers at the heart of the matter
60 Years of Computer Science
Oxford and Cybersecurity 1 – the Internet and Policy
Oxford and Cybersecurity 2 – Trusted Computing
Oxford and Cybersecurity 3 – The Academic Edge

Computer Science and Philosophy

Introductory reading for prospective applicants to Computer Science can be found on the departmental website.

There are many introductions to philosophy: Myles Burnyeat and Ted Honderich’s ‘Philosophy’ as it is a very useful collection. Martin Hollis ‘An Invitation to Philosophy’ and Simon Blackburn’s ‘Think’ are also recommended but feel free to pick up any introductory or beginners’ text.

Earth Sciences

At present we do not produce a reading list for students applying for Earth Sciences but we encourage you to read New Scientist , National Geographic or any other relevant materials which you find interesting.

Preserving an exceptional fossil site for future generations
Understanding oil-rich strata
Influencing global policy on mercury
Reducing toxic mercury emissions video
Tracking Life 40 Degrees South video
Volcano hunting, Italy to Peru video

Economics and Management

An indispensable introduction to economic analysis, both for those who have not studied it at school and for those who have is ‘The Economist’ or the Economics pages of newspapers. Paul Krugman’s writings are highly recommended. Begg, Fischer and Dornbusch’s ‘Economics’ is one of the introductory textbooks widely used at Oxford.

You can find the Economics reading list and Management reading list online.

Oxford research:

The value of mutuality
Geometry to the rescue
Research led to Supreme Court ruling on removal of UK employment tribunal fees video
The surprising uses of auctions video

Engineering Science

At present we do not produce a reading list for students applying for Engineering Science but we encourage you to read any relevant materials which you find interesting. Here are some online resources you may like to use to test your knowledge:

Isaac Physics : this website contains lots of maths and physics problem solving questions.
British Physics Olympiad : this website contains lots of past papers and solutions of problem solving type questions.
Next time, education centre : this website contains some quite fun questions designed to make you think about physical concepts.
I want to study Engineering : this website is just as useful for all applicants not just those applying to engineering.
Brilliant.org : this website has some resources to test your mathematical and physics knowledge.
Providing the technology for ‘space refrigerators’
Improving hospitals’ ‘early warning’ systems
Data scientists to the rescue
Driverless cars video
Delivering drugs better - using sound video

English Language and Literature

English and modern languages.

Please visit the guidance on the FAQs section of the Modern Languages faculty website under the heading 'How best to prepare for the entrance procedure'. You can also find reading lists on the individual pages of the following languages:

European and Middle Eastern Languages

Please visit the guidance on the FAQs section of the Modern Languages faculty website under the heading 'How can I prepare myself for the entrance procedure?'. This advice can be applied to both the European and the Middle Eastern elements of the course. You can also find reading lists on the individual pages of the following languages:

Suggested reading for Asian and Middle Eastern Studies can be found on the Asian and Middle Eastern Studies website by following the relevant links below:

Experimental Psychology

Please view the suggested reading for Experimental Psychology. This document also includes reading suggestions for those interested in the Psychology, Philosophy and Linguistics course.

Research videos:

Improving Access to Psychological Therapies: Using evidence to change policy
Spread the word
How people with depression see faces
From the Minds of Babes: New frontiers in paediatric pain

The following list is suggested as a starting point and is not exhaustive and nor does it mean that you must read these.

Barthes, Roland , Camera Lucida: Reflections on Photography (Vintage)
Crow, Thomas, The Rise of the Sixties: American and European Art in the Era of Dissent (Everyman )
Stallabrass, Julian, Contemporary Art: A Very Short Introductions (Oxford University Press)
Smith, Terry, Contemporary Art: World Currents (Laurence King Publishing)

We strongly encourage all students to attend exhibitions and look at art works as much as possible. Public art galleries like Tate Modern, the Whitechapel, and the Serpentine in London, the Ikon in Birmingham, the Liverpool Tate, the Whitworth in Manchester, the Baltic in Gateshead, the Arnolfini in Bristol, and Tramway in Glasgow are all excellent places to see contemporary art and to find out more about it.

Other excellent resources include:

the UK-wide exhibition listings
the online edition of the US journal Artforum
the excellent repository of moving image and sound art, called UBU Web

It is also a good idea to look at journals such as:

An indispensable introduction to contemporary issues in Geography is the Royal Geographical Society 'Geographical Magazine'. Reading 'The Economist' is also highly recommended.

Managing the risk of surface water flooding
Smartphones become Smart Stones
The value of a green and pleasant land
Getting critical
How changes to inland waters impact regional climates
Calculating the risks of coastal flooding and cliff erosion
How global warming is changing tropical forests
Climate Network
Avoiding infrastructure failure
Stopping floods on the cheap: A success story from Yorkshire

The best way to prepare for a History degree is to read the history books which interest you, either related to your school work or ranging beyond it – and be prepared to discuss your views of those books and their arguments. To find such material, you might want to follow up on references made in your school or college text books, or your History teacher may also be able to recommend particular works for you to read on topics that you find most interesting.

You may also like to explore the websites of public institutions which have excellent links to historical materials, such as the British Museum or BBC Radio 4 archives .

Lastly, delving into some historical sources can be a great way to develop your ideas and understanding. You could try exploring literature, art, music or even films produced by different societies, and consider what these can tell us about the people of that time.

Looking back to understand the recent economic crisis

History (Ancient and Modern)

There is no reading list for students applying for Ancient and Modern History, as we encourage students to read as widely as possible about any period of history, ancient and/or modern, that they find interesting. (View 'History' above). For the ancient world, you may also wish to explore websites which have excellent links to historical materials, such as the British Museum or Oxford’s own Ashmolean Museum , the BBC Radio 4 archives , for example for the programme ‘In Our Time', covering material from Ancient Greece and Ancient Rome .

History and Economics

An indispensable introduction to economic analysis, both for those who have not studied it at school and for those who have is ‘ The Economist ’ or the Economics pages of newspapers. Paul Krugman’s writings are highly recommended. Begg, Fischer and Dornbusch’s ‘Economics ’ is one of the introductory textbooks widely used at Oxford.

History and English

One good way of broadening your historical horizons is to read one of the popular History magazines: History Today or BBC History , which has weekly podcasts . You may like to look at the books which are being reviewed in the quality press. You may also like to explore the websites of public institutions which have excellent links to historical materials, such as the British Museum or BBC Radio 4 archives . Lastly, delving into some historical sources can be a great way to develop your ideas and understanding. You could try exploring literature, art, music or even films produced by different societies, and consider what these can tell us about the people of that time.

History and Modern Languages

History and Politics

Politics is a very wide-ranging subject. In addition to newspapers and weeklies, Jonathan Wolff’s 'An Introduction to Political Philosophy' is recommended; and also, for interesting and up-to-date insights into recent political developments in a number of countries, the series of texts produced by Macmillan publishers at regular intervals called ‘Developments in British (French, German, East European etc.) Politics’ .

You may also like to explore the websites of public institutions which have excellent links to historical materials, such as the British Museum or BBC Radio 4 archives .

History of Art

A reading list for prospective applicants to History of Art can be found on the History of Art departmental website .

You may also find it interesting to explore the following resources:

BBC Radio 4 'In Our Time' - Culture archive
BBC Arts coverage

Human Sciences

Introductory reading lists can be found on the Institute of Human Sciences website .

Who needs migrant workers

We recommend that you start by reading the court reports in broad sheet newspapers.

As the reading lists for the degree course change each year it isn't always advisable to buy text books in advance, but you may find one or more of the books from this list useful when preparing your application Introductory reading for Law . It can be useful to look at the list of law academics on the departmental website and follow the links to their latest publications. All lecturers have their own lists, which change from year to year and include books and journal articles.

You may also like to read the BBC's website Law in Action , and download their podcasts. Other recommendation are the Guardian's law pages and the Counsel magazine .

Research led to Supreme Court ruling on removal of UK employment tribunal fees
Tackling Adolescent to Parent Violence
Research in Westminster: Human Rights law and the treatment of rape victims

Materials Science

There is no set text and students should read widely around the subject. Introductory reading for prospective applicants to Materials Science can be found on the departmental website.

Students may also wish to read the New Scientist magazine which may be available in your school or local library.

Running an internet search on Nanoscience or Nanotechnology will give useful background information in the sciences. Here are some further resources to test your knowledge:

Isaac Physics : This website contains lots of maths and physics problem solving questions.
British Physics Olympiad : This website contains lots of past papers and solutions of problem solving type questions.
Next time : This website contains some quite fun questions designed to make you think about physical concepts.
I want to study Engineering : This website is just as useful for all applicants not just those applying to engineering.
Brilliant.org : This website has some resources to test your mathematical and physics knowledge.

Oxford research:

A new material for reconstructive surgery

Mathematics

Reading lists for prospective Mathematics applicants can be found on page 12 of the departmental prospectus, available to download from the Maths Department website .

Influencing HIV/AIDS policy in India through mathematical modelling
Helping the ‘Greeks’ to run faster
Mathematics in the design and manufacture of novel glass products
Mathematical solutions for industry
Sharing the beauty of networks video
A computer model of the heart video

Mathematics and Computer Science

Reading lists for prospective Mathematics applicants can be found on page 12 of the departmental prospectus, available to download from the Maths Department website .

Introductory reading for prospective applicants to Computer Science can be found on the departmental website. You may also like to look at our GeomLab website which will introduce you to some of the most important ideas in computer programming in an interactive, visual way through a guided activity.

Mathematics and Philosophy

Reading lists for prospective Mathematics and Philosophy applicants can be found on page 18 of the departmental prospectus, available to download from the Maths Department website .

Mathematics and Statistics

Reading lists for prospective Mathematics and Statistics applicants can be found on page 12 of the departmental prospectus, available to download from the Maths Department website .

Statistical expertise in drug discovery

Prospective students for Medicine may like to start by looking at the introductory reading list below. You may also be interested in the Oxford Medical School Gazette, for more information about the Gazette and subscription offers for Sixth Form students please visit the Medicine website .

Introductory Reading for Medicine

The TOBY Trial - cooling babies
"Bionic eye" trial in Oxford
Fighting Arthritis: the development of anti-TNF therapies
The Paternal Age Effect: Identifying reproductive risks

Modern Languages

Please view the guidance on the FAQs section of the Modern Languages faculty website under the heading 'How best to prepare for the entrance procedure'. You can find reading lists on the individual pages for of following languages:

Modern Languages and Linguistics

You can also download the Introductory reading list for Linguistics .

Improving treatment of speech disorders
Saving the world’s threatened languages
Voice analysis for everyone: health monitoring by phone video

Please refer to this recommended reading list for Music .

Medieval plainsong gets a contemporary makeover
Composing Opera for Children
Searching for Schumann video

Asian and Middle Eastern Studies

Suggested reading for Asian and Middle Eastern Studies can be found on the Asian and Middle Eastern Studies website by following the relevant links below:

BA in Arabic
BA in Chinese
BA in Japanese
BA in Persian
BA in Turkish

Suggested reading lists for BA Egyptology and Near Eastern Studies, BA Hebrew Studies and BA Jewish Studies are currently in development and will hopefully be available in the near future.

Philosophy and Modern Languages

There are many introductions to philosophy: Myles Burnyeat and Ted Honderich’s ‘ Philosophy ’ as it is a very useful collection. Martin Hollis ‘ An Invitation to Philosophy ’ and Simon Blackburn’s ‘ Think ’ are also recommended but feel free to pick up any introductory or beginners’ text.

Please visit the guidance on the FAQs section of the Modern Languages faculty website under the heading 'How best to prepare for the entrance procedure' for the Modern Languages element of this course. You of also find reading lists on the individual pages for the following languages:

Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE)

We always recommend that students read widely around their subject, deepening their knowledge and understanding, to help prepare for their application. Tutors will be looking for evidence of students' academic potential, as well as their commitment and motivation for their course, so will certainly be looking for evidence that a student has really engaged with their subject, and has a passion for studying it. This is particularly important for courses like PPE, as many students will not have studied any of these three subjects at their school or college.

The very best preparation is a reasonable grasp of the workings of the social and political world in which we live. For PPEists, reading newspapers, watching TV and listening to radio news and current affairs programmes are not optional activities – they are crucial to success at the subject. Students should read a good quality daily newspaper, and ‘ The Economist ’ weekly is also highly recommended – this offers unparalleled quantity and quality analysis of current events.

Politics is a very wide-ranging subject. In addition to newspapers and weeklies, Jonathan Wolff’s ' An Introduction to Political Philosophy ' is recommended; and also, for interesting and up-to-date insights into recent political developments in a number of countries, the series of texts produced by Macmillan publishers at regular intervals called ‘ Developments in British (French, German, East European etc.) Politics ’.

An indispensable introduction to economic analysis in use both for those who have not studied it at school and for those who have is ‘ The Economist ’ or the Economics pages of newspapers. Paul Krugman’s writings are highly recommended. Begg, Fischer and Dornbusch’s ‘ Economics ’ is one of the introductory textbooks widely used at Oxford.

Oxford research:

Philosophy and Theology

At present we do not produce a specific Theology reading list for people who are considering making an application, though we always advise prospective candidates to read beyond what they are reading in school and to explore areas that interest them.

Empires of Faith video

There are many suitable sources for reading. Popular science books are normally readily available at your local library, as are copies of the New Scientist or other scientific periodicals. Anything that takes your interest will be valuable; we have no set reading list.

However, for general preparation prospective candidates can view the suggestions on the Physics department website . We also recommend maths preparation .

There is also lots of information on the internet, on sites such as www.physics.org or through some of the excellent science blogs. The University of Oxford publishes a science blog and our department also runs a project called Galaxy Zoo which is part of the Zooniverse community of projects , which allows members of the public to contribute to astrophysics research. Large scientific organisations such as CERN and NASA publish a lot of good material online, for example the Astronomy Picture of the Day website . Here are some further resources to test your Physics knowledge:

Isaac Physics : This website contains lots of maths and physics problem solving questions.
Brilliant.org : This website has some resources to test your mathematical and physics knowledge.

iTunesU can also be a very useful resource, as it has a range of physics content, from public talks to undergraduate lectures, from a variety of reputable sources.

Near-perfect distance measurement
Cheaper, smaller, super-resolution
To the Zooniverse and beyond
Particle accelerator physics for the masses
A revolution in solar power technology
How to be certain of uncertainty in climate and weather forecasts
How do quantum physicists affect industry? video

Physics and Philosophy

However, for general preparation prospective candidates can view the suggestions on the Physics department website . We also recommend maths preparation .

There is also lots of information on the internet, on sites such as www.physics.org . or through some of the excellent science blogs. The University of Oxford publishes a science blog and our department also runs a project called Galaxy Zoo which is part of the Zooniverse community of projects , which allows members of the public to contribute to astrophysics research. Large scientific organisations such as CERN and NASA publish a lot of good material online, for example the Astronomy Picture of the Day website . Here are some further resources to test your Physics knowledge:

Psychology, Philosophy and Linguistics (PPL)

Please follow this link for the suggested reading list for Psychology, Philosophy and Linguistics. This document also includes suggested reading for Experimental Psychology.

Building consensus on Developmental Language Disorder
Voice analysis for everyone: health monitoring by phone

Religion and Asian and Middle Eastern Studies

At present we do not produce a specific Religion and Asian and Middle Eastern Studies reading list for people who are considering making an application, though we always advise prospective candidates to read beyond what they are reading in school and to explore areas that interest them.

Theology and Religion

You may also find it interesting to explore the BBC Radio 4 archives of the ' In Our Time ' program, especially the Religion and Philosophy archives .

Empires of Faith

Further information

Wall of Faces
Undergraduate Admissions on X
Undergraduate Admissions Instagram

Staircase 12

Staircase 12 is an online hub of resources brought to you by University College . It's full of tips and ideas on how to stretch yourself beyond the school syllabus. So why not check out the Reading Bank , and Resource Hub , or to find out why all this is important in the first place, check out the ‘Explore your Subject’ top tips page .

The Bookshelf

The Worcester Bookshelf project is all about sharing books that we love about our subjects with you. We suggest books that we love - you tell us what you think of them. Every term we will release a new list of six books that our tutors and academics would like to share with you. If you are in year 10, 11 or 12 at a UK state school and would like to find out more, simply email [email protected] .

Digital Resource Hub

We have compiled the best of our digital resources to support learning and exploration. These resources can help inspire you to think broadly as well as enable you to explore your passions and interests further, and to discover more about Oxford.

Follow us on social media

Follow us on social media to get the most up-to-date application information throughout the year, and to hear from our students.

Biochemistry Personal Statement at Oxford: TOP Tips

Table of Contents

Oxford Biochemistry Personal Statement Tips: – Top 10 Dos and Don’ts

The Oxford Personal Statement is a crucial component of your university application as it presents a unique opportunity for you to differentiate yourself from other applicants. In your Biochemistry personal statement, Oxford admissions tutors will be looking for you to be able to articulate your story and explain your interests beyond that of numbers on an admissions test. Furthermore, it gives the interviewer a chance to understand who you are, providing a platform to bounce off questions during your interview.

They can tailor questions to your personality, interests, and commitment to who you are as a person and your amalgamation of experiences before you. To guide you through the arduous university application process, our Oxbridge application experts have compiled a list of top 10 Biochemistry Personal Statement Oxford tips. This includes dos and don’ts for your personal statement for biochemistry for the 2023/24 application cycle.

General Advice for the Biochemistry Personal Statement Oxford

Biochemistry is a course that uses molecular procedures to investigate and explain biological processes. The understanding and knowledge of these vital processes that are necessary for life are constantly growing and expanding. Biochemists have designed applications in drug design, environmental monitoring, and forensic sciences, amongst other fields.

Your Biochemistry Oxford personal statement must clearly demonstrate your interest in biological processes and the study of them at a molecular level. Moreover, when planning out your personal statement for biochemistry, make sure you research the University’s achievements in their relevant fields and use it as a guide to illustrate your interest in Biochemistry.

Top 5 Tips for Oxford Biochemistry Personal Statement

1. explain why you are interested in biochemistry.

Oxford tutors are looking to teach students with genuine interest and passion for their course. Hence, make this the focus of your Oxford personal statement, explaining why you want to study your chosen subject. Using concrete examples that display your interest will go a long way in demonstrating this interest. For example, this could include participating in biology or chemistry competitions. It could also be partaking in research projects, and reading up on the latest innovations published in articles or books. Do not worry if you do not have a specific example or time where your ambition became crystal clear to you. Your decision in choosing to study biochemistry can be illuminated through an amalgamation of your experiences or understanding of yourself and your strengths. Take your time in explaining why you align well with the course!

2. Display a good understanding of the course

Understand the course that you are applying for. Ensure that you do not have a superficial or misguided view of what the course entails. Most people’s perception of a course is shaped by what they see in the media or by their high school subjects. However, this is not always the case and it leads to a one-dimensional view of the course. Try to talk to graduates or people currently working in the field to gain a better understanding of the course and your options post-graduation. You can demonstrate this understanding in your Oxford personal statement by linking similarities in your past experiences to aspects of Biochemistry (if applicable). Or you can elaborate on personal qualities or traits that make you suitable for Biochemistry. For example, Biochemistry is research-heavy, which would make perseverance a good quality for an applicant to have.

3. Read around the subject you’re applying for

Of course, Oxford does not expect you to be an expert in your field of study. You are going to university to study the material after all. However, being well-read in your course and reading ahead is a great way of demonstrating your interest in it. Look at it this way: if we are interested in a movie star, we would want to find out everything about him. Similarly, if you are genuinely interested in your course, you would also naturally want to learn more and explore the topic on your own. Reading does not only include books. This could also include podcasts, magazine articles, or even Netflix documentaries. Listening to a podcast on your ride home from school can be a nice way to ease such material into your lifestyle. You can find some good articles in Nature or Scientific American that publishes the latest innovations in biochemistry. You can also visit Oxford’s recommended reading list for some book inspirations: Oxford Biochemistry

Oxford Biochemistry personal statement additional reading

4. Have a good structure for your Biochemistry personal statement

The points listed above give you a lot of content to write about. However, all of that information can be difficult to get through for the reader if it’s not organised well! Try and follow a fixed overall structure for your Oxford personal statement. Also try and structure it into individual paragraphs to enhance readability. For example, your introduction could be a short 2-3 lines outlining your interest in Biochemistry. You could use one paragraph explaining your interest in academic vigour, and another paragraph explaining how you display perseverance. You can conclude by wrapping up the points mentioned above! For individual paragraphs, start off the paragraph with a point (such as your interest in the research aspect of biochemistry). Next, use concrete examples to support this.

5. Ask your friends and family to proofread your Oxford personal statement

Sometimes we are not able to be objective about our own work, especially when we are telling our own story. Try and approach friends, family, or seniors (especially those already in the same course or university!) to proofread your Biochemistry personal statement Oxford and to provide you with feedback. They can comment on the structure and readability of your Oxford personal statement, which could be really valuable! That being said, don’t share your personal statement for biochemistry in case it gets plagiarised by someone else.

Oxbridge Interview Tips Questions Tutoring

Top 5 things to AVOID for your Biochemistry Oxford Personal Statement

1. writing a list of achievements.

Oxford isn’t necessarily choosing the most decorated candidate that applies– they are looking for students who are genuinely interested in the course, and students who are a good fit for it. This means that you could have started a non-profit and dedicated 10,000 hours to volunteering, but if you don’t show how this is relevant to your studying of biochemistry, the Oxford tutors may not necessarily think you are suited for the programme. When talking about your achievements, always link back to how this is relevant to either your interest or your suitability for biochemistry.

2. Valuing vocabulary over conciseness

Some students feel the need to use bombastic words or flowery language in order to impress Oxford tutors and use it as a way to demonstrate their strong command of the English language. However, this usually works against them– the Biochemistry personal statement (Oxford) comes off as sounding unnatural and difficult to read. Understand that the Biochemistry personal statement is a medium for you to tell your story and your passion. If using a thesaurus is getting in the way of that, opt for simple language. Oxford tutors value a personal statement for biochemistry that they can read with ease and understand! If you’re not familiar with certain words, don’t use them as it might work against you instead!

3. Not showing the link to biochemistry

When writing your Biochemistry personal statement, Oxford tutors are not necessarily looking for good students– they are looking for students who are a good match for the course. Always make sure to draw any personal experiences, quality or trait mentioned to how it is relevant to your passion for biochemistry or how it makes you a good fit for the course.

4. Misunderstanding what the course is about

Make sure you thoroughly research the course– this includes the course syllabus, attending seminars or speaking to seniors who are currently studying biochemistry (preferably at Oxford!) or have graduated from the course. A simple google search and thoroughly reading all university brochure materials is a good start on understanding what you are in for! Try to forget all previous assumptions you have about the course, and make sure you thoroughly understand what you would be studying.

5. Being cliché

When talking about your interest and passion for biochemistry, try to explain it in a genuine and authentic way. You don’t need a movie-like moment, such as your whole life-changing because of applications in biochemistry, to justify your motivation for the course. A simple explanation of how unique aspects of biochemistry intrigues you or draws you in, although seemingly simple and ordinary, would be even more valuable if explained well. Try to be authentic and original, and really understand why YOU would love to study biochemistry.

→ What is the Oxford Biochemistry programme?

The Oxford Biochemistry programme is an undergraduate degree programme offered by the University of Oxford’s Department of Biochemistry. The program provides students with a comprehensive understanding of the chemical and molecular processes that occur in living organisms, with a focus on the biochemistry of cells, genetics, and molecular biology.

→ What are some tips for writing a strong Oxford Biochemistry personal statement?

Some tips for writing a strong Biochemistry Oxford personal statement include demonstrating a clear understanding of the subject and why it interests the candidate, highlighting relevant academic achievements and extracurricular activities, showcasing research experience and analytical skills, and demonstrating a genuine passion for biochemistry and molecular biology.

→ What should be included in an Oxford Biochemistry personal statement?

A Biochemistry personal statement for Oxford should include information about the candidate’s academic achievements, extracurricular activities, research experience, and personal qualities that are relevant to the program. It should also include specific examples of how the candidate has demonstrated analytical skills, critical thinking, and an understanding of the subject.

→ How long should an Oxford Biochemistry personal statement be?

The Biochemistry personal statement for Oxford should be no more than 4,000 characters or 47 lines, whichever comes first. Candidates should use this space wisely to showcase their strengths and demonstrate their suitability for the programme.

→ Is it important to tailor the personal statement to the Oxford Biochemistry programme specifically?

Yes, it is important to tailor the personal statement to the Oxford Biochemistry programme specifically. This includes researching the program and understanding its unique features and requirements, as well as demonstrating a genuine interest in the subject and a strong motivation to study at the University of Oxford.

→ How important is the personal statement for the Oxford Biochemistry programme?

The personal statement is a crucial part of the Oxford Biochemistry application process as it allows candidates to showcase their passion for the subject and their potential to succeed in the programme. The personal statement also provides the admissions team with insight into a candidate’s motivation, academic background, and personal qualities.

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Successful Personal Statement For PPE At Oxford

Last Updated: 16th April 2020

Author: Adi Sen

Welcome to our popular Personal Statement series where we present a successful Personal Statement, and our Oxbridge Tutors provide their feedback on it.

Today, we are looking through a PPE applicant’s Personal Statement that helped secure a place at Oxford University. The PPE Course at Oxford brings together some of the most important approaches to understanding the world around us, developing skills useful for a wide range of careers and activities.

Read on to see how this candidate managed to navigate the many disciplines and perspectives of PPE.

Here’s a breakdown of the Personal Statement:

SUCCESSFUL?

The universities this candidate applied to were the following:

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PPE Personal Statement

I have been fortunate enough to have spent half my life overseas and to have attended eight different schools in five different countries and as a result I have engaged with people from a wide range of cultures and backgrounds. Having enjoyed these experiences immensely, I am determined to build on this foundation by studying for a degree that will increase my understanding of how trans-national and cross-cultural transactions work. One of the key factors in these transactions, undoubtedly, is human nature.

I was very interested, therefore, to read Jonathon Wolff’s ‘An Introduction to Political Philosophy’, particularly the contrasting interpretations of the ‘state of nature’ that rose dependent on the interpretation of mankind. In my experience there is a parallel between inter-personal and international relations and I want to understand the ways in which states and people operate. My background has made me more aware of complex international issues, such as Australia’s current problem in reconciling the fact that its major trading partner has the potential to become its biggest adversary. Because of my interest in this situation I delved deeper into China’s rise, through the medium of an extended project which discussed whether China poses any threat to the USA. Research for this project caused me to question whether there is any justification for the Western ethical preference for a ‘free’ economy over command economies. This work made me realise that I need economic knowledge in order to better understand the complexities of international relations and encouraged me to fast track an A level in economics.

My research touched on the question of the apparent commonality of cultural morals and delving into this issue led me to reflect on the arguments for universal morality that J.S. Mill presents in ‘Utilitarianism’. His claim that public convictions and general happiness are the basis for a viable moral authority appears to reflect the operation of democratic governance. I would argue, however, that there is a strong, external ethical pressure that acts regardless of happiness, a knowledge of base morality that is followed for its own end. The complexity of such issues has always appealed to me, which is perhaps why I was so enthused by the mathematical elements of philosophical logic that Blackburn presents in ‘Think’. The notion of reducing rational questioning to formulaic equations was completely new to me and I found it very compelling. I was equally intrigued by the attempts, particularly of Descartes in ‘Meditations’ and Anselm in the ‘Proslogian’, to develop an irrefutable argument based purely on reason; the notion of an a priori argument that could establish what empiricism cannot is a profound possibility. I thoroughly enjoy immersing myself in unknown and foreign situations. This probably stems from my travels across the globe, which took me from childhood in Moscow to my more recent time in Canberra.

Through school and college I have sustained an ability to balance my academic studies with a hectic social life, part-time jobs and my sporting commitments. I have been elected to the captaincy of two football teams and have played a consistent role in promoting youth involvement, through coaching a junior football team and being involved in the Olympic FLAMES programme. I am happy to lead or work within a team and can negotiate with difficult individuals, whether they are complaining customers or disaffected youngsters. I am eager to pursue a career path that will take me into an international and cross-cultural environment. This is why I feel strongly drawn towards a degree where I can use my experiences and ambitions to better prepare myself for the multinational market of the future. I want to develop an academic arsenal which will best establish me as a positive contributor in an increasingly trans-national, interlinked world – where global understanding looks set to become an essential attribute.

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Good Points Of The Personal Statement

The student demonstrates a clear interest in all three subjects and does especially well in linking the three together, detailing how their interest in one politics issue lead to studying Economics, which lead to readings in Philosophy. They give the impression of an individual who has naturally come to the conclusion that PPE is the right area of study for them and they back this up substantially with both their personal history and academic studies.

The balance between discussing their academic interests and other areas of their life is just right, and they use the latter to reinforce their worth as a student. The statement flows naturally while the conclusion rounds it off nicely with a look to the future and what they wish to do with their degree.

Bad Points Of The Personal Statement

At times, the student dwells on explaining their exact response to each book mentioned and their current position on each area of study. This is not particularly useful as those reading it will be more interested in how you think and how your reading developed your thought, rather than whether you, for example, tend towards consequentialism or deontology, as you don’t have nearly enough space in a personal statement to back up a philosophical position in any substantial or interesting way.

The statement also ought to be broken down into smaller paragraphs. This will improve the overall structure and will make for a much more natural read.

UniAdmissions Overall Score:

This is an excellent statement edging very closely to 5 stars; it ties the three subjects together and clearly conveys why each is personal to the student and what they want to achieve by studying them.

The candidate ought, however, to focus more on how their background has affected their way of thinking, rather than listing their positions on various issues.

Finally, the formatting could have been improved to make it easier to read, but this is a smaller point.

And there we have it – an Oxford PPE Personal Statement with feedback from our expert tutors.

Remember, at Oxford, the Admissions Tutors are often the people who will be teaching you for the next few years, so you need to appeal directly to them.

Check out our Free Personal Statement Resources page for even more successful personal statements and expert guides.

Successful Personal Statement For Law At Cambridge

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Oxford University Personal Statements

We hope our collection of oxford university personal statements provides inspiration for writing your own. please do not plagiarise them in any way, or ucas will penalise your application. our personal statement editing & review services are availble if you feel you need a little extra help..

History Personal Statement Example 3 Recently, I found out that my grandma was gambled into slavery for seven years. She escaped her prison and made her way back to Hong Kong, 300 miles south. I was amazed at how courageous she was. This personal discovery led me to read Jung Chang's 'Wild Swans' which made me both proud and ashamed of my heritage...

Computer Science Personal Statement Example 4 I find it amazing to watch as the digital revolution sculpts society at a rate that has never before been seen; there is so much to still be discovered. Quantum computing is a topic that particularly interests me, stemming from my studies and keen interest in physics...

Economics and PPE Personal Statement Example My aspiration to study economics at both advanced and degree level has stemmed from my lasting interest in current affairs and world development. These issues require an application of economics in real-life situations and can be related to many diverse subjects such as politics, philosophy and psychology...

English Literature Personal Statement Example 1 When I saw Gatz, John Collin's eight hour interpretation of The Great Gatsby, I noticed that Fitzgerald changes the colour of Daisy's hair every time he describes it. It is "like a dash of blue paint", "yellowy" like her daughters and then "dark, shining"...

Geography Personal Statement Example 2 In a dynamic world, the study of geography is increasingly important. The diversity of the subject and the interaction between the physical environment and human population is becoming even more evident with climate change and globalisation influencing our everyday lives...

Psychology Personal Statement Example 11 “If she’s smart she will study Medicine.” This is an unwritten rule in my culture - all Nigerian parents want their children to become doctors. What becomes of the aspiring psychologist in the family? I met a junior doctor, at an educational conference, who wanted to specialise in psychiatry...

History Personal Statement Example 13 Until I began my A-levels last September, I had never been to school or followed a formal syllabus. My parents homeschooled me. They guided, encouraged, and fed my interests with books, documentaries and discussions...

Natural and Biological Sciences Personal Statement Example Experiencing first-hand life as a human in the natural world, I have the authority to confirm that regardless of previous knowledge, unexplained phenomena still exist. As a scientist, I adore observing the unknown, analysing the known and making decisions accordingly...

English Personal Statement Example 22 What I enjoy above all else in a piece of literature is the feeling that it has brought about change, either in me or in some wider context. Literature which offers the opportunity for an adapted way of living or thinking, however slight, is I think a thing to be kept and treasured in our intellects...

English Literature and Creative Writing Personal Statement Example 1 I once aspired to be a visual artist, a photographer or painter. However, I later discovered the unique ability of poetry and the written word to maintain its power and resonance in a world saturated with images and messages...

Computer Science Personal Statement Example 45 Advances in computer and information technology over the past few decades have brought about revolution in science, medicine, education, business, and entertainment. I wish to be part of the future revolution and that is why I want to study computer science...

English Literature Personal Statement Example 16 I believe that to read English is to read the human being itself: after all, we are all writers. Even in the very act of choosing our words - thinking them, speaking them, physically writing them down - we create something meaningful...

Human Sciences Personal Statement Example Perhaps what makes me different from other University applicants is that I have ambition to understand multidimensional human life. It is not the appeal of a top qualification or the zesty student lifestyle that attracts me to this course; but it is the long-term knowledge and answers to interdisciplinary human problems, and the enigmas that I will commit a lifetime investigating with perhaps no solution, that inspires me to apply...

Engineering Personal Statement Example 19 Physics is that branch of science without which science is just like a beautiful lamp with no light. For centuries, mathematicians and physicists have made plenty of scientific contributions thus helping the world make a better place to live...

History (Ancient and Modern) Personal Statement Example 1 It is those things we don’t yet know or understand that make history a fascinating, intellectual puzzle. We know a remarkable amount about history and the development of society but new archaeological discoveries, the dedicated efforts of historians, translators and other academics and advancements in areas such as archaeometry mean that the body of historical information is still expanding...

Archaeology and Anthropology Personal Statement Example 2 As an immigrant living in Spain, I am constantly reminded of the importance social and cultural factors have on my daily life, the language I speak, and the difference between the relationships I maintain with people from my own country and those I encounter here on a daily basis...

Computer Science Personal Statement Example 49 My views about computing changed considerably when I heard about Linux. In the late nineties it was a newer operating system and tasks like installing and configuring were considered to be quite challenging in India...

Law Personal Statement Example 70 Law is ever changing, whether parliament is passing new legislation, existing legislation is being rewritten or the courts are interpreting laws in different ways. In the case of Anthony Bland the distinguishing of earlier precedents was vital...

History and English Personal Statement Example Studying history and English concurrently has appealed to me ever since I recognised the inseparability of the two disciplines closest to my heart. Personally, I believe that the literary style of a piece of writing is as important as scholarly research and I try to make my essays as lively as possible whilst still grounded in solid historical or literary method, dulce et utile, following the example of writers such as Richard J Evans...

Economics and Management Personal Statement Example 2 My interest in Economics goes beyond an appreciation of statistics and profit margins. In my mind, economics represents the relationship between people and their money – a relationship that dates back to the history of mankind...

German Personal Statement Example 7 The study of language has always been appealing and is the focus of much of my time and energy, but the study of the German language is what mesmerises me most. Before understanding German I was first intrigued by its sound, and as I began to learn it, I became fascinated by its complexity...

Economics Personal Statement Example 30 The ever-changing nature of the human science intrigues me. Newton’s laws of motion will never change, from wherever ‘the ball is dropped’. However, different strategies and policies have to be framed and implemented for each economic problem...

Mathematics & Computer Science Personal Statement Example I have found mathematics a fascinating subject since my early years. I enjoy it as it is challenging and logical. I am particularly interested in decision mathematics as it is a field that is directly related to real-life applications of mathematics and can be used to solve problems, such as finding the optimal solution for transporting materials from one place to another while minimising the cost...

Physics Personal Statement Example 15 I have always been intrigued by the world of physics. From everyday experiences to the most extreme boundaries of today's knowledge, I have always voraciously searched for answers to my questions. As I grew up, the elegance of mathematical demonstrations and of physical theorems fascinated me, and I have often dreamt of making contributions to the unification theory and of improving and simplifying the Navier-Stokes equations...

Electrical Engineering Personal Statement Example 2 The defining wonder of today’s age is electricity. In just two centuries, we have come from Faraday’s crude but prophetic experiments to devices just a square inch that can calculate in seconds what the most gifted of human minds might take days...

Medicine Personal Statement Example 70 The challenge of spending my working life immersed in the fascinating, ever-evolving world of the medical sciences, and the opportunity to use this knowledge to benefit others, has drawn me to seek a career in medicine...

Politics, Philosophy & Economics (PPE) Personal Statement Example 3 In this day and age virtually every aspect of our lives may be considered political. My passion to study Politics stems from this tenet and a belief that a comprehension of Politics is integral to understanding the current state of humanity...

Chemistry Personal Statement Example 18 Chemistry explores the properties of all matter and energy in our universe, which eventually leads to breakthroughs that benefit mankind, ranging from how to prevent food from decomposing to understanding what chemicals can help or harm you...

Philosophy Personal Statement Example (Mature Student) Since leaving education in 2006 I have always wanted to return; a great love of learning, desire for knowledge and natural curiosity throughout my life resulted in an ambition to teach. It was with this ambition in my heart that I took the plunge and returned to education, beginning my Access course last year with the intention of applying to study for a primary education degree...

Civil Engineering Personal Statement Example 17 My decision to study engineering stems from a desire to contribute to the evolution of society through a process that does not just define our environment but our era. My personal inspiration is the Segovia aqueduct, an 800m long, 30 metre high Roman marvel which still stands today...

Ancient and Modern History Personal Statement Example 1 What makes history engaging and interesting to me is its interdisciplinary nature and its ability to take you on a journey to the discovery of humanity's past. History has been a constant source of captivation for me, from studying the mythology of Ancient Greece in primary school through to the study of the Russian Revolution at A Level...

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COMMENTS

How to write a personal statement
Make a start. When it comes to writing your personal statement, just getting started can be the hardest part. One good way to get around writer's block is to just put it all down on the page, like Mayur. First - write down anything and everything. In the first round, I was just dumping everything - whatever I've done, anything close to ...
Interviews
Tutors may ask you about extra-curricular activities which you have mentioned in your personal statement, particularly to help you settle into the interview. However extra-curricular activities will not be assessed unless they help to demonstrate how you meet the selection criteria for your course.
PDF Your Guide to Oxford Interviews
of the interview as a conversation about your subject. Here are some more specific things that you can do to prepare: - Oxford offers interview workshops, with Remind yourself of the selection criteria for your chosen subject at ox.ac.uk/criteria. - Re-read your personal statement and any written work submitted, and make sure
How to write an excellent Oxbridge personal statement
Here are my three top tips to write a compelling personal statement for Oxford and Cambridge University admissions. 1. Pick an 'angle' or 'theme' within your subject. Oxbrdige degrees are notoriously broad. While you may be interested in multiple topics, you run the risk of not communicating your passion and knowledge in sufficient depth if you ...
Oxford University Interviews: What to Know & How to Plan
The Oxford interview is an opportunity for candidates to demonstrate their academic potential, passion for their chosen subject, and ability to think critically and analytically. ... or any relevant experiences you've highlighted in your personal statement. Mock Interviews: Participate in mock interviews or practice sessions with teachers ...
How to write an Oxford personal statement
How to write an Oxford personal statement. Make sure your personal statement conveys your interest in the subject - write down talks you've been to (and what they made you think), open days you've attended (and what you took away from them), and maybe even books you've read (and whether or not you agree with the author and why).
Medicine: Writing your Personal Statement
Your personal statement is an important part of your application to Oxford. It allows you to tell us about your interests, achievements and ambitions in your own words. Although we do not formally score your statement we read it carefully. If you are invited for interview, the statement is likely to provide a focus for the questions that you ...
PDF A Guide to Personal Statements
Keep it simple. Keep it short. (Tip 1: Leave it until last) (Tip 2: Draft 5 first sentences) "My first exposure to the concept of genetic disease was whilst doing work experience at a deaf school. I found it incredible that the assortment of four bases could have such a tangible effect on health and development.
PDF Personal statement
THE ESSENTIALS. Your personal statement is an important part of your application to Oxford. It allows you to tell us about your interests, achievements and ambitions in your own words. Although we do not formally score your statement we read it carefully and use the information it contains as part of our short-listing exercise.
12 Personal Statement FAQs and answers!
Your personal statement for Oxford and Cambridge should be considered a springboard for your interview and you could and should expect to be questioned about any single detail of it. At Oxbridge Applications, every year, we have students that approach us in January who are upset that their Admissions Tutor spent 20 minutes focused on a certain ...
10 Top Tips for an Oxford Human Sciences Personal Statement
Why Human Sciences. Top 5 things to AVOID for your Oxford Human Sciences Personal Statement. Writing a list of achievements. Don't write anything that isn't true. Copying someone else's personal statements. Not reflecting on or justifying your point. Don't sound unprofessional. FAQs.
Personal Statements for Further Study
A personal statement is your chance to explain your motivation for applying and why you are a great candidate for the course. Guidelines given vary from the simple "Provide evidence in support of your application" to the more common "Tell us why you are interested in the course to which you have applied. Describe your academic interests ...
How to shine in an Oxford interview
Oxford is one of the oldest universities in the world. We aim to lead the world in research and education. Contact: [email protected]. Imagine you're 18 years old and sitting in probably ...
Oxford interviews explained
Oxford interviews explained. Over the next two weeks Oxford will welcome thousands of prospective undergraduate students as they take part in the University's annual admissions interviews. Most candidates will have at least two interviews, depending on their chosen subject of study, and will stay in Oxford's colleges for the duration of ...
Successful Oxbridge Personal Statements
Your Personal Statement is the first demonstration of your character that the admissions teams at Oxford and Cambridge will see. Your perfect Personal Statement can only be written by yourself as it has to convey exactly who you are, why you want to study at Oxbridge and why you deserve to be there. But that doesn't mean help isn't available.
Oxford Interview questions: What might they ask and how to answer them
The two Oxford interviews. It is typical for applicants to face two different interviews in their chosen field of study. The first is a 'general' interview. The interview questions for this part tend to be correspondingly general. Interviews may be based on your personal statement, for instance, taking some of the issues raised in the ...
10 Top Tips for a Oxford Modern Languages Personal Statement
Proofread & read aloud your work. Why Modern Languages. Top 5 things to AVOID for your Oxford Modern Languages Personal Statement. Writing a list of achievements. Don't write anything that isn't true. Copying someone else's personal statements. Not reflecting on or justifying your point. Don't sound unprofessional.
How To Prepare For An Oxford Interview
Practice Oxford Interview Questions. The best way to prepare for Oxford Interviews is through practising questions and doing mock Interviews. Practice with people who will be brutally honest with you - people who will say "you are sitting too rigidly" or "take your time". This will make a huge difference on the day of your Interview ...
Are you ready for your interview?
Our Personal Statement Review will provide an objective and informed opinion of your statement as it currently stands. Let our Oxford experts review your personal statement for 24 hours before providing constructive feedback and valuable improvements via a 45 minute Skype consultation - allowing you to discuss your application and have your ...
Suggested Subject Resources
Suggested Subject Resources. Whether you need inspiration for your personal statement, something to think about before your interview or whether you are simply intellectually curious, you might find the suggested reading and resources below useful and entertaining. They are intended to give you an idea of the kind of material you might engage ...
Biochemistry Personal Statement at Oxford: TOP Tips
Oxford Biochemistry Personal Statement Tips: - Top 10 Dos and Don'ts The Oxford Personal Statement is a crucial component of your university application as it presents a unique opportunity for you to differentiate yourself from other applicants. In your Biochemistry personal statement, Oxford admissions tutors will be looking for you to be able to articulate your
Successful Personal Statement For PPE At Oxford
Welcome to UniAdmissions, the world's first Oxbridge preparatory school with an Oxbridge success rate of 57% and with over 500+ UniAdmissions students placed at Oxford and Cambridge.. Writing a compelling Personal Statement, performing well in the TSA and excelling in the interview are all crucial for your application.
Oxford University Personal Statements
Oxford University Personal Statements. We hope our collection of Oxford University personal statements provides inspiration for writing your own. Please do not plagiarise them in any way, or UCAS will penalise your application. Our Personal Statement Editing & Review Services are availble if you feel you need a little extra help.

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12 Personal Statement FAQs and answers!

2. How many books should I talk about?

3. What do I do if I have no work experience?

4. How long should I talk about extra-curricular activities?

5. How can I tailor it for different courses?

6. How should I talk about my other A-level subjects?

7. How long should it be?

8. What formatting should I use?

9. How many paragraphs should it be?

10. Will they find out if I slightly…exaggerate my talents?

11. How many teachers should check my personal statement?

12. Should I start my personal statement with a quote?

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