personal statement oxford interview

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.

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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.

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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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Tips for acing your University of Oxford interview

If you've been invited for a university of oxford interview and aren’t sure what to expect, some current jesus college students provide their top tips and explain the process.

• Student life

Over the next week, prospective students from across the country and, indeed, across the world, are coming for interviews at the University of Oxford .

But what can you expect if you are coming for an interview?

Here, a selection of current students at Jesus College at the University of Oxford provide some top tips on how you can prepare.

Ayesha, first-year medicine student, from Blackburn

It’s really important to try to stay calm before your interview. Try to be prepared and find a way to relax your nerves. When you’re nervous, you’re less likely to think clearly and logically. This is important because the tutors will want to understand the thought process behind you arriving at an answer, right or wrong.

It always concerned me that I might be presented with a question to which I didn’t know the answer or had never thought about before, and quite often that is the case. In these situations, try to think logically about what you have learnt or read that may help you to arrive at an answer. If you’re really stuck, the tutors will usually prompt you with questions or additional information.

“What would you put in a bone?” was one of the questions I was asked. I answered “calcium”. The tutor asked me why and I responded with “Mum always told me if I drink milk my bones will become strong and milk has calcium”. I knew that it wasn’t a scientific answer and initially I was worried that it would affect my chances of getting in, but I think it showed how I approached a topic that I hadn’t thought or learned about before.

The best way to prepare for your interview is to practise. I did as many mock interviews as I could just so that I could understand, to some extent, the pressure and atmosphere of an Oxford interview, which is quite different from other universities. Even if you don’t end up getting in, it is a great experience to go through. 

Ryan, third-year biological sciences student, from  Talbot Green, Wales

I was so anxious before my interview. I tried to calm myself down by preparing as much as possible. I made sure that I had answers to any questions that the tutors might ask me about my personal statement.

Of course, you can’t prepare for everything and the very nature of an Oxford interview is to give you a novel problem and see how you cope with it. The tutors are trying to see if you can work logically through problems as a way of gauging whether you’ll benefit from the tutorial system. It’s also important to remember that the tutors are trying to help you through the process and not lead you into traps.

The best advice that I received was to say what you think. Verbally work through whatever problem the interviewer has given you, so that they can follow your thought process. They’re looking for potential and they won’t be able to see that if you stay quiet the whole time.

Interviews (as well as my time at Oxford and Jesus College) have been positive and I would strongly encourage anyone even remotely considering it to apply. I came through a Welsh state school with little to no legacy of Oxbridge students and applied on a whim, thinking that I wouldn’t get in, but now I’m here and so glad about it.

Common grammatical errors to avoid in your university application

Ashleigh, first-year student in law studies in Europe, from  Aylesbury

I tried not to get too caught up in the stress and pressure of my interview and instead enjoyed it for what it was. I assumed that the tutors would make the right decision about whether I was suited to the unique teaching style offered.

The interviews were enjoyable – being asked challenging questions outside the normal school environment I was used to was tough but rewarding. The best preparation that I had was a single practice interview with a teacher at my school. I’d highly recommend taking any opportunity to conduct practice interviews. This could also be through debating or other school activities. You need to be comfortable with being challenged on why you have a particular view. But hold your ground if you still agree with what you said after being challenged.

Make sure you are comfortable with what you have written in your personal statement too – especially any books that you have mentioned.

Above all, take the interview as an opportunity to delve deep into a subject that you love, and to spend time with knowledgeable tutors who are leaders in their fields. I also tried to remember that it’s about finding people who are most suited to the Oxford style of teaching, so don’t beat yourself up if you don’t get in.

Jenyth, third-year classics student, from  Northern Ireland

Coming from a state school in Northern Ireland, I did feel quite a lot of pressure when I was called for an interview at Oxford. It had been four years since a student from my school managed to get into the University of Cambridge , and I didn’t know anyone from the last seven years who had got into Oxford.

I didn’t know what it was going to be like. Some of my classmates told me that they would never consider Oxford, quoting myths that they had heard and saying that I would be alone among posh English kids. But I’d been to Oxford’s state summer school, UNIQ. I met some people who I’m lucky to call my best friends now. It made me realise how much I would enjoy it at Oxford, and there were plenty of people just like me applying as well.

I didn’t expect to get an interview and, to be honest, I was terrified when I arrived. I hadn’t studied anything to do with classics at school because my school didn’t offer any subjects like that. I went in relying solely on the reading I had done around my A levels. Once I was in the interview though, it was fine.

Despite the stress, the interviews were fun. The tutors understand your background, they know what subjects you’ve taken in school and they tailor the experience to you. In the first half of one of my interviews, we talked about themes from a classical text that they gave me half an hour before we started. The second half contained questions based on my personal statement. There were lots of moments when I didn’t have a clue what the “correct answer” was, or even if there was one. But you need to give it a go and show them how you think.

My main piece of advice is to ask for more time if you need it. Obviously, don’t ask for the sake of it or sit in silence for 10 minutes. But a minute or so to collect your thoughts and explain your thinking process is fine and shows that you’re considering the questions carefully.

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Berenika, first-year history student, f rom Poland and London

You’d probably be surprised to hear that I enjoyed the interview process, in a way. Of course there was a lot of pressure, but at the end of the day I got to have a fascinating conversation with experts on the subject that I’m passionate about. Everybody involved with Jesus College – the interviewers and the student helpers alike – were really helpful so I felt as comfortable as I possibly could have been.

During the interviews, tutors will throw unexpected ideas at you. This means that you can’t fully prepare for every scenario. Just make sure that you express an opinion on everything and that you’ve read one or two articles about your favourite topic.

Occasionally, students get asked why they love their subjects – have an answer ready for this, but remember (sorry for the cliché) to be yourself. The tutors are looking for your individual passion and not a brain stuffed with textbook quotes.

It’s easy to isolate yourself while at interviews, to curl up in your room and revise – don’t. Go and make friends, play games in the JCR, get advice from older students. If you feel like you’re struggling with stress, I guarantee that someone else will be too. So, go and talk to them, and chances are that – like me – you’ll make lasting friendships.  

More information on the interview process can be found on the University of Oxford ’s website. 

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How to write a brilliant personal statement

Your personal statement satisfies a number of checkboxes for Admissions Tutors. It’s the first opportunity to give them the chance to meet the real you. You can demonstrate a passion to study your intended subject, show what you are capable of bringing to the university and faculty and prove why you are the applicant that should be offered a place.

As you only have a limited space to express yourself – just 4,000 characters or 47 lines in the UCAS box (whichever limit you reach first) which is equivalent to just over a full typed page of A4 – you need to make every included sentence count. It’s important to remember you only get to write one personal statement that will be sent to all your over university choices. Your statement needs to be tailored as much as you can to each of the courses you are applying to as you don’t want tutors to doubt your commitment to their university and course. 

There is one guarantee when writing a personal statement – you won’t get a quality, polished personal statement on your first attempt. In fact, it often takes many drafts, lots of editing and plenty of late-night spurs of inspiration to get a strong personal statement that encourages offers from your preferred universities. To assist you in getting started, we’ve gathered together the following useful tips that will lead you in the right direction and help you to get to grips with how to write a great personal statement for university. 

What should you include?

It’s called a personal statement but that doesn’t mean Admissions Tutors want a complete timeline of your life from childhood. They want to see the best side of your academic self, your passion for the course and subject you are applying to and an overview of your academic achievements that are relevant to your subject. In your personal statement, it’s beneficial to include;

• Any subject-related work experience you have completed or intend to carry out
• Any courses or lectures you have attended that advanced your knowledge
• Demonstrations of your interest extending beyond the classroom environment
• A relevant list of book, articles and essays you have read

Try to avoid simply listing the things you have done and instead, try to show how your reading and experiences have expanded your knowledge and developed your interests and understanding of your chosen subject. Relevant extra-curricular activities and achievements should also get a mention however, how much space you dedicate to this section is dependent on the university you are applying to. For students applying to Oxford, Cambridge or Imperial universities, extra-curricular activities should be kept to a footnote mention with a greater focus on your academic achievements. Students that are applying to universities such as Loughborough will need to include their extra-curricular achievements in more detail. These universities look at what you can bring to the faculty as a whole and supporting extra-curricular activities can show you will be a good fit. 

How do you start?

Starting your personal statement can be done in a million ways and is often the part that many students get stuck on. There is no correct way to start your statement off, some applicants choose to begin with a quote that is relevant to their interests while others open with an anecdote that provides insight into where their curiosity for the subject has come from. 

How you open will set the tone for the rest of your personal statement, including establishing your enthusiasm and interest in your subjects and providing the Admissions Tutor with an introduction to your personality. Never use someone else’s words or pretend to be someone else in your personal statement, the Admissions Tutors will quickly see through this and with only a short space to express your true academic self, you don’t want to waste space on other’s content. We recommend speaking as though you were speaking to your headteacher, in a clear, mature tone that retains a sense of who you are as an individual. 

How do you finish?

Finishing your personal statement can be as hard as finding the right words for your introduction. The final paragraph doesn’t have to be long or expansive, but simply enough to round off your statement and summarise your interest and dedication to your chosen subject. This part may need some reworking after 4,000 characters of blowing your own trumpet so get plenty of feedback to avoid getting carried away and coming across too arrogant or self-assured in your outro!

Is there anything to avoid?

Your personal statement is submitted alongside your UCAS form, so there is no need to rehash or revisit certain details such as your A-Levels or GCSE grades. Avoid mentioning anything that is readily available to the Admissions Tutors and instead, use the space to focus on selling your own subject interest and dedication. 

Aim to remain positive in your personal statement as you are selling your achievements and showing off why you are going to be a good choice for the university, so you should avoid using this space to explain potential disagreements that influenced your grade or reasons behind extended periods of leave. 

If there is further information that you feel is beneficial for the Admissions Tutors to know, you should talk to your teacher about including a note in the reference section of your UCAS form. Admission Tutors prefer to read this from the teacher’s point of view and it ensures you can use your personal statement space for the things that matter – the achievements, interests and eagerness that universities are looking for. 

Final advice

After potentially spending days, weeks and even months drafting, editing and reworking your personal statement, proof-reading may not seem like an exciting activity but it is absolutely essential. Typos can and do regularly change our opinion of a piece and its author, even if it is something minor in an otherwise engaging and informative article, so it’s key to ensure your personal statement is without grammatical flaws. 

Admission Tutors are likely to be strict on accuracy and grammar and to ensure your personal statement ticks the right boxes. We recommend asking your teachers, friends and parents to read over and proof-read your personal statement a few times. A further tip we can offer is to begin with the last sentence and work your way through your personal statement backwards, sentence by sentence. This ensures you can focus on the individual sentence and its accuracy and grammar, rather than getting distracted by the full statement. 

From all of us at Oxbridge Applications, we wish you the best of luck with your personal statement. It can be tricky, but look at it as your first challenge to university life and use this opportunity to talk about your best and most interesting subject – you!

Writing a personal statement for Oxford and Cambridge? We explore some of the frequently asked questions about Oxbridge personal statements in our  12 Personal Statement FAQs and answers  article.

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Oxford Interview questions: What might they ask and how to answer them

Last Updated: 19th October 2018

Author: Adi Sen

Table of Contents

Most students find the Oxford interview questions the most daunting part of applying to Oxbridge. Given the notoriety of the interviews and the level of attention they receive from the mainstream media, it is unsurprising that potential applicants are most uncertain about this part of the process.

Why interview?

Because of the sheer number of applications they receive, Oxford needs to use interviews to differentiate between candidates. For this reason, they form a very important part of the admissions process.

The interview also closely resembles the kind of teaching an undergraduate would receive at the university – through tutorials. Therefore, the interview gives admissions tutors an insight into the way an applicant thinks and whether they are suited to the style of teaching given at Oxford.

Oxford interview questions are often similar to the sorts of questions an undergraduate in their first year might be asked.

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 statement as the initiation for further questions. A strong understanding and grasp of the concepts and books you mention in your personal statement are advisable.

The second interview tends to be more specific. Here, Oxford interview questions tend to be specific. In a subject such as Economics, this could mean applying mathematical concepts such as differentiation to an Economic problem or situation. Or for humanities, such as History, this may mean delving into the specific historical issues raised in an essay the applicant provided or mentioned in the personal statement.

How to Prepare for the Oxford interview questions

Preparation should be thorough when thinking about how to answer any of the Oxford interview questions. At one level, this means ensuring you are completely familiar with the contents of your personal statement and those texts and writers/books you have mentioned in it.

At another level, it means pushing yourself by taking advantage of practice interviews. UniAdmissions offer a comprehensive package to support students applying to Oxford with the interview preparation.

The Comprehensive Oxbridge Course

Uniadmissions offer a comprehensive Oxbridge interview package, which covers all the possible Oxford interview questions that may be asked.

The course is specifically designed for students preparing for interviews at either Oxford or Cambridge University and offers guidance on what to do on the day of the interview.

Take a look at what support we can provide or feel free to get in touch with any further questions.

The interview itself is designed to examine the way you think and the reasoning you make to reach a solution to a problem. Oxford interview questions are probing in this sense. Admissions tutors will want to push you out of your comfort zone. Don’t expect them to rigidly adhere to any A-Level syllabus or the confines of your personal statement. You should be flexible and versatile, using the information they give you to reach a solution based on your knowledge and understanding.

The Oxford interview questions themselves are not about catching anyone out. You will be able to answer all of the hardest interview questions by just giving it a little thought about what you know. Tutors do not ask applicants unanswerable questions or unknowable questions based on information you don’t have. They could be interpreting data in front of you or exploring further a concept in your personal statement or ask questions based around a project you worked on at A-Level.

See where the Oxford interviews sit within the admissions timeline .

Oxbridge Interview Success: Buy the Book

Prepare for your interview by reading the ultimate guide to a successful Oxbridge interview.

Written by the top tutors at Oxbridge universities, you can read the common questions, useful interview tips and first-hand Oxford interview experiences written and collated by the people who have been through it all.

It covers a number of Oxford subjects so whatever course you’re looking to apply for, this is the number one guide to help you succeed in your application.

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• Medicine: How to Apply

Medicine: Anatomy of a Personal Statement

Download this page as a pdf document

Below is a personal statement from a recent applicant for A100 Medicine at Oxford. It is not perfect and it may not be suited to every medical school. There is no single template for success in terms of an application to Oxford. Other styles can be equally effective: we encourage individuality and diversity in our students. This statement is however a good example for an Oxford application because it helps us see that the applicant is attempting to match our selection criteria .

An applicant's personal statement is likely to be discussed by tutors during interview.

A well-written statement will not in isolation gain you an interview or a place. It forms one part of an application from a gifted applicant that can be considered alongside other information - academic record, BMAT score, school reference, interview performance - in the selection process at Oxford.

Statement & comments

Choosing to study medicine is not a decision I have taken lightly. It isn't a career I have wanted to do since a particularly young age, nor did a life changing event prompt my choice. I have thought very long and hard before deciding to apply.

At first glance, this might seem like a down-beat opening paragraph. Although you may think that an arresting opening statement will impress, admissions tutors may be sceptical of exaggerated descriptions of a revelatory moment or lifelong desire to become a doctor. This introduction shows honesty and a degree of introspection. Throughout the statement, the applicant works hard to show that they have a realistic view of medicine. You won't prove that you have the motivation for medicine by simply saying that you do: it is what you have done to inform yourself about the career - and the views that you have formed - that will convince us that you really know what being a doctor is like and that this is what you want to do.

Various periods of work experience have taught me much about the career. A local hospital placement gave me the opportunity to visit A&E, Radiology and Obstetrics and Gynaecology.

You won't prove that you have the motivation for medicine by simply saying that you do.

Whilst fleeting, these visits to the departments highlighted the variety and diversity of the fascinating specialities medicine encompasses. A placement shadowing a clinic staff was hugely informative regarding daily life as a doctor. During the day I sat in on consultations ranging from routine post natal checkups to discussions of treatment for young people with diabetes and overactive thyroid glands.

This student describes their experiences of healthcare that have helped them decide that they want to study and practise medicine. We understand that opportunities to obtain experience vary, so you won't be judged on what you've done: we want to know what you learned from doing it. The description of the placements here isn't over-exaggerated, and the applicant takes care to explain what they have seen and done and the insight each opportunity afforded them. The relatively detailed account of the infant's check-up conveys the impression of engagement during the placement and suggests an intellectual curiosity to understand the infant's condition and its treatment. The applicant also takes care to point out an example of the importance of good communication skills and argues how their sales position has helped them develop such skills.

Throughout my time there the doctor's genuine interest in his cases and unfaltering motivation highlighted to me the privilege of having such a stimulating profession. This, together with the ever advancing nature of a career in medicine, was brought to the fore by an infant who was having a check up as a result of her being put on an ECMO machine after her birth with Meconium Aspiration Syndrome. The ease with which the doctor broached and dealt with sensitive subject matter also emphasised the importance of a warm, approachable manner and an ability to communicate to a person on their level of understanding. I believe I have honed these skills and gained invaluable experience of the eccentricities of the general public myself in my job as a salesperson.

It is important to convey an impression of engagement and intellectual curiosity when talking about any work experience/placement/voluntary work.

Since February of this year I have volunteered in a care home for a couple of hours each week. I assist with serving meals to the residents as well as feeding one of the more infirm ladies. My time there has brought to my attention the more unpleasant side of medicine and has proved by far the most useful work experience I have had; preparing me for the stark realities of physical ageing and senility. In spite of this, I genuinely enjoy my time there; giving residents, some of whom go months without visitors, 10 minutes of my time to chat can be very rewarding in the obvious enjoyment they get from it. The experience has shown me very clearly the importance of caring for the emotional as well as the physical needs of patients.

This paragraph reaffirms the applicant's motivation for medicine. They admit that working in a nursing home is not glamorous but explain how rewarding it has been. There is evidence of analytical skills here and there is no doubt that the applicant has become well-informed about the realities of healthcare. Empathy comes across as well, with the applicant recognising that a brief interaction can have such a positive effect on the overlooked residents of the home.

Outside of my lessons I enjoy orienteering with a local club. As part of an expedition I took part in, we walked 80km over 4 days in torrential rain. The challenging conditions demanded teamwork and trust to maintain morale and perform effectively as a group; as well as calm rational thought in stressful situations. Also, through this activity and the people I met, I have become a member of the SJA which has enabled me to gain first aid qualifications and go out on duties.

Although the bulk of a personal statement should be academic-related, it is important to show a life outside of studying. The involvement in a club or association demonstrates wider spare time interests, and the description of the challenging walking expedition provides evidence that the student can work with others and can cope in an arduous situation, obliquely suggesting that they might have the capacity for sustained and intense work . The student also shows that they understand that taking time out to relax and manage any stress is important, and conveys the impression of good time management. The passing reference to the drama group reinforces the impression that this applicant is a team-player. It is useful to describe sporting or musical interests although, as, this applicant shows, these non-academic interests don't need to be particularly high-powered ones.

Other activities I enjoy include drama - I was a member of a local group for 6 years - cycling and playing the guitar and piano which allow me to relax.

Non-academic interests don't need to be particularly high-powered.

I know that medicine is not a "9 to 5" job and is by no means the glamorous source of easy money it is often perceived to be. I understand the hours are long and potentially antisocial and that the career can be physically exhausting and emotionally draining. It is apparent that becoming a medic will involve inherent sacrifice.

However medicine is also a deeply gratifying and fascinating career path. I want to be a medic because my passion and aptitude is foremost scientific and to me 5 or 6 years more of formal education followed by a lifetime of further learning sounds like a stimulating career option and, thankfully, a far cry from the monotony some jobs pose. Nevertheless, as an intrinsically social person, I would relish a career requiring the development of strong empathic relationships with patients too. Crucially, I know I have the enthusiasm, capacity for hard work and the open and enquiring mind needed to succeed in such a fulfilling vocation.

In the concluding paragraphs, the statement is emphasising that, although aware of the negative aspects associated with the practice of medicine, fact-finding placements have given the applicant the insight and motivation to be certain that it is the right career for them. The applicant ends by summarising the key personal attributes that they believe make them well-suited to medicine.

Verdict and advice for improvement

Of course, there is room for improvement with this statement. No reference is made to the scientific subjects that are being studied at school or to particular modules that the applicant has found particularly exciting: this could have helped convey enthusiasm and curiosity in science. Although the applicant asserts that they have an 'open and enquiring mind', there is no description of any extracurricular project or reading that the applicant might have undertaken, perhaps to help them understand a highly-charged ethical issue.

Despite those omissions, this is an effective personal statement. It is well constructed, connects with the reader, and the material flows in a logical sequence. It further conveys the impression that the applicant has done the research and knows exactly what is in store: they are not applying with a naive view or because that is what is expected of them. Writing a statement along these lines would provide a good foundation for a competitive applicant and offers lots of material that can be discussed at an interview.

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• Anatomy of a Personal Statement
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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.

Every year we hear from students that they are most apprehensive about the interview. We specialise in preparing students for their Oxford interview: improving their confidence, speaking and ability to give strong answers under pressure.

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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 – Medicine

Why are you sitting in this chair?

If you were in my position, would you let yourself in?

What would you do with a million pounds?

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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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.

Contact us now to schedule your Personal Statement Review and consultation.

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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.

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Top Tips for an Oxford E&M Personal Statement

Oxford economics & management personal statement – top 10 tips: do’s and don’ts.

The Oxford E&M Personal Statement is a crucial component of your university application. It presents a unique opportunity for you to differentiate yourself from other applicants. You would 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. It also provides 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 Oxford Economics & Management Personal Statement tips. This includes dos and don’ts– for your Oxford Economics & Management Personal Statement for the 2024/25 application cycle.

General Advice for Oxford E&M Personal Statement

The Economics and Management degree at Oxford is grossly concerned with how organisations and the economy operates. It also involves how the world’s scarce resources are allocated to achieve organisational objectives. The economics branch examines how this allocation is influenced and determined by governments, consumers, and firms. It goes further into how they influence each other and are intrinsically linked to one another. Management, on the other hand, examines how to coordinate and use labour and resources effectively within a firm, such that its desired objectives are met. 

The knowledge from both economics and management are complementary, with the understanding of each intended to support and strengthen the other. Hence, when writing your Oxford Economics & Management personal statement, incorporate your interest and understanding of both fields. Furthermore, when planning out your Oxford personal statement, make sure you research Oxford’s achievements in their relevant fields. Use it as a guide to illustrate your interest in Economics and Management.

Top 5 Tips for Oxford Economics & Management Personal Statement

1. explain why you are a good fit for economics & management ..

Economics and management students would have vastly different personalities and interest profiles from that of students from other courses. For example, economics and management students should be particularly able to have flexibility. They should also demonstrate their ability in constructing and assessing arguments.  You should be able to demonstrate that you display these desirable qualities in your Oxford Economics & Management personal statement. You can do so by referencing experiences that you have gone through that have caused you to be equipped with such traits. For example, you can show that you are flexible in constructing arguments through past debate competitions, or essay competitions that you have participated in or won. An experience might not be directly related to economics and management. However, the skills and qualities that you could have picked up from going through that experience are transferable. They could also be useful to you as an economics and management student.

2. Having a strong understanding of what the economics and management course entails .

Usually students’ understanding of a particular course of study is shaped by what they have witnessed in films or from their high school experience in related subjects. Some students may have taken economics in high school, which would definitely lay a good foundation for the course. However, definitely do not expect your university experience to be one and the same! Some students may consider the course to be too math-heavy as per their expectations, or they did not be expecting to write as many essays. Do ensure that you thoroughly research the course syllabus and have a realistic understanding of what the course entails. Demonstrating a pragmatic and sensible understanding of the course in your Oxford Economics & Management personal statement would also be favourable in your application. You can illustrate that you are a good fit for the course. Furthermore, it can display to Oxford tutors that you have a thought-through and reasonable motivation for wanting to study Economics and Management. For example, you can explain that you enjoy being able to study both essay-based and mathematics elements.

3. Being well-read in economics and management .

It is always recommended that you display that you are well-read in your Oxford personal statement. This is because it is a great way to display that you are interested and passionate about the subject. It also shows that you are a wide reader and are comfortable with perusing large volumes of text. This is a handy skill in any humanities or academically vigorous course.  Some books that are relevant to the economics and management course include End this Depression Now by Paul Krugman. You can also read The Bottom Billion by Paul Collier. Do keep in mind that reading is not only restricted to books! This could also include news articles, magazine columns, or even podcasts, documentaries, or Youtube videos! Finding a medium or format that is more accessible or tailored to your style of learning would be a great way for you to incorporate more content into your everyday lifestyle. For example, you could listen to a podcast when you are travelling to school instead of listening to your usual playlist.

4. Allowing yourself sufficient time to write your Oxford Economics & Management personal statement .

Many people mistakenly think that they can leave their Oxford Economics & Management personal statement to the last minute as it is only a 4000-character count essay. However, remember that you need time to redraft your Oxford Economics & Management personal statement multiple times. You also need to buffer enough time for seniors, friends, or career guidance counsellors to take time out of their schedule to read your Oxford personal statement. They can provide feedback on your work, and you can refine it based on their comments!

5. Having a good structure .

Structure matters a lot when writing your Oxford Economics & Management personal statement. It enhances readability. It also allows you to communicate exactly what you intended to your admissions tutor without anything being lost in translation! A good structure would include a short introduction paragraph briefly introducing why you want to study economics and management. Next, your body paragraphs could highlight desirable qualities and traits. These could include those that an economics and management student should have. It could also include aspects of the course that aligns well with your interest or type of personality. You could lastly conclude by summarising key points that you would like your Oxford tutors to take away.

Top 5 things to AVOID for your Oxford Economics and Management Personal Statement

1. mentioning and listing every experience and achievement that you have done ..

Even though you would have done a variety of activities and experiences in high school, not all of them would be relevant in your application to be an economics and management student. Many students misunderstand the application process, thinking that Oxford is looking for the most decorated, well-rounded student. However, they are instead looking out for the student who is a good fit for the economics and management programme instead. You could be the perfect student, but that does not mean you are the perfect economics and management student. There may be a specific experience that you definitely want to include in your Oxford Economics & Management personal statement but it is not relevant to the course. You can include it by talking about relevant qualities or skills that you have picked up from the experience. For example, volunteering and mission trips might not seem directly relevant to economics and management. However, you could explain it by stating that they initiated your desire to study economics as you hope to seek a deeper understanding of economic policies that can help reduce inequality or poverty.

2. Focusing your Oxford Economics & Management personal statement on economics or management and not both.

Do not forget that the course that you are applying for includes both economics and management, and the course syllabus is roughly split equally between the two! If you only focus on economics or management and leave out the other, this could signal to your admissions tutor that you are not clear on the course you are applying to. However, understandably, you would be applying to five different schools and courses in your university admissions. If you are applying to four other economics courses and Oxford’s economics and management programme is the only choice you are applying to, you can still mention both by leaving a section of your Oxford Economics & Management personal statement on management to acknowledge and show it.

3. Turning your Oxford personal statement into an economics essay instead of explaining your interest in the course .

Many applicants choose to mention an economic theory that got them first interested in economics, to use it as an opening to their Oxford Economics & Management personal statement or when they are explaining about a book or an article that they have read. However, do keep in mind that the focus of the Oxford Economics & Management personal statement should always be why you want to study economics and management and why the course would be a good fit for you. Do remember that Oxford tutors would already be extremely knowledgeable in their field. This means that regardless of how obscure or unconventional the theory that you are explaining is, you would not impress your Oxford tutors with it. They want to learn about you, and if they wanted to learn about a theory, they would read a textbook!

4. Not reflecting whenever you bring up a personal experience .

Whenever you mention an experience that you went through, always elaborate on it by linking it back to economics and management. For example, you could mention how the experience has caused you to pick up desirable traits that an admissions tutor would want in an economics and management student. You could also elaborate on how participating in such activities was due to your interest in economics and management, or how it grew your passion for it.

5. Exaggerating or lying about experiences in your Oxford Economics & Management personal statement .

If you are invited for an interview, the Oxford admissions tutors would be basing some of their interview questions on your Oxford Economics & Management personal statement. This means that they are likely to ask you to elaborate on some experiences or theories that you mentioned in your Oxford Economics & Management personal statement. If you exaggerated or lied about any experience that you have mentioned, it is likely that the Oxford tutor would catch you in the lie or realise that you were exaggerating. It is better for you to come off as authentic than deceitful, so be truthful when explaining your story!

→What is the Oxford E&M program?

The Oxford Economics and Management (E&M) program is an undergraduate degree program offered by the University of Oxford’s Saïd Business School. The program combines economics and management to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of business, finance, and economics.

→What are some tips for writing a strong Oxford E&M personal statement?

Some tips for writing a strong Oxford E&M personal statement include researching the program and demonstrating an understanding of the subject, highlighting relevant academic achievements and extracurricular activities, showcasing leadership and teamwork skills, and demonstrating a genuine passion for economics and management.

→What should be included in an Oxford E&M personal statement?

An Oxford E&M personal statement should include information about the candidate’s academic achievements, extracurricular activities, work experience, and personal qualities that are relevant to the program. It should also include specific examples of how the candidate has demonstrated leadership, teamwork, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills.

→How long should an Oxford E&M personal statement be?

The Oxford E&M personal statement 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 program.

→Is it important to tailor the personal statement to the Oxford E&M program specifically?

Yes, it is important to tailor the personal statement to the Oxford E&M program 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 E&M program?

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

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• PPE Oxford Personal Statement Example

Below you can read a great personal statement for the Oxford course in PPE. The candidate successfully applied and was invited to interview at Oxford .

PPE Oxford Personal Statement

As I wandered the halls of Westminster, clutched my dictionary while watching Question Time, and poured over economic reports trying to grasp the principles within, I realised that I wasn’t indulging mere childhood curiosity – I was allowing my destiny to find me. 

My thirst to understand the machinery of society was unquenchable, leading me to explore the intersections of politics , philosophy , and economics from my early days. I peppered my grandfather with wide-eyed questions on the impacts of policies as he recounted stories of spearheading union protests. 

I ploughed through dense biographies of iconic leaders and treatises on rights by enlightenment thinkers, enthralled by their ability to reshape reality as my multi-coloured highlighters etched Rousseau’s Social Contract and my fingers folded page corners of Friedman’s Capitalism and Freedom, I knew I was forging the first wrinkles into my brain that would one day house a masterful command of PPE.

This led me to choose A-level subjects – History , Economics, and English Literature – that would provide relevant conceptual foundations and prepare me for the rigorous PPE course. Achieving predicted grades of A*AA has equipped me with sharp analytical abilities, critical thinking skills, and articulate communication proficiency to succeed at Oxford .

My passion for politics was sparked by my grandfather’s involvement in trade union campaigns that opened my eyes to labour rights issues. As an inquisitive child, I peppered him with questions about policy impacts that he patiently answered, nurturing my intellectual curiosity. 

This led me to proactively expand my knowledge by watching documentaries on sociopolitical movements, reading biographies of leaders like Nelson Mandela and Aung San Suu Kyi fighting oppression, and following writers like Thomas Paine advocating radical reforms. I was fascinated by the power of political philosophy in inspiring real-world transformation.

An opportunity to intern with an MP at the Houses of Parliament allowed me unique insider perspectives on British politics. I closely observed the law-making process, party dynamics, and constituency responsibilities which reinforced deeper theoretical lessons from academic study. Attending parliamentary debates sharpened my critical thinking abilities as I analysed the argumentative techniques employed. Interacting with MPs from multiple parties also enlightened me on the varying ideological approaches which influence policy decisions. This first-hand experience solidified my passion for the multifaceted world of politics.

My interest in justice led me to participate extensively in school debates where I relished intellectual sparring, rhetorical skill development, and the construction of rational arguments. As president of the debating society in Year 13, I helped mentor junior students on persuasive speaking and logical reasoning to guide the school to county finals wins. In national Model United Nations events, building strong positions on complex global issues based on geopolitical constraints further honed my critical analysis and problem-solving abilities that will aid in my PPE study.

PPE’s interdisciplinary nature offers the perfect platform to advance my multipronged interests. Oxford’s tutorial approach will stretch my thinking capacities through rigorous engagement with eminent experts at the frontiers of their fields. The vibrant, diverse student communities I interacted with on-campus visits also strongly appealed to me; just the sort of collegial yet competitively stimulating PPE environment I seek to fulfil my potential as I chart my path in public service. I am confident my proactive passion for politics, honed philosophical perspectives, strong economics foundations, communication and leadership skills, and fierce work ethic make me well prepared to thrive on this prestigious course.

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• WEATHER ALERT Dense Fog Advisory Full Story
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• PERSONAL FINANCE

Gold investment with Beverly Hills company ends with loss of thousands of dollars, customers say

A Beverly Hills company that converts retirement accounts into precious metals vanished, and customers fear their savings have gone with it.

An ABC7 investigation found the once highly-rated company, Oxford Gold Group, has a slew of complaints against it and the Better Business Bureau has revoked its accreditation.

Grant Olsen, a viewer who tipped off Eyewitness News to the story, fears he'll never see his money again.

"It's so much money, it's mind boggling," said Olsen, adding that the situation has led to sleepless nights.

"Oh, it was all of my retirement, all of it. I took $200,000 out of my principal 401K and put it into this supposedly gold IRA," says Olsen.

He says he invested the money after hearing commercials about Oxford Gold Group. He says he did an online search and found it had good reviews.

But a few months ago, he received notices from a depository company that told him the physical gold never arrived. He says he was able to speak to the company CEO and was told not to worry.

"And he would always call me right back. I would leave him a text message, and he would call within 5 minutes, and so... him just calling me back kind of put me at ease," he said.

But soon he felt something wasn't right. He received a notice the depository company wasn't doing business with Oxford Gold anymore.

He says he was so worried, he went to the company office on Wilshire Boulevard.

He posted pictures on his Facebook page of what he found - an office that was closed and appeared to be empty, and a monitor that boasted positive reviews.

"It was like abandoned. They had a like a a UPS package on the desk, and that was it, and everything was pretty much as clean as a whistle," Olsen said.

On Oxford Gold's website , we found a number of bad reviews, most of them within the last three months. Many of the posts contain phrases like "stole my money," "Stolen Funds," and "Oxford gold is a scam."

On the Better Business Bureau website , it says the company's accreditation is revoked. It claims there are 95 complaints filed against the business.

Olsen worries the company and his money are gone. Now, he's worried he wont be able to retire at all.

"I work full time, and I hope to work full time till I'm 70 or till I'm 75 or drop dead," Olsen said.

Eyewitness News called and emailed the company several times, including the CEO and others, asking for a comment or statement about the allegations. So far, they have not been returned.

Related Topics

• BEVERLY HILLS
• LOS ANGELES COUNTY
• BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU

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Applications now open for the Fintest Rising Star Scholarship 2024

About the Fintest Rising Star Scholarship

The Fintest Rising Star Scholarship 2024 offers a £1,000 award to undergraduate students who demonstrate a keen interest in finance and a commitment to driving innovation in the sector. This scholarship aims to ease the financial burden of their studies and recognize their potential to transform the financial industry.

Scholarship Details

• Award: £1,000
• Application Deadline: 30 October 2024
• Winner Announcement: 23 December 2024
• Award Date: 12 January 2025

Applications

To apply, you will need to complete an online application form, write a 500 word essay about a project strategy or idea, and provide a form of academic proof.

Find out more and apply for the scholarship on the Fintest website . 

More Careers Service News  >> 

We appreciate all the hard work that teachers put into supporting students to make applications to Oxford University. Our  guide for applicants  has comprehensive information about all stages of the Oxford admissions process; on this page we have drawn together further, specific advice for teachers based on the questions we are most frequently asked or what is most topical. 

Update on testing arrangements

New arrangements for oxford's own admissions tests from this year.

As you may know, tests form one part of Oxford's admissions process and are used alongside a range of information to help us assess candidates’ academic potential and suitability for many of our courses. We have been very grateful for your patience while we have been putting in place arrangements for our admissions tests for 2024 and are delighted to let you know that Oxford has appointed global assessment leader Pearson VUE to manage the delivery of these tests.

All tests will be online and delivered via Pearson VUE’s established network of test centres. In 2024 there will continue to be no charge for candidates to register for Oxford's own tests. This year’s tests will take place between 21-31 October and are as follows:

Oxford's own admissions tests are:

• AHCAAT (Ancient History and Classical Archaeology Admissions Test) - NEW
• BMSAT (Biomedical Sciences Admissions Test) - NEW
• CAT (Classics Admissions Test)
• HAT (History Admissions Test)
• MAT (Mathematics Admissions Test)
• MLAT (Modern Languages Admissions Test)
• PAT (Physics Admissions Test)
• PHILAT (Philosophy Admissions Test for Philosophy and Theology only (for Philosophy and Theology only)
• TSA (Thinking Skills Assessment).

Test dates: 

To be confirmed.

Individual test dates and guidance on preparation will be confirmed via ox.ac.uk/tests  as soon as possible. In the meantime, for all pre-existing Oxford tests, candidates may find the current practice materials on test pages useful.

Candidates for all of the above Oxford tests will be able to register free of charge with Pearson VUE between 15 August and 4 October. When registering, candidates will be able to request the access arrangements which are normally available to them for public examinations taken in their school or college.

Please note arrangements for the LNAT (Law national Admissions test) will be unchanged this year.

Applicants for Medicine and Medicine (graduate entry) will be required to take the UCAT (Universities Clinical Aptitude Test) from 2025 entry.

Test preparation:

Further information on test preparation and practice materials can be found on individual test pages . 

If you have a query that is not covered here or in our  applying to Oxford pages , please  contact us .

Encourage your students to do their own research

Encourage your students to do their own research on how to make a successful application using all the resources we make available, especially our advice on  choosing a course ,  choosing a college ,  suggested reading  and  how to apply .

Help them to choose the right degree

Course choice is the most important decision students have to make at this stage. As you know your students best, challenge them to consider courses that they might not be aware of but that might ultimately lead them onto careers they are well-suited to. For example a student doing science A-levels who loves Physics, might indeed wish to study Physics at university, but may also like to consider Engineering, Earth Sciences or Materials Science. Visit our  course pages  for full details.

What makes a strong application?

Competition for places is high, and so those considering an application need to be realistic about their chances of being offered a place.

We are looking for candidates who have a strong academic background: generally this will mean a good performance at GCSE (or equivalent) and predicted A-level (or equivalent) grades that meet the entrance requirements for a particular course.

Many successful candidates are predicted and go on to achieve grades that exceed the entrance requirements for their course. Candidates do not need to have an immaculate record of top grades, but they do need to be amongst the best achieving students from their school.

You can find more information on a range of qualifications on our  admissions requirements  pages. In addition, if required for a candidate's chosen course, the quality of submitted written work  and/or performance in an  admissions test will affect their chances of being shortlisted for interview. 

UCAS forms and the academic reference

All applications must be submitted online via UCAS. There is a wealth of advice on the  UCAS website  and on the  UCAS application page  of our website. Remember that Oxford has a much earlier deadline than most universities: 15 October of the year before entry - unless this date falls on a weekend - in which case it will be the 16 or 17 October.

We are aware that UCAS has  announced some changes to the format of academic references this year. There is no specific character count for each section but there is a limit of up to 4,000 characters (including spaces, headings and line breaks) or 47 lines of text (whichever comes first) to be spread across three sections. Further guidance is available on our UCAS application page .

The reference does not need to be written by the head teacher or head of sixth form; it is more important that it is written by someone who knows the student well enough to comment on their academic abilities and any personal qualities that will help them to succeed. Often the subject teacher in the most relevant field to the applicant’s chosen course is best suited to write the reference.

Ideally, the content in Section three should focus on the academic skills and experiences of the student, with the reference giving prominence to the subjects the student is undertaking that are most relevant to their chosen degree. If this means that the information on the candidate’s A-level Biology course is twice that devoted to their A-level in English Literature because they are applying for a degree in Biology, that is highly appropriate.

If the school or college uses a standardised template and/or it is traditionally completed by the head teacher or head of sixth form, it is still useful to receive comments from the most relevant subject teacher which can subsequently be included in the reference.

The reference is a good opportunity to focus on the individual applicant and their particular strengths relevant to their chosen subject.

Tutors at Oxford, like other universities, are interested to find out if the student is expected to flourish in an intensive academic environment and how they may cope with a sustained workload; specific examples are useful here. Relating the relevant selection criteria to specific pieces of work, activities, experiences or interactions with the students are helpful indicators and bring the candidate’s qualities to life.

The University is aware that, in line with the Data Protection Act and General Data Protection Regulation, students can obtain a copy of the UCAS reference if they choose to do so and sometimes this can have an effect on the overall nature of the reference. Whilst it may seem difficult for a reference to include comments which, although accurate, do not portray the applicant positively, it is important to recognise that it is ultimately not in the interests of either the candidate or the referee to overstate a candidate’s suitability for study on a demanding course.

Section three of the UCAS reference should be used to address the individual applicant and their skills, achievements and qualities relevant to the student’s chosen subject. The particular strengths and achievements of the school the student attends should be mentioned only in Section one of the reference. Please note these have more limited value unless they have a direct impact on the particular applicant.

UCAS's website guidance advises schools and colleges on how to use Section one to make a general statement about their institution.

Oxford uses information on the educational context of an applicant’s school or college to help assess applications, but this is not derived solely from the reference. You can find out more about this on our contextual data webpage.

Section one should also be used to mention if there are particular issues that may have had a direct impact on the applicant (e.g. high staff turnover, major disruption because of rebuilding work which closed the labs for a term). However, given the overall limitation of 4,000 characters for the reference, if there is more required then it is best to include a more detailed statement on the school website and then include the URL link in the reference. 

Predicted grades

Predicted grades are an important part of applications so please do include these alongside any 'pending' qualifications your students have entered in the Education section of their UCAS application. 

When predicting grades, the details you give in the reference on how you (or your school or college) are determining what differentiates this candidate and, for example what makes them an A* or A grade student, are really helpful to tutors.

Methods of making predictions will of course vary from institution to institution but tutors value the key role teachers play in providing reliable information about a student’s academic potential in a particular subject.

Predicted grades for international candidates

In the UK most students apply to university at the beginning of their final year of school and before they have taken their school leaving exams. Teachers are asked to predict their student’s grades in any exams they are yet to take. If their application is successful they will be made a conditional offer, the condition being to achieve the required grades in any outstanding exams.

We understand that this is different from the way things are done in other countries and this may be new to you. However it is an important part of the application process to Oxford, and if you do not include predicted grades alongside any pending qualifications listed by the student in the Education section of their UCAS form, this will significantly decrease your student’s chance of getting a place. Please check our  international qualifications page .

Disabilities or extenuating circumstances.

Please use Section 2 of your UCAS academic reference to tell us about any disability or specific learning difficulty that may affect your student's application. Our Disability Advisory Service provides support from the point of considering an application right up until graduation. If your student needs extra time or other support for exams, please make sure that this is noted when  registering for admissions tests.

Sadly some students have to deal with a serious illness, bereavement, a challenging home life or other extreme difficulty. If your student has experienced extra challenges and yet is still getting top grades and would like to study at a top university, we would like to be made aware of this. Please make sure the situation is mentioned in Section 2 of the academic reference. If for any reason you feel it is not appropriate to give this information on the UCAS application or because your student needs to provide further details or evidence, in addition to the information provided in the reference, it is best to contact the college that is considering their application (this can be done after the deadline, if the student is making an open application).

Personal statement advice

From Oxford’s point of view, the purpose of the personal statement is to provide additional information in the applicant’s own words about why they have chosen the subject and why they think they are suitable for the course. Please direct your student(s) to our  guidance on writing your personal statement .

Tutors understand that the UCAS personal statement is written for up to four other university choices and therefore it cannot be tailored specifically for Oxford, especially for those subjects, and combinations of subjects, that few other universities offer. Nevertheless, it is helpful if the student applies to courses that are similar in nature at their university choices, otherwise writing the personal statement becomes more challenging.

Unlike some other universities, Oxford does not use the personal statement alone to make offers, or reject applicants, as tutors have access to a wide range of more detailed additional information beyond the UCAS application. 

Admissions tests

Please see above for an update on testing. The latest information will be available on our admissions test pages. 

Candidates can find lots of advice about the interviews process and how to prepare on our  interviews  pages. They will also find demonstration interviews for many courses. 

Offering practice interviews

Giving candidates the opportunity to discuss their motivation for the course and their academic interest in the subject for which they are intending to apply will be of great benefit to them.

Often students are experienced in expressing themselves coherently and with enthusiasm on paper (as will be demonstrated in their personal statement), but some students may have greater difficulty in vocalising their opinions and academic interests in an academic interview context.

A practice interview will help the candidate to gain more experience of talking about themselves and their academic interests in an unfamiliar environment. 

However, drilling students and asking them to memorise large amounts of pre-rehearsed material or answers will be of little use to them in the interview context, as the Oxford tutors leading the interviews are able to spot this kind of approach very quickly.

Other ways to prepare: revision and wider reading

If students have studied the subject that they are applying for at school or college, then a solid knowledge of the field will be required, particularly in science subjects. Students should therefore aim to revise topics they have covered at school or college in the past year.

Candidates are encouraged to explore their subject widely and outside their school or college study, as well as developing and extending their knowledge on topics that may have interested them within their A-level (or equivalent) course.

Candidates should develop their own curiosity and commitment for their subject and should undertake further reading and exploration to foster that interest. This will help them demonstrate their motivation for the proposed course of study at interview.

Wider reading can include newspaper articles, websites, journals, magazines and other publications that relate to their subject, and exploration of their subject could also involve watching relevant TV documentaries or films, visiting museum exhibitions or attending public lectures. They may also wish to explore examples of their subject area in the wider world, such as taking an interest in the scientific or economic theories that underlie news stories. If you know your student has enjoyed a particular aspect of their subject with you at school, then we also encourage you to suggest further resources for them.

It is important to note that reading widely on its own is not enough; students should be encouraged to take a critical view of ideas and arguments that they encounter at school or college, or in the media and think about all sides of any debate. It is better to read fewer books or articles but read them critically and in depth, than read more materials but in a shallower way. Keeping a reading journal can be a useful way of recording their thoughts.

Forming discussion groups of students with similar subject interests can be a good way for your students to gain experience of talking about issues and themes within their subject. If there are not many interested students at your school, consider collaborating with other local schools. Online forums can also be useful places for discussion.

How can students show their passion for a subject they haven't studied before?

If your student is applying for a subject they have not studied before, they should carefully think about the reasons for choosing this new subject, and may wish to undertake some preparatory reading to explore their interest in that area and to ascertain whether it might be the right course for them. However in-depth knowledge of the field is not a requirement. When tutors are assessing candidates who intend to study a subject they have not formally studied at school, they are predominantly looking at the candidate’s skills and aptitudes rather than any specific knowledge.

Feedback on your student’s application

Competition for places is very strong. It is very competitive to get a place at Oxford. The success rates are published on each  course page .

There are three stages when candidates find out about the progress of their applications:

• In late November or early December when they hear whether or not they have been shortlisted for interview
• By mid-January, shortlisted candidates will be informed if their application has been successful or not
• Most offers are conditional and so confirmation of a student's place typically depends on achieving the required grades in their A-levels or other exams.

Applicants can ask for feedback , but must do so from the college which considered their application (unless they applied for Medicine or Biomedical Sciences, in which case they should ask the department). Contact details can be found for each college admissions office on each of our  college pages .

Feedback may also be provided to the referee or to the Head or Principal of the school/college, either in general terms or in relation to a specific application. However, please note that specific feedback in relation to an applicant can only be given in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and our Undergraduate applicant privacy policy . 

We hope that students whose applications are not successful will go to other excellent universities and enjoy their studies. Some may then wish to consider a graduate degree at Oxford.

Come to an event or sign up for our teachers' newsletter

We run many events for teachers . Colleges and departments organise many study days and other events, which are listed on our  outreach events page . Keep up to date with news by signing up for our  teachers’ newsletter .

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.