Applying to Oxbridge: a guide for international students

Applying to study at the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge (collectively often referred to as Oxbridge) is difficult for those outside the UK. Your students will most likely need a lot of support during the months that they spend preparing their applications, so we suggest learning more about how you can help them through the various steps of the process.

UK university admissions process

First, we will quickly review standard UK university applications.

1. Ucas applications

All applicants to UK universities – including Oxford and Cambridge – need to apply via the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (Ucas). The process for creating a Ucas hub is the same for UK and international students.

Along with their application form, applicants will need to provide supporting material, including a personal statement and a reference written by you or another member of the school faculty.

The expected standard for these materials is significantly higher for Oxbridge than for other universities, owing to the high number of applications received annually by both universities and the overall quality of applicants. It is vital that you research how you can best provide guidance to those writing Oxbridge personal statements – and learn how to write an Oxbridge-quality reference.

One slight difference between Oxford and Cambridge and most other universities is the need to choose a college. Oxford and Cambridge both operate on a collegiate system, where admissions and many aspects of student life are handled by individual colleges rather than the university itself. Applicants will need to make a college choice in their Ucas application form, so encourage students to research the various options available to them.

Oxbridge applicants – like any applicant to a UK university – have the option to apply to up to five universities. However, they are not allowed to apply to both Oxford and Cambridge. They will need to select which of the two they wish to apply for – this selection cannot be changed once submitted. Those applying to study medicine will also be limited to four medicine courses within their five choices.

The application deadline for all Oxbridge and medicine applicants is 16 October (previously 15 October), so all university/college choices, personal statements and references must be completed and submitted by this date.

2. English language tests

As with any application to a UK university, overseas students will most likely need to complete an English language test. Oxford accepts the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and C1 Advanced (formerly Cambridge English Advanced). Cambridge primarily accepts the IELTS and TOEFL, although some courses will accept the C1 Advanced (details are found on individual course pages).

3. Grade requirements

The last step of the standard application is to ensure that students are on track to achieve the required grades for their course. Oxford and Cambridge have some of the highest grade requirements in the UK, so your students will need to be high achievers to be considered for a place.

There is a large variation in grading schemes across the world, so both Oxford and Cambridge have pages dedicated to explaining the grade requirements for different countries. Oxford’s can be found here, and Cambridge’s can be found here. We strongly suggest using these resources to determine your students’ suitability for Oxbridge.

Oxbridge also accepts International Baccalaureate diplomas for their courses. The average requirements for Oxford are 38-40 points, with the potential for specific grade requirements, while Cambridge tends to require 40-42 points and 776 at higher level.

Oxbridge admissions requirements

For most universities, submitting the application form and achieving the required grades would mark the completion of their application. However, Oxford or Cambridge (as well as medicine and other select courses) require additional steps.

1. Oxbridge admissions tests

Other than for medicine and law, admissions tests are uncommon in UK university applications. However, most Oxbridge applicants are required to sit a test at some point in their application process. These tests can be very challenging and require a lot of preparation, so it is important that you make your students aware of the revision and practice they will need to undertake.

In addition to general admissions tests, such as the BioMedical Admissions Test (BMat) and Law National Aptitude Test (LNat), Oxford and Cambridge offer a range of subject-specific tests. These include tests such as the Thinking Skills Assessment (TSA), the Natural Sciences Admissions Assessment (NSAA) for Cambridge natural sciences and the Physics Aptitude Test (PAT) for Oxford physics.

Changes in admissions tests are fairly common, although applicants over the next two years will be facing a series of major changes. This includes the cancellation of various admissions tests in 2024, such as the BMat, the NSAA and the Test of Mathematics for University Admission, and various changes taking place in Oxford admissions tests. It is important to educate yourself about these changes and to communicate the information to those in your cohort who will be affected.

The tests are designed to examine both subject-specific knowledge and general skills, such as critical thinking and problem-solving. They take a variety of formats, including multiple choice, written answers and free-form essays, all of which are scored and used when shortlisting applicants for interview.

Many of these tests are taken in October, although some Cambridge admissions tests are sat directly before interview. Either way, your applicants will need to dedicate time for preparation starting at least two months in advance, in order to be comfortable sitting the exam.

Most admissions tests must be sat at an official centre. There should be at least one official testing centre in your country, although distance and travel may be an issue for some of your students. Online resources are available to find the closest Oxford testing centres and Cambridge testing centres to you, as well as LNat testing centres, which are run independently.

There are various marking schemes used for the different tests. However, applicants should always aim to achieve an above-average score to stand a better chance of success. More details about Oxbridge admissions tests, including scoring statistics, can be found in this admissions test guide.

2. Oxbridge interviews

All subjects at Oxford and Cambridge require students to undergo at least two interviews, typically held between December and January. Conducted by college admissions tutors and subject experts, these interviews are intentionally rigorous, testing applicants on various skills and character traits.

A successful interview significantly improves an applicant’s chance of receiving an offer, meaning that preparation is crucial. Schools can support students through mock interviews and interview-technique lessons, as well as providing emotional assistance when it comes to dealing with the pressure of the day.

Your students will need to attend at least two Oxbridge interviews in the first three weeks of December. Applicants receive invitations for interviews roughly two weeks in advance via email, although preparations for interviews should begin much earlier than this. Full official interview timetables are released far in advance, and these outline when applicants for each subject will be interviewed – although exact dates and timings will also be included in the student’s invitation.

Be aware that some applicants may need to attend additional interviews if they are rejected by their original college choice. These typically take place in January, after initial offers are released.

In previous years, overseas applicants would have had the choice of attending interviews in person, attending an interview in their home country or having an online interview. In recent years, Oxbridge has pivoted to mostly holding online interviews, so your students will be able to attend their interviews without travelling.

They will need to ensure that they have an appropriate location and the correct technology for the interview. They may need to attend their interview at school, so ensure that they have a quiet, distraction-free environment for it.

Final steps

Once your students have completed their applications, the remainder of the process is roughly the same as for any other UK university. Offers are released in early January, meaning that these will likely be the first offers that successful students receive. The offers will be received via Ucas, and students can confirm their offer in the usual way.

Once the offer is confirmed, international applicants will need to complete a financial declaration and proceed with the standard processes for attending university in the UK. You can view the Oxford international student guide and Cambridge international student guide for further details on how to help your students prepare for their studies.