Oxford University is one of the most coveted institutions for both aspirants of undergraduate and post graduate courses around the world. Besides being an institution that has been around for years, having housed the greatest minds of the world at some time or the other, this institution has been pinnacle of excellence in education and has set benchmarks for other schools and universities.

How to get into OXFORD?

Firstly, it’s no piece of cake. Getting into Oxford is Indian equivalent of Chaar Dham( trip to the four holy hindu temples). To get into oxford for undergrad courses, students have to fill out an extensive application form that includes essays, personal statement, recommendations/reference and tests. Not all courses require tests so it is imperative that students avail the information available of the website beforehand.  For subjects like Biochemistry, Archaeology, and Anthropology you needn’t appear for any test. For Biomedical, Chemistry, Classics, classics and oriental studies you need to appear for their respective tests as available on Oxford’s website: https://www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/undergraduate/applying-to-oxford/tests?wssl=1

If you want to study at Oxford, students need to apply a year before the start date of the designated course by completing the online application form at www.ucas.com. Applications open in early September, and the deadline is 6pm UK time on 15 October every year. Late applications are not accepted. If you are applying before you complete your schooling, then your referee needs to provide you with predicted grades.

Tuition Fee: it is determined by your fee status, which could be either Home (UK) , EU( European union) , overseas (outside European union) or Islands. Overseas students applying to Oxford pay two fees: annual tuition fee which will amount to anywhere between £15,295 and £22,515.

For International students, there are no quotas or targets and therefore it is completely an open competitive admission process. While the application process itself is the same, there are a number of additional elements international students will need to consider when applying to Oxford, including English language requirements, visa and immigration information.

According to the website ‘’ Year XII qualification, studied with either the CBSE or ISC examination boards, with an achievement of 90% in each of the five subjects studied. Science subjects may also require that candidates take the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) entrance examinations as a pre-condition for entry.” These are the entrance level qualification needed for aspirants. Oxford also accepts other qualification exams including the International Baccalaureate and US SATs and APs.

English Language Requirements: non native English speaking applicants need to appear for qualifying tests, the score of which is a determinant in your application process. Either of these is acceptable for Oxford:

• IELTS: overall score of 7.0 (with at least 7.0 in each of the four components)
• TOEFL (paper-based): overall score of 600 with a Test of Written English score of 5.5
• TOEFL (internet-based): overall score of 110 with component scores of at least: Listening 22, Reading 24, Speaking 25, and Writing 24.
• Cambridge English: Advanced, also known as the Certificate of Advanced English (CAE): grade A if taken before January 2015, or a score of at least 185.
• Cambridge English: Proficiency, also known as the Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE): grade B if taken before January 2015, or a score of at least 185.
• English Language GCSE, or O-level: grade B (for IGCSE, please see below)
• International Baccalaureate Standard Level (SL): score of 5 in English (as Language A or B)
• European Baccalaureate: score of 70% in English.

Exceptions:

• Studied the International Baccalaureate programme, if it is taught in English
• Studied the Singapore Integrated Programme (SIPCAL)
• Been educated full-time in the medium of the English language throughout the two most recent years before the 15 October application deadline, and who remain in full-time education conducted in the English language until the end of the school year in their home country. (Source: oxford website)

An important note: while you can apply through UCAS to five university programs in the UK, you cannot apply to Oxford and Cambridge in the same year. You can also make college preferences as well as send in an open application. But make sure you do it by the 15th of October! Good luck!

Mallika Bhagat