Skip to content ↓
Week 1| Week 2

Connect With Us

Applying to Oxford and Cambridge

Oxford and Cambridge are world-renowned for their tutorial/supervision system, where you learn in very small groups (often 1-to-1 or 1-to-2) with leading experts. Because of this intensity, the application process is designed to find students with the highest level of academic curiosity and stamina.

Key Rules to Remember

  • The "One or the Other" Rule: You cannot apply to both Oxford and Cambridge in the same year. You must choose one.
  • The Early Deadline: While the standard UCAS deadline is in January, the Oxbridge deadline is 15th October at 6:00 pm. You must have your entire application, including your personal statement and teacher reference, finished well before this.

The 2026/27 Admissions Overhaul

Important for 2026 Applicants: Oxford has significantly changed its admissions tests. Many old tests (like the MAT, PAT, and TSA) have been replaced by new computer-based assessments managed by UAT-UK.

  • TMUA (Test of Mathematics for University Admission): Now used for Maths and Computer Science at Oxford (replacing the MAT).
  • ESAT (Engineering and Science Admissions Test): Now used for Engineering, Physics, and Biomedical Sciences.
  • TARA (Test of Academic Reasoning for Admissions): A new reasoning test replacing the TSA for subjects like Economics & Management and PPE.
  • UCAT/LNAT: These remain the standard tests for Medicine and Law.

Action: Check your specific course page on the university website immediately to see which test you need to register for. Most registrations open in July and close in September.

The "Collegiate" System

Both universities are made up of individual colleges. You don't just "go to Oxford"; you belong to a specific college (e.g., Keble College, Oxford or King’s College, Cambridge).

  • Choosing a College: Look for things like accommodation costs, distance from your department, and the "feel" of the grounds.
  • Open Applications: If you can’t decide, you can submit an "Open Application." You will be assigned to a college that has fewer applicants that year. This does not affect your chances of getting in.

The Selection Process

Oxbridge looks at "the whole person," but they weigh academic data much more heavily than extracurricular hobbies.

Stage What to Expect
1. Academic Record
They look closely at GCSE results and predicted A-Level grades (usually A*AA or A*A*A).
2. Admissions Tests
Used to "filter" the thousands of applicants. These tests assess how you think, not just what you know.
3. Written Work
Some courses (like History or English) require you to submit marked school essays by early November.
4. The Interview
If shortlisted, you will be interviewed in December. These are academic discussions designed to see how you respond to new, challenging ideas.

How The Cottesloe School Supports You

We want our highest-achieving students to aim high. If you are considering an Oxbridge application:

  1. Early Identification: Notify the Sixth Form team in Year 12 if you are a high-attaining student interested in Oxbridge.
  2. Unifrog: Use the "Oxbridge" tool on Unifrog to compare colleges and entry requirements.
  3. Mock Interviews: We can arrange mock interviews with staff or external partners to help you practice academic "thinking out loud."
  4. Super-Curriculars: To succeed, you must go beyond your A-Level syllabus. Read journals, listen to university podcasts, and enter essay competitions.

Key Resources

Remember: Oxbridge is a challenge, but it is one that many students from schools exactly like Cottesloe succeed in every year. Start your research early!

Cookie Policy