How to Get Admission in the University of Oxford

How Oxford teaches: the tutorial system

The University of Oxford is a collegiate university in England known for its tutorial system — small-group teaching where students discuss their work closely with academics, alongside lectures and classes. Understanding this is useful because admissions is designed to identify students who will thrive in that intensive, discussion-based environment.

This guide outlines the official undergraduate process. Exact deadlines, tests, and requirements are set by Oxford and change each year, so always confirm the current details on the official Oxford admissions pages.

Entry requirements and choosing a course

Oxford sets academic entry requirements for each course, which it states in terms of A-levels, the International Baccalaureate, and recognised equivalents for international qualifications. You apply for a specific course, so the first step is to read the official course page and check whether your qualifications and subjects meet the stated requirements.

Because requirements are course-specific and updated regularly, verify them on the official Oxford site rather than relying on general information.

The October UCAS deadline

Oxford has an earlier UCAS deadline than most UK universities — historically in mid-October. You apply through UCAS, and missing this deadline normally means you cannot be considered that cycle. Note you can normally apply to either Oxford or Cambridge in the same year, not both.

Start early so your UCAS form, personal statement, and academic reference are ready, and so you can register for any required admissions test in time. Confirm the exact date on UCAS and the Oxford site.

Admissions tests and written work

Many Oxford courses require an admissions test and/or submission of written work as part of the assessment. The specific test depends on the course and is updated regularly, so you must check the current requirement for your exact course and register by the stated deadline where one applies.

For medicine, note that the BMAT has been discontinued (final sitting autumn 2023); UK medicine now generally uses the UCAT. Verify which assessment your chosen course requires directly on the official admissions page.

• Check whether your course needs an admissions test, and register on time
• Prepare any written work the course asks you to submit
• Medicine: the UCAT is the standard UK admissions test (BMAT discontinued)

December interviews

Shortlisted applicants are invited to interviews, which Oxford typically holds in December. Interviews are academic and subject-focused, exploring how you reason about your subject rather than testing memorised answers. They may be conducted online or in person depending on Oxford's current arrangements, including for international applicants.

Admission is competitive and decisions rest with the university and its colleges — no service can guarantee a place. Prepare by deepening your subject knowledge and practising thinking aloud.

Colleges and offers

Oxford is made up of colleges, and you can either choose a college or make an open application in which the university assigns one for consideration. Your college does not change the Oxford degree you earn. After interviews, the university makes decisions and successful applicants receive offers, usually conditional on final exam results.