When studying in the UK is mentioned, you cannot miss all the renowned universities in this country. And of course, the reputation of Cambridge and Oxford university is no stranger to anyone. In this article, Smartay Education will present in detail the process of applying into Oxbridge (Oxford and/or Cambridge).
Being admitted into studying in top universities in the UK is no easy feat for a lot of students with all the complexed application procedures and strict interviews. Let us go through 10 steps in the application process into Oxbridge from the experience of Smartay Education students.
- Choose the university and college for application:
- It is not possible to apply to both Oxford and Cambridge in the same admission cycle.
- The students need to make sure that they understand completely about the course and the university and more importantly the college that they wish to get in. If the student does not have any preference, they can choose the ‘Open application option’
- The student must also considerate the rest 4 options for university carefully just in case they fail the 1st
- Independent research project:
Based on the degree that the student wishes to apply, students may need to prepare their independent research project, for example, Art students need to submit their Portfolio together with the application. Normally starts at the beginning of the Spring term (January) of year 12.
- Personal statement recourses for super-curricular development
From March, students should start drafting their personal statement as well as focus on super-curricular development for an in-depth understanding of the curriculum of the degree they wish to apply for. The research will help students in writing about motivation, commitment to study the chosen subjects, plans, goals, etc.
4. Work experience
Summertimes is ideal for taking a part-time job related to the major that the student wants to study. Students can apply for Paid or Unpaid jobs in which they receive relevant experience and gain insights into the job that shows the seriousness of their intention to study in the student’s personal statement.
5.Checking the application
By end of August, Application should be ready in place:
- Personal statement
- Independent research project
- UCAS application
- IELT
6. Submission
Deadline for Oxbridge application is 6.00 PM (UK time) 15th October
7. Prep for the Pre-interview assessment test and the Interview
Once the application is submitted, students need to focus to prepare for the assessment test and practice interview questions.
8. Pre-Interview Assessment Test
Approximately 2 weeks after the submission of application, candidates are required to sit a Pre-Interview Assessment Test as a part of their application. The test result may add more evidence of the student’s academic ability in addition to the AS Level exam result for supervisor team’s reference.
9. Interview
Students are invited for the interview only if their applications are considered to be worthy and the supervisor team would like to get an insight into how you think and how you apply your knowledge and skills. Interview is normally taken 2 months after the submission date.
10. Decision date
Students can expect to hear back from the university in Mid-January.