Oxford International Applicants

I am holding a conditional offer to study at Oxford this coming October. So here's the situation:

I was just recently notified by my college that the UK changed some of its student visa requirements effective of this year (I guess it's one of Cameron's numerous policies to cut on excessive immigrants entering the UK).

Basically, the notice said that I would have to satisfy some English language proficiency tests as per the United Kingdom Border Agency's new stipulations. My Oxford offer (surprisingly) does not lay any English language requirement which I think is because of the university's new policy to waive English proficiency for those who have been educated in an English-medium school for the past 2 years.

Anyway, are there any other international people out here in a similar situation? If so, what's your take on the whole matter. I will email my college later this week to confirm the status quo and if need be, I guess I'll sign up for the IELTS/TOEFL test.

I would be happy to converse with the visa officer in fluent English if that would convince them without having the hassle of taking a test to prove it....but I guess I have to go by the rule book

Hi there, actually I had been asked to do the same thing, to take the CEFR test and what not. But after I emailed the college correspondent asking whether they can waive the test since I already took general paper at A level and English at O level, the correspondent said they can. And she said that she will send the visa letter soon.

So maybe you can ask the same thing, in case you haven't done so already.

Ahhh just got a reply from my college. Looks like it's destined that I take the IELTS haha.

My IB exams are underway right now, so I'm probably enrolling for a test date right after exams and getting this problem sorted. Oh well!

Do you mean a CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies)? Or is it something else?

Ahhh just got a reply from my college. Looks like it's destined that I take the IELTS haha.

My IB exams are underway right now, so I'm probably enrolling for a test date right after exams and getting this problem sorted. Oh well!

Can you let me know how that went? They're making me do one as well and i'm about to graduate from my law degree at Bristol - -.

Wow, time really flies. I still remember you posting here as an applicant.

haha, scary isnt it?

hi! i messed up my speaking part 2 where i took 2 long pauses because my topic was just so vague but in the other two parts, i was very fluent. i fear i won't get 7 in the speaking part. would oxford consider a score below 7?

Thanks for your reply!

Yeah I meant what were the most important and scrutinized aspects of the application. Like what took weight over other things. In the U.S., grades take precedence over standardized test scores - but the scores do matter - and the interview counts for basically nothing, while the personal statement is really more of a thing that can tip your application one way or another. The personal statement isn't so much a deciding factor. Basically, if the grades aren't up to par on your transcript, then nothing else matter. I'm curious how each component is weighed in the UK, particularly at Oxford, especially since applicants don't seem to have to submit transcripts.

By "assessment" do you mean like tests and written work required? Like the HAT (for history) and LNAT (for law)? Or is there something that wasn't on the website?!? Woah no I'm freaking out! I thought there was just a test,

And what do you mean by "if you have the grades"? Do you mean, like test scores and stuff? I'm asking cuz there doesn't seem to any call for transcripts in the "how to apply" sections, and I actually thought it was pretty weird. In the UK, does "grades" also mean "scores" for tests and stuff? The distinction is only a small one in America, but for the most part we distinguish scores for standardized tests as very different from school grades.

Also, are there any particularly good personal statements you've seen on the forums? Maybe you could direct me to it? Haha I'm such a pest!

And thanks for that link!

As for the deadline, I'm going to have almost everything ready by October 15, but I am taking a couple Subject Tests Oct 1 and the results come Oct 21, so I'll have to wait until then to give those. I emailed them asking them if that was okay, and I'm hoping that it is. I'm kind of thinking that since students in the UK don't have their A Levels by the time they apply, that maybe they'll be semi-lenient if my test scores a wee bit late and I have to mail them.

Thank you for such a detailed response!!!

University admissions
Because A-level students often apply to universities before they have taken their final exams, British universities (including Scottish universities, which receive many applicants taking A-levels) consider predicted A-level results when deciding whether applicants should be offered places. The predictions are made by students' teachers and can be unreliable. Thus, the acceptance of a student onto a course will normally be conditional on him or her actually achieving a minimum set of grades (for example, conditional offer of three A-levels at grades B-B-C). Universities may specify which subjects they wish these grades to be in (for example, conditional offer of grades A-A-B with a grade A in Mathematics). A-level grades are also sometimes converted into numerical scores, notably through the UCAS university admission system.[9] For example, under the UCAS system, an A* grade at A-level is worth 140 points, while an A is worth 120, a B is worth 100, a C is worth 80, a D is 60, and a E is worth 40; so a university may instead demand that an applicant achieve 280 points, instead of the equivalent offer of B-B-C. This allows greater flexibility to students, as 280 points could also, for example, be achieved through the combination A-B-D, which would not have met the requirements of a B-B-C offer because of the D grade. Or even a combination which is made up of more than 3 subjects (typically 4 or 5) but with lower grades. The points system also allows for non-academic input, such as higher level music grades or a Key Skills course

Hey, I applied from New Zealand last year and got an offer for History, so I'll see if I can help.
Oxford and Cambridge dont put a whole lot of emphasis on grades. I dont think they make up more than about 10% of the entire selection process. To them, A Levels test your ability to rote memorize material, not how well you can argue/think/adapt your mind to new information, which is what they care for.
I never had to submit transcripts throughout the entire process.
What subject are you applying to study?

I know the interviews online look easy, I thought the exact same thing, but they are WAY harder when your there in person than they look to a spectator. The interviews online are designed to give an impression of what they are like, while not scaring prospective applicants off, and thus they go very smoothly. Noones actual interview goes like that.

Oh that's PERFECT. A former international applicant!
Even though you didn't have to submit your transcript, on the UCAS application did you have to put down courses and grades and predicted grades just like what would be on a transcript? And was your offer conditional? Also, did you submit A-Levels, because I'll be submitting SAT scores since I'm in the States and I'm a wee little worried about how those will go over. The website said that they're given the same consideration, but I don't know. Oh and what college are you at?

Wow, I thought the interview would be JUST like online! It's good I know the truth now. I'll be properly freaked out and prepared. Thanks so much for the wake up call! The thing is, I think I'll get a skype interview if at all, since I'm in the States and couldn't possibly go there just for an interview. I really want an interview though! They seem to matter a lot.