The Official "Oxford or Cambridge?" Thread

what do you mean 98 does not cut it? And I am fully aware of what Oxford is like, its not as isolated at cambridge, that was the point I was trying to make.

Just so you know. Cambridge arnt lax on GCSE`s. Despite what their web site says.

"Your GCSE results were very low compared with our other applicants. In order to be a competitive applicant, you need to demonstrate that you have made up this difference. Your application does not have enough information to demonstrate this. If you were also able to study for A-level further maths, and were able to show excellent UMS marks for the completed modules, this would help even more. "

Apparently 98 average at AS just doesn't cut it.

Also when I posed the question about doing very well at a top 3 university for my discipline for the first year then re applying. Sheffield is an excellent institution. If you have an offer from them and a degree in engineering is your goal, I suggest you do a degree at Sheffield. We do not usually accept applications from students who are studying at other UK universities.

Also, Oxford is not a great night out. Cambridge is worse.

You should really evaluate if Oxford or Cambridge is really the best for you. Or are you going there for the fact its a household name? Hell, I had one slot empty on UCAS and chucked Cambridge in there for that reason alone.

But for me the reality is. Sheffield is a better university, the course, the place. Ranked third in the country. Cambridge is up there for its employment prospects, Imperial for its slightly higher research budget.

But Cambridge is only up there because its a household name.
Imperial because its a household name partially and its budget.

Sheffield is not a household name. Get someone to say what are the top 5 uni`s in the UK. Sheffield wont be one of them. Its research budget is lower then Imperials. Yet its employment prospects beat Imperials and just fall short of Cambridge.

For these reasons, Sheffield is the best university for my discipline in the UK. So is Cambridge the best choice for you?

Oh and also. Actually visit Oxford, vibrant is not a word i would use!

I would be very happy at Cambridge, except the "cambridge bubble" worrys me lol

You're putting a very silly amount of emphasis on league tables.

Ok but im doing Biomedical sciences at Oxford or Nat (biological) sciences at cambridge.

Thanks for the vota of confidence

From Oxford: 'To make a competitive application you will need a strong academic background with top grades (mostly A*s or As) at GCSE (or equivalent qualifications)'

From Cambridge: 'The typical A Level offer is A*AA. To make full use of the flexibility of the Natural Sciences course you’ll find it helpful to have a strong knowledge base across a wide range of science and mathematics subjects.'

Sorry OP, but either one would be a bit of a punt. Oxford will have lots of students applying with amazing grades already, which puts you on the back foot from the offset and since you're not expected to get at least 1 A* at A-Level, your chances look quite slim at Cambridge too. My advice would be to see how your AS year goes, then re-evaluate over the summer as to how realistic Oxbridge is for you. Also, you have to remember that when you send off your application early for Oxbridge, the other unis you apply to figure out that this Oxbridge is the reason for your early app and a friend of mine was rejected by her 4 other options because of this (I'm guessing that the unis assumed that they'd be wasting offers if she was applying to Oxbridge too).

Good luck in whatever you end up choosing

My GCSEs were A*ABBBBBBBC (A* In maths retaken from a C grade)

I did AS levels and got CDE

My GP has confirmed I had extenuating circumstances for both of the above and will put it in writing.

I am now retaking my AS level year and expected AAAAA in Biology, chemistry, maths, psychology, and English Literature. I want to study Biomedical sciences at Oxford or Natural Sciences at Cambridge but I cannot decide. If i got two offers I would choose Oxford hand down, it's closer to home which would be god due to family problems ect, It's a nicer bigger more vibrant town, it's a biomed course which is what i want, I know people there. It's just the better option by a country mile. But they LOVE gcses and Mine are terrible! they just seem to be more demanding on applicants and unforgiving of people who have redeemed themselves. Cambridge seem to be a tad more lax with gcses and more understanding of these kinds of issues. The also have a special entry programme for people in my exact situation with extenuating circumstances, but then again oxford want the BMAT which if i do well in it would give me a chance at getting an interview. Im stuck, thoughts?

.

I have recently started my AS levels, Im expected AAAAA becuase thats all you can get at AS. I will probs be expected A*A*A next year.

Also, you have to remember that when you send off your application early for Oxbridge, the other unis you apply to figure out that this Oxbridge is the reason for your early app and a friend of mine was rejected by her 4 other options because of this (I'm guessing that the unis assumed that they'd be wasting offers if she was applying to Oxbridge too).

You can't apply to both Oxford and Cambridge in the same year.

You have a better chance with Cambridge tbh. I hear that Oxford rank heavily on GCSE's , especially A*s etc....,

Cambridge has more relaxed GCSE requirements and the Special Access Scheme.

Stick with Cambridge if I were you!

You seem really butthurt about not recieving an offer from Cambridge :/

I genuinely hope you fail, assuming you're not just trolling.

Hardly, the reality is i had one choice left over, thought sod it. Its a nice place, night life's a bit boring, but Iv`e got friends who study there so should would have been alright.

I`m just baffled that they've come out with the statement that a further maths A-level is more creditable then a the first year of a mechanical engineering degree.

Does that make any sense to you?