Applying to Oxford or Cambridge at 21+

Here is what it says on the section for mature applicants:



The linked page lists all the expected qualifications but does not give any information for mature students. It also says that for courses other than medicine 'the usual expectation is that candidates will complete the A-levels specified in their applications within a two year period'. I don't know, to answer. I was intending to apply with my A-Levels and an access course on the basis that I need to do something recent and my A-Levels can only improve my chances.

Ideally I would like to do apply on the back of my A-Levels - I was simply under the impression that I wouldn't get through the door.



This is extremely useful, thanks. I have emailed the admissions tutor as to whether this will be enough. It is a bit concerning that these aren't mentioned on any of the relevant website pages or on the summer school pages.

One concern is that questions will arise from me doing a summer school in a subject different from the course I am applying for as law courses don't seem to come up ? My A-Levels are from 2012 and exceed the standard offer.

Additionally, I could start an access course now and have had the results by the normal time as my provider runs throughout the year.



I had a quote from you but it has disappeared

@LucyCavendish can you also have a look at post http://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showpost.php?p=64511953&postcount=31 and the next few posts after it?

Thanks

My colleague from Harris Manchester says:

As far as Harris Manchester, Oxford is concerned we would be happy to consider an application in the absence of any predicted grades. It is not uncommon for applicants to apply having self-taught and we appreciate their situation. For most courses we ask candidates to sit an aptitude test, and for some subjects we also ask them to supply written work as part of the application procedure. These give us a good sense of a candidate’s potential and we are able to make our decisions as to who to shortlist for interview on the basis of these and in the absence of predicted grades. You do not say which subject you intend to apply for but if you would like to look up whether there is a written test and/or written work requirement for your chosen course then please see https://www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/undergraduate/courses-listing?wssl=1. If, following interview, you were to be offered a place it would be conditional on achieving the required A Level grades in advance of starting the course.

Hi,

I'm interested in taking an English and French undergraduate course at Oxford in September 2017 and I was wondering if you could help me figure out whether I need to take any additional courses or sit a specific exam in order to make myself eligible. I have an Italian "Esame di Stato" diploma with a 100% score (Oxford requirement is 95%) obtained in foreign languages and literature at the end of High School in July 2013 (English and French literature were two of the main subjects in my final exam). I have been out of education for the past 3 years because I was given the opportunity to work and tour as a musician and I would love to get back to academia next year as a mature student - I will be 24 by the start of the course. I'm aware I will have to sit the ELAT and MLAT in November as well as the advanced IELTS test prior to a potential interview and I was wondering if there are any other requirements I should be aware of.

Many thanks!

Alina

I'll consult with my counterpart at Oxford and get back to you as soon as I can.

Much appreciated!

I would think so, provided you could provide evidence of/some explanation for the extenuating circumstances that impacted your GCSEs, first time round. That would certainly be the case at Cambridge, anyhow.

Hi everyone,

Harris Manchester College, Oxford and Lucy Cavendish College, Cambridge, will be hosting a joint event for prospective mature applicants to Oxbridge, in London, later this month (seehttp://www.lucy-cav.cam.ac.uk/events...udents-aged-21).

We're also hosting a joint thread throughout September! So if you are going to be over 21 or over at the time you start University, and you have any questions about applying to either Oxford or Cambridge, please post them here and we will do our best to answer...

(Lots of information on Cambridge specifically over in the Cambridge Forum at http://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?t=2878031)

Hello and thank you for the opportunity presented by this thread.

I am currently 22 years old and have just finished my A levels and achieved A*A*A in History, Geography and Classical Civilisation.
I am looking to apply to Oxford for History (possibly at Harris Manchester) and would like some advice as to what my chances would be.
Unfortunately due to persistent and very disruptive personal circumstances from the age of 16 till present I have a less than typical academic background. I have well covered mitigating circumstances that my college were aware of and this will be covered in my reference.

Essentially I have 1 A* (history), 4 As, 5 Bs and 1 C (French) at GCSE.
Aside from this I have little in terms of extracurricular activities or time spent at seminars etc.
I have spent a year living and working in Dubai however.
I would like to think I would do well on the HAT ,that my personal statement will be good and I would hope to perform well at interview (providing I refresh myself on the reading I plan to mention in my personal statement)

I would like to know to what extent you feel my GCSEs and irregular academic profile would be seen by the admissions teams. Would I benefit from having achieved good A2 grades or will my problematic start and GCSEs hinder me too much.

Also, would I benefit from applying to Harris Manchester or would I be able to apply to any college and have fairly much the same chance. What is the average age group at mature colleges?

Thank you very much

Hi everyone,

Harris Manchester College, Oxford and Lucy Cavendish College, Cambridge, will be hosting a joint event for prospective mature applicants to Oxbridge, in London, later this month (seehttp://www.lucy-cav.cam.ac.uk/events...udents-aged-21).

We're also hosting a joint thread throughout September! So if you are going to be over 21 or over at the time you start University, and you have any questions about applying to either Oxford or Cambridge, please post them here and we will do our best to answer...

(Lots of information on Cambridge specifically over in the Cambridge Forum at http://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?t=2878031)