Getting into Oxbridge for Postgraduate Study

I apologise that this is similar to an above question about the competitiveness of admissions to the Oxbridge IR and Politics postgraduate programmes, but my case is a bit strange.

I understand that postgraduate entry into the Oxbridge Politics departments is extremely competitive, and that successful applicants overwhelmingly received firsts as undergraduates. Does anyone know if the same standards of admission would apply if you've also completed a postgraduate degree?

I did my undergraduate degree in History at UC Berkeley, getting the equivalent of a first, and I just finished my MSt in Modern British and European History at Oxford, but only got an average of a 67 (with a 66 on my dissertation). I want to apply for the MPhil in IR or Comparative Government at both Oxford and Cambridge for 2014/2015 entry, as I want to transition from history to a more current and empirical subject and plan to pursue a career in diplomacy/government. However, I'm worried that my rather non-competitive MSt mark will hold me back.

Thanks! :')

I've just finished a Law and Politics degree from a uni in Ireland. I finished with a first and had first class grades for third and fourth year (but they were literally just at 70%!), but averaged low sixties in first and second year. I want to apply for the MPhil in International Relations and Politics at Cambridge but am a bit unsure as to the impact my 1st and 2nd year grades might have on my application. I'm also currently doing a research internship related to what I would like to specialise and expand on in a master's dissertation, and have another NGO type internship done.
Would anyone have any comment or opinion on whether I might have a decent chance of an MPhil at Cambridge?
Thanks in advance!

A first is the minimum, so you meet it. You may be disadvantaged vs people that have good transcripts all the way through, however:
- you can use your internships to clearly demonstrate your enthusiasm for the field in your personal statement
- if you can get good references that will help a lot
- possibly most important for you, is that Cam requires a research proposal as part of the application process, which is an important part of the admissions decision. If you can give them a great research proposal, it will significantly increase your chances.

I'd apply if I were you.

Thanks very much, that's really helpful!

I have just over 60s in almost all my modules in 1st and 2nd year, and then high 60s and 70s for 3rd and 4th year. Have you finished college yet, or do you still have time to bring up your overall grade?

I'm going into my final year, in September. I'm confident I will still graduate with a first. However, like yourself, I am worried that a few grades have let me down, and will hinder me when applying for jobs.

I've just finished a Law and Politics degree from a uni in Ireland. I finished with a first and had first class grades for third and fourth year (but they were literally just at 70%!), but averaged low sixties in first and second year. I want to apply for the MPhil in International Relations and Politics at Cambridge but am a bit unsure as to the impact my 1st and 2nd year grades might have on my application. I'm also currently doing a research internship related to what I would like to specialise and expand on in a master's dissertation, and have another NGO type internship done.
Would anyone have any comment or opinion on whether I might have a decent chance of an MPhil at Cambridge?
Thanks in advance!

I wouldn't worry too much about it. I got a 44 average in my first year and still got into Oxford for my Masters and DPhil applications.

Wow, that's impressive well done! Did you have any particular great work experience/extra curriculars in your application, or just managed to pull your grades up after 1st year?

Hello, I don't know if this has been answered, but here it goes. ALSO, i know it can be subjective and hard to give a finite answer. My question is how competitive am I at getting either a MSci or MPhil in science (taught or pure research) at Oxbridge.

...

Thanks for the help!

Are you by any chance applying for the MSc in Biomedical Engineering at Oxford?

Hey everyone!

I'm not sure in which thread I should be posting this so I just went for it here. I'm interested in admissions info for Cambridge University, more specifically the mphil in philosophy.
Essentially, I go to Anglia Ruskin University and am looking to go across the city for my postgrad; I'm just wondering if anyone has any advice as to how to boost my profile. I am currently sitting on 67% at the end of my second year with a view to breaking into the 70 % grade barrier next year however I am aware that this is not altogether easy. I also am involved in extra curriculars inasmuch as I am a supervisor in a local charity shop, involved with a couple of societies at uni and have done a couple of courses with Cams uni adult learning (all philosophy related.) Also my dissertation topic is also based upon the work of a current Cambs professor whom I am in contact with in terms of advice on where to go with my dissertation. However this is not something I feel I should bank upon nor should I big up so to speak.

Basically does anyone have any advice on what degree classification I should be aiming for and is there anything else I should be looking into in order to boost my application?

Thanks for your help guys, as I'm sure you get these kind of questions all of the time.