[HistoryHistory]

(Original post by GabrielleT)
I applied for two courses. I sent different written work for both applications, as I tried to tailor what I was sending to the programs. As for the reference letters, your referees send them directly to Oxford by email, so I don't know if mine changed their letters or not.
In the end, I got in one program, didn't get in the other one so the choice was made for me! Good luck!

Thanks! Do you know whether the referees have to send two lots of the same references as a result of there being two applications?

Well done on your application!

[GabrielleT]

They do. Each application sent sends them a link to the online system, so if you apply for two different programs with the same referees, they'll have to send their letters twices.

(Original post by HistoryHistory)
Thanks! Do you know whether the referees have to send two lots of the same references as a result of there being two applications?

Well done on your application!

[HoVis]

(Original post by Student 01)
There's about one on there that I like the sound of. I am really thinking about going for a C course in another strand.

Also like you, the B course does not make me jump for joy - but you never know, what looks bad might be good.

From what I've heard from people who've taken the MSt in English (which I think is what you're doing?!), the History of the Book course is really good and really useful, especially if you want to go into research - having the skills to look at a book and understand how it was made can reveal a surprising amount (Noel Malcolm on the first three editions of the Leviathan is a good example of this - from looking at the differences between different quires of pages he manages to demonstrate a whole load of ins-and-outs about the banning of the book, the confiscation of copies before sale, etc etc). It might sound a bit dry but from what I've heard there is enough to get enthused about once you're doing it.

[Student 01]

(Original post by HoVis)
From what I've heard from people who've taken the MSt in English (which I think is what you're doing?!), the History of the Book course is really good and really useful, especially if you want to go into research - having the skills to look at a book and understand how it was made can reveal a surprising amount (Noel Malcolm on the first three editions of the Leviathan is a good example of this - from looking at the differences between different quires of pages he manages to demonstrate a whole load of ins-and-outs about the banning of the book, the confiscation of copies before sale, etc etc). It might sound a bit dry but from what I've heard there is enough to get enthused about once you're doing it.

I hope your right! I mean don't get me wrong, Of course I can see that it is a relevant part of the programme, what concerned me was the longevity of it, and how long an interest in this field can be sustained. I really look forward to receiving the readings lists! - will give a better idea of where the course is going I think.

I wonder if they change the courses quite a bit from previous years.

[Student 01]

(Original post by Dat_Ngyuen)
Ok so I've been offered a place at LMH but Ive heard no word of Accommodation and Im starting to get really nervous.
Is it time to turn to estate agents etc or Uni of Oxford housing. Would be great to hear what other non-accom holders are doing. I dont mind the distance of LMH at all (its great) but what I dont want is to end up all the way up by Summertown/really far up Banbury road etc. Also I'd prefer to really live with other oxford uni people and wont an estate agent limit that?

edit: congrats to everyone esp all the people in the thread since like august last year lol

In terms of accommodation, I have been advised to get the financial forms through asap. That, and also our degree certificate, or alternative document, which confirms that you meet the requirement of the university. Remember to send the financial form to the COLLEGE, and the requirement/condition forms to the DEPARTMENT (university). That, I am told, speeds the process of accommodation. My friend, who is at LMH, tells me it is very good for accommodating students. Good luck!

[Dat_Ngyuen]

(Original post by Student 01)
In terms of accommodation, I have been advised to get the financial forms through asap. That, and also our degree certificate, or alternative document, which confirms that you meet the requirement of the university. Remember to send the financial form to the COLLEGE, and the requirement/condition forms to the DEPARTMENT (university). That, I am told, speeds the process of accommodation. My friend, who is at LMH, tells me it is very good for accommodating students. Good luck!

Thanks. Im nearing getting my financial statement together. I sent my degree cert and transcript to my dept. months ago . I would like accom at LMH the "distance" doesnt really bother me that much but I like cowley and jericho(walton st) a lot

[janjanmmm]

(Original post by Student 01)
In terms of accommodation, I have been advised to get the financial forms through asap. That, and also our degree certificate, or alternative document, which confirms that you meet the requirement of the university. Remember to send the financial form to the COLLEGE, and the requirement/condition forms to the DEPARTMENT (university). That, I am told, speeds the process of accommodation. My friend, who is at LMH, tells me it is very good for accommodating students. Good luck!

The way it worked with my College (Univ) is - they sent forms including the financial guarantee immediately upon admitting me. I have returned the forms. Once they are satisfied with the financial guarantee, they are able to assign accommodation.

Satisfying the department condition (academic) did not matter. I know this for a fact, since I have only satisfied it yesterday (first transcript got lost in the mail, so I had to re-submit), while college offered me accommodation two weeks ago.

[Student 01]

(Original post by janjanmmm)
The way it worked with my College (Univ) is - they sent forms including the financial guarantee immediately upon admitting me. I have returned the forms. Once they are satisfied with the financial guarantee, they are able to assign accommodation.

Satisfying the department condition (academic) did not matter. I know this for a fact, since I have only satisfied it yesterday (first transcript got lost in the mail, so I had to re-submit), while college offered me accommodation two weeks ago.

Ah, my college, (I have been in contact with them quite regularly over this) states, they cannot assign me a room till I satisfy both the college financial forms (for me this was quite straightforward as I am funded) and the degree certificate (only sent it today as I just got my results Wednesday). It makes more sense I feel, as how will they know you are actually going to make it to the college, if they don't know that you have met the university requirement to get into your course?

[Student 01]

(Original post by Dat_Ngyuen)
Thanks. Im nearing getting my financial statement together. I sent my degree cert and transcript to my dept. months ago . I would like accom at LMH the "distance" doesnt really bother me that much but I like cowley and jericho(walton st) a lot

LMH is not so far away, I was staying there a few weeks ago, it's about a 20 minute walk in to the town centre.

[janjanmmm]

(Original post by Student 01)
Ah, my college, (I have been in contact with them quite regularly over this) states, they cannot assign me a room till I satisfy both the college financial forms (for me this was quite straightforward as I am funded) and the degree certificate (only sent it today as I just got my results Wednesday). It makes more sense I feel, as how will they know you are actually going to make it to the college, if they don't know that you have met the university requirement to get into your course?

I guess it is different from college to college.
As for the logic of it - I don't know, technically speaking you can always decide not to come, or, in the case of an international student, they can have visa problems, so if the college wants to be 100% sure they'd have to wait till few days before the beginning of programme...

But even if they assign room they can always re-assign it later, so there should not be a problem.

[Student 01]

(Original post by janjanmmm)
I guess it is different from college to college.
As for the logic of it - I don't know, technically speaking you can always decide not to come, or, in the case of an international student, they can have visa problems, so if the college wants to be 100% sure they'd have to wait till few days before the beginning of programme...

But even if they assign room they can always re-assign it later, so there should not be a problem.

Yes, it could also be that some colleges simply have more space than others, meaning more rooms etc. Mine doesn't have quite so many, it could explain why they are being strict about it.

Obviously my intention was not to be pedantic, I was just pointing out that university academic requirements seem a staple, second to financial needs. In terms of visa problems, that is not necessarily a primary concern at this stage, it is a developing one, similar to if you reject your offer this late in the game.

[kittyb99]

Soooooooo, when do this year's applications open? Not that I'm over-keen or anything!

[Student 01]

Does anybody know if we have to move out EVERYTHING from our college rooms when term ends? or do we get to keep out stuff in our rooms. I'm asking because I am currently looking into travel plans for the year, as I live quite far away. I hope they allow us to keep our stuff in the rooms, but I doubt this as we only pay for 3 terms of stay.

[Little Jules]

(Original post by Student 01)
Does anybody know if we have to move out EVERYTHING from our college rooms when term ends? or do we get to keep out stuff in our rooms. I'm asking because I am currently looking into travel plans for the year, as I live quite far away. I hope they allow us to keep our stuff in the rooms, but I doubt this as we only pay for 3 terms of stay.

This varies between colleges - and sometimes even within colleges. You should look at what they say about accommodation, as some grads pay for a whole year (or length of their course) and don't move out during vacations. This makes sense as grad courses don't have the same term limits as undergrads. However, if you do have a term-only contract, you are likely to have to completely clear out your room, but there will be somewhere in college you can store things.

[Student 01]

(Original post by Little Jules)
This varies between colleges - and sometimes even within colleges. You should look at what they say about accommodation, as some grads pay for a whole year (or length of their course) and don't move out during vacations. This makes sense as grad courses don't have the same term limits as undergrads. However, if you do have a term-only contract, you are likely to have to completely clear out your room, but there will be somewhere in college you can store things.

Thank you! I'll email in to see if we can store things. My course is only 9 months, so having the extra 3 months rent would be pointless and cost be about £1,500 extra, it would be great if there was space for storage. *Fingers crossed*

[janjanmmm]

(Original post by Student 01)
Thank you! I'll email in to see if we can store things. My course is only 9 months, so having the extra 3 months rent would be pointless and cost be about £1,500 extra, it would be great if there was space for storage. *Fingers crossed*

If your course is only 9 month, are you should you will be back, then? Are you planning to go to DPhil?

[sm2012]

Hi,

I applied to the department's most competitive Master's course and was admitted without interview. I think this is largely in part due to my research background being a strong match with a very well established professor in the department. They are also a professorial fellow of St John's, so I chose that as my college.

I wasn't admitted into St John's, and what's more, I am currently without accommodation.

I am wondering why St John's didn't admit me. Given my 'easy' admission into the course, I would have thought they'd make a case to admit me into the college. I keep thinking that their reason was they weren't convinced that I could meet the financial conditions (at the time of application I had a substantial amount to cover).

What do you think?

[*Corinna*]

1. The department has no say concerning college allocation
2. Many courses do not involve interview as part of the selection process so you being admitted without an interview does not necessarily reflect your brilliance

[threeportdrift]

(Original post by sm2012)
Hi,

I applied to the department's most competitive Master's course and was admitted without interview. I think this is largely in part due to my research background being a strong match with a very well established professor in the department. They are also a professorial fellow of St John's, so I chose that as my college.

I wasn't admitted into St John's, and what's more, I am currently without accommodation.

I am wondering why St John's didn't admit me. Given my 'easy' admission into the course, I would have thought they'd make a case to admit me into the college. I keep thinking that their reason was they weren't convinced that I could meet the financial conditions (at the time of application I had a substantial amount to cover).

What do you think?

There's no material benefit to being in the same college as your subject specialist academic. Colleges recruit to achieve a diverse cohort. There were simply one or two candidates with the same profile as you (subject, nationality, age, interest etc) already accepted.

[janjanmmm]

(Original post by sm2012)
I am wondering why St John's didn't admit me. Given my 'easy' admission into the course, I would have thought they'd make a case to admit me into the college. I keep thinking that their reason was they weren't convinced that I could meet the financial conditions (at the time of application I had a substantial amount to cover).

What do you think?

When did you get admitted? College may have been full by then. The most popular ones fill up very quickly.

Whether or not you can meet financial conditions is established after you have been offered college admission. If you can not, offer is withdrawn, so they do not risk much. I doubt they make decisions about offers on the basis of finance.

They usually look if you are good match and how academically strong you are. The fact that you are admitted by the department, even into a very competitive programme, does not automatically mean you have free pass into any college you want. Interviews for postgrads are, indeed, rather rare, I was admitted without interview, too.