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University of Oxford offer-holders' thread 2015

I see it as a privilege to have a chance to go to such a world class university, it really is a once in a lifetime thing and it's such a wonderful opportunity I wouldn't want to miss it.

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Original post by ironbridge84

According to this article, Oxford doesn’t even feature on the 2015 list of top universities for employability.

We've looked at the Guardian survey and think it is unusual because it ranks on the basis of graduates in work and/or in further study rather than on the basis of unemployment.

According to the Guardian, the top performer - Imperial College, London which has a predominantly scientific/engineering student population – could only manage 87.8% employment and/or further study 6 months after graduation. The implication is that 12.2% of Imperial graduates are unemployed. However, the survey does not state this because ... it isn't true. Some of the 12.2% are taking time out and are not looking for work or study opportunities. If you check Imperial's own website, the unemployment component in 2014 was just 5% while the 'not available for employment or training' component was 6% http://www.imperial.ac.uk/media/imperial-college/administration-and-support-services/careers-service/public/resources/dlhe/ug-tables/Overall-tables.pdf The breakdown will be similar for 2015.

We've not yet seen Oxford's 2015 data but the 2014 the comparable figures are 5.7% unemployed and 4.8% 'not available' on the census date 6 months after graduation http://public.tableau.com/views/DLHE_stu/OverviewofDestinations?%3AshowVizHome=no#1

There is a limit to what can be inferred from a snapshot taken just 6 months after the end of a course. We think that it would be better to look at the proportion of students going on to enter professional careers over a longer time scale. However, if attention is focussed just on the position 6 months after graduation, the rate of unemployment seems to us most likely to interest prospective students - and it looks reassuringly low. The Guardian recently reported on youth unemployment and earnings more generally http://www.theguardian.com/society/2015/feb/22/youth-unemployment-jobless-figure
Unemployment was reported to be 16% and rising, with falling earnings for those in employment and increasingly limited access to in-work and other benefits.

Reply 1322

emmatheowl

Original post by Plagioclase

I'm not sure I'd go as far as saying I'm regretting choosing Oxford but I definitely have become worried about the pressure. Ultimately I didn't choose Oxford for employability, I chose it for the course and the convenience of accommodation and catering but I'm really hoping that I don't get slaughtered with the pressure of working there since I already found the stress of A Levels difficult enough to deal with. I'm still hoping I get in but I don't think I'd be as devastated if I didn't as I would have before. The opportunities at UCL probably wouldn't be as good for me as they would be at Oxford but it'd probably make my life more pleasant...

I feel exactly the same haha! I was so happy when I got my letter about my offer but now I'm on book 3 of a 19 book reading list and the stress is starting to build up. I'm so scared I won't read/ understand everything I need to in time and I love going out and socialising so I'm slightly worried that there will be no time to actually have any fun! I don't know if I'm just nervous about Thursday but I'm starting to have doubts about whether I'd enjoy myself more at my second choice of Bristol or even whether I should have gone for one of my other choices. Basically I am just really, really terrified and don't feel like I can talk to anyone about it without sounding like a douchebag! So I'm glad other people feel the same! Good luck for Thursday :-)

Reply 1323

KombatWombat

7

Original post by emmatheowl

I feel exactly the same haha! I was so happy when I got my letter about my offer but now I'm on book 3 of a 19 book reading list and the stress is starting to build up. I'm so scared I won't read/ understand everything I need to in time and I love going out and socialising so I'm slightly worried that there will be no time to actually have any fun! I don't know if I'm just nervous about Thursday but I'm starting to have doubts about whether I'd enjoy myself more at my second choice of Bristol or even whether I should have gone for one of my other choices. Basically I am just really, really terrified and don't feel like I can talk to anyone about it without sounding like a douchebag! So I'm glad other people feel the same! Good luck for Thursday :-)

I'm doing chemistry so I don't have this sort of reading list, but I do know you're not supposed to read all 19 books, especially before you start! You've probably already done more than enough before you start in October. Reading lists are supposed to guide your reading around a subject, not necessarily dictate it.

Original post by emmatheowl

I feel exactly the same haha! I was so happy when I got my letter about my offer but now I'm on book 3 of a 19 book reading list and the stress is starting to build up. I'm so scared I won't read/ understand everything I need to in time and I love going out and socialising so I'm slightly worried that there will be no time to actually have any fun! I don't know if I'm just nervous about Thursday but I'm starting to have doubts about whether I'd enjoy myself more at my second choice of Bristol or even whether I should have gone for one of my other choices. Basically I am just really, really terrified and don't feel like I can talk to anyone about it without sounding like a douchebag! So I'm glad other people feel the same! Good luck for Thursday :-)

We've been reading through the "parents' letters" current students write for incoming Freshers. To be sure, the degree programmes are hard work and require commitment - at Oxford and at other Russell Group Universities. But it is also very clear that undergraduates know how to enjoy themselves (indeed, this is an understatement). In less than 12 months' time, this year's Freshers will be the streetwise 2nd years advising 2016's new intake. Nearly everyone arrives with trepidation - not just at Oxford but at other universities (check out some of the other TSR offer-holder threads). But likewise nearly everyone settles in pretty quickly.

Reply 1325

Jessicaaaaward

I have just finished my first year reading English at Ox. I can honestly say I felt all the feelings prior to Fresher's week that you're describing! I was nervous I wouldn't be able to wade through or understand my reading list, I thought I would have no friends and I questioned whether I should go to a different university to have an easier life like my friends from home. Now, I couldn't imagine going to any other university. If you have a genuine interest in your course, or at least have a good work ethic and a want to learn, then I'm sure you will be fine wherever you end up going. I've certainly met sociable, interesting people who are now my best friends. Yes, it is hard work, but it is also so much more!!! I know this won't be the same for everyone, but thought I should share my thoughts as they have the value of experience. Anyway if any of you have any questions relating to English/English reading lists/anything else I can help with, or just want another motivational speech, please just ask :smile:

Reply 1326

pingu27

[QUOTE="BrasenoseAdm;58351489"]

Original post by ironbridge84

According to this article, Oxford doesn’t even feature on the 2015 list of top universities for employability.

We've looked at the Guardian survey and think it is unusual because it ranks on the basis of graduates in work and/or in further study rather than on the basis of unemployment.

According to the Guardian, the top performer - Imperial College, London which has a predominantly scientific/engineering student population – could only manage 87.8% employment and/or further study 6 months after graduation. The implication is that 12.2% of Imperial graduates are unemployed. However, the survey does not state this because ... it isn't true. Some of the 12.2% are taking time out and are not looking for work or study opportunities. If you check Imperial's own website, the unemployment component in 2014 was just 5% while the 'not available for employment or training' component was 6% http://www.imperial.ac.uk/media/imperial-college/administration-and-support-services/careers-service/public/resources/dlhe/ug-tables/Overall-tables.pdf The breakdown will be similar for 2015.

We've not yet seen Oxford's 2015 data but the 2014 the comparable figures are 5.7% unemployed and 4.8% 'not available' on the census date 6 months after graduation http://public.tableau.com/views/DLHE_stu/OverviewofDestinations?%3AshowVizHome=no#1

There is a limit to what can be inferred from a snapshot taken just 6 months after the end of a course. We think that it would be better to look at the proportion of students going on to enter professional careers over a longer time scale. However, if attention is focussed just on the position 6 months after graduation, the rate of unemployment seems to us most likely to interest prospective students - and it looks reassuringly low. The Guardian recently reported on youth unemployment and earnings more generally http://www.theguardian.com/society/2015/feb/22/youth-unemployment-jobless-figure
Unemployment was reported to be 16% and rising, with falling earnings for those in employment and increasingly limited access to in-work and other benefits.

Not quite on topic, but do you know where the 2014 college choice statistics are? On the admissions statistics page it just gives an error when I try to view them, and it seems the admissions statistics have not been published as a concatenated pdf this year.

Reply 1327

ktbaston

Original post by KombatWombat

I'm doing chemistry so I don't have this sort of reading list, but I do know you're not supposed to read all 19 books, especially before you start! You've probably already done more than enough before you start in October. Reading lists are supposed to guide your reading around a subject, not necessarily dictate it.

I'm doing chemistry too, is there anything we're supposed to read/do before? I thought we would get something at some point before we go...

Reply 1328

KombatWombat

7

Original post by ktbaston

I'm doing chemistry too, is there anything we're supposed to read/do before? I thought we would get something at some point before we go...

If your tutors send you something, obviously do that! If they do, it'll probably be around results day/maybe shortly after. Mine didn't though, and didn't expect us to do any reading.

You might get an invitation to an online maths bridging program (assuming they're still running it!) - if maths isn't your strongest side and/or you don't have further maths, it might be worth having a flick through but the maths course is self contained and taught pretty well so isn't anything to get worried about. Definitely don't spend ages on this, unless you really want to.

Other than that, just enjoy your summer!

Edit: Just noticed you'll be at Magdalen - good choice! Unless they've changed anything I don't think you'll get sent any work, but there'll be some to do in freshers week. They sent us a list of textbooks, but didn't expect us to do any reading.

(edited 8 years ago)

GL

Original post by KombatWombat

If your tutors send you something, obviously do that! If they do, it'll probably be around results day/maybe shortly after. Mine didn't though, and didn't expect us to do any reading.

You might get an invitation to an online maths bridging program (assuming they're still running it!) - if maths isn't your strongest side and/or you don't have further maths, it might be worth having a flick through but the maths course is self contained and taught pretty well so isn't anything to get worried about. Definitely don't spend ages on this, unless you really want to.

Other than that, just enjoy your summer!

Edit: Just noticed you'll be at Magdalen - good choice! Unless they've changed anything I don't think you'll get sent any work, but there'll be some to do in freshers week. They sent us a list of textbooks, but didn't expect us to do any reading.

Yeah, I did think that the bridging programme might be an idea but I've done maths and further maths so didn't think it would be too bad. Ok, thank you!

[QUOTE="pingu27;58359739"]

Original post by BrasenoseAdm

Not quite on topic, but do you know where the 2014 college choice statistics are? On the admissions statistics page it just gives an error when I try to view them, and it seems the admissions statistics have not been published as a concatenated pdf this year.

The figures for 2011-13 are here
https://www.ox.ac.uk/about/facts-and-figures/admissions-statistics/undergraduate2014/additional-info/college-success-rates

The data for the 2014 UCAS cycle will presumably be available after the current decision round is completed - although the website states that there will be a May update.

Reply 1332

AdamY

1

Original post by Jessicaaaaward

Anyway if any of you have any questions relating to English/English reading lists/anything else I can help with, or just want another motivational speech, please just ask :smile:

Have you chosen course I or II for finals?

Reply 1333

KombatWombat

7

Original post by ktbaston

Yeah, I did think that the bridging programme might be an idea but I've done maths and further maths so didn't think it would be too bad. Ok, thank you!

You should be fine then. There's some extra bits but a lot of the maths course just covers further maths – it definitely makes first year a bit easier!

Reply 1334

Jessicaaaaward

Original post by AdamY

Have you chosen course I or II for finals?

I'm doing Course I. It was actually quite a hard decision as I really enjoyed Old English in 1st year, but I like the idea of coming out of the degree knowing something from pretty much every period

Reply 1335

danniegee

OP

8

Hi people,

I just want to say good luck for tomorrow - hope to see you all on the other side of results day, but if not, it's been great talking to you all :wink:

Good luck again,

danniegee

Reply 1336

rebeccafrances

9

I saw someone tweet that they have a freshers pack from Oxford??!! What is this?! I am panicking!!

Edit: actually, is this just something you order yourself? she didn't say it was FROM Oxford. I think I'm just being massively over-sensitive. Also the tweet is from the 8th, when they had only just got our results. Sorry.

(edited 8 years ago)

Reply 1337

danniegee

OP

8

Original post by rebeccafrances

I saw someone tweet that they have a freshers pack from Oxford??!! What is this?! I am panicking!!

I have no idea - I don't have one either, so don't panic! It could be someone who has an unconditional offer (an IB student or someone who did their A-levels last year for example). :smile:

Reply 1338