Oxford vs. Cambridge for German/British History (and which college)

I should probably add that I'm 26, so technically a mature student, and studied music previously. However, all of my passion is in history and all of my work experience has been history-related.

If "studied music previously" means that you already have a BA and you have history related work experience, you might have a why-not punt at this:
https://www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/graduate/courses/mphil-british-and-european-history-from-1500?wssl=1
http://www.history.ox.ac.uk/mst-mphil-british-and-european-history-1500-present-full-part-time


"In the case of mature students/intended career changes professional experience in cognate areas may compensate for shortcomings in the formal academic record."

And I would definitely do so if you decide to make the undergraduate application to Cambridge.

Other non-standard routes for mature students:

At the undergraduate level:
https://www.conted.ox.ac.uk/about/foundation-certificate-in-history (successful completion can see you admitted into the 2nd year of the BA)

At the postgraduate level:
https://www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/graduate/courses/pg-cert-historical-studies?wssl=1 (successful completion allows you to continue onto a Masters degree)
https://www.conted.ox.ac.uk/about/foundation-certificate-in-history

It doesn't matter which college you go to, it won't have any impact on your education. Cambridge's website says: "Contrary to what some people believe, the research specialisms of a College's Fellows won't dictate what you can study study or guarantee you'll be supervised by them. If a Fellow of your College is an expert in the aspects of the course you've chosen, you may be supervised by them. However, you'll attend supervisions at another College if that's where the relevant subject expert is based. Teaching is a level playing field across the University and is not determined by the College you attend - the differences between the Colleges lie in the ambience, not the educational opportunities." - and I expect the same is true at Oxford.

Do you intend to apply to one of the mature colleges? If you do an open application then you will more than likely be placed in a mature college (which is no bad thing).

If you haven't done so already, look through the list of papers offered by Oxford and Cambridge. Although they are subject to change, you can get a good idea of what topics you're likely to study. https://www.history.ox.ac.uk/undergraduate-admissions#collapse2-3
http://www.hist.cam.ac.uk/undergraduate/tripos-papers

Thank you for the clarification, that's all good to know. I had been inclined to consider the mature college at Oxford, or open apply there, but with Cambridge I have heard many bad things about the mature colleges there and they seem to have an air of not being accepted and a part of the wider university socially and seemingly even academically. I'm sure this is an exaggeration, but I get a sense of a much more separate and inferior vibe where as with Harris Manchester at Oxford it seems more on par with the other colleges.

Whoever told you that is wrong. Cambridge's mature colleges are as much a part of the university as any other college, and there is certainly no difference in terms of academics - the students at mature colleges are just as bright, and they are held to the same academic standard as everyone else. An American-style 'extension school' they are not.

Fair enough. Any insight on any of them in particular? I'm assuming you are or were a Cambridge student 😎

Aside from the matures, I was most into pembroke, Sidney Sussex, kings, /!: caius. But I know those are popular choices.

@jneill any insight?

Going to tag some current History applicants to Cambridge as well to see if they have any to add in terms of course structure etc...

@SteamboatMickey @Rachel58

Nope, I didn't go to Cambridge. I believe @Reality Check went to Wolfson, he may be able to give you more specific information about what life at a mature college is like. But I don't think you should get too hung up on which college to apply to, they are just glorified dorm rooms with libraries attached.

Thanks for the tag - History is not my area really. Except to add that @Murray Edwards Admissions is also our resident real-life Cambridge History fellow.



Yes he's a Wolfson alumnus. I haven't seen him around for a few days. Probably sunning himself in the Caribbean or some such...

(Although I do think the college is an important part of the Cambridge experience - it's a bit more than a dorm with a library )

From my research I would agree that college is an important part; do you have any particular wisdom or knowledge with regards to the mature colleges? I'm having difficulty choosing one.