Why does Oxford get 19% more applicants than Cambridge?

I can't remember for sure, but I think it had to do that Oxford usually puts lower grade boundaries.
They both balance out though since more people apply to Oxford thinking they have a higher chance but it just makes it harder and only the best would ultimately be picked, just like in Cambridge.

I can't remember for sure, but I think it had to do that Oxford usually puts lower grade boundaries.
They both balance out though since more people apply to Oxford thinking they have a higher chance but it just makes it harder and only the best would ultimately be picked, just like in Cambridge.

Oops I meant to say grade requirements not boundaries lol. I was half asleep when I replied

Why is Oxford more popular than Cambridge as a university to apply to?

Does anyone have any personal experiences of why they chose one over the other, which might give an insight into why Oxford receives just under 20% more applicants than Cambridge?

Cambridge is surely the most historically-greatest uni in the world, whereas Oxford is mainly famous for educating politicians?

(NB. I went to neither so I have no dog in the game)

I would think that it is for a few reasons: Firstly, I suspect that Oxford is more famous abroad due to the greater reputation of Oxford University Press and the wider use of the Oxford English Dictionary. At home, I suspect it also benefits from its association with PMs, especially with Cameron, May and Blair.

Oxford also doesn't make you declare AS module grades on your application which may make people think that admission is a bit easier. - ironically this slight imbalance would be offset by the greater number of applicants going for Oxford.

It also wouldn't surprise me if some choose to apply due to its affiliation with Harry Potter and the like. This, of course, would be for a tiny number of people, but I do know people who picked their Oxford college based on its appearance in the Harry Potter films, so I do think that sort of thing does have an impact.

Oxford generally is seen as more prestigious by many if not most people. It tends to be the better of the two in international rankings.

It also has lower grade requirements (Oxford law is AAA compared to cambridge which is A*A*A for example)

I guess the mentality is that for most students where oxbridge is their most ambitious choice, they may as well apply to Oxford since its "better" and will have the more achievable requirement if they do indeed get an offer.

The typical Cambridge offer for Law is A*AA, not A*A*A.

My bad, I heard it went up for economics but didnt realise it didnt for law

Economics, yes, but the typical entry requirements for arts subjects generally is A*AA. For sciences, it's A*A*A, except for PBS which is A*AA.

ah you make great points, except for Blair, May and Cameron being reasons why people want to go to Oxford rather than as reasons to avoid it like the plague! Try Maggie and I'll be happier lol

I think declaring AS grades is a good thing as it justifies why you deserve your predicted grades

and i am a very strong defender of people who pick uni for the 'superficial' reason of the beauty of the campus, i think living in a pretty place really gives you a greater sense of purpose. i'd have been really sad to have gone to a great uni like Warwick, which looks like a cross between a secondary school and a business park in Stevenage

Why is Oxford more popular than Cambridge as a university to apply to?

Does anyone have any personal experiences of why they chose one over the other, which might give an insight into why Oxford receives just under 20% more applicants than Cambridge?

Cambridge is surely the most historically-greatest uni in the world, whereas Oxford is mainly famous for educating politicians?

(NB. I went to neither so I have no dog in the game)

Worldwide Oxford is more famous (minus a few countries like Singapore)
In the UK I reckon they're probably equally as famous.

I suspect that Oxford is more famous abroad due to the greater reputation of Oxford University Press and the wider use of the Oxford English Dictionary.

Also, the only reason I didn't mention Maggie was because most current applicants will have had more exposure to the three PMs that I mentioned as they were in power during our lifetimes lol.

Oxford accepts BTECs. That's why I applied and firmed Oxford ;'

To be clear, you do know Thatcher went to Oxford? Cambridge hasn't had a prime minister since before WW2 (Baldwin).

Yes. All I meant was that an 18-year old now who was born in 2000 will have lived through the Blair, Cameron and May premierships and may therefore associate Oxford with the PMs of their lifetime.

Yes, I thought that was the case, just wasn't sure

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