Oxford Second undergrads - any chance?

Hi,

I would like to apply at Oxford uni as a second undergrad to read physics or physics and philosophy. What are my chances? Anyone here any experience with second undergraduate applications?

A good friend went on to do Law at Oxford, as a second degree. The law degree was 2 years in duration. For law at least it's very competitive, don't think you're considered without a first class from a university they deem to be highly reputable. If that's what you have, your chances are good.

Hi,

I would like to apply at Oxford uni as a second undergrad to read physics or physics and philosophy. What are my chances? Anyone here any experience with second undergraduate applications?

second undergraduate?! isn't that just postgraduate?! :s

No, postgraduate is if you decide to go on for a higher degree in a certain subject.

Second undergraduate means that you have graduated in a certain subject (mine will be aerospace engineering) and decide to do a second undergraduate course in a different subject (eg. physics).

First of all, the physics course is far less competitive than for example law or ppe. Further, my current university doesn't work with firsts and upper seconds, etc. The grading goes from 1 to 10 were a 6 is comparable to a D and 8-10 stands for A. I think I have a fair change of getting an average of 8-8.5 which will bring me a Cum Laude Bachelor of Science, which is fairly good. However, I don't know whether they will regard Delft as a reputable university, although I must say that my faculty ranks amongst the best in Europe and the US. Through our cooperation in the IDEA League with Imperial College London, I will also be offered a diploma supplement stating that the quality of my degree is comparable to that of ICL. On the other hand, I do not think that my previous degree is that important, since physics and aerospace engineering are quite different.

But, as you indicated as well, I already had the suspicious idea that it is quite difficult to get in as a second undergraduate. However, I am definitely going to try. Provided that I willl get good grades, should this still put me off applying to the more prestiguous colleges Merton and Magdalen (which are my favourites right now)? Or should I just go for it?

Well go for it. Although, they will I assume go on your first degree, as a test of ability. Not sure how competitive Physics is, but for Law anyway, there were very very few places available. I'd still assume the level to be first class honours, or its EQUIVALENT. Should just phone and ask the colleges, sometimes people just tell you straightout. That friend I mentioned, he was told, first class honours or your application form is a waste of time, or something along those lines.

Thanks for the useful information, but this is not really good news: "...first class honours or your application form is a waste of time, or something along those line". Maybe I should start considering some less prestigious colleges...

BTW, which college did your friend go to?