4 Questions About Getting Into Oxford to do a masters

Oxford does its grad applications in what it calls 'gathered fields'. Not entirely clear why or what this means. But basically, they will consider applications in 3 batches - those that are in by each of those dates. You should probably be aware that funding deadlines are likely to be earlier than March. Usually, the earlier you apply the better. Course deadlines are here.

Fees are usually the same as for other Masters (although international fees may vary) but you have to pay an additional college fee which is about £2000.

The college system is unique to Oxford, Cambridge and Durham (I think that's it). Basically, think of the colleges as your halls of residence. (This particularly applies to grads). You apply to a department, who give you a place, which guarantees you a college place (although you choose a college in initial application).You'll be taught in the department, and your college will give you housing, and provide a social life.

Do they definitely interview? Not all grad courses do. Also, they may be prepared to interview you via Skype.

Hope that helps!

1) http://www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/postgraduate_courses/apply/open_programmes.html should tell you when which programmes have closed / are open currently.

2) Depends on the course, surely? As a city, Oxford is relatively expensive for housing, I think, though obviously plenty of students here survive very well, and colleges typically subsidise accommodation if you're lucky enough to go to a college that provides it.

3) Every member of the university is a member of one of the many Colleges or Permanent Private Halls. Colleges are basically places where you might eat, sleep and socialise. You'll be part of the MCR or GCR at whichever college you go to (Middle / Graduate Common Room), and the committee will arrange pub-crawls, BOPs (equivalent of discos!), and other social events, like wine-tasting, exchange dinners etc. You'll have a link in the college, some sort of Director of Studies, who, whilst they might not be a specialist in Cognitive & Evolutionary Anthropology, should have a grounding within the broader subject. You'll also be attached to the department that oversees your course. They'll be principally in-charge of delivering the teaching. At undergrad level, the colleges also play a big role in teaching, but I don't think this is the case at Masters level. Essentially, there is no one college that corresponds to the ICEA, but there will be a number of colleges that accept applications from students who would like to do the course you're applying to (I've just searched, and you can apply to Campion Hall, Magdalen, Pembroke, St Catherine's, St Cross, St Hugh's, Trinity, Wolfson). You can choose a college based on a number of different criteria - location, whether accommodation is offered, whether you like the look of the place. Whatever, it's up to you! Whilst you won't be guaranteed a place at the college you choose, if you are accepted by the department, you are guaranteed a place at some college.

4) I don't know... Sorry! Certainly for the undergrad interviews we weren't required to pay for lodging, but then the process is very different.

Very informative reply, thank you henryt.

So, if I have this right - the ICEA is affiliated with a number of Oxford colleges, and as a postgrad, the colleges serve more as dormitories/halls of residence and for socialising, while the actual teaching may not take place there itself (unlike for undergrad). Are these colleges located far away from each other?

Also, do you have any thoughts on why a particular course has three application deadlines? Would you advise aiming for the earliest one?

The ICEA isn't even really affiliated with any Oxford college. A college will accept applications for whichever courses it chooses (usually for courses which mirror the interest of the Fellows). But yes, essentially you've got it right! Most of the colleges are in a relatively small proximity to eachother (they make up a lot of the city centre). There are a few further out however. Here's a map: http://www.ox.ac.uk/colleges/map_of_the_colleges_and_halls/index.html
A lot of the colleges are different aesthetically, and some are a little different 'socially' - by that, I mean that there are some colleges which are seen to be left or right wing politically, but mostly, I'd imagine, the atmosphere would be great wherever you end up. There are lots of links on that page linking to other info that should help you choose.

And in general, yes, I'd imagine an earlier application would be better (but only in so far as they might offer away all the places before yours is considered, rather than for any inherent advantage).

Great stuff, thank you again.

One last question. If my course starts in October 2011 (i.e. over a year away), could you give me a rough idea when funding/scholarship deadlines are?

This may sound completely idiotic, but I still have loads of time, right?

Great stuff, thank you again.

One last question. If my course starts in October 2011 (i.e. over a year away), could you give me a rough idea when funding/scholarship deadlines are?

This may sound completely idiotic, but I still have loads of time, right?

Funding deadlines are generally January, so I'd suggest that you apply for either the 1st or the 2nd gathered field. Some courses just have one deadline, so I'm not sure why yours has 3 options.

The Oxford Funding search should show you what's available in terms of college funding, and when deadlines are but you may not be able to use it to September or October when the new 'cycle' starts to get going. Don't forget that Oxford is still dealing with this year's applicants. Generally deadlines are January, although some are later.

Colleges only take people from certain courses at grad level. There isn't actually a real reason for this (I asked) it's generally just how it has worked out. It isn't to do with where tutors are or anything, your supervisor will be based in your department. The Colleges are all within quite a small area - Oxford isn't really that big!

And yes, they are really more about socialising and accommodation. There is variation between them, for example:
-Magdalen is quite large
-Magdalen, Trinity & Pembroke are older
-St Cats is a more modern looking college
-St Cross is a grad college

But generally if there's funding at one of those colleges I'd suggest applying there as your first choice!

Mm, I don't know, but I'd imagine they're somewhere on the www.ox.ac.uk website. Try going to Prospective Graduates, and then try and find a funding page!

Regarding colleges taking only certain people at grad level, I'm not sure I follow. Are you saying that if one chooses Course X as a postgrad, then only some specific colleges will take you?

Thank you for the replies.

Little Jules, I looked up the Oxford Funding search and it showed me that most of the deadlines have passed - but I assume this is regarding the coming academic term in October? At least that's what I'm hoping.

Regarding colleges taking only certain people at grad level, I'm not sure I follow. Are you saying that if one chooses Course X as a postgrad, then only some specific colleges will take you?

Hi Henryt. When I checked the funding site, it showed me that most of the deadlines have passed - but I assume this is regarding the coming academic term in October?
(as mentioned in the above post)