This discussion is now closed.
Check out other Related discussions
- Why are polytechnic universitys seen as bad?
- Nottingham trent! Actually a good university?!
- Oxford BCL - any advice on application with a 2:1
- Pharmacy in LJMU bad???
- Politics and International Studies Cambridge Postgraduate Applicants 2021 Thread
- What UK Universities would make someone think, 'They must be intellegent'
- Coming from a mid-tier, ex-poly uni, is there any hope for me?
- PhD Sociology or Phil CAMBRIDGE?
- Finding a good low entry requirements UK university
- Is there a way for International Student to get into a fully funded Doctorate via NHS
- Previous Relationship
- Notthingham trent vs kent
- Chance me: U.S. Student Interested in Oxbridge
- How necessary is a first in order to become a barrister?
- Oxford Brookes or Kent?
- How good is Manchester Met?
- Rank these for me please
- Magic Circle Law Firms
- Confusing about entrance requirements
- is it possible to get a 9 in gcse art in my context?
Is it possible to graduate from an ex poly with a 2:1 and get into Oxford?
And what can you do to make your application more attractive. Should one take a masters somewhere else and then apply to do a masters at Oxford?
Scroll to see replies
Perfectly possible. You need a very strong research proposal/personal statement and excellent references. You also need to make sure that your research/interests are in tune with the department, ie you are an appealing candidate at an academic level.
Personally, I see very little point in doing a Masters elsewhere if it is an attempt to try and prove you are Oxbridge material. I have certainly heard admissions staff in my dept in Cam ask why they should offer a Masters place to someone who already holds an equivalent qualification, versus giving the place to someone who wants a first Masters degree.
Personally, I see very little point in doing a Masters elsewhere if it is an attempt to try and prove you are Oxbridge material. I have certainly heard admissions staff in my dept in Cam ask why they should offer a Masters place to someone who already holds an equivalent qualification, versus giving the place to someone who wants a first Masters degree.
I think the user is nikk.
Of course it's possible, don't be ridiculous. How can people even question this kind of nonsense? Although most courses require a 1st; but a 1st from an ex-poly would also be fine.
Of course it's possible, don't be ridiculous. How can people even question this kind of nonsense? Although most courses require a 1st; but a 1st from an ex-poly would also be fine.
shady lane
I think the user is nikk.
Of course it's possible, don't be ridiculous. How can people even question this kind of nonsense? Although most courses require a 1st; but a 1st from an ex-poly would also be fine.
Of course it's possible, don't be ridiculous. How can people even question this kind of nonsense? Although most courses require a 1st; but a 1st from an ex-poly would also be fine.
Not according to the graduate prospectuses of Oxford and Cambridge, or anything I've heard from Oxford tutors and friends who've just graduated and gone on to post-grad study at Oxford or Cambridge. Obviously it depends of the course, and what your first degree was in.
shady lane
I think the user is nikk.
Yes, that would be him.
Of course it's possible, don't be ridiculous. How can people even question this kind of nonsense?
Obviously it would depend on your subject; a 2.i will be OK for most masters courses, but not all. That has nothing to do with having graduated from an ex-poly, though.
The thing is though that I have just got my 2nd year results through and they are poor. I am capable of so much more and my tutors know this. It's just that I am a very inconsistant student, one day I'm an A, the next day I'm a D. However I am planning to really work this upcoming year as I want a 1st.
ConservativeLibertarian
The thing is though that I have just got my 2nd year results through and they are poor. I am capable of so much more and my tutors know this. It's just that I am a very inconsistant student, one day I'm an A, the next day I'm a D. However I am planning to really work this upcoming year as I want a 1st.
Actually that might pose more of a problem than having done your undergraduate degree at an ex-poly...
ConservativeLibertarian
The thing is though that I have just got my 2nd year results through and they are poor. I am capable of so much more and my tutors know this. It's just that I am a very inconsistant student, one day I'm an A, the next day I'm a D. However I am planning to really work this upcoming year as I want a 1st.
I don't really want to rain on your parade but if you got poor 2nd year results, that's all they'll have to look at if you apply now. Maybe if you do REALLY well in the 3rd year and get a 1st overall that'll make up for it. But I wouldn't kid yourself too much... if you can't get a 1st at an ex-poly, you won't stand too much chance with your application. I needed a 1st in my degree to get into Oxford, and I have a feeling they would not have shown much mercy if I'd got a 2:1.
how's econ going edders? you enjoying it? what sort of things are you getting into?
Athena
Not according to the graduate prospectuses of Oxford and Cambridge, or anything I've heard from Oxford tutors and friends who've just graduated and gone on to post-grad study at Oxford or Cambridge. Obviously it depends of the course, and what your first degree was in.
Which courses don't. Anything on the arts or social science side requires a first, and I'm pretty sure maths does too. There are some courses that don't require a first if your degree is from Oxford, but from any other university almost all masters offers involve a first.
So no, getting a 2:1 from an ex-poly will not be good enough. You'd need to get a first from a top university, or get a first and have a stellar academic CV from anywhere not near the top, to get accepted onto the majority of courses. It is very much course dependent though.
Drogue...that's not true.
For a course that requires a 2:1 (e.g. Criminology), there is no reason that someone from say Oxford Brookes with a 68% wouldn't be considered or even have a chance.
There's someone on TSR doing a Linguistics MSt with a 2:1 from Exeter in September. I know it's not an ex-poly but still.
To the OP: for a masters course, you need to look around. Oxford isn't the best place to study for a large number of subjects.
For a course that requires a 2:1 (e.g. Criminology), there is no reason that someone from say Oxford Brookes with a 68% wouldn't be considered or even have a chance.
There's someone on TSR doing a Linguistics MSt with a 2:1 from Exeter in September. I know it's not an ex-poly but still.
To the OP: for a masters course, you need to look around. Oxford isn't the best place to study for a large number of subjects.
Drogue
Which courses don't. Anything on the arts or social science side requires a first, and I'm pretty sure maths does too. There are some courses that don't require a first if your degree is from Oxford, but from any other university almost all masters offers involve a first.
So no, getting a 2:1 from an ex-poly will not be good enough. You'd need to get a first from a top university, or get a first and have a stellar academic CV from anywhere not near the top, to get accepted onto the majority of courses. It is very much course dependent though.
So no, getting a 2:1 from an ex-poly will not be good enough. You'd need to get a first from a top university, or get a first and have a stellar academic CV from anywhere not near the top, to get accepted onto the majority of courses. It is very much course dependent though.
OK, most of the social sciences courses, according to the Cam grad prospectus, require high 2.i's, and a it's the same for a lot of the biological sciences graduate courses. I also know someone who's just started his PhD (in some kind of development work looking at nutrition) with a 2.i in Human Sciences. Although perhaps this, as you say, is because his first degree is from Oxford.
Shady: Hence the "for the majority of courses". Some course do ask for a 2:1, as they're less oversubscribed, but most wouldn't accept it unless it's from that particular university. Exeter is nowhere near an ex-Poly. Someone with a 68 from Brookes applying for postgrad in a subject that only requires a 2:1 from anywhere would have a chance. But for the majority of subjects, a 1st is required, and standards tend to be higher the further you go down the league table. Quite frankly, there are enough people with firsts who apply, to have a 2:1, except in specific subjects that don't require it, and still get an offer, requires something special, or your degree being from that particular university.
Only from Cambridge. I've got quite a few friends who got Cambridge offers for social sciences, and even from Oxford they all required a 1st. A 2:1 is the usual offer if your undergrad is at Cambridge. Perhaps some a few of their less-in-demand courses only require a 2:1, but even so, a 2:1 from a 'poor' university would make it very tough to get in.
That helps a lot. Oxford and Cambridge often require firsts from other universities and a high 2:1 from their own university, since they have more in depth knowledge of the student (they can talk to tutors, for example).
Come again? Preferably without bypassing the swear filter this time.
Athena
OK, most of the social sciences courses, according to the Cam grad prospectus, require high 2.i's,
Only from Cambridge. I've got quite a few friends who got Cambridge offers for social sciences, and even from Oxford they all required a 1st. A 2:1 is the usual offer if your undergrad is at Cambridge. Perhaps some a few of their less-in-demand courses only require a 2:1, but even so, a 2:1 from a 'poor' university would make it very tough to get in.
Athena
and a it's the same for a lot of the biological sciences graduate courses. I also know someone who's just started his PhD (in some kind of development work looking at nutrition) with a 2.i in Human Sciences. Although perhaps this, as you say, is because his first degree is from Oxford.
That helps a lot. Oxford and Cambridge often require firsts from other universities and a high 2:1 from their own university, since they have more in depth knowledge of the student (they can talk to tutors, for example).
Niccolo
you are a r*****.
Come again? Preferably without bypassing the swear filter this time.
Drogue
Shady: Hence the "for the majority of courses". Some course do ask for a 2:1, as they're less oversubscribed, but most wouldn't accept it unless it's from that particular university. Exeter is nowhere near an ex-Poly. Someone with a 68 from Brookes applying for postgrad in a subject that only requires a 2:1 from anywhere would have a chance. But for the majority of subjects, a 1st is required, and standards tend to be higher the further you go down the league table. Quite frankly, there are enough people with firsts who apply, to have a 2:1, except in specific subjects that don't require it, and still get an offer, requires something special, or your degree being from that particular university.
You said you need a 1st from a good university to get into a course. I said that you're wrong. If the course requires a 1st, there is no reason that someone who got a 1st from a lower-ranked university can't get in. There's someone on TSR who got a 1st from Hull and just completed the BCL. And in a course that requires a 2:1, someone from a lower-ranked university with a 2:1 could also get in. Will it be harder? Perhaps--depends on the quality of the department where the student came from. But for you to say it's not possible is honestly bunkum.
People like you perpetuate the idea that Oxbridge is some impenetrable, elitist academic empire. They want the best students; some people were crap at A-Levels but turn out to be really good students in the university environment. Why would they want to miss out on those people?
shady lane
You said you need a 1st from a good university to get into a course. I said that you're wrong.
No I didn't. I said you need a 1st from a top university or a 1st and a stellar academic CV from a non-top university to get in to the majority of courses which require a 1st.
I never said anything wasn't possible, although in the majority of subjects, someone with a 2:1 from an ex-poly wouldn't be considered. In some subjects they might be, but even then it'd be an uphill struggle.
shady lane
People like you perpetuate the idea that Oxbridge is some impenetrable, elitist academic empire.
I do nothing of the sort. But considering the majority of people with first class degrees tend to get rejected, I don't want to give false hope to people with 2:1s that they stand a decent chance. Yes, it is possible for some courses, but it is also reasonably rare, and you'd generally need something on your academic CV to make them want to take you. To ignore how hard it is to get in is to simply ignore reality. Yes, it's possible to get in from any university, providing you do exceptionally at that university. That goes for wherever you graduate from. But you do have to be a very good candidate, and that almost always means to have a first class degree. It may say on the website (to quote economics as an example) under admissions requirements: "Bachelor’s degree with a first or upper second-class honours or equivalent", however every offer I've ever seen, given to students from 4 universities, have all been dependent on getting a 1st in finals. You can be considered with a 2:1, but you'd need something exceptional to stand out.
Oxbridge isn't impenitrable, and I've done quite a bit of work helping people get into Oxbridge from disadvantaged backgrounds (admittedly for undergrad) so the idea that I'm trying to perpetuate some elitist image couldn't be further from the truth. The only way Oxbridge is elitist is academically, ie. you need top grades or something exceptional to get in. There are exceptions for some courses, but for most, that's true.
shady lane
They want the best students; some people were crap at A-Levels but turn out to be really good students in the university environment. Why would they want to miss out on those people?
They wouldn't. But they wouldn't lower the standards for them either. If they turned out to be really good students at university, they would be getting firsts. So someone who's getting a 2:1 from an ex-poly is not someone who turned out to be a fantastic student despite crap A levels. Moreover, a first from an ex-poly is not the same standard as an Oxbridge, an LSE, an Imperial, etc., first. Universities set their own exams and do their own marking, and the quality of scripts is different, as external examiners remark every year. That's why admissions tutors don't treat them equally, the same way employers don't. However yes, a first from an ex-poly is enough to stand you a chance of admissions. The odds are still way against you, but a first gives you a fighting chance. A 2:1, without anything exceptional, from a mediocre university, is not enough to give you a fighting chance.
Drogue
Which courses don't. Anything on the arts or social science side requires a first, and I'm pretty sure maths does too. There are some courses that don't require a first if your degree is from Oxford, but from any other university almost all masters offers involve a first.
*watches his dream of studying at Oxford fade away into the distance*
Drogue, I don't see what you are even arguing.
The question: "Is it possible to graduate from an ex-poly with a 2:1 and get into Oxford?"
The answer: Yes.
It's very obvious that Oxford only takes exceptional students with academic awards, strong performance, and a long list of other achievements. It is not, however, the case that there are no exceptional applicants from ex-polys. It would be remiss and even discriminatory for a course that says a 2:1 is required to not consider an applicant with a high 2:1 from an ex-poly. I believe that Oxford does not do this. If you are saying that it does, that confirms many of the things I already believed about that university.
Oh, and also, there are a lot of American postgrads at Oxford who studied at no-name, mediocre universities in the States but got accepted.
The question: "Is it possible to graduate from an ex-poly with a 2:1 and get into Oxford?"
The answer: Yes.
It's very obvious that Oxford only takes exceptional students with academic awards, strong performance, and a long list of other achievements. It is not, however, the case that there are no exceptional applicants from ex-polys. It would be remiss and even discriminatory for a course that says a 2:1 is required to not consider an applicant with a high 2:1 from an ex-poly. I believe that Oxford does not do this. If you are saying that it does, that confirms many of the things I already believed about that university.
Applicants for the MSc in African Studies should have a good 2.1 degree from a United Kingdom university or an equivalent qualification. We welcome applications from students who have had experience in developing countries, and from non-UK students. Applicants are accepted for each of the gathered fields declared by the university over the academic year, but you are encouraged to lodge your application at the earliest possible date.
Oh, and also, there are a lot of American postgrads at Oxford who studied at no-name, mediocre universities in the States but got accepted.
shady lane
The question: "Is it possible to graduate from an ex-poly with a 2:1 and get into Oxford?"
The answer: Yes.
The answer: Yes.
But that's not the whole answer. Firstly, for most courses, it simply isn't possible. Most courses standard offer is a 1st, and so with a 2:1 you won't get in. For some courses, it is possible, but even then most students on them have 1sts. It's like asking if someone can get into Oxbridge undergrad with AAB. Yes, occasionally it happens, but the standard offer for most subjects is AAA, so someone with AAB wouldn't get in.
For some, very few, courses, they would stand a chance. For most, that give out offers normally of a 1st, they wouldn't. For others, that are vastly obersubscribed, they'd stand a very small chance.
shady lane
It's very obvious that Oxford only takes exceptional students with academic awards, strong performance, and a long list of other achievements. It is not, however, the case that there are no exceptional applicants from ex-polys. It would be remiss and even discriminatory for a course that says a 2:1 is required to not consider an applicant with a high 2:1 from an ex-poly. I believe that Oxford does not do this. If you are saying that it does, that confirms many of the things I already believed about that university.
As I've said, a 2:1 from one university is not the same as from another. The exams are different and the standards are different, as external examiners regularly remark in examiners reports here. But that's not the real issue, as I've said almost all courses at Oxbridge require a 1st. Yes, a 2:1 is the minimum requirement, but almost everyone who gets in gets a first, partly because they're so oversubscribed, and partly because every Oxbridge offer I've seen this year for postgrad requires a 1st. So no, someone with a 2:1 from an ex-poly doesn't stand a chance when the standard offer is a 1st.
Just to make it very plain and clear: despite Oxbridge accepting applications from people with 2:1s, most Oxbridge postgrad offers (at least all of the 15 or so I've seen for various subjects) require a 1st. Therefore, whatever university you're from, you need a 1st to stand a decent chance, considering how oversubscribed they are. This in turn means someone with a 2:1 from an ex-poly doesn't stand much, if any, chance. Someone with a first from an ex-poly does, but still the odds are against them, as they are against anyone.
shady lane
Oh, and also, there are a lot of American postgrads at Oxford who studied at no-name, mediocre universities in the States but got accepted.
But all had high GPAs. It's not about it being an ex-poly, it's about them getting a 2:1. You generally need a 1st, moreso if you come from a non-top university. Sometimes a high 2:1 from a very top university is enough, but even then usually a first is required.
So to answer the OPs question: only in certain subjects, in the majority of them, no, it isn't plausible (even if perhaps technically possible) to graduate from an ex-poly with a 2:1 and get into Oxford.
I think you are confused about the nature of conditional offers. I have some friends on my course at LSE, which requires a 2:1, who had offers requiring a 1st--one of whom was an undergrad at UCL. I even know an Oxford graduate who got a conditional offer of a 1st for a course at SOAS.
Conditional offers are based on your current performance. If you have a 70+% average, you will typically be given an offer of a 1st if you get accepted at a top university. If you have a 68%, they will give you a conditional offer based on a high 2:1. If they don't want you, regardless of your current performance, you will get rejected.
Also, not everyone applies as a third year. Several courses (e.g. Criminology, MBA and a few other MScs at Said) value professional experience as well as academics, meaning that a 2:1 would be taken in consideration alongside other things.
Tell me: have you seen any offers for people who have been out of university for a few years? Or is it all just from your friends who are current students? Have you ever considered that they give 1st offers, allowing a small amount of flexibility for people who graduate with a 68, but that they might outright accept a graduate who has received a firm 68?
I agree that an ex-poly grad with a 1st would stand a better chance of acceptance. But I don't accept than an ex-poly grad applying for a course the explicitly states a 2:1 (rather than "2:1 but most of our accepted students have a 1st"--not all of them say that) can't get accepted with a 2:1.
Conditional offers are based on your current performance. If you have a 70+% average, you will typically be given an offer of a 1st if you get accepted at a top university. If you have a 68%, they will give you a conditional offer based on a high 2:1. If they don't want you, regardless of your current performance, you will get rejected.
Also, not everyone applies as a third year. Several courses (e.g. Criminology, MBA and a few other MScs at Said) value professional experience as well as academics, meaning that a 2:1 would be taken in consideration alongside other things.
Tell me: have you seen any offers for people who have been out of university for a few years? Or is it all just from your friends who are current students? Have you ever considered that they give 1st offers, allowing a small amount of flexibility for people who graduate with a 68, but that they might outright accept a graduate who has received a firm 68?
I agree that an ex-poly grad with a 1st would stand a better chance of acceptance. But I don't accept than an ex-poly grad applying for a course the explicitly states a 2:1 (rather than "2:1 but most of our accepted students have a 1st"--not all of them say that) can't get accepted with a 2:1.
Related discussions
- Why are polytechnic universitys seen as bad?
- Nottingham trent! Actually a good university?!
- Oxford BCL - any advice on application with a 2:1
- Pharmacy in LJMU bad???
- Politics and International Studies Cambridge Postgraduate Applicants 2021 Thread
- What UK Universities would make someone think, 'They must be intellegent'
- Coming from a mid-tier, ex-poly uni, is there any hope for me?
- PhD Sociology or Phil CAMBRIDGE?
- Finding a good low entry requirements UK university
- Is there a way for International Student to get into a fully funded Doctorate via NHS
- Previous Relationship
- Notthingham trent vs kent
- Chance me: U.S. Student Interested in Oxbridge
- How necessary is a first in order to become a barrister?
- Oxford Brookes or Kent?
- How good is Manchester Met?
- Rank these for me please
- Magic Circle Law Firms
- Confusing about entrance requirements
- is it possible to get a 9 in gcse art in my context?
Latest
Trending
Last reply 3 hours ago
Astrophoria Oxford Foundation Year 2025(Official Thread)University of Oxford
57
532
Last reply 1 week ago
Oxford MSc Integrated Immunology 2025/2026 entry (Full-Time)Last reply 2 weeks ago
y12 gyg ðœ—𜚠࣪˖ ִ𙚠study journal (goal: cambridge)University of Oxford
14
160
Last reply 1 month ago
Studying Physics at Oxford (2025) - offer holder adviceLast reply 2 months ago
Oxbridge applicants for modern languages - 2025 entry (applying in 2024)University of Oxford
60
146
