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Getting into Oxbridge for Postgraduate Study

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Reply 1800

Original post
by mrppaulo
Thanks for the support! How is graduate life in Oxford? Nice instagrams :smile:


No worries, you're welcome! Grad life in Oxford is fantastic- so much fun (and lots of hard work, though of course everyone here enjoys their work! :biggrin: ) And thanks! Oxford is very attractive so it's not difficult to take pretty photos, haha.

Reply 1801

I know this has been done a million times but I need to know I'm no wasting my time and money on little hope.

I plan on applying to an msc in integrated immunology at Oxford:
- I have a first (75% average) over 3 years studying biology with management at imperial college London.
- I won the award for achieving the highest mark in the module 'advanced topics in infection and immunity' in my third year (80%)
- Have 6 months lab experience in and out of uni
- I only have 2 academic references though and one professional (but not really a field related to biology-more economic and statistical analysis). Oxford say they require 3 academics for this :s

Will my references be a massive hindrance to my application overall?

Reply 1802

Original post
by eddie90
I know this has been done a million times but I need to know I'm no wasting my time and money on little hope.

I plan on applying to an msc in integrated immunology at Oxford:
- I have a first (75% average) over 3 years studying biology with management at imperial college London.
- I won the award for achieving the highest mark in the module 'advanced topics in infection and immunity' in my third year (80%)
- Have 6 months lab experience in and out of uni
- I only have 2 academic references though and one professional (but not really a field related to biology-more economic and statistical analysis). Oxford say they require 3 academics for this :s

Will my references be a massive hindrance to my application overall?


It won't be a massive hindrance, and I understand the struggle to get three references. But if there is any way you could get that third academic reference, I do think it would really help- I know the references were quite important when I applied, at least. What sort of professional reference is it- you said more economic/statistical analysis? If it was a research-based job then in this case a professional reference shouldn't be much of a hindrance at all. And your application sounds like it will be very strong in all other areas.

Reply 1803

Hey
anyone applying to CDT in gas turbine aerodynamics?

Reply 1804

Hi,

I am considering applying for a PhD in Oxford next year at the Mathematical Institute mainly focussing on Modelling. Just wondering if anyone has studied there and has good or bad things to say about it ? I have been away from academia for a while as I ave been working for 4 and a half years since I graduated - initially for a brief spell in a company and then in the NHS for 4 years as a physicist. Can anyone give me some advice/ tips regarding the general interview process in Oxford for PhDs ? Do they tend to be technical questions or generic competency based questions (like you have in jobs).

Thanks in advance
(edited 11 years ago)

Reply 1805

Sorry if this question was asked before. I hope someone can enlighten my understanding in just a few words.

Does a very good mark in MA degree make up for bad undergraduate grades during phD admission at Oxford? I know grades are not the only thing admission committees look at, but I like to know if I have a chance if my grades aren't very good during my undergraduate years.

Thanks a lot!

Shrimpball

Reply 1806

Original post
by Shrimpball
Sorry if this question was asked before. I hope someone can enlighten my understanding in just a few words.

Does a very good mark in MA degree make up for bad undergraduate grades during phD admission at Oxford? I know grades are not the only thing admission committees look at, but I like to know if I have a chance if my grades aren't very good during my undergraduate years.

Thanks a lot!

Shrimpball


I guess it depends how you define 'bad undergraduate grades'. A 2.1 might not be the end of the world (though it certainly won't help your application) but anything below that would make things pretty tricky- although this of course does depend on your department, how competitive the PhDs they have are, etc. It might be the case that although getting a place is possible, your chances of getting funding will be severely reduced. But again, it depends on what marks we're talking about, and how good your MA mark is, and whether your MA is in the area that you want to do a PhD, amongst other factors.

Reply 1807

Original post
by llacerta
I guess it depends how you define 'bad undergraduate grades'. A 2.1 might not be the end of the world (though it certainly won't help your application) but anything below that would make things pretty tricky- although this of course does depend on your department, how competitive the PhDs they have are, etc. It might be the case that although getting a place is possible, your chances of getting funding will be severely reduced. But again, it depends on what marks we're talking about, and how good your MA mark is, and whether your MA is in the area that you want to do a PhD, amongst other factors.



Thank you for answering so fast! I'm about to start my MA in Medieval Studies at Royal Holloway, University of London. I don't want to get my hopes too high, but I want to work towards getting a distinction. I went to a very good (top 20) university in the US, but I didn't get very good grades. I'd be applying in department of English or History I believe.

Reply 1808

Original post
by Shrimpball
Thank you for answering so fast! I'm about to start my MA in Medieval Studies at Royal Holloway, University of London. I don't want to get my hopes too high, but I want to work towards getting a distinction. I went to a very good (top 20) university in the US, but I didn't get very good grades. I'd be applying in department of English or History I believe.


As above, it's not just grades that determine a PhD offer, but with a decent master's grade (over 67%), a sensible proposal and good references there's no reason you shouldn't get an offer. I can't remember where I saw it, but I think something like 77% of PhD applicants in History at Cambridge get offers, mainly because it's a pretty self selecting group.

The difficult part is getting funding. For this, a bad undergrad will hurt you and if your undergrad is below 67% equivalent (probably around 3.5 GPA, but I'm not sure on the conversions), then a distinction is vital to have even the slimmest hope. Even then, it becomes a lottery and there are plenty of people with firsts and distinctions who still lose out.

Reply 1809

Original post
by Shrimpball
Thank you for answering so fast! I'm about to start my MA in Medieval Studies at Royal Holloway, University of London. I don't want to get my hopes too high, but I want to work towards getting a distinction. I went to a very good (top 20) university in the US, but I didn't get very good grades. I'd be applying in department of English or History I believe.


It is good that you went to a top 20 university in the US but, strangely enough, I actually think it's better to have gone to a slightly 'worse' university and to have achieved better grades, unfortunately (although of course both is ideal). But as Ellie said, if you do well in your master's and get the other factors right you could get an offer. Do you get marks for the MA throughout the year or are you having a gap year between the MA and potential PhD? That's the other concern I'd have; you won't find out your final MA grade until after you'll have applied for the PhD which is why undergrad marks tend to end up getting considered more. If there's a way around this then go for that.

Ellie is right about the funding situation- it's dire. Even as someone with a 1st at undergrad I only got funding at the last minute, and this was from a department that is in the medical sciences division (i.e. there's usually more funding about). But try your best with the MA and you never know.

Good luck with the MA. Good choice of university, by the way- Holloway's a great place so I'm sure you'll enjoy your time there. :biggrin:

Reply 1810

Original post
by llacerta
It is good that you went to a top 20 university in the US but, strangely enough, I actually think it's better to have gone to a slightly 'worse' university and to have achieved better grades, unfortunately (although of course both is ideal). But as Ellie said, if you do well in your master's and get the other factors right you could get an offer. Do you get marks for the MA throughout the year or are you having a gap year between the MA and potential PhD? That's the other concern I'd have; you won't find out your final MA grade until after you'll have applied for the PhD which is why undergrad marks tend to end up getting considered more. If there's a way around this then go for that.

Ellie is right about the funding situation- it's dire. Even as someone with a 1st at undergrad I only got funding at the last minute, and this was from a department that is in the medical sciences division (i.e. there's usually more funding about). But try your best with the MA and you never know.

Good luck with the MA. Good choice of university, by the way- Holloway's a great place so I'm sure you'll enjoy your time there. :biggrin:


The bold is correct. UK unis are less swayed by university name than by how well you did (although from some chats with tutors here this is not always the case, especially with certain lower ranking UK unis where they may for example have visibility into how the grading compares with their own via being externals, etc).

Also it may be department specific. My department for example requires both a distinction at masters and a first at undergrad for applications for PhD. Even if something like that is not spelt out, one may still be at a disadvantage against other applicants with such a background. But an excellent masters, especially with a good dissertation and a good phd research proposal, will stand you in good stead for many departments. The bottom line is: do your best, apply, but have a backup option just in case.

Reply 1811

Thank you sj27, llacerta, and ellie for the encouragements!!! I'm very happy and motivated by your posts!!! I will try my best and hope for the best!!! =D

Reply 1812

Hello all - I'm back with a question about supervisors for MSt courses. How usual is it to contact a potential supervisor for a Masters dissertation before you apply? I've seen some faculty staff mention that they're willing to supervise both MSt and DPhil students but I'm not sure if making contact prior to application is a DPhil-only thing. Any help much appreciated, as always.


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Reply 1813

Original post
by shady lane
Someone on this forum went to QMUL and is now at Oxford for a masters.

I don't think they look at A-Levels at all. I don't recall mentioning my scores or grades from high school when I applied to PG courses.


Someone I know went from Kingston uni to masters at Cambridge. ..it's achievable!

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Reply 1814

Original post
by swing89
Hello all - I'm back with a question about supervisors for MSt courses. How usual is it to contact a potential supervisor for a Masters dissertation before you apply? I've seen some faculty staff mention that they're willing to supervise both MSt and DPhil students but I'm not sure if making contact prior to application is a DPhil-only thing. Any help much appreciated, as always.


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It depends entirely on your department. Mine (Classics) dictates it's basically essential and you shouldn't apply without contacting a supervisor, but for others (linguistics, for example) advise you not to. Try and find information about it on the departmental website for your potential university. Alternatively, I would ask someone in your department and see what they say :smile:

Reply 1815

So, sorry to do this, but here's my 'what are my chances' question, and here are my results:

I have a first class english degree from the University of Liverpool. I have just completed an MA in Eighteenth-Century Worlds from the same institution, getting between 72-5 in every module bar one. I have also just got my dissertation mark back: 85, with both markers saying that I should revise for publication.

I would like to apply for either a History or English DPhil, probably straddling the departments, whichever one I go for. It would be a continuation of my MA dissertation.

I've been chronically ill for the past 10 years, so though I speak a few other languages, and set up 2 societies during UG, running 3 in total, my general CV looks very bare indeed.

Reply 1816

Original post
by ianuam
So, sorry to do this, but here's my 'what are my chances' question, and here are my results:

I have a first class english degree from the University of Liverpool. I have just completed an MA in Eighteenth-Century Worlds from the same institution, getting between 72-5 in every module bar one. I have also just got my dissertation mark back: 85, with both markers saying that I should revise for publication.

I would like to apply for either a History or English DPhil, probably straddling the departments, whichever one I go for. It would be a continuation of my MA dissertation.

I've been chronically ill for the past 10 years, so though I speak a few other languages, and set up 2 societies during UG, running 3 in total, my general CV looks very bare indeed.


Your marks are great and you clearly have a passion for your work. GO FOR IT!

Reply 1817

Thanks!

I'd never be able to live with myself if I didn't, just nice to have some reassurance.

Reply 1818

Original post
by Pyrapika
It depends entirely on your department. Mine (Classics) dictates it's basically essential and you shouldn't apply without contacting a supervisor, but for others (linguistics, for example) advise you not to. Try and find information about it on the departmental website for your potential university. Alternatively, I would ask someone in your department and see what they say :smile:


Thanks. I've had a look through the department website (both the snazzy new 2015 version and the older ones) and keep seeing hints but nothing concrete, so I'll re-scour :smile:


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Reply 1819

Hi there

I've just graduated with a 2:1 in Biomedical Science from a non RB/RG University. Theres a masters course I'm interested in at oxford- clinical embryology (45 applicants to 20 places).

Oxford appeals because of their attitude to learning, and the amount of leading researchers.

Obviously I know since its Oxford its going to be very competitive, and no one is guaranteed a place. I'm just wondering if coming from a non-prestigious university, and only obtaining a weak 2:1 (64%) means there is no point applying? Its a cost, and I wouldn't want to waste everyones time if theres really no chance.

Just wondering if anyone has any advice or experience of the same situation.

Thanks!

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