University of Oxford
Oxford
Oxford Graduate Application 2012/13
Scroll to see replies
Original post by HoVis
??
??Hey, I really want to apologise if I made you feel that you are not "worth it". I really do not think so. I believe Oxford produces very good graduates, and I wish I had the opportunity to do my undergrad there. I honestly feel that to an extent this preference to Oxford graduates is because they are better prepared. But I cannot help but feel that there is also the inevitable fact that the admissions committee will know many of these candidates more personally, so when the choice is between two equally good candidates the "obvious" solution is to go for the "safe" option: the one you know for sure that is as good in paper as in reality. I probably would do the same if I had to make the decisions. But of course as a postgraduate student I do not like it.
University of Oxford
Oxford
Would anyone venture to guess what proportion of Oxford graduates stay on to do a postgrad at Oxford?
Original post by Athena
Perhaps the arts and social sciences need to make a better case for their own importance. If you ask the man on the street would he rather fund someone to research cancer, or research Ovid, you can see why he might think the former is more important. Unless you can convince him otherwise, of course - and this applies to MPs who help set research funding priorities and the public who elect them. When I look at an awful lot of my friends studying philosophy, English lit etc, I can't see how I directly benefit from their research (although I certainly benefit from the consumable arts - cheap tickets for the RSC, music, Bernard O'Donohue's poetry etc). Whereas I can tell you in one sentence how you might benefit personally and directly from my research (which is philanthropically funded). For the engineers I know, they're funded by companies because they are a cheap form of research and development. The arts and humanities need to stamp their feet a bit more and be clearer about why they benefit the whole of society (and maybe that means making intangible benefits seem more tangible).
Perhaps the arts and social sciences need to make a better case for their own importance. If you ask the man on the street would he rather fund someone to research cancer, or research Ovid, you can see why he might think the former is more important. Unless you can convince him otherwise, of course - and this applies to MPs who help set research funding priorities and the public who elect them. When I look at an awful lot of my friends studying philosophy, English lit etc, I can't see how I directly benefit from their research (although I certainly benefit from the consumable arts - cheap tickets for the RSC, music, Bernard O'Donohue's poetry etc). Whereas I can tell you in one sentence how you might benefit personally and directly from my research (which is philanthropically funded). For the engineers I know, they're funded by companies because they are a cheap form of research and development. The arts and humanities need to stamp their feet a bit more and be clearer about why they benefit the whole of society (and maybe that means making intangible benefits seem more tangible).
Yes, this is true. But there are obviously practical problems. Were not empiricists and we can't pretend to be, however hard we stamp. However I generally agree with the view posited here.
Original post by Athena
Don't assume that because a student went to Oxford or Cambridge as an undergrad, they come from an affluent background and can self-fund. There are many universities in the country where undergraduates have parents with more disposable income than at Oxbridge. LSE, SOAS, UCL, King's, Durham, St Andrew's, Bristol and Edinburgh were all among them, if I remember the article I read correctly.
Don't assume that because a student went to Oxford or Cambridge as an undergrad, they come from an affluent background and can self-fund. There are many universities in the country where undergraduates have parents with more disposable income than at Oxbridge. LSE, SOAS, UCL, King's, Durham, St Andrew's, Bristol and Edinburgh were all among them, if I remember the article I read correctly.
No, I was not inferring that at all. It's quite obvious that students from other universities can self-fund. I was pointing out that Oxbridge prefer their own graduates for funding.
thought I should just point out, when it comes to mphils and Dphils etc oxford undergrads are much more likely to know the research interests of their professors/lecturers haveing spoken to them on multiple occasions, compared to say someone who was just looking up the department website.
not sure how much of a difference it really makes but its much easier to get on the good side of someone uve had a chat with than and gotten to know than someone uve never met before, even if subconsciously
not sure how much of a difference it really makes but its much easier to get on the good side of someone uve had a chat with than and gotten to know than someone uve never met before, even if subconsciously
Original post by musty129
thought I should just point out, when it comes to mphils and Dphils etc oxford undergrads are much more likely to know the research interests of their professors/lecturers haveing spoken to them on multiple occasions, compared to say someone who was just looking up the department website.
not sure how much of a difference it really makes but its much easier to get on the good side of someone uve had a chat with than and gotten to know than someone uve never met before, even if subconsciously
not sure how much of a difference it really makes but its much easier to get on the good side of someone uve had a chat with than and gotten to know than someone uve never met before, even if subconsciously
yeah, actually, I agree with you. As I said before, Oxford graduates have an advantage because of the fact that they were there. But of course there is nothing we can do about it. It is understandable.
Original post by Athena
Part of the reason so many Oxford graduates stay at Oxford is that a. many universities in the UK do not have the resources, reputation or funding that Oxford (/Cambridge) has; and b. other universities are not collegiate and provide a very different student experience. For me, part of the appeal of moving to Cambridge was that 'it's like Oxford but somewhere else' so I have two names on my CV, but I'm still in a college (and having gone to a **** graduate-only college for a year, life at other universities for postgrads looks awful!). I changed to Cambridge because they could fund a PhD, and none of the academics I knew in Oxford, who would have taken me as a PhD student, had any money that year. So I switched. But I could happily have stayed - I found the student experience amazing, the research and library facilities far superior to the ones my friends at Oxbridge enjoyed, I was totally enmeshed in sports clubs and societies... it is tempting to stay forever. I love Oxford!
I also think the aspiration for academia, and aspiration levels generally, are higher at Oxford and Cambridge than other UK universities and this must be reflected in application levels. Let's imagine 25% of applicants for Oxford research council studentships are Oxford graduates, and then 25% of those grants go to Oxford graduates... could well just be a proportion thing.
I also think the aspiration for academia, and aspiration levels generally, are higher at Oxford and Cambridge than other UK universities and this must be reflected in application levels. Let's imagine 25% of applicants for Oxford research council studentships are Oxford graduates, and then 25% of those grants go to Oxford graduates... could well just be a proportion thing.
I agree that reputation, resources etc are of course better at Oxbridge. But I still believe that even if it was just for a year (say a masters) going out and seeing another system is very important. I was talking with a person from Princeton and another from Harvard, and they both told me that their universities did not allow them to stay on without going somewhere else first. Anyway, of course there is also the problem of funding so no one would turn down a funded offer from their uni just to experience something else.
Original post by kikkoman
Congrats. My offer letter was dated the 16th of March and I found out 12 days later haha.
Did you get any notice of funding or anything? I guess we will have to wait until late June / early July for decisions. Although, I will probably accept another offer beforehand and probably withdraw my app...
Did you get any notice of funding or anything? I guess we will have to wait until late June / early July for decisions. Although, I will probably accept another offer beforehand and probably withdraw my app...
Mine offer was also dated to the 16th...
From which other University do you have an offer ?
cheers
Original post by *Corinna*
Hey, I really want to apologise if I made you feel that you are not "worth it". I really do not think so. I believe Oxford produces very good graduates, and I wish I had the opportunity to do my undergrad there. I honestly feel that to an extent this preference to Oxford graduates is because they are better prepared. But I cannot help but feel that there is also the inevitable fact that the admissions committee will know many of these candidates more personally, so when the choice is between two equally good candidates the "obvious" solution is to go for the "safe" option: the one you know for sure that is as good in paper as in reality. I probably would do the same if I had to make the decisions. But of course as a postgraduate student I do not like it.
musty129
thought I should just point out, when it comes to mphils and Dphils etc oxford undergrads are much more likely to know the research interests of their professors/lecturers haveing spoken to them on multiple occasions, compared to say someone who was just looking up the department website.
not sure how much of a difference it really makes but its much easier to get on the good side of someone uve had a chat with than and gotten to know than someone uve never met before, even if subconsciously
not sure how much of a difference it really makes but its much easier to get on the good side of someone uve had a chat with than and gotten to know than someone uve never met before, even if subconsciously
It's ok, *Corinna*.
But, at the risk of flogging a dead horse...Yes, knowing the people who are running the admissions panel - for anything - will always help (and probably especially applies when it comes to getting academic jobs), but I don't think this is confined to Oxford. An academic at Warwick whom I've been in contact with spent her entire career at Warwick from her MSc onwards. Yes, knowing the people who have the power to give you a place / job is very helpful.
However, I don't think this kind of factor advantages undergraduates applying to the Master's in any appreciable way, especially *not* at Oxford. This is because the collegiate system means that you're likely to only really get to know your college tutors. In history, at least, he only 'core' (i.e. non-optional subjects which everyone does) subjects you do are taught by your college tutors, so there's never a time when a whole subject group is likely to be taught by the same tutors. Everyone knows different academics. I reckon I've probably been taught by around 12 different academics in my time here. From what I've heard the degree committee is made up of around 5-8 academics. I know for a fact that none of my tutors are on it (at least 5 of the people I've been taught by are no longer here anyway / not in the History faculty), and statistically, given the size of the History Faculty (60+ academics), that's not surprising. You'd have to be *lucky* to be at Oxford and have the convenience of knowing the people on the graduate admissions panel.
Indeed, I think you'd get less 'advantage' being an Oxford undergraduate applying to Oxford for a Master's than you would as a KCL undergraduate applying to KCL for Master's, simply because the faculty is so damn large that, well, it's hard to conveniently build up relationships with the people on the committee!
Finally, the advantage of knowing someone personally / making sure people on the degree committee is not one that's confined to undergraduates of the same university. It's a part of academia that I hate, but like it or lump it there is a lot of 'networking' involved. One piece of advice I was given when making my graduate applications was to contact people whom I thought were potential supervisors in the universities I was applying to. I felt too embarrassed to do this everywhere (though I did contact someone at Cambridge because I genuinely thought he would be a good supervisor, and I wanted to put his name on the form), but it's reasonably good advice. There's no rule forbidding you from making academics at your potential university know about your research plans. It's a bit crappy (and believe me I've seen the ridiculous nepotism of academia in action with my fiancé applying for graduate jobs), but there are ways around any potential advantage that undergraduates of a given university might have.
However, I would argue that it's actually quite unlikely for the panel at Oxford to know an Oxford undergraduate 'in reality', simply due to the size of the faculty / collegiate focus of teaching. Presumably if it was vs an Oxford undergrad the admissions panel hadn't met, and a non-Oxford undergrad who'd emailed their potential supervisor with exciting ideas, the latter would in fact be the 'safe' option...?
Original post by maggiesfarmer
I got a Clarendon for MSc in African Studies! i can't believe it! good luck to everyone!
Still haven't heard directly from the African Studies Program. But I guess I can assume I got in.
Still haven't heard directly from the African Studies Program. But I guess I can assume I got in.
Congrats! A friend of mine got an offer from the MSc African Studies course too, it looks fascinating.
Hey there!
Unconditional offer for MArch Architecture aka Advanced Architectural Design.
Anyone else on the same course?
Unconditional offer for MArch Architecture aka Advanced Architectural Design.
Anyone else on the same course?
Hi Guys.
Random question to those of you with offers... What are you thinking of doing accommodation-wise? Are you applying to uni/college accommodation? Or are you looking privately? Also, have you studied in the UK before? And is that influencing your decision one way or the other?
I am a UK student and have lived in private housing for the last two years of my undergrad, and I'm pretty used to the independence. I'm now not really sure whether I'd rather stay private or go into college/uni accommodation. I've had lots of trouble with housemates in the past, so am considering living on my own if I can find somewhere reasonably affordable, but am not sure whether this would mean I miss out on a lot of socialising etc.
Decisions, decisions! haha.
Random question to those of you with offers... What are you thinking of doing accommodation-wise? Are you applying to uni/college accommodation? Or are you looking privately? Also, have you studied in the UK before? And is that influencing your decision one way or the other?
I am a UK student and have lived in private housing for the last two years of my undergrad, and I'm pretty used to the independence. I'm now not really sure whether I'd rather stay private or go into college/uni accommodation. I've had lots of trouble with housemates in the past, so am considering living on my own if I can find somewhere reasonably affordable, but am not sure whether this would mean I miss out on a lot of socialising etc.
Decisions, decisions! haha.
Original post by nervousgirl
They've updated the page - all Soc. Sci. Clarendon awards have been made. No letter for me. I hope someone here had better luck!
I'm in the same boat. No Clarendon for me either. I don't know why I was foolish enough to hope!
Original post by zooey_1990
I was looking at the Master of Public Policy (MPP) program offered by the Blavatnik School of Government. The one year masters program is new and is currently accepting its first class of students in September 2012. Do you guys think that because the program is new it will be easier to get accepted since not a lot of people know about it?
The admissions process for the September 2012 intake is already closed so you're too late, I'm afraid. Also, the program has been highly publicised, they've roped in some big names and they offered only 30 places this year, so my understanding is that admission to the MPP was quite competitive this year.
They expect to take in a large cohort next year (120 students) so you could try your luck next year. By the way, the course fee for international students is 30000 pounds.
Original post by maggiesfarmer
I got a Clarendon for MSc in African Studies! i can't believe it! good luck to everyone!
Still haven't heard directly from the African Studies Program. But I guess I can assume I got in.
Still haven't heard directly from the African Studies Program. But I guess I can assume I got in.
That's fantastic! Congratulations!
Original post by peliqueiro
Hey there!
Unconditional offer for MArch Architecture aka Advanced Architectural Design.
Anyone else on the same course?
Unconditional offer for MArch Architecture aka Advanced Architectural Design.
Anyone else on the same course?
Congratulations!
Got the GRE next week but struggling to revise so much to do so little time help me peeps. I need Eye of the Tiger. I want to get into Oxford. Must study and do well rrrraaaaaaaarrrrrr!
Original post by Gridiron-Gangster
Got the GRE next week but struggling to revise so much to do so little time help me peeps. I need Eye of the Tiger. I want to get into Oxford. Must study and do well rrrraaaaaaaarrrrrr!
I didn't think Oxford required GRE? :-/
Regardless, it's easy peasy
You'll do fine! Best of luck!Original post by VioletsAin'tBlue
I didn't think Oxford required GRE? :-/
Regardless, it's easy peasy You'll do fine! Best of luck!
Regardless, it's easy peasy
You'll do fine! Best of luck!GRE for MAster's in Financial Economics. It was toss up between GMAT and the GRE and I opted the GRE so it's a nut I gotta crack. I can't study during the day for me it has to be at night time in the dark with the lamps on and cups of peppermint tea so fuel. I need a decent meal though.....can't study on an empty stomach.
Thanks for the support!
is anyone else still waiting to hear from the Politics department? I am sincerely worried they've forgotten about my application at this point!
Original post by american_abroad
is anyone else still waiting to hear from the Politics department? I am sincerely worried they've forgotten about my application at this point!
Haha the exact same thing went through my mind today. Especially because I received an email a couple of days after the deadline telling me that my application was incomplete and therefore I won't be considered. I called them up and they apologized - said it was an administrative error and they will in fact consider my app. But so many IR responses so far and yet nothing for me. Its good to know I am not the only one waiting though
GL buddy.Obesa, what degree did you apply for?
Quick Reply
Related discussions
- Oxford Physics Admissions Tips!
- Oxbridge Mathmo Salaries?
- Going from lower Tier RG to Oxbridge (Top 5)?
- Oxford medicine
- GCSEs good enough for oxbridge??
- BMAT percentage? Im at around 5.0,6.0,3A?
- Number of Access to H.E. applicants to Oxford University
- help
- UCAS Clearing 2023 FAQ and Help Megathread
- Got a Ucas or results related question? Ask a Clearing and Applications Advisor here
- re. Zero Gravity
- Mathematics application - low gcses
- Natural Science at Cambridge vs Single Science at Oxford
- University application with 3 alevels
- Medicine Gcse requirements
- I've been on TSR half my life, and today I have finished training!
- Oxford MPP 23/24 Applicants
- Chances of getting into Oxford DPhil in International Relations w/ MSc 2:1 & BA Hons?
- Oxford vs LSE for Law
- Student Finance for Nursing Degree - Previous Study
Trending
- Official Oxford 2024 Postgraduate Applicants Thread
- Oxford Neuroscience MSc (2024-2025)
- The Open-Oxford-Cambridge Doctoral Training Partnership (OOC DTP)
- Do (which?) Colleges accept friends/girlfriends to sleep over ?
- Bonn vs Oxford vs Cambridge vs UPenn Mathematics Masters
- To Call or Not to Call?
- Is it worth applying?
- How hard is it to gain Admission to Oxford University's Master's CS from a normal uni
- Oxford Postgraduate Offer Holders 2023
- 2023-24 Oxford MSc Criminology and Criminal Justice Applicants
- Oxford History Applicants 2023 - Undergraduate & Postgraduate
- Oxford postgraduates: Waitlistters 2023/24
- Politics Masters 2024 - Cambridge, Oxford or Manchester?
- PhD Neuroscience Cambridge vs Oxford vs UCL
- Postgrad Oxford Scholarship odds
- MPhil/Postgrad economics Oxford 2023
- MSc in Integrated Immunology at the University of Oxford 2023/24
- Worth it to make an application for neuroscience masters at Oxford?
- Oxford Postgraduates: MSc Energy Systems 2023
- Oxford MSc Modelling for Global Health
Latest
- Ignore / delete
- HKU / CUHK Medicine non-jupas 2024
- Applying with IELTS Academic as a international student
- Official: University of Cardiff A100 2024 Entry Applicants
- Retaking a levels
- Take TSR's 2023 quiz of the year!
- University of Oxford 2024 Undergraduate Applicants Official Thread
- Official: Aston University A100 2024 Entry Applicant thread
- NatSci interviews
- Official Liverpool John Moores University 2024 Applicant Thread
- Official: University of Birmingham A100 2024 Entry Applicants
- Apologies for Yesterday's Pun Game
- Official Veterinary Medicine Applicants thread 2024 entry
- OCR Economics GCSE 2023 Paper and Markscheme
- 2024 Pharmacy applicants mega-thread
- United Utilities Graduate Scheme
- The Official Cambridge Applicants for 2024 Entry Thread
- 2024 deloitte bright start apprenticeship 2024
- I'm planning to steal Christmas....AMA!
- Deloitte Graduate Scheme 2024
- FTI Consulting 2024 Grad Schemes
- Network Rail Graduate 2024
- Official Optometry Applicants thread 2024
- LSEG Graduate Scheme 2024
- [Official thread] Durham University 2024 Applicants
- Manchester uni or KCL?
- Gatwick Airport Graduate Scheme 2023
- Official: University of Leicester A199 (foundation year) 2024 entry applicants
- Tenancy takeover in manchester fallowfield
- How do you celebrate Christmas as a uni student?
- emmanuella's y13 study diary: growing my grades
- Radio Transmitters
- Last Person To Post Here Wins (Part 54)
- Am I being weird or the situation is?
- Official CHEMISTRY applicants thread 2024
- New Thread Experience Feedback - Official Thread
- Official: University of Leeds A100 2024 Entry
- Dwp 571 workcoach Derbyshire Council
- Wanting to apply for English Literature and History combined degree at Chichester
- Official: University of Plymouth A100 2024 Entry Applicants