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Has Oxford University become harder to get into?

Say if you were to compare success rates from 2007 to 2017, almost every single subject has % decrease in success.

Some subjects such as Human Sciences have varied hugely from almost 40% successful to only 14/15% successful today. Others, such as history or caah have remained fairly stable but again, more competitive.

Why is this?

Does this mean that the average undegrad admitted in 2017 is more intelligent/“better” than the 2007 undergrad?

Could it perhaps be said that gaining admittance to Oxford in 2017 is a greater achievement than someone who did so 10,20,30 years ago?
Original post by jackmolineux
Say if you were to compare success rates from 2007 to 2017, almost every single subject has % decrease in success.

Some subjects such as Human Sciences have varied hugely from almost 40% successful to only 14/15% successful today. Others, such as history or caah have remained fairly stable but again, more competitive.

Why is this?

Does this mean that the average undegrad admitted in 2017 is more intelligent/“better” than the 2007 undergrad?

Could it perhaps be said that gaining admittance to Oxford in 2017 is a greater achievement than someone who did so 10,20,30 years ago?


I’m quite sure it’s due to a lot more international students were applying to Oxford, hence automatically they needed to reject greater number of ‘intelligent’ applicants.
(edited 6 years ago)
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e^iπ
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Original post by jackmolineux
Say if you were to compare success rates from 2007 to 2017, almost every single subject has % decrease in success.

Some subjects such as Human Sciences have varied hugely from almost 40% successful to only 14/15% successful today. Others, such as history or caah have remained fairly stable but again, more competitive.

Why is this?

Does this mean that the average undegrad admitted in 2017 is more intelligent/“better” than the 2007 undergrad?

Could it perhaps be said that gaining admittance to Oxford in 2017 is a greater achievement than someone who did so 10,20,30 years ago?


I believe the myths around Oxbridge taking only privately educated children are just that at the current moment in time, but it was true 20 years ago.

This change has lead to more state school applications and thus an increase in the amount of intelligent students applying which mean it is harder to get into now than it was 20 years ago
Original post by jackmolineux
Say if you were to compare success rates from 2007 to 2017, almost every single subject has % decrease in success.

Some subjects such as Human Sciences have varied hugely from almost 40% successful to only 14/15% successful today. Others, such as history or caah have remained fairly stable but again, more competitive.

Why is this?

Does this mean that the average undegrad admitted in 2017 is more intelligent/“better” than the 2007 undergrad?

Could it perhaps be said that gaining admittance to Oxford in 2017 is a greater achievement than someone who did so 10,20,30 years ago?


I think you overlook that Oxford is much more accessible now than it was in the past.

You mention history. 30 years ago, 8 weeks into the course you had to sit exams that could result in your failing your degree in which you had to be able to read two historians in two foreign languages and comment on what they said. Frankly, if you didn't have two foreign languages to that standard, you didn't apply to read history at Oxford.

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