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Official OXFORD 2019 Postgraduate Applicants thread

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Thanks for your reply! I go to the University of San Francisco, which is part of my concern. It's not really a world-renowned school. Good luck with your application, that program was super interesting to me, too!

Oh very nice - San Francisco is great. I visited many years ago - I can't remember too much - but what I do remember of the place was great.

I wouldn't worry too much about the school's reputation - they're more interested in your grades and general academic performance, and since yours seems to be very good you've got a good chance. Anyway - you'll never know unless you give it a try. If it's what you want to do then i'd definitely pursue the application.

I'm in the same situation of just giving it a shot. My issue is that if I don't get funding then even if get accepted I won't be going as the course is very expensive for me.

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Reply 61

TTaylor92

- Current University: University of Westminster (graduated Jan 2018)
- Achieved (Expected) Grade: Distinction in MA International Relations and Security/ High 2:1 in BA Hons Politics (seriously, one of my tutors told me I was .8 percent away from a 1st)
- Prospective Course: DPHIL in Politics
- Prospective College: Magdalen College (1st choice) Brasenose (2nd choice)
- Fun fact/Extra Curricular activities: horse riding, fencing, martial arts, reading, creative writing. My research interests are British politics especially the modern British Conservative Party, pragmatism as a political theory and the interface between theory and practice in comparative analysis.

Hi, *waves*. I'm another one giving the application a go, been dreaming of Oxford since I was a little girl and figured I've got as good a shot as anyone now with my academic record. If I get in but don't get a scholarship I'll have to say no, but if that happens I'll just wait a few years, start saving and try again. I'm a bit of an academic wanderer, took a BA and an MA for me to work out which field I wanted to specialise in, nevertheless both of my dissertations revolved around the British Conservative Party, especially the Liberal-Conservative Coalition. Anyway, I've got an outline for my research proposal, and my old BA thesis supervisor (retired now) and her husband are helping me refine it. Wish me luck!

Reply 62

plm93

- Current University: Birkbeck, University of London and University of the Arts, London previously.
- Achieved (Expected) Grade: MA Philosophy - Distinction (with 73% awarded for my dissertation). First class honours at BA.
- Prospective Course: BPhil Philosophy
- Prospective College: Undecided and open-minded. Considering Christ Church or Magdalen.
- Fun fact/Extra Curricular activities: I have an avid interest in music, filmmaking and art generally - and this is very much a part of my eclectic academic background. I've also recently started to volunteer for a charity which helps Afghan refugees to settle in the U.K. My research interests are within political philosophy and political epistemology.

I never thought I would ever come to genuinely consider applying to Oxford but the structure of the BPhil degree is really appealing and I fancy giving it a shot! My BA wasn't in philosophy and so I am worried that this could be a major obstacle with regards to my application. I am confident that I will receive good references from my tutors but I am yet to begin work on my personal statement. I also feel like other applicants may have more professional experience, or will already have work published etc.

Would love to hear from others applying and particularly in philosophy or the humanities more broadly. I had a pretty strong dissertation (it was actually marked down to 73 for being slightly too long) and so I'm not sure whether to take a 5000 word excerpt from that with a note to contextualise it or try, and cobble together two shorter essays. Like many others, I also don't really have many 2000-2500 word essays that I have already written.

(edited 5 years ago)

Reply 63

QHF

Original post by plm93

I also feel like other applicants may have more professional experience, or will already have work published etc

Original post by plm93

I had a pretty strong dissertation (it was actually marked down to 73 for being slightly too long) and so I'm not sure whether to take a 5000 word excerpt from that with a note to contextualise it or try, and cobble together two shorter essays. Like many others, I also don't really have many 2000-2500 word essays that I have already written.

Chunking a bit of a good dissertation out and submitting it with contextualising notes is absolutely a viable approach, and one which has worked for some candidates in the past.

As you suggest, the big question over your application is likely to be: does this person have enough of a background in philosophy? So in your selection of written work you might want to think about what will demonstrate your philosophical chops best. And it'd probably be worth priming any of your referees who can vouch for your interest in and grounding in philosophy to labour that point in their references.

Reply 64

plm93

Original post by QHF

This is possible, but it's a black-box problem, so you're probably best off ignoring it and focusing on your application. I'm not an expert on philosophy in particular, but generally speaking in the humanities it's rare to expect published work in people applying for master's level courses (or even doctorates), and there aren't all that many jobs in the world which would offer genuinely relevant professional experience.

Chunking a bit of a good dissertation out and submitting it with contextualising notes is absolutely a viable approach, and one which has worked for some candidates in the past.

As you suggest, the big question over your application is likely to be: does this person have enough of a background in philosophy? So in your selection of written work you might want to think about what will demonstrate your philosophical chops best. And it'd probably be worth priming any of your referees who can vouch for your interest in and grounding in philosophy to labour that point in their references.

Thanks for the advice, I think it would be wise to perhaps raise these concerns with my referees like you say.

To your knowledge, have other candidates added commentary throughout the excerpt to contextualise it, or have they simply provided a note at the beginning to let the reader know where they are within the broader argument of the piece and fill in any gaps?

I also had another query. Oxford asks for three referees and whilst I'm sure I could find three of my tutors who would be happy to provide a reference, I'm considering asking a reader in philosophy at my university (previously associate lecturer at KCL) who I met during the course and became friends with. I know that using friends is generally perceived to be a bad way to go, but given his academic position and that the nature of our friendship is very much academic, I thought that his reference might provide a valuable contrast to the other two. Any thoughts on this?

Reply 65

Tadpole123

- Current University: TU Delft
- Achieved (Expected) Grade: MSc Chemical Engineering - *** laude, got a 1st in my BSc (Melb)
- Prospective Course: DPhil Engineering Sciences
- Prospective College: Two of the professors in the department I want to apply to are at Magdalen... so I guess them (Also apparently it's a rich college which is good for funding etc.)
- Fun fact/Extra Curricular activities: If I'm part of the October 2019 intake I should have 18 months continuous research experience (and hopefully at least 2 publications haha) - ~12 months at my home uni and 6 months at ETH

Does anyone know about the odds of getting a full scholarship? I.e. tuition fees and living costs paid for? I've had a couple of PhD offers already - the financial side of which were pretty tidy - but none of the topics particularly appealed (which of course is the most important thing). However I simply wouldn't be able to self-fund a PhD so even though the research done by the group at Oxford is amazing, without funding it'd be a no go even with admission.

(edited 5 years ago)

Reply 66

QHF

Original post by plm93

To your knowledge, have other candidates added commentary throughout the excerpt to contextualise it, or have they simply provided a note at the beginning to let the reader know where they are within the broader argument of the piece and fill in any gaps?

I also had another query. Oxford asks for three referees and whilst I'm sure I could find three of my tutors who would be happy to provide a reference, I'm considering asking a reader in philosophy at my university (previously associate lecturer at KCL) who I met during the course and became friends with. I know that using friends is generally perceived to be a bad way to go, but given his academic position and that the nature of our friendship is very much academic, I thought that his reference might provide a valuable contrast to the other two. Any thoughts on this?

I'd suggest putting notes at the beginning and end of your excerpt to explain what precedes it and where your argument goes afterwards, but not otherwise adding commentary.

If you have someone on hand who's a salaried academic philosopher and he's willing to write a reference then that sounds like a good idea to me. Make sure you supply him with your statement of purpose and with some of your past written work (philosophy or philosophy-adjacent work, if possible), so that he can say things like 'I have read several essays on [X], [Y], [Z] by plm93 and they display the firm grounding in [philosophical topic] which will be needed for plm93's proposed study of [whatever].' If possible, perhaps different written work to your writing sample so that (a) it's clear you have range and (b) he's not writing an assessment of work which the admissions readers will feel it's really their job to judge.

And good luck! Obviously I hope you succeed but, as a strategic option if you don't and you want to pursue things in future, you could always consider dual-subject interdisciplinary master's courses in various places. I've known several people who've transitioned between disciplines in the humanities by doing a BA in Discipline A, an MA in Disciplines A and B (or some umbrella category), and then a PhD in Discipline B.

Reply 67

zarahzhin

Hey everyone, I'm considering applying to Oxford for a Msc in Politics, but I doubt I would be accepted. I have strong letters of recommendation and high grades, but very little research experience. At my American university, we don't do a thesis/dissertation, so I only have minimal research experience. I graduated in the spring, so I'm working now in a politics related job so I'm hoping that will bolster my application.

- Current University: Virginia Tech
- Achieved Grade: 3.82/4.0 (equivalent to a 1st)
- Prospective Course: MPhil Comparative Government or Msc Politics Research
- Prospective College: I have no idea honestly.
- Fun fact/Extra Curricular activities: worked as an intern for an environmental organization for a summer, volunteers as a docent at a local history museum

(edited 5 years ago)

Reply 68

flowersnow97

Im applying to Oxbridge for an MPhil. I’ve saved up a decent amount of money throughout the years at work (mostly part time and summer internshipsh however I am just wondering if applying for funding decreases my chances of acceptance? I am currently a third year student at Russel Group university with a 75% in my first 2 years. (so my grades arent too good tbh). My main question is, would applying for funding lower my chances of acceptance? I am willing to use my saved money to fund my 1 year MPhil if it does. So any help would be appreciated thank you.

Reply 69

plm93

Original post by flowersnow97

From what I've gleamed the simple answer is no, no it doesn't.

I was surprised to find out that the vast majority of scholarships available at Oxford do not even require an additional application - you will be considered for them automatically when you apply on academic merit. From what I've gathered so far, there are some scholarships that do require further documents, or ones that are college specific but applying for them, should, in no way lower your chances of acceptance.

Unfortunately it must be said that it seems as though there are barely any scholarships or funding opportunities available through the university which are awarded on the basis of financial need. I thought that this was particularly disheartening for students like myself who do not have stereotypical "oxbridge" backgrounds. This fact seems inconsistent with all of the talk within the media recently of both Oxford and Cambridge making attempts to improve access for poorer students. Moreover, it also seems ill-thought out when you consider that Oxford prides itself on academic excellence. I am beginning to imagine that in many cases at graduate level, the students who accept places will not necessarily always be the very best applicants, as I am sure that limited funding means that many poorer-but-brighter students may have to turn down a place.

Reply 70

Pretallick1995

Is anyone writing a new essay for their samples?

Reply 71

historynerd2018

Hey! Hopeful applicant here, I have been planning on submitting by the Jan. 11 deadline, because my course page has no information about an earlier November deadline, but seeing some chatter about that deadline has me a little nervous. I am also an applicant from the US if that changes anything. Thoughts?

Reply 72

fjmercadomx

Hi!

I’m going to apply for the Masters in Public Policy
I’m from Mexico 🇲🇽, I don’t have a the highest grades (89.93/100) but I have a pretty good CV with over 8 years of work experience in politics, government and campaigns, I even ran for Federal Congressman in last year’s Mexican General Election. Do you think that with my CV, strong essays, statement and references will make up for my grades?

Reply 73

QHF

Original post by flowersnow97

I am just wondering if applying for funding decreases my chances of acceptance?

Applying for funding has no effect on your chances of getting a place (and as plm93 says, applicants are considered for most of the available funding by default).

Original post by plm93

I am beginning to imagine that in many cases at graduate level, the students who accept places will not necessarily always be the very best applicants, as I am sure that limited funding means that many poorer-but-brighter students may have to turn down a place.

The very best applicants (in the judgement of the people making the decisions) will get funding, so there's no need to worry that they're not accepting places.

The pernicious effects of the general lack of funding for postgraduate study (especially at the master's level) kick in for the next tier of students, the ones who're very good but just miss out on funding. At that level there absolutely is a big divide between the lucky few people who have money on hand and everyone else facing the unpalatable choice between either giving up on the place, or taking the place and accepting debt and/or working during study, which is going to cut into the time they have for academic work, yes. It's very possible that that does affect the standard of the students who accept non-funded places.

Original post by historynerd2018

If you're worried about it, email the point of contact listed for graduate admissions enquiries in the relevant faculty/department and ask.

Reply 74

aspirations101

Hey Guys, I have a question...

Oxbridge and other prestigious universities in the UK and USA require a First Class Honours (1:1) in an undergraduate course to pursue their master courses.

From my four year engineering undergraduate course I just completed in Australia, I achieved a First Class Honours which is calculated by 50% of your 3rd and 4th year marks, as well as 50% of your thesis project marks. My university has come up with this calculation scheme themselves. In order to achieve the First Class Honours, this weighted mark must be 80%+. 75%-79% is Upper second Class Honours, 70-74% is lower second Class Honours. The 1st and 2nd year marks of my degree are not included in the honours mark calculation. The First Class Honours award shows on my academic transcript and on my official degree certificate.

However, my overall degree mark is 74.5% , not 80%+. This is the mark that accounts for 1st,2nd, 3rd and 4th year marks. This mark also shows on my academic transcript.

Does this count as a First Class Honours 1:1 in Oxbridge, and other prestigious universities around UK, Europe and USA? I went on Cambridge and Oxford's websites to check, however I am still not 100% sure.

Thanks

(edited 5 years ago)

Reply 75

uzman.4321

Anybody submitted their applications yet or when do you guys think you'll be submitting it? I still need to find 1 or 2 references and then I think I'll be ready. Since there's no benfit to applying early, I'll probably submit my application around mid november or early december.

Reply 76

custardcake91

Hi everyone :smile:

Mature student here applying for the MSc in Statistical Science or MSc in Mathematical Sciences with the Data Science stream. I did my undergrad in Accounting & Finance from University of York and then worked for three years as an Accountant/Financial Analyst. Long story short, I found it really boring and I made a mistake when I was young and stupid by pursuing an Accounting degree when I used to love maths as a kid and got As in Maths and Further Maths (pre A* days). Thought Accounting had a lot of pure maths which it clearly didn't ha!

I have an MSc in Financial Economics and Econometrics with a distinction and currently doing the MSc in Applied Statistics and Data Mining at University of St Andrews. My course is quite applied and the Machine Learning element really took my interest and Oxford does provide a fantastic balance of theoretical and computational mathematics/statistics which I wanted to explore further given that I missed out the prime years of my mathematical life going through balance sheets/income statements ha! Probably a long shot applying to Oxford but hey you never know until you try!

Reply 77

historynerd2018

is anyone also applying to cambridge? and if so, how drastically are you changing your research proposal if at all? (I specifically am applying for an MSt in History)

Reply 78

Jgradschool

Original post by historynerd2018

is anyone also applying to cambridge? and if so, how drastically are you changing your research proposal if at all? (I specifically am applying for an MSt in History)

Yes, but not for history. I’m struggling to find the time to write statements of interest/research proposals. I’m aiming to send out an app by the end of the month

Reply 79

emagine18

Hi Guys,

- Previous University: University of York
- Previous Course: MPsych
- Achieved Grade: First with distinction
- Prospective Course: DPhil in Clinical Neurosciences
- Prospective College: No idea!

I'm thinking about applying for the DPhil. I only achieved 75 in my masters which was apparently a starred first/ first with distinction. I dont have that much research experience apart from a few months here and there during my degree. However, for the past 4 months I've been working in another russel group uni as a research assistant (12 month post) - in a topic extremely relevant to my proposed DPhil topic. My potential supervisor seems pretty keen to work with me on the project, but in terms of grades and experience do you think I stand a chance? I've been rejected from other universities previously for PhD programmes (although this was before I had any research experience at all and I didn't know my grades). Unsure whether to bother or just save myself from disappointment!