What key differences do the admissions processes of Oxbridge have?

When asked by my referee to which of the two I wanted to apply, he told me to consider the fact that, in his experience, Cambridge put more weight on the interview, whereas Oxford favored the former part of the application, namely the reference, statement, and predicted grades.

Can it be said it's true in general? Do you know of any other, if any, key differences, specially for Math or Physics?

Reply 1

forbearne

14

Original post by youlooktimelord

When asked by my referee to which of the two I wanted to apply, he told me to consider the fact that, in his experience, Cambridge put more weight on the interview, whereas Oxford favored the former part of the application, namely the reference, statement, and predicted grades.

Can it be said it's true in general? Do you know of any other, if any, key differences, specially for Math or Physics?

In general I think your referee is quite correct - Cambridge are known for interviewing around 80% of their applicants, while Oxford separate people very early on based on GCSE and admission test scores. So interview to places ratio is more competitive at Cambridge but Oxford is harder to get an interview. For Maths at Cambridge, you have to take the STEP after you receive your offer, which is something to consider as if you don't meet your STEP requirement you won't get in, whereas for Oxford you take the MAT around November.

Cambridge doesn't offer a physics course specifically but instead Natural Sciences, where you can choose later on what you want to specialise in (physics being an option) and for Cambridge you need to sit the NSAA. For Oxford physics, you sit the PAT around November.

Reply 2

RichE

15

Original post by youlooktimelord

When asked by my referee to which of the two I wanted to apply, he told me to consider the fact that, in his experience, Cambridge put more weight on the interview, whereas Oxford favored the former part of the application, namely the reference, statement, and predicted grades.

Can it be said it's true in general? Do you know of any other, if any, key differences, specially for Math or Physics?

I think that's a sweeping generalization, and you can certainly point to some subjects where it's clearly wrong. Maths would be one of them, where I would say STEP is the main indicator for Cambridge and Oxford interview more (usually 3 times rather than once, and GCSEs factor in very little). Since the abolition of modules (in England) and reduction in ASs, Cambridge generally are leaning more to pre-interview assessments.

But my main point is that there is a wide variety of approaches at each university and it only really makes sense to contrast approaches once you've narrowed things down to one or two subjects.

Reply 3

nexttime

22

Original post by youlooktimelord

When asked by my referee to which of the two I wanted to apply, he told me to consider the fact that, in his experience, Cambridge put more weight on the interview, whereas Oxford favored the former part of the application, namely the reference, statement, and predicted grades.

Can it be said it's true in general? Do you know of any other, if any, key differences, specially for Math or Physics?

I'm not certain I agree with that. Cambridge interviews a higher proportion (for most courses - not all), but Oxford tends to perform more interviews per candidate. The Oxford interview process takes place over multiple days, allowing them to give some candidates 4 or 5 interviews! So at which is the interview more important? Hard to tell!

What key differences do the admissions processes of Oxbridge have?

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