Geography: Oxford or Cambridge?

Hi!! I am planning to take geography in the UK (2027 entry), however I am having a hard time deciding which one to choose. I want to specialise in human / environmental geography, not physical geography. Which university would be the best?Thanks !

Reply 1

Stiffy Byng

I suggest that it is a bit too soon to decide on which universities to apply to. Your academic interests may develop and change between now and the autumn of 2026, when you would be making your applications with a view to starting your degree in 2027. In addition, which universities you apply to will be influenced by how you do in your GCSEs, and how you are predicted to do in your A levels or IB.

Also, please don't fixate on Oxford or Cambridge. It is great to aim high, and best of luck in doing so, but most applicants for undergraduate courses in all subjects at those two universities don't receive offers. An application to either should always be seen as a long shot, and rejection is not failure. Please look also at the several other good universities in the UK.

In the meantime, if you get the chance visit both Oxford and Cambridge to form an impression of the two places, have a look at the Oxford and Cambridge Demystified threads here, check the universities' websites for information about courses (this changes from time to time), and look at the alternative prospectuses for both universities, produced by people who study there.

Reply 2

Mendy_y

Thank you so much! I am also planning to some other top unis in UK, thank you so much for the help!

Reply 3

mxtt_helm

Original post by Mendy_y

Honestly if you like both just prioritise which one has an admission systems that suits you best. Cambridge interview more applicants and are less concerned with GCSEs so if you have slightly worse ones apply there, if you have something like all 9s that would be an advantage at oxford. If there are admissions tests then take a look at which one you feel more comfortable with.