Oxford for Music

Hiya! I'm an Oxford music alumna (2007-2010). Do you have specific questions? As you can see, it's been a while since I was there, but happy to help if I can :musicus:

Reply 2

I'm seeking guidance on the Choral Award application and if there's anyone that could assist me in the application process. It's very different from the US. Plus I'm uncertain if I need 3 AP 5s plus an SAT or one or the other. Thanks for your reply!

Reply 3

Original post by BarbaraStoneM

I'm afraid I don't know much about US grade equivalents or the choral awards :colondollar:

Have you tried emailing someone at Oxford to ask about the grade requirements? 🙂

Reply 4

Hi again,

I just remembered that I wrote some posts advising about unseen score extracts (at Oxford interview stage) and writing a UCAS personal statement for Oxford applications. You can read them towards the bottom of this thread: https://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?t=6759750

I used to be a Personal Statement Reviewer on here, so do let me know if you have any questions about how to go about drafting your UCAS personal statement :yes:

Reply 5

Original post by The_Lonely_Goatherd

Hi again,
I just remembered that I wrote some posts advising about unseen score extracts (at Oxford interview stage) and writing a UCAS personal statement for Oxford applications. You can read them towards the bottom of this thread: https://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?t=6759750
I used to be a Personal Statement Reviewer on here, so do let me know if you have any questions about how to go about drafting your UCAS personal statement :yes:

This is very mich appreciated! I have not emailed yet I'm at gathering info. stage :smile:

Reply 6

Original post by BarbaraStoneM

This is very mich appreciated! I have not emailed yet I'm at gathering info. stage :smile:

No worries, happy to help in any small way :smile:

Reply 7

Good luck! Here is some music from Oxford to inspire you. The music scene at the university is fabulous.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JS91p-vmSf0

Reply 8

Also ...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=20CLyzn0tsQ

The Holywell Music Room, at Wadham College, is Europe's oldest purpose built music venue still in continuous use, and hosts music of all genres. Music is played in every college chapel, and at many other venues across the city. To study music at Oxford must be a delight.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WdAWobEY0FE

(edited 1 year ago)

Reply 9

Original post by Stiffy Byng

Also ...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=20CLyzn0tsQ
The Holywell Music Room, at Wadham College, is Europe's oldest purpose built music venue still in continuous use, and hosts music of all genres. Music is played in every college chapel, and at many other venues across the city. To study music at Oxford must be a delight.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WdAWobEY0FE

Can't beat the space!

Reply 10

Original post by Stiffy Byng

Good luck! Here is some music from Oxford to inspire you. The music scene at the university is fabulous.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JS91p-vmSf0

Are they undergrads or is it a mix in this ensemble? Amazing.

Reply 11

Original post by BarbaraStoneM

Are they undergrads or is it a mix in this ensemble? Amazing.

Professional musicians in that one, I think. The tenor read Engineering at New College and had a Choral Scholarship there before studying at the Royal Academy of Music. The pianist studied music at Worcester College, Oxford, and at the Royal Academy of Music.

The performance standards in Oxford music are high, professional and amateur.

(edited 1 year ago)

Reply 12

Thanks for clarifying!

Reply 13

Classics and music crossover -

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4hOK7bU0S1Y

Reply 14

qwerties

Hi! I am a current student reading Music at Oxford! I’ve just finished my first year. I’m not so sure about the grade requirements, but can definitely try and guide you through the application process and the interviews if you are interested!

Reply 15

xyz1234567

This webpage has detailed guidance on exactly what grades are required from each country, just scroll down to USA: https://www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/undergraduate/applying-to-oxford/for-international-students/international-qualifications

The choral award process is separate from the main admissions - ie, you first apply for the choral award in September, and they tell you if you are at the standard to be considered for an award, but then the choir director at that college waits to see if you get an academic place. They can’t give you a choral place if you don’t also get the academic place in competition with other candidates for that course.

Reply 16

Anonymous #1

Original post by BarbaraStoneM

I am a US student hoping to apply to Oxford for Music for admittance in 2025 (as well as Choral Award application) and seeking guidance. Thank you!

i’m currently an offer holder for music at oxford (2024 entry) with a choral scholarship. the whole process is quite fresh to me, let me know if you want any help!

Reply 17

Original post by The_Lonely_Goatherd

No worries, happy to help in any small way :smile:

Hi Again! Did you choose Worcester College for Music? Was that a good choice for you in hindsight what would you recommend in terms of aesthetics, food, music folks I'm actually quite open but of course the college must have "music". Thanks!

Reply 18

Original post by BarbaraStoneM

Hiya, yes I applied directly to Worcester College for music. It's a very beautiful college with a small lake, ducks, lots of grass you can walk/sit/picnic on, and has a small gym onsite as well as multi-purpose sports pitches. It has 72% access to en suite rooms with good kitchen facilities. The buildings vary from 1200s - 2000s (in terms of century/decade built in!) The food was very good when I was there, and I believe it still is, but I was there a long time ago now (2007-2010).

This means the tutor I had is no longer there. There's a female composer as the main tutor at Worcester, so I don't know how that has changed the competitiveness of the course when applying, or the actual experience once there. When I applied, all the composers wanted to study with my tutor, so it was one of the most oversubscribed courses in the most oversubscribed college the year I applied :eek:

I don't know whether the competition is still so stiff (I understand 39 people were interviewed for around 3-4 places the year I applied, so roughly 1 in 13 chance of getting in!)

Reply 19