The Student Room Group

Can I get into Oxbridge without GCSEs?

I did my Maths and English Language GCSEs when I was 14yrs old. I’m now 15yrs old (soon turning 16) and I’m doing my GCSEs alongside A-Levels (I’m homeschooled so I have a lot of free time and I love learning so it doesn’t pressure me). I LOVE A-Levels, I’m currently doing Law, Literature and Classical Civilisation. I love my GCSE history but I hate my other GCSEs (Literature, Business, Statistics, Arabic). Would I be able to get into Oxford with just 2-4 GCSEs? I’m willing to even do 2 more A-Levels, as I’m currently overlooking my sister’s History, Philosophy and Psychology A-Levels and gaining an understanding of it. If it’s possible, would I have to take into account other areas like extra curricular?
Original post by SK2008
I did my Maths and English Language GCSEs when I was 14yrs old. I’m now 15yrs old (soon turning 16) and I’m doing my GCSEs alongside A-Levels (I’m homeschooled so I have a lot of free time and I love learning so it doesn’t pressure me). I LOVE A-Levels, I’m currently doing Law, Literature and Classical Civilisation. I love my GCSE history but I hate my other GCSEs (Literature, Business, Statistics, Arabic). Would I be able to get into Oxford with just 2-4 GCSEs? I’m willing to even do 2 more A-Levels, as I’m currently overlooking my sister’s History, Philosophy and Psychology A-Levels and gaining an understanding of it. If it’s possible, would I have to take into account other areas like extra curricular?

https://www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/undergraduate/courses/admission-requirements/uk-qualifications

You should perhaps ask Oxford directly.
International applicants don’t always have GCSE equivalents. If you are applying with some A Levels in hand, the lack of GCSEs may not matter too
much. But you could contact Oxford admissions and ask.
Hey! I’m in the same boat, applying to Oxford, UCL, Birmingham, Nottingham and Reading. I didn’t do any GCSEs as I did an entirely different qualification that literally no one knows when I was homeschooled (I moved to a sixth form last year). When I spoke to them, they said that the most important thing were good A-levels, but considering that you have GCSE maths and English they will likely take them into consideration. You might still want to call someone in the admissions team to clarify though.
Reply 4
Original post by Anonymous
Hey! I’m in the same boat, applying to Oxford, UCL, Birmingham, Nottingham and Reading. I didn’t do any GCSEs as I did an entirely different qualification that literally no one knows when I was homeschooled (I moved to a sixth form last year). When I spoke to them, they said that the most important thing were good A-levels, but considering that you have GCSE maths and English they will likely take them into consideration. You might still want to call someone in the admissions team to clarify though.

Thank you so much. This response really helped 🙂
Reply 5
Original post by Anonymous
Hey! I’m in the same boat, applying to Oxford, UCL, Birmingham, Nottingham and Reading. I didn’t do any GCSEs as I did an entirely different qualification that literally no one knows when I was homeschooled (I moved to a sixth form last year). When I spoke to them, they said that the most important thing were good A-levels, but considering that you have GCSE maths and English they will likely take them into consideration. You might still want to call someone in the admissions team to clarify though.

I’m planning to apply for law, but I’m taking a level law next year and my other a levels the year after. So I’m splitting the a level exams into two years. Would this affect my application because I’ve heard that universities want you to take all three a levels at the same time?
Original post by SK2008
I’m planning to apply for law, but I’m taking a level law next year and my other a levels the year after. So I’m splitting the a level exams into two years. Would this affect my application because I’ve heard that universities want you to take all three a levels at the same time?

I’ve also applied for law! And I did a law A-level at 15, and three more this year too. 😆 As far as I’m aware, unis typically understand the different circumstances. However, it definitely might help to calm them to clarify - as I only did one and then will sit the other three in the same year.
Reply 7
Original post by Anonymous
I’ve also applied for law! And I did a law A-level at 15, and three more this year too. 😆 As far as I’m aware, unis typically understand the different circumstances. However, it definitely might help to calm them to clarify - as I only did one and then will sit the other three in the same year.

Oh my god what a coincidence haha. We’re both homeschooled and applying for law haha. And that’s the exactly pattern the plan to follow. I wish I met more homeschooled people to ask about stuff like this but homeschooling is not well known in my area and I’m way too introverted (I emailed the admissions because I’m not good on the phone lol). But anyways thanks for the help, and good luck with your applications :smile:
(edited 1 month ago)

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