Demystifying Oxbridge Grade Requirements
I’m sure people have already applied to Oxbridge, but as someone who took a chance and applied to Oxford (and got in), I’d like to help demystify the application process. This is especially if you feel like you have not achieve sufficient grades to get in.
Mind you, I applied for Classics and English. Obviously for medicine and some other such subjects, you should expect greater competition.
My grades for GCSE (mind you, this was during COVID) were:
9,8,8,8,7,7,7,7,6,6
These are not all 8-9s as you can see. As long as you remain consistently in the 7-9 bracket, your chances are pretty good. The two 6s I received gave me doubts about even applying for Oxbridge.
HOWEVER, oxbridge isn’t all about grades, granted they do care, but they like to see potential and improvement from GCSE to A-level.
My A-level grades (I applied in a gap year) were:
A*, A, B
They did ask me if I was retaking as the application entry requirement was A,A,A for my course. I said I was, and in my gap year I retook and unfortunately received the same grade (haha, oops) but they decided to let me study there anyways, considering I was balancing a job and study.
If you hear anyone on here telling you that you need perfect grades to get in, that’s a bunch of lies. A perfectly written personal statement, improvement shown in grades, and good extra and super curricular activities will serve you best. They want to see genuine enthusiasm for your subject and learning.
I actually applied to Oxford in Y13 and was unsuccessful, I pulled my whole UCAS application and decided to take a year out to work and flesh out my application better. I worked in education, supporting secondary school students with various needs.
Having another go is worth the risk, you can only improve by giving yourself time. You don’t always need to keep moving on with everyone else. Make the decision that is right for you. Oxbridge understand people’s individual circumstances. As someone from a disadvantaged background, I felt like Oxbridge was out of the question for me, but there are so many programmes in place to help bridge that gap.
If anyone has any questions they would like to ask, please do! I’m very happy to answer
Mind you, I applied for Classics and English. Obviously for medicine and some other such subjects, you should expect greater competition.
My grades for GCSE (mind you, this was during COVID) were:
9,8,8,8,7,7,7,7,6,6
These are not all 8-9s as you can see. As long as you remain consistently in the 7-9 bracket, your chances are pretty good. The two 6s I received gave me doubts about even applying for Oxbridge.
HOWEVER, oxbridge isn’t all about grades, granted they do care, but they like to see potential and improvement from GCSE to A-level.
My A-level grades (I applied in a gap year) were:
A*, A, B
They did ask me if I was retaking as the application entry requirement was A,A,A for my course. I said I was, and in my gap year I retook and unfortunately received the same grade (haha, oops) but they decided to let me study there anyways, considering I was balancing a job and study.
If you hear anyone on here telling you that you need perfect grades to get in, that’s a bunch of lies. A perfectly written personal statement, improvement shown in grades, and good extra and super curricular activities will serve you best. They want to see genuine enthusiasm for your subject and learning.
I actually applied to Oxford in Y13 and was unsuccessful, I pulled my whole UCAS application and decided to take a year out to work and flesh out my application better. I worked in education, supporting secondary school students with various needs.
Having another go is worth the risk, you can only improve by giving yourself time. You don’t always need to keep moving on with everyone else. Make the decision that is right for you. Oxbridge understand people’s individual circumstances. As someone from a disadvantaged background, I felt like Oxbridge was out of the question for me, but there are so many programmes in place to help bridge that gap.
If anyone has any questions they would like to ask, please do! I’m very happy to answer
(edited 1 month ago)
Original post by WisdomOfAthena
I’m sure people have already applied to Oxbridge, but as someone who took a chance and applied to Oxford (and got in), I’d like to help demystify the application process. This is especially if you feel like you have not achieve sufficient grades to get in.
My grades for GCSE (mind you, this was during COVID) were:
9,8,8,8,7,7,7,7,6,6
These are not all 8-9s as you can see. As long as you remain consistently in the 7-9 bracket, your chances are pretty good. The two 6s I received gave me doubts about even applying for Oxbridge.
HOWEVER, oxbridge isn’t all about grades, granted they do care, but they like to see potential and improvement from GCSE to A-level.
My A-level grades (I applied in a gap year) were:
A*, A, B
They did ask me if I was retaking as the application entry requirement was A,A,A for my course. I said I was, and in my gap year I retook and unfortunately received the same grade (haha, oops) but they decided to let me study there anyways, considering I was balancing a job and study.
If you hear anyone on here telling you that you need perfect grades to get in, that’s a bunch of lies. A perfectly written personal statement, improvement shown in grades, and good extra and super curricular activities will serve you best. They want to see genuine enthusiasm for your subject and learning.
I actually applied to Oxford in Y13 and was unsuccessful, I pulled my whole UCAS application and decided to take a year out to work and flesh out my application better. I worked in education, supporting secondary school students with various needs.
Having another go is worth the risk, you can only improve by giving yourself time. You don’t always need to keep moving on with everyone else. Make the decision that is right for you. Oxbridge understand people’s individual circumstances. As someone from a disadvantaged background, I felt like Oxbridge was out of the question for me, but there are so many programmes in place to help bridge that gap.
If anyone has any questions they would like to ask, please do! I’m very happy to answer
My grades for GCSE (mind you, this was during COVID) were:
9,8,8,8,7,7,7,7,6,6
These are not all 8-9s as you can see. As long as you remain consistently in the 7-9 bracket, your chances are pretty good. The two 6s I received gave me doubts about even applying for Oxbridge.
HOWEVER, oxbridge isn’t all about grades, granted they do care, but they like to see potential and improvement from GCSE to A-level.
My A-level grades (I applied in a gap year) were:
A*, A, B
They did ask me if I was retaking as the application entry requirement was A,A,A for my course. I said I was, and in my gap year I retook and unfortunately received the same grade (haha, oops) but they decided to let me study there anyways, considering I was balancing a job and study.
If you hear anyone on here telling you that you need perfect grades to get in, that’s a bunch of lies. A perfectly written personal statement, improvement shown in grades, and good extra and super curricular activities will serve you best. They want to see genuine enthusiasm for your subject and learning.
I actually applied to Oxford in Y13 and was unsuccessful, I pulled my whole UCAS application and decided to take a year out to work and flesh out my application better. I worked in education, supporting secondary school students with various needs.
Having another go is worth the risk, you can only improve by giving yourself time. You don’t always need to keep moving on with everyone else. Make the decision that is right for you. Oxbridge understand people’s individual circumstances. As someone from a disadvantaged background, I felt like Oxbridge was out of the question for me, but there are so many programmes in place to help bridge that gap.
If anyone has any questions they would like to ask, please do! I’m very happy to answer
Congrats! What course did you apply for?
Yes I suspect course is relevant here as some eg ML and classics have an almost 50% acceptance rate compared to comp sci or E&M which are intensely competitive
It is pretty unusual to get in without the right predicted/actual grades at A Level. It’s great for you that it worked out, and I’m sure it is testament to your excellent other qualities, but I’d worry about other people using up a UCAS place if they aren’t qualified to meet an offer
Original post by xyz1234567
It is pretty unusual to get in without the right predicted/actual grades at A Level. It’s great for you that it worked out, and I’m sure it is testament to your excellent other qualities, but I’d worry about other people using up a UCAS place if they aren’t qualified to meet an offer
I have spoken to plenty of people in a similar situation to me actually. So I would say there may be some changes Oxford is making to their whole decision making process. Schools tend to provide advice on who should or should not apply given their grades. At least, that is what mine did. If anything, people applying to oxbridge do it with a degree of reason as the whole process is very lengthy.
Very interesting story and thank you for sharing. I have heard that one of the worst things that can happen to a person is to "scrape" into Oxbridge and then be hit by the high workloads and driven fellow-students. That the experience could be shattering. By the sound of your tone that absolutely hasn't happened you but what were those early weeks and months like for you?
Original post by WisdomOfAthena
I have spoken to plenty of people in a similar situation to me actually. So I would say there may be some changes Oxford is making to their whole decision making process. Schools tend to provide advice on who should or should not apply given their grades. At least, that is what mine did. If anything, people applying to oxbridge do it with a degree of reason as the whole process is very lengthy.
Do you know of any Cambridge people in a similar situation to you?
Original post by WisdomOfAthena
I’m sure people have already applied to Oxbridge, but as someone who took a chance and applied to Oxford (and got in), I’d like to help demystify the application process. This is especially if you feel like you have not achieve sufficient grades to get in.
Mind you, I applied for Classics and English. Obviously for medicine and some other such subjects, you should expect greater competition.
My grades for GCSE (mind you, this was during COVID) were:
9,8,8,8,7,7,7,7,6,6
These are not all 8-9s as you can see. As long as you remain consistently in the 7-9 bracket, your chances are pretty good. The two 6s I received gave me doubts about even applying for Oxbridge.
HOWEVER, oxbridge isn’t all about grades, granted they do care, but they like to see potential and improvement from GCSE to A-level.
My A-level grades (I applied in a gap year) were:
A*, A, B
They did ask me if I was retaking as the application entry requirement was A,A,A for my course. I said I was, and in my gap year I retook and unfortunately received the same grade (haha, oops) but they decided to let me study there anyways, considering I was balancing a job and study.
If you hear anyone on here telling you that you need perfect grades to get in, that’s a bunch of lies. A perfectly written personal statement, improvement shown in grades, and good extra and super curricular activities will serve you best. They want to see genuine enthusiasm for your subject and learning.
I actually applied to Oxford in Y13 and was unsuccessful, I pulled my whole UCAS application and decided to take a year out to work and flesh out my application better. I worked in education, supporting secondary school students with various needs.
Having another go is worth the risk, you can only improve by giving yourself time. You don’t always need to keep moving on with everyone else. Make the decision that is right for you. Oxbridge understand people’s individual circumstances. As someone from a disadvantaged background, I felt like Oxbridge was out of the question for me, but there are so many programmes in place to help bridge that gap.
If anyone has any questions they would like to ask, please do! I’m very happy to answer
Mind you, I applied for Classics and English. Obviously for medicine and some other such subjects, you should expect greater competition.
My grades for GCSE (mind you, this was during COVID) were:
9,8,8,8,7,7,7,7,6,6
These are not all 8-9s as you can see. As long as you remain consistently in the 7-9 bracket, your chances are pretty good. The two 6s I received gave me doubts about even applying for Oxbridge.
HOWEVER, oxbridge isn’t all about grades, granted they do care, but they like to see potential and improvement from GCSE to A-level.
My A-level grades (I applied in a gap year) were:
A*, A, B
They did ask me if I was retaking as the application entry requirement was A,A,A for my course. I said I was, and in my gap year I retook and unfortunately received the same grade (haha, oops) but they decided to let me study there anyways, considering I was balancing a job and study.
If you hear anyone on here telling you that you need perfect grades to get in, that’s a bunch of lies. A perfectly written personal statement, improvement shown in grades, and good extra and super curricular activities will serve you best. They want to see genuine enthusiasm for your subject and learning.
I actually applied to Oxford in Y13 and was unsuccessful, I pulled my whole UCAS application and decided to take a year out to work and flesh out my application better. I worked in education, supporting secondary school students with various needs.
Having another go is worth the risk, you can only improve by giving yourself time. You don’t always need to keep moving on with everyone else. Make the decision that is right for you. Oxbridge understand people’s individual circumstances. As someone from a disadvantaged background, I felt like Oxbridge was out of the question for me, but there are so many programmes in place to help bridge that gap.
If anyone has any questions they would like to ask, please do! I’m very happy to answer
Hi, I'm predicted A*A*A* and I take Classical Civ, Religious Studies and English Literature.
However, I got 9,8,7,7,7,6,6-5,5 in my GCSEs because I was balancing school with a chronic illness. I've had this noted in my extenuating circumstances section.
Do you think I still stand in good stead to receive an offer with these slightly subpar GCSEs? The 5 was in maths and the 6-5 in combined science, so I don't really see why they'd be relevant.
Original post by WisdomOfAthena
I’m sure people have already applied to Oxbridge, but as someone who took a chance and applied to Oxford (and got in), I’d like to help demystify the application process. This is especially if you feel like you have not achieve sufficient grades to get in.
Mind you, I applied for Classics and English. Obviously for medicine and some other such subjects, you should expect greater competition.
My grades for GCSE (mind you, this was during COVID) were:
9,8,8,8,7,7,7,7,6,6
These are not all 8-9s as you can see. As long as you remain consistently in the 7-9 bracket, your chances are pretty good. The two 6s I received gave me doubts about even applying for Oxbridge.
HOWEVER, oxbridge isn’t all about grades, granted they do care, but they like to see potential and improvement from GCSE to A-level.
My A-level grades (I applied in a gap year) were:
A*, A, B
They did ask me if I was retaking as the application entry requirement was A,A,A for my course. I said I was, and in my gap year I retook and unfortunately received the same grade (haha, oops) but they decided to let me study there anyways, considering I was balancing a job and study.
If you hear anyone on here telling you that you need perfect grades to get in, that’s a bunch of lies. A perfectly written personal statement, improvement shown in grades, and good extra and super curricular activities will serve you best. They want to see genuine enthusiasm for your subject and learning.
I actually applied to Oxford in Y13 and was unsuccessful, I pulled my whole UCAS application and decided to take a year out to work and flesh out my application better. I worked in education, supporting secondary school students with various needs.
Having another go is worth the risk, you can only improve by giving yourself time. You don’t always need to keep moving on with everyone else. Make the decision that is right for you. Oxbridge understand people’s individual circumstances. As someone from a disadvantaged background, I felt like Oxbridge was out of the question for me, but there are so many programmes in place to help bridge that gap.
If anyone has any questions they would like to ask, please do! I’m very happy to answer
Mind you, I applied for Classics and English. Obviously for medicine and some other such subjects, you should expect greater competition.
My grades for GCSE (mind you, this was during COVID) were:
9,8,8,8,7,7,7,7,6,6
These are not all 8-9s as you can see. As long as you remain consistently in the 7-9 bracket, your chances are pretty good. The two 6s I received gave me doubts about even applying for Oxbridge.
HOWEVER, oxbridge isn’t all about grades, granted they do care, but they like to see potential and improvement from GCSE to A-level.
My A-level grades (I applied in a gap year) were:
A*, A, B
They did ask me if I was retaking as the application entry requirement was A,A,A for my course. I said I was, and in my gap year I retook and unfortunately received the same grade (haha, oops) but they decided to let me study there anyways, considering I was balancing a job and study.
If you hear anyone on here telling you that you need perfect grades to get in, that’s a bunch of lies. A perfectly written personal statement, improvement shown in grades, and good extra and super curricular activities will serve you best. They want to see genuine enthusiasm for your subject and learning.
I actually applied to Oxford in Y13 and was unsuccessful, I pulled my whole UCAS application and decided to take a year out to work and flesh out my application better. I worked in education, supporting secondary school students with various needs.
Having another go is worth the risk, you can only improve by giving yourself time. You don’t always need to keep moving on with everyone else. Make the decision that is right for you. Oxbridge understand people’s individual circumstances. As someone from a disadvantaged background, I felt like Oxbridge was out of the question for me, but there are so many programmes in place to help bridge that gap.
If anyone has any questions they would like to ask, please do! I’m very happy to answer
What do you think actually changed in your application between year 13 and your gap year? Was it just more stuff for your personal statement that made the difference?
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