Applying for Oxford whilst at University.

Oxford’s advice for applicants who have started a degree elsewhere is in their website and very clear.
Why did you start a degree at Manchester if you want to go to Oxford? Did you get a UCAS reference from Manchester?
Can you afford to restart from 1st year after studying at Manchester for 2 years? That would mean paying for tuition fees for your first year at Oxford without a loan.

I had already taken out 2 GAP years to pursue my religion so my parents wouldn’t allow me to take anymore years out of formal education. They told me I must go to University and at that time I was abroad sitting exams for (what you can call) super- curricular qualifications in classical Arabic and Islamic theology, hence I didn't have much just time to consider my application. I just applied for anything that I was interested in. I got an offer for Optometry and Arabic. But I wasn't interested in Optometry. So I chose Arabic instead. Later on in the year I rediscovered my interests for reading and studying texts hence my pursuit of a BA degree for English Literature 2025 admissions (which I have just received a rejection from - I really don't know why since I poured my everything into the appkication).

I've also realised along the way, that I really just experienced a taste of scholarship abroad and that I just wanted to become well read and I didn't need to study English to do that. I could still do that studying Theology. Which would combine my love for reading and my interests in religion.

I'm also considering applying for English and Arabic joint honours at St Andrews this year. And then re-applying for Theology at Oxford the following year. What would you suggest?

Also, having experienced the Arabic course for a Semester I know the university is not for me. The class sizes are so large and I don't feel you get much focus and attention as an individual student. I really must leave this course. Please advise, I don't have much guidance.

Did you get a UCAS reference from Manchester? This is a minimum requirement for Oxford applicants who are studying at another UK university. If you didn’t then that’s probably why you were rejected.
Can you afford to restart from 1st year after studying at Manchester for 2 years? It sounds like you’re an international fees student with a Student Route visa?

Did you get a UCAS reference from Manchester? This is a minimum requirement for Oxford applicants who are studying at another UK university. If you didn’t then that’s probably why you were rejected.
Can you afford to restart from 1st year after studying at Manchester for 2 years? It sounds like you’re an international fees student with a Student Route visa?

Wow, I even asked them regarding this : (which I forgot but have just now come across the email)

“Just as a correspondence from our previous conversation, would the letter of recommendation need to come from this University?
(side note: I meant the reference but I don't see how they didn't grasp that)

Since I have only been enrolled for 2 weeks, I don’t see how the university would know me personally enough to be able to accurately write a letter of recommendation for me.

Is it okay if my letter of recommendation comes from my college?

Is there anything I need to request from my current University? “

They replied:

I’m not sure what you are referring to when you say “the letter of recommendation”, so I do not know how to answer this question.

There is more general information about applying to Oxford here:

https://www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/undergraduate/applying-to-oxford

There is more information about applying whilst already studying at another UK university, here:

https://uni-of-oxford.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/547/session/L3RpbWUvMTcyODI4OTM4OC9nZW4vMTcyODI4OTM4OC9zaWQvZlVSbEEzS2pmbTdhUThOQmVsaG1xWmZvb01ISW9CYmhHU0RsRGZEbFo3amhsWHRGWmFCbmx4cmlrYU1PV0N2TG5UN2l5Tk5qJTdFSXN5ZzNEUDcyOWhWbTVZTUtJTU9HQmJodllEcDhPY0lhTGJOQUR6ZnF1d0NZd2clMjElMjE%3D/p/27/c/246

“If you are currently studying at a UK university and are thinking of applying to Oxford to start the first year of an undergraduate course, please note that normally we will only consider such applications in exceptional circumstances and you should make very clear in your application why you do not wish to continue on your current course. Please note we are not able to give examples of these exceptional circumstances as applications will be considered on a case-by-case basis.”

So I used my entire PS to mention why I feel I need a strong foundation and grasp of the English language before I can translate from Arabic. I think I made it clear enough why I wanted to change course from BA Arabic Studies to BA English Literature even though I didn't explicitly say that I wanted to change course.

Do you think I needed to explicitly say “hence I feel I need to change my undergraduate study” for them to understand?

They’ve amended the guidelines on that page. It used to state that all transfer applications needed support from your current university.
The exceptional circumstances requirement stands though. It doesn’t sound like your situation is exceptional it just sounds like you have changed your mind.

An exceptional circumstance would be something like being hospitalised around the Oxbridge deadline/tests/interview dates in the previous year or being unable to apply during sixth form due to caring responsibilities, bereavement or through homelessness.

An exceptional circumstance would be something like being hospitalised around the Oxbridge deadline/tests/interview dates in the previous year or being unable to apply during sixth form due to caring responsibilities, bereavement or through homelessness.

An exceptional circumstance would be something like being hospitalised around the Oxbridge deadline/tests/interview dates in the previous year or being unable to apply during sixth form due to caring responsibilities, bereavement or through homelessness.

Please do respond! I need advice. I am very lost at the moment.

Should I apply for St Andrews Arabic and English Joint honours?

There's no need to chase an answer after 25 mins. It's Sunday evening in the UK and PQ is kind enough to post in their own time.
PQ is a very experienced member of admissions staff. They are not at Oxbridge, (and I'm not aware that they have worked at either). They do answer of lot of these common questions about applying to Oxbridge though. They come up a lot.
As someone that also works in admissions, I'd agree with their summary of what doesn't count as exceptional circumstances.
If you want a chance of studying there, yes. Otherwise I am not sure what you are asking.

Please can someone give me advice on my Oxford applicantion?
I have been rejected this year for English at Worcester College.
I am currently enrolled onto a BA undergrad language degree at The University of Manchester.
I have grades AAA (English Lit, Chemistry and Biology). GCSE 3(9)/ 1(8)/ 5(7) / 1(5)
I definitely want to re-apply, either for English or Arabic and Islamic Theology.
I know that Oxford doesn't accept transfers but is it possible for me to still be accepted for an undergraduate degree for the 2026 entry?
I will be 21 when applying. So 24/25 when I finish the course. Is this too late?
Should I even still bother?
Where shall I begin again?

For your grades you are on the best degree/University combination you are likely to get. Your best course of action is to complete your degree at Manchester and then try to get on a specialist Masters programme, and that could then include applications to Oxford and Cambridge.

For your grades you are on the best degree/University combination you are likely to get. Your best course of action is to complete your degree at Manchester and then try to get on a specialist Masters programme, and that could then include applications to Oxford and Cambridge.

Also, I always thought my grades were solid.

This is the safest thing to do. But it would mean I will suffer in a course I do not enjoy. I do not like the history aspect of my course and it is more than 50%.
I do not like learning history and I wasn't aware that this course entails so much history.
The triple honours course at St Andrews: Arabic, Persian and English Literature would be much more suited to my passions because it is more language learning focused.
Where can I start in my application?

They are solid, but with no A*s, not likely to be very competitive for Oxbridge.