The Student Room Group

Supercurriculars to take to get into English lit at Oxford university

I am hoping to get into Oxford to study English literature. I know supercurriculars are important for applicants, but I'm not sure what I can do. Does anyone have any suggestions? Or if you are studying/ studied English literature at Oxford, what supercurriculars and/or extracurriculars did you do? Thank you

Reply 1

Read critically beyond your curriculum
Go to plays

Reply 2

Supra curriculars is just a fancy way of saying that you need to show an interest in the subject beyond the school curriculum. Oxford tutors really don’t care what you do as long as you do that. Reading widely, both literature and scholarship about literature, counts. Other ideas are listening to podcasts (eg In Our Time about different authors might be a good place to start), going to cultural events (poetry readings, plays, panel discussions). People feel like you have to enter competitions and win prizes but you don’t, and nor do you need to spend lots of money on anything.

Extra curriculars aren’t relevant to Oxbridge entry (but are great for your own wellbeing and personal development) so do whatever you love and makes you happy.

Reply 3

Original post by xyz1234567
Supra curriculars is just a fancy way of saying that you need to show an interest in the subject beyond the school curriculum. Oxford tutors really don’t care what you do as long as you do that. Reading widely, both literature and scholarship about literature, counts. Other ideas are listening to podcasts (eg In Our Time about different authors might be a good place to start), going to cultural events (poetry readings, plays, panel discussions). People feel like you have to enter competitions and win prizes but you don’t, and nor do you need to spend lots of money on anything.
Extra curriculars aren’t relevant to Oxbridge entry (but are great for your own wellbeing and personal development) so do whatever you love and makes you happy.

Thank you so much! That is very helpful and a comfort to hear.

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