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Oxford collages

Does anyone know if certain oxford collages are more likely to accept certain courses, eg one collage might like to have maths students and so accept more than another. I am applying for Maths and philosophy which accepts under 20 students, so I’m wondering if my chances for getting in vary between collages.
I don't think it makes a massive difference, because if one college gets more/ better applicants, some of them get moved to colleges with less applications.

Not all of the colleges do all the subjects though, you can check which ones do Maths and Philosophy here:
Which Oxford colleges offer my course? | University of Oxford

If you want to read into acceptance rates, here they are by college:
Oxford College Acceptance Rate Guide - What You Need To Know
An Oxford collage, earlier -

(edited 3 weeks ago)
Original post by henryheppell
Does anyone know if certain oxford collages are more likely to accept certain courses, eg one collage might like to have maths students and so accept more than another. I am applying for Maths and philosophy which accepts under 20 students, so I’m wondering if my chances for getting in vary between collages.

I am aware that for the Physics and Philosophy course, there are only around 5 colleges that have consistent intake each year. There may be something similar with the Maths and Philosophy course, it might be worth asking at an open day. That said, it isn't super important because of Oxford's fairly reliable pooling system, which will try to make sure the best applicants get the places for your course regardless of college choice.
Reply 4
Original post by henryheppell
Does anyone know if certain oxford collages are more likely to accept certain courses, eg one collage might like to have maths students and so accept more than another. I am applying for Maths and philosophy which accepts under 20 students, so I’m wondering if my chances for getting in vary between collages.

A list of acceptances by collEge and subject can be found at:

https://public.tableau.com/views/UniversityofOxford-CollegeSuccessRates2023/CollegeSuccessRates?:embed=y&:display_count=yes&:showTabs=y&:showVizHome=no
Reply 5
Original post by qwerty908
I don't think it makes a massive difference, because if one college gets more/ better applicants, some of them get moved to colleges with less applications.
Not all of the colleges do all the subjects though, you can check which ones do Maths and Philosophy here:
Which Oxford colleges offer my course? | University of Oxford
If you want to read into acceptance rates, here they are by college:
Oxford College Acceptance Rate Guide - What You Need To Know

That last link is a pretty dangerous site. The hosts don't seem to have much appreciation of either the Oxford admissions process or basic statistics.
It's one of those "pay us a bunch of cash and you (might) get into Oxford" sites. Hustlers gonna hustle!
Original post by qwerty908
I don't think it makes a massive difference, because if one college gets more/ better applicants, some of them get moved to colleges with less applications.
Not all of the colleges do all the subjects though, you can check which ones do Maths and Philosophy here:
Which Oxford colleges offer my course? | University of Oxford
If you want to read into acceptance rates, here they are by college:
Oxford College Acceptance Rate Guide - What You Need To Know


Thank you
Reply 9
You don't know how to spell 'college'?
Exeter College might accept more entrants for these subjects combined than many other colleges do (9 for Mathematical courses, 15 for Philosophy courses).
St Peter's accepts 14 entrants a year for Philosophy courses.
Worcester (15), followed by St Hugh's (12-15) seems to offer the most entrants for Mathematical courses in general. Although Lady Margaret Hall say that they 'plan' on offering the most places (2-3) of all Oxford colleges for the joint honours of Mathematics and Philosophy. But Exeter already say that, for Philosophy and Modern Languages and Philosophy and Maths combined they accept 4 students.
St John's (10 entrants for Mathematics courses) say that, since 1997, 60% of their Mathematicians have got firsts, 'comfortably' more than any other Oxford college.
Wadham accept 10 entrants a year for Mathematical courses.
Many colleges will offer this joint honours but these are the ones that stood out to me as having the highest number of students for these subjects, looking on their websites.
(edited 2 weeks ago)
Original post by Picnicl
You don't know how to spell 'college'?
Exeter College might accept more entrants for these subjects combined than many other colleges do (9 for Mathematical courses, 15 for Philosophy courses).
St Peter's accepts 14 entrants a year for Philosophy courses.
Worcester (15), followed by St Hugh's (12-15) seems to offer the most entrants for Mathematical courses in general. Although Lady Margaret Hall say that they 'plan' on offering the most places (2-3) of all Oxford colleges for the joint honours of Mathematics and Philosophy. But Exeter already say that, for Philosophy and Modern Languages and Philosophy and Maths combined they accept 4 students.
St John's (10 entrants for Mathematics courses) say that, since 1997, 60% of their Mathematicians have got firsts, 'comfortably more' than any other Oxford college.
Wadham accept 10 entrants a year for Mathematical courses.
Many colleges will offer this joint honours but these are the ones that stood out to me as having the highest number of students for these subjects, looking on their websites.


Haha yes I can’t spell clearly, thank you for answering this is very helpful.
Original post by Stiffy Byng
An Oxford collage, earlier -
"No beaut
I like this the most about your collage: "No beauty without intelligence."
Original post by Stiffy Byng
An Oxford collage, earlier -
I like this the most about your collage: "No beauty without intelligence."
Molière said "beauty without intelligence is like a hook without bait".

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