University of Oxford applicants&#x27; thread for 2026 entry

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Welcome to the Tsr Oxford Applicants thread 25/26 !Hopefully you can share your experiences throughout the application process and cheer each other along.
Oxford Open days the year are on the 2nd and 3rd July or 19th September.
https://www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/undergraduate/open-days-and-visits

Reply 2

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Just a heads up St John's Cambridge are offering a choral summer residential for people; interested in singing in college choirs.Apply asap if you have a decent singing voice.
Also running an academic poster comp in August.A wonderful supercurricular.Does not matter that it is Cambridge.
https://www.joh.cam.ac.uk/open-days-and-events

Reply 3

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Good evening, and welcome to the Oxford applicants 2026 thread! Please see my book, Oxford demystified for some handy hints

Reply 4

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Hi All
I am so pleased that you have started this thread, I read last years and loved it.
I am a parent who's son is applying to Oxford for the 2026 entry. Magdalen Law to be specific - the 3 year BA in Jurisprudence.
He attended state school, and gained the following GCSE results:
English Language 9
English Literature 9
Mathematics 8
Sciences (Combined Dual Award) 9, 8
History 9
Business 9
Geography 8
French 7
He is currently at a sixth form college and is studying the following A Levels (with predicted grades):
Law A - (he is hoping to get an A* in this)
English Literature A*
History A*

Looking forward to following this thread 😀

Reply 5

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Original post

by EJC1977

Hi All
I am so pleased that you have started this thread, I read last years and loved it.
I am a parent who's son is applying to Oxford for the 2026 entry. Magdalen Law to be specific - the 3 year BA in Jurisprudence.
He attended state school, and gained the following GCSE results:
English Language 9
English Literature 9
Mathematics 8
Sciences (Combined Dual Award) 9, 8
History 9
Business 9
Geography 8
French 7
He is currently at a sixth form college and is studying the following A Levels (with predicted grades):
Law A - (he is hoping to get an A* in this)
English Literature A*
History A*
Looking forward to following this thread 😀

With gcse results like that, your son may be eligible for a scheme called zero gravity. Statistics show this scheme could double his chances of getting in. Basically, he will be allocated a current student studying his subject and he will get free mentoring over his mobile for 1 hour a week

Reply 6

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Original post

by Oxford Mum

With gcse results like that, your son may be eligible for a scheme called zero gravity. Statistics show this scheme could double his chances of getting in. Basically, he will be allocated a current student studying his subject and he will get free mentoring over his mobile for 1 hour a week

Oh, I haven't heard of that, thank you Oxford Mum, I will certainly take a look. Your input has been invaluable from your posts that I read for the 2025 intake, such selfless effort ❤️
He did a 3 day residential at Mansfield College, gave a talk on Roman law, and was quizzed by a tutor - he loved it!
My only concern is that for him all other universities have paled into insignificance, he's put all his eggs in the Oxford Law basket.... but he's working hard, and I can't fault him for that.
I do have a question about offers if either you or someone else can answer? The requirements for Law are AAA - if he was lucky enough to get an offer, is the requirement set at AAA? Or can they set it higher? Say, A*AA?
Many thanks

Reply 7

zrjdu

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Original post

by EJC1977

Hi All
I am so pleased that you have started this thread, I read last years and loved it.
I am a parent who's son is applying to Oxford for the 2026 entry. Magdalen Law to be specific - the 3 year BA in Jurisprudence.
He attended state school, and gained the following GCSE results:
English Language 9
English Literature 9
Mathematics 8
Sciences (Combined Dual Award) 9, 8
History 9
Business 9
Geography 8
French 7
He is currently at a sixth form college and is studying the following A Levels (with predicted grades):
Law A - (he is hoping to get an A* in this)
English Literature A*
History A*
Looking forward to following this thread 😀

They have the law at Magdalen residential too!

Reply 8

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Original post

by EJC1977

Oh, I haven't heard of that, thank you Oxford Mum, I will certainly take a look. Your input has been invaluable from your posts that I read for the 2025 intake, such selfless effort ❤️
He did a 3 day residential at Mansfield College, gave a talk on Roman law, and was quizzed by a tutor - he loved it!
My only concern is that for him all other universities have paled into insignificance, he's put all his eggs in the Oxford Law basket.... but he's working hard, and I can't fault him for that.
I do have a question about offers if either you or someone else can answer? The requirements for Law are AAA - if he was lucky enough to get an offer, is the requirement set at AAA? Or can they set it higher? Say, A*AA?
Many thanks

No. My son got in for medicine. He needed a*aa and he got exactly that. No need to get better results. The mlat admissions test is very important though when it comes to getting an interview.

Mansfield is the only college I have ever stayed in overnight. Really loved the experience. In fact, I used to work alongside someone who went to state school in Chesterfield and ended up at Mansfield college reading law (she was temping in the summer holidays). Although it impossible, it is hard to get into Oxford for law, therefore he should choose his other universities with care and grow to love them too. I took my sons to see nearly all the cities where my sons received offers

Reply 9

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Original post

by zrjdu

They have the law at Magdalen residential too!

Yes, he has applied ! I can't see him being offered it though as he got the Mansfield one... but he said it was worth a shot..

Reply 10

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Original post

by Oxford Mum

No. My son got in for medicine. He needed a*aa and he got exactly that. No need to get better results. The mlat admissions test is very important though when it comes to getting an interview.
Mansfield is the only college I have ever stayed in overnight. Really loved the experience. In fact, I used to work alongside someone who went to state school in Chesterfield and ended up at Mansfield college reading law (she was temping in the summer holidays). Although it impossible, it is hard to get into Oxford for law, therefore he should choose his other universities with care and grow to love them too. I took my sons to see nearly all the cities where my sons received offers

Thank you for the info. Yes, his has earmarked July / August to study for the LNAT. He's good with words and English in general, so hoping he'll do well on this. I said I would help by testing him. The LNAT is also used by Durham.
He has attended Hull University, and has trips booked to Durham and Nottingham - all with Sixth Form. Just need to organise York ourselves. Those are his choices - I'm hoping he's enthusiastic after he's been 😊

Reply 11

weirdkettle

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Hi - have always been lurking reading the previous couple of application threads so it feels weird to comment on one where I'll actually be applying!
Applying for - PPE
A levels- Maths, Further maths, Politics, Economics
Predicted grades - don't have them yet as my mocks are in June, but most likely 4A*
GCSEs - 8 grade 9s and 2 grade 8s
School - state comprehensive
Why Oxford - why not? Cambridge also don't offer PPE
Plan for summer - I've done some light reading/ a bit of preparation for the TSA but I'm focusing on my mocks rn and will ramp it up over the summer.
Any college recommendations? I'm unsure whether I base it off odds, as I won't be able to attend the open days to get a feel of Oxford.Feel like I'd prefer a larger college.
Good luck all other applicants!

Reply 12

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Original post

by EJC1977

Thank you for the info. Yes, his has earmarked July / August to study for the LNAT. He's good with words and English in general, so hoping he'll do well on this. I said I would help by testing him. The LNAT is also used by Durham.
He has attended Hull University, and has trips booked to Durham and Nottingham - all with Sixth Form. Just need to organise York ourselves. Those are his choices - I'm hoping he's enthusiastic after he's been 😊

Welcome EJC77.The only thing I would say is perhaps he is aiming a little low with Hull.He could probably pick it up in clearing if needed .,Would he not add another aspirational choice like Bristol,Manchester ,Warwick or Southampton. Edinburgh Instead?Teachers always say pick a backstop but Hull seems too cautious unless he particularly loves it. @Stiffy Byng thoughts?

Reply 13

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Original post

by EJC1977

Thank you for the info. Yes, his has earmarked July / August to study for the LNAT. He's good with words and English in general, so hoping he'll do well on this. I said I would help by testing him. The LNAT is also used by Durham.
He has attended Hull University, and has trips booked to Durham and Nottingham - all with Sixth Form. Just need to organise York ourselves. Those are his choices - I'm hoping he's enthusiastic after he's been 😊

I love York as a city. It’s my favourite city in the north. Lots to do, castle museum, national railway museum etc. love it so much, I considered moving there once

Reply 14

21

Original post

by weirdkettle

Hi - have always been lurking reading the previous couple of application threads so it feels weird to comment on one where I'll actually be applying!
Applying for - PPE
A levels- Maths, Further maths, Politics, Economics
Predicted grades - don't have them yet as my mocks are in June, but most likely 4A*
GCSEs - 8 grade 9s and 2 grade 8s
School - state comprehensive
Why Oxford - why not? Cambridge also don't offer PPE
Plan for summer - I've done some light reading/ a bit of preparation for the TSA but I'm focusing on my mocks rn and will ramp it up over the summer.
Any college recommendations? I'm unsure whether I base it off odds, as I won't be able to attend the open days to get a feel of Oxford.Feel like I'd prefer a larger college.
Good luck all other applicants!

Again, I would try for zero gravity with those grades. Also, click on the Oxford demystified link. Once you have read the ppe chapter, click on the choosing your college chapter. Not only does it give you handy hints, it has videos of all the colleges. I did this during lockdown, when nobody could tour round them. Also there are the websites, so you can get the feel of each college and whether they offer your course! All the best

Reply 15

Anonymous #1

Original post

by Oxford Mum

Again, I would try for zero gravity with those grades. Also, click on the Oxford demystified link. Once you have read the ppe chapter, click on the choosing your college chapter. Not only does it give you handy hints, it has videos of all the colleges. I did this during lockdown, when nobody could tour round them. Also there are the websites, so you can get the feel of each college and whether they offer your course! All the best

hi! for oxford medicine, what do you think the ucat cutoff may be for 2026 entry (what with the ucat changes) - also how important is long-term volunteering?

Reply 16

Lucy1ec

5

Original post

by Anonymous

hi! for oxford medicine, what do you think the ucat cutoff may be for 2026 entry (what with the ucat changes) - also how important is long-term volunteering?

Hi just a quick reply. My daughter is a 1st year Oxford medic and she was the last year of BMAT. Therefore this years intake (Oct 2025) is the first year ever they’ve used UCAT. So I think it’s impossible to judge what the cutoffs will be.
My daughter had a combination of volunteering (beaver leader, cheerleading coach), paid work (pharmacy), and work experience in some local hospitals and GP surgeries. They’re all important but I’m not sure one is more important than the other. Hope this helps.

Reply 17

JP37

4

Original post

by EJC1977

Oh, I haven't heard of that, thank you Oxford Mum, I will certainly take a look. Your input has been invaluable from your posts that I read for the 2025 intake, such selfless effort ❤️
He did a 3 day residential at Mansfield College, gave a talk on Roman law, and was quizzed by a tutor - he loved it!
My only concern is that for him all other universities have paled into insignificance, he's put all his eggs in the Oxford Law basket.... but he's working hard, and I can't fault him for that.
I do have a question about offers if either you or someone else can answer? The requirements for Law are AAA - if he was lucky enough to get an offer, is the requirement set at AAA? Or can they set it higher? Say, A*AA?
Many thanks

It is always AAA for Law at Oxford (currently anyway). It was the lowest of all my son's Law offers! You son's passion and interest will serve him very well in the Oxford process. I think it is exactly what they are looking for - as well as a capacity for working very hard. My son was just the same, he was planning to re-apply for History the following year if he didn't get in for law. Which worried me a lot, but I was exactly the same myself at that age...

Reply 18

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Original post

by Anonymous

hi! for oxford medicine, what do you think the ucat cutoff may be for 2026 entry (what with the ucat changes) - also how important is long-term volunteering?

It's not important.Work experience though for any medicine degree so volunteering experience at a care home would be useful,or pharmacy/doctors/ hospital /St Johns ambulance boosts your chamces.PS Please do not post anonymously unless you post is of a sensitive nature.

Reply 19