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Oxford bio

hii, I’ve been planning on applying to Oxford for biology this October but im not sure if my GCSEs are strong enough, especially bc I didn’t get any nines in a stem subject
Combined sci-87
Maths-7
English lang-9
RE-9
Art-7
English lit-8
History-8
Business-6
French-5
Do I still have a good chance? I’m predicted A*A*A in bio chem and art and I didn’t go to a private school so idk

Reply 1

hi i’m also applying to bio at oxford this year! they say they contextualise gcses so as long as yours are better than most ppl at your school u should be good!

Reply 2

I'm also applying for Bio and I've been told most people who apply will have straight A*s at GCSE but don't take my word for it! However, there's an official stats report online and it has some useful info like roughly 45% of people who get in have triple A* or better.

Reply 3

Original post
by Anonymous
hii, I’ve been planning on applying to Oxford for biology this October but im not sure if my GCSEs are strong enough, especially bc I didn’t get any nines in a stem subject
Combined sci-87
Maths-7
English lang-9
RE-9
Art-7
English lit-8
History-8
Business-6
French-5
Do I still have a good chance? I’m predicted A*A*A in bio chem and art and I didn’t go to a private school so idk

The usual advice is 8x8/9;but as has been stated if you are in top of cohort at your school you have a chance but realistically it is slim.But you have 4 other choices anyway.

Reply 4

Original post
by 31kushpatrl
I'm also applying for Bio and I've been told most people who apply will have straight A*s at GCSE but don't take my word for it! However, there's an official stats report online and it has some useful info like roughly 45% of people who get in have triple A* or better.

And 55% didn't..Let's refrain from frightening everyone off applying.Typical offer A*AA which is good enough for many.

Reply 5

Original post
by totoroisstudying
hi i’m also applying to bio at oxford this year! they say they contextualise gcses so as long as yours are better than most ppl at your school u should be good!


Ok good luck tysm xx

Reply 6

Original post
by Scotney
And 55% didn't..Let's refrain from frightening everyone off applying.Typical offer A*AA which is good enough for many.
Not trying to, and I'm not saying it isn't! Just sharing some of the relevant info as stated directly from the Oxford website. Here's the link to their admissions stats report for anyone interested: https://www.ox.ac.uk/sites/files/oxford/AnnualAdmissionsStatisticalReport2025.pdf

And here's the grades breakdown I mentioned:
https://www.ox.ac.uk/sites/files/oxford/2025_section-1-2_a.png

Good luck everyone!
(edited 5 months ago)

Reply 7

Original post
by 31kushpatrl
Not trying to, and I'm not saying it isn't! Just sharing some of the relevant info as stated directly from the Oxford website. Here's the link to their admissions stats report for anyone interested: https://www.ox.ac.uk/sites/files/oxford/AnnualAdmissionsStatisticalReport2025.pdf
And here's the grades breakdown I mentioned:
https://www.ox.ac.uk/sites/files/oxford/2025_section-1-2_a.png
Good luck everyone!
These stats are for specific subjects maths heavy subjects tend to be those who get the 3,A*Op was asking about Biology which is not a subject which always attracts maths specialists.

Reply 8

Original post
by Scotney
These stats are for specific subjects maths heavy subjects tend to be those who get the 3,A*Op was asking about Biology which is not a subject which always attracts maths specialists.

The stats weren't for a specific subject, they were the total overview across all courses but I get your point that maths might increase the accepted grades but for Bio at Oxford the most common grades were still A*A*A* according to the UCAS website. Obviously doesn't mean that you can't get in if you don't have that though.

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