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Uni choice and oxford

Should I take my current offers which are from 4 russel groups (I think they all are) and 1 that’s none russel group, or should i go for Oxford next year and try and apply with acquired grades. This is for physics too

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Reply 1

Which specific unis have you got current offers from? My general advice to almost-everyone (when it comes to reapplying to Oxford) is: if you have an offer from a strong uni already, just take that up and go there! :yep:

Reply 2

York, and then foundation in Manchester, Sheffield, Surrey and Aberystwyth

Reply 3

All great unis overall - though I'm not a STEM student, so am less sure how good they are for a subject like physics. Hopefully someone more knowledgeable will come along to answer soon! :yep:

Something worth considering is how you would feel if you took a gap year to apply to Oxford and (still?) didn't get in. If you would feel really down about it and like you wasted a year, then that's worth factoring into your decision, imho :yes:

Reply 4

Original post
by shaggy-delicacy
York, and then foundation in Manchester, Sheffield, Surrey and Aberystwyth

If you're applying for foundation courses this year, is a leap to Oxford reasonable for next year?

Reply 5

Original post
by The_Lonely_Goatherd
All great unis overall - though I'm not a STEM student, so am less sure how good they are for a subject like physics. Hopefully someone more knowledgeable will come along to answer soon! :yep:
Something worth considering is how you would feel if you took a gap year to apply to Oxford and (still?) didn't get in. If you would feel really down about it and like you wasted a year, then that's worth factoring into your decision, imho :yes:


My plan was a gap year anyway as I don’t feel ready for uni yet

Reply 6

Original post
by ageshallnot
If you're applying for foundation courses this year, is a leap to Oxford reasonable for next year?


I get what you’re saying but there hasn’t been any effort from me in school so far bar a bit of a stint for maybe a month at GCSE

Reply 7

Original post
by shaggy-delicacy
Should I take my current offers which are from 4 russel groups (I think they all are) and 1 that’s none russel group, or should i go for Oxford next year and try and apply with acquired grades. This is for physics too

As someone who reapplied (successfully for chemistry) to Oxford on a gap year, I can’t say anything you have posted in this thread at all indicates trying for Oxford would be a good idea.

I do agree that if you feel you aren’t ready for university yet, you should take a gap year. However, I would seriously consider attempting to defer any offers you have and stick with them. Please note that this is something you cannot do if you apply to Oxford and you will have to decline all your offers.

As you appear to be applying for foundation years, I do have to ask why. Is it that you have the wrong subject combination for physics? If so, you would need to use the gap year to rectify this in the event you apply to Oxford (maths and physics are required and FM is considered helpful, but in practice I would say it’s a necessity).

Reply 8

Original post
by shaggy-delicacy
I get what you’re saying but there hasn’t been any effort from me in school so far bar a bit of a stint for maybe a month at GCSE

So how much effort will you put in between now and A-levels?

Reply 9

How did you do in your GCSE's ? Oxford consider all elements of your application holistically, but typically most successful students gain 7, 8 and 9s in their GCSE's.

Reply 10

Original post
by ageshallnot
So how much effort will you put in between now and A-levels?


Way more

Reply 11

Original post
by EDP8
How did you do in your GCSE's ? Oxford consider all elements of your application holistically, but typically most successful students gain 7, 8 and 9s in their GCSE's.


8s and 9s but I want to apply to Oxford with acquired grades

Reply 12

Original post
by TypicalNerd
As someone who reapplied (successfully for chemistry) to Oxford on a gap year, I can’t say anything you have posted in this thread at all indicates trying for Oxford would be a good idea.
I do agree that if you feel you aren’t ready for university yet, you should take a gap year. However, I would seriously consider attempting to defer any offers you have and stick with them. Please note that this is something you cannot do if you apply to Oxford and you will have to decline all your offers.
As you appear to be applying for foundation years, I do have to ask why. Is it that you have the wrong subject combination for physics? If so, you would need to use the gap year to rectify this in the event you apply to Oxford (maths and physics are required and FM is considered helpful, but in practice I would say it’s a necessity).


It’s because I haven’t put in any effort up until now basically

Reply 13

What A levels are you taking?Are they what Oxford require?If taking a gap year just choose your firm and insurance and then decide what to do in August.

Reply 14

Original post
by Scotney
What A levels are you taking?Are they what Oxford require?If taking a gap year just choose your firm and insurance and then decide what to do in August.


Maths physics biology, I get further maths would be beneficial but my plan is to try and do some of those modules myself

Reply 15

Original post
by shaggy-delicacy
Maths physics biology, I get further maths would be beneficial but my plan is to try and do some of those modules myself

Well as I said proceed as normal and see where you are on results day.Do not forget you will have to prep for PAT if you decide your grades are good enough.You can check with your firm and insurance about how they feel about deferrals in August now.How many 8/9 we talking?Did your school offer FM?
(edited 1 month ago)

Reply 16

Original post
by Scotney
Well as I said proceed as normal and see where you are on results day.Do not forget you will have to prep for PAT if you decide your grades are good enough.You can check with your firm and insurance about how they feel about deferrals in August now.How many 8/9 we talking?Did your school offer FM?


Yea that’s what my plan is, and I’ll try prep for the ESAT at a similar time as revising so it complements my maths and physics. Yea they did but idk what I want to do and when I chose them I just picked the subjects I enjoy and I couldn’t do biology and fm

Reply 17

Original post
by shaggy-delicacy
Yea that’s what my plan is, and I’ll try prep for the ESAT at a similar time as revising so it complements my maths and physics. Yea they did but idk what I want to do and when I chose them I just picked the subjects I enjoy and I couldn’t do biology and fm

They state the entrance exam and interview are main determinants so FM not deal breaker.

Reply 18

Original post
by Scotney
Well as I said proceed as normal and see where you are on results day.Do not forget you will have to prep for PAT if you decide your grades are good enough.You can check with your firm and insurance about how they feel about deferrals in August now.How many 8/9 we talking?Did your school offer FM?

PAT has gone now it's ESAT for 2027 entry.

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

Reply 19

Thanks Muttley.👍

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