Transcript Oxbridge - University of Exeter

Applying to Oxford and Cambridge
Tayma Cannon, University of Cambridge
The application process
Choose
course and
College
UCAS
application
(Cambridge Special
Access Scheme)
Result of
application
Choose ‘firm’
and ‘insurance’
choices
Submit by
15 October
Complete
online SAQ
(Cambridge)
Interview
Exam results/
confirmation
Written
work / tests
Start
university
The Universities and the Colleges
Collegiate universities:
Role of the Universities
Role of the Colleges
• Decide on course content
• Admit undergraduate students
• Organise lectures, seminars,
classes, practicals
• Organise tutorials (Oxford) /
supervisions (Cambridge)
• Set and mark examinations
• Responsible for academic and
pastoral care
• Award degrees
• Provide accommodation and
places to eat
Choosing a College
• 30 (Oxford) / 29 (Cambridge) Undergraduate Colleges
• Differ in terms of:
•
•
•
•
•
Accommodation
Appearance
Facilities
Location
Size (number of students)
• Research
• Open application route
Supplementary Application Questionnaire (SAQ)
(Cambridge only)
• Used to collect information
not on the UCAS application
• Ensures consistent
information about all our
applicants
• Completed online, in
multiple sessions if you want
What are we looking for?
Applicants who have:
• chosen a subject that truly engages them
• complimentary interests and aptitude for our courses and
teaching methods
• a strong record in examinations
• an excellent school/college reference
• the potential to succeed at the highest academic level
• vocational commitment (where appropriate)
Information used in selection
We treat each applicant as an individual
• Academic record (e.g. GCSEs, AS and A Levels)
• School or college reference
• Personal statement
• Submitted written work (where requested)
• Test results (where applicable)
• Performance at interview
Subject Matters
• Cambridge: ’essential’, ‘highly desirable’, ‘desirable’ and ‘useful’
A Level subjects for some of our courses.
• Oxford: ‘essential’, ‘highly recommended’ and ‘helpful’.
• These subjects include: Chemistry, English Literature, History,
Languages, Music, Mathematics and Physics. Other subjects
that also facilitate course choice include Further Mathematics
and Biology.
• Please see Undergraduate Prospectus for further guidance.
School/college reference and personal statement
School/college reference
• How do we use them?
• Why are they useful/important?
Personal statement
• How do we use them?
• What should they include?
Admissions tests
Cambridge
Oxford
• Bio-Medical Admissions Test
(BMAT)
• BMAT / UKCAT
• Cambridge Law Test
• TSA
• Thinking Skills Assessment (TSA)
• Aptitude Test for Maths and
Computer Science
• College tests
• LNAT
• English Literature Aptitude Test
(ELAT)
• Classics Language Aptitude Test
• Linguistics Aptitude Test
• History Aptitude Test (HAT)
• Physics Aptitude Test (PAT)
• Tests at interview for some
subjects
Why interview?
• What are interviewers looking for?
• Your academic ability and potential to
thrive at Cambridge
• Your self-motivation, commitment and
passion for your chosen subject
• Your ability to think independently and
critically
• No trick questions!
What happens at interview?
•
Format
•
What will I be asked about?
•
Focused and challenging questions, typical of teaching and learning at
Cambridge/Oxford
•
New approaches to existing knowledge and problem-solving questions
•
After Interview
1.
Successful application
2.
Unsuccessful application
3.
Application placed in the ‘pool’
Outcome
• One applicant in four receives an offer, but …
• Every year more than 10,000 unsuccessful
applicants go on to achieve three or more A grades
at A level
• We would take more applicants if there were places
available
• Competition is tough and our decisions are very
difficult to make
• Not receiving an offer is not the end of the world!
What we have to offer
• Challenging, stimulating
courses
• Top-rated teaching by top-rated
lecturers
• Unique system featuring
extensive small group teaching
• Superb facilities and
unparalleled levels of student
support
Academic life
• Tutorials / supervisions
• At least one per week
• One tutor + usually two students
• Exams: end of year, rather than termly
• Degree classification based on exams
Welfare and support
• Academic
• Pastoral
• Bursary Schemes
• Students supporting students
• University Counselling Services
• Disability Resource Centre (DRC)
Student life
• College community
• Cambridge University Students’
Union – CUSU
• Nightlife
• College and University societies
• Sport at every level
• Music and drama
Applicant Toolkit (www.cam.ac.uk/applicant-toolkit/)
Information of teachers, tutors, HE advisers
E-Newsletter
Information of teachers, tutors, HE advisers
Forthcoming Events
Cambridge
• Teachers’ Conference, 3-5 April 2011
• HE Advisers’ Conference,12-13 September 2011
Oxford
• Oxford Regional Teachers‘ Conferences 2011,
June- July 2011