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Applying to Oxford and Cambridge What we have to offer • Superb facilities and unparalleled levels of student support • Top-rated teaching by top-rated lecturers • Unique system featuring extensive small group teaching • Challenging, stimulating courses What are we looking for? • Are you academically able? • Does Oxford and/or Cambridge offer a course you are passionate about? • Will you enjoy the challenging education Oxford and Cambridge offer? We are looking for the brightest and the best students regardless of background. 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 Interview Exam results/ confirmation Complete online SAQ (Cambridge) 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 Choosing a College Information used in selection We treat each applicant as an individual • Academic record (eg GCSEs, AS and A levels) • School or college reference • Personal statement • Submitted written work, where requested • Test results, where tests form part of our assessment • Performance at interview 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 Admissions tests Cambridge Oxford • Bio-Medical Admissions Test (BMAT) • BMAT / UKCAT • Cambridge Law Test • TSA • Thinking Skills Assessment (TSA) • Maths Aptitude Test (also for Computer Science) • College tests • ELAT • LNAT • History Aptitude Test (HAT) • Physics Aptitude Test (PAT) • Tests at interview for some subjects Interviews • 1, 2 or 3 interviews, each lasting 20-45 minutes • Conducted by lecturers and are predominantly academic and subject-focused • Discussion based and intellectually challenging • Interviews in Action film (Cambridge website) and various podcasts (Oxford website) available What are the interviewers looking for? • Your academic ability and potential to thrive in the teaching environment we provide • Your self-motivation, commitment and passion for your chosen subject • Your ability to think independently and critically No trick questions! After the interview Several possibilities: 1. Successful application 2. Unsuccessful application 3. Application placed in the ‘pool’ (Cambridge) Welfare and support • Academic • Pastoral • Cambridge Bursary Scheme and Oxford Opportunity Bursaries • Students supporting students • University Counselling Services • Disability Advisory Service (Oxford) / Disability Resource Centre (Cambridge) Oxford and Cambridge Bursaries (UK students) Bursary Household income Bursary value 2010-11 Up to £25,000 £3,400 per year £25,001 - £50,020 £3,150 - £50 per year Up to £25,000 £3,225 per year £25,001 - £49,999 £3,225 - £200 per year Cambridge Bursary Oxford Opportunity Bursary Finding out more • Ask questions today • Undergraduate Prospectuses • University websites • Contact the Oxford Admissions Information Centre, Cambridge Admissions Office or any College admissions office www.admissions.ox.ac.uk www.cam.ac.uk/admissions/undergraduate/