Both Oxford and Cambridge have fearsome reputations. Deciding whether and how to encourage a student to apply can be a difficult decision. The Oxbridge system can appear opaque to many, and it is essential to appreciate what the system provides in order to understand how to support your students.
The world-famous one-to-one teaching systems – supervisions at Cambridge and tutorials at Oxford – are perhaps the most significant elements in explaining why alumni go on to become leaders in their fields, often on an international stage. The teaching system and academic environment promotes independent scholarship and the opportunities for students to develop self-motivation and intellectual curiosity are enormous.
All students are taught through tutorials at Oxford or supervisions at Cambridge. These are formed of a tutor, whether a senior fellow or a junior researcher, and anything from one to three students. Some papers may make use of supplementary seminars, which resemble A level classes more closely, and usually all courses have accompanying lectures. Generally, each student takes a paper or two over the course of a term. A typical humanities student would be expected to produce between six to sixteen circa 3000 word essays in each eight week term; whereas a science student would have problem sheets for each tutorial alongside sessions in “labs” for which they must produce “lab reports”. Tutorials or supervisions are focused on the work each student has produced: a humanities student may be expected to email their essay a day in advance then be prepared to discuss their arguments in depth with their tutor.
Although this may sound somewhat gruelling, the tutorial system offers a rewarding and personal teaching medium. Even the most shy academics are nurtured into communicating effectively, and the most headstrong are challenged to deconstruct their arguments. Furthermore, the abilities of students to balance extra-curricular activities with academic life develops individuals with strong time-management skills alongside outstanding sporting, dramatic or musical talent.
The competition, though gruelling, is a mark to any employer that the candidate is outstanding. Oxbridge not only denotes intelligence, but also crucially, drive, perseverance, stamina and the ability to thrive under pressure.
The prestige of Oxbridge attracts many of the greatest thinkers in the world as tutors for the university, allowing passionate young students to speak face-to-face on a weekly basis, about a subject they love, with the best academics worldwide.
The flexibility of many Oxbridge courses allows students to choose from often dozens of different papers, all designed and run by a leading scholar on that topic. The collegiate system does not confine people to their college: although broad papers will frequently be taught in college, more specific papers may well be taught in another college. As such, there is no need for a student to make their college choice on the basis of a single tutor, and they may even find that the tutor is on research leave when they arrive!
The competition, though gruelling, is a mark to any employer that the candidate is outstanding. Oxbridge not only denotes intelligence, but also crucially, drive, perseverance, stamina and the ability to thrive under pressure. Where most universities require around two essays to be completed per term, at Oxbridge, two essays are expected as standard per week.
Scientists work in some of the most famous and best resourced laboratories in the country, and often under internationally famed tutors. Many courses use the combined undergraduate and master’s course structure that allows students the security to stay on and focus on a single topic, helping them to enter the job market ahead of other candidates.
The difficult admissions process actually treats a student as an individual better than any other more simple system – working to ensure that each student can represent their unique mind in an interactive conversation
The difficult admissions process actually treats a student as an individual better than any other more simple system – working to ensure that each student can represent their unique mind in an interactive conversation, rather than in 4000 characters on a UCAS screen. As the teaching system revolves around tutorials, the interview system offers more than any other universities can, as it essentially constitutes a taster of the university experience.
Of course, there are many steps before the interview. The most demanding of these is the admissions test, which is as much a filter for the candidates with the requisite academic potential as it is a chance for the best students to achieve an outstanding score. If admissions tutors are forced to decide between two similar candidates, often their test score is a factor in making that all-important decision: the test is far more than a simple hurdle to clear.
Oxford and Cambridge look at a number of different factors when considering applicants for places:
You will need to assess whether you will make an impressive applicant against these criteria. Oxford and Cambridge are interested in your academic potential, so it is key that your application demonstrates a wealth of this at all stages.
The best first step for assessing how competitive a candidate you are is to look at your grades.
Even the most studious of university hopefuls can be a little nervous about this. After all, university is as much a chance to flee the nest and spread your wings as it is to study further.
When it comes to Oxbridge, there is no doubt that your work load tends to be on something of a different level. At many universities, you might be set a couple of essays a term. At Oxbridge it’s likely to be up to two each week. The pace at which you learn is exhilarating, but it’s demanding – and you’ve got to be sure you can handle the workload.
In our experience, students don’t give up on a varied life… they give up TV and sleep
However, we are very keen to dispel the myth that this means students do nothing but work.
Oxford and Cambridge provide a plethora of non-academic clubs and activities to fill your time with, both at university and at college level. Whether you are a fantastic fly-half, a budding thespian, the ultimate, ultimate frisbee-er or you’re obsessed with Sherlock Holmes, there is a something for everyone.
Oxbridge terms are a bit like the 400m. 8 weeks – it sounds short but sprinting for 8 weeks is no mean feat. Rather than give up extra-curricular pursuits or a decent social life, in our experience, students give up TV and sleep.
So is this kind of busyness something that appeals to you – do you like the idea of handling your term like an academic Michael Johnson?
Most essay subjects require around three essays per fortnight, and science subjects will usually require you to be in lectures or labs all week. It’s a lot of work – which is why Admissions Tutors will want to know whether you really love your subject.
There are few of us who enjoy the slog of 3,000 words to write before morning, or hard-core revision by candlelight in the library. No amount of love for a subject can make finals a wholly enjoyable experience. However, if you do not get an inherent pleasure from studying your subject, you will find it very difficult to cope with the kind of work load you’ll be expected to handle. If you haven’t already chosen your course, this is your number one priority.
Our Oxbridge-graduate consultants are available between 9.00 am – 5.00 pm from Monday to Friday, with additional evening availability when requested.
Oxbridge Applications, 14 – 16 Waterloo Place, London, SW1Y 4AR
