The University of Oxford is a top-ranked institution of higher learning not just in the UK but also internationally.
For instance, it ranks fifth in the Global 2000 category of the Center for World University Rankings (CWUR) and US News’ lists of the Best Global Universities. It’s no wonder why some US students apply to Oxford.
The first step in applying to Oxford University from the US is through UCAS. It is necessary to satisfy the GPA, SAT/ACT, and AP exam requirements. Depending on the course, applicants must pass entrance exams or submit written assignments. The top applicants will be invited to an interview.
There are non-Ivy League universities like MIT, UCLA, Caltech, Stanford, and the University of Chicago in addition to Ivy League universities like Harvard and Columbia.
With more than 26,000 resident alumni members, the United States has the most Oxford graduates outside of the United Kingdom. Many well-known Americans with names that will undoubtedly ring a bell have also attended this prestigious research university as students.
Continue reading if you intend to leave everything behind and obtain a degree from the University of Oxford.
You will find some of the most crucial application-related information below that US students who are considering spending the next four years of their academic career at Oxford need to know.
By the time you reach the end of this article, you will know more about your chances of getting an offer from the prestigious school.
University of Oxford Acceptance Rate
Oxford’s undergraduate acceptance rate is approximately 17%. To put this number in context, roughly 80% of undergraduates and 36% of graduate students are from the UK Acceptance rates for international students vary slightly, but we’ll get to those figures in a moment.
At 17%, Oxford is highly competitive, but not nearly as rigorous as Harvard, Columbia, or Yale, whose acceptance rates hover around 5% At the same time, Oxford%E2%80%99s acceptance rate is slightly lower than Cambridge%E2%80%99s 21% Nevertheless, Oxford and Cambridge each receive more than 20,000 undergraduate applications each year from both domestic and foreign applicants.
Unlike many top-tier U. S. for the past five years, Oxford’s acceptance rate has been steadily increasing. This trend is partly attributable to the school’s deliberate efforts to increase accessibility and inclusion to historically underrepresented groups, such as women, minorities, those from disadvantaged socioeconomic backgrounds, and people with disabilities.
Economics is the most well-liked undergraduate major at Oxford. This is because of the UK’s unique approach to higher education, which may explain why some of these undergrad majors, particularly medicine, sound unfamiliar.
With the exception of professional or technical degrees, most U. S. undergraduate degrees focus on broad knowledge and skills. However, UK degrees require students to study their chosen field in-depth. As a result, there are usually no general education requirements. Because of this, students can major in medicine or law at the baccalaureate level and begin taking the necessary courses without having to wait until graduate school.
Like most English universities, Oxford requires three years to complete its undergraduate degrees. Students can typically add a master’s degree for just one more year.
University of Oxford Tuition
Despite being in the same caliber as the Ivy League and other top U.S. schools, Oxford doesn’t cost nearly as much. Currently, students from the UK or Ireland pay £9,250 ($13,027), while international students pay £26,770-37,510 ($37,700-52,825) per year. The price variability depends on major; some require students to go abroad for a year, for which there is an additional fee.
You can expect living costs to range from £10,575-15,390 ($14,893-21,673) per 9-month school year. This includes food, accommodation, textbooks, and other costs. Oxford guarantees undergraduate accommodations for the first year and at least one other year.
Oxford provides a range of financial aid options to help with the costs. For instance, low-income students in the UK and Ireland are given yearly bursaries (grants) that vary based on household income. The largest bursary is £3,200 ($4,507) per year for students whose families make less than £16,000 ($22,533).
Additionally, undergraduates who reside in the UK and have a household income of no more than £27,500 ($38,728) annually are eligible for a Crankstart Scholarship worth up to £5,000 ($7,042) annually. Additional scholarships and bursaries are available to UK students from underprivileged backgrounds or with other extenuating circumstances.
International students must apply for loans from their home countries, while UK students can also apply for loans from the UK government. But a few scholarships are offered to students from particular nations, including those in Asia, Eastern Europe, China, Russia, and other regions.
The Oxford website has a convenient tool you can use to search for scholarships you may be eligible for and estimate your total costs based on country of origin, major, starting year, and college.
University of Oxford Requirements
Unlike U. S. Universities, Oxford requires that you select the course (major) you wish to enroll in and submit a single application through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS).
Different courses will have different requirements, which come in the form of admissions exams, submission of written work, and/or completing required classes in high school. However, every course will require specific results on your A-Levels, other UK equivalent, or international equivalent.
For instance, in order to major in physics, you must have an A*AA on your A-Levels with an A* in Mathematics, Physics, or Further Mathematics if you are a UK student applying. An A* is equal to a score of 90%, while an A is equal to a score of 80–89%. You will therefore need a total of three A-Levels, which explains your three scores.
Oxford recommends taking a Maths Mechanics course in addition to having Physics and Math at the A-Level or other equivalent level. Additionally, candidates must pass the university’s entrance exam, the Physics Aptitude Test (PAT).
If you’re an American student applying as a Physics major, you’ll need to earn equivalent test scores as part of your application. In this case, it’s scoring 5s on four APs (on subjects required for the Physics major) or scoring 5s on three APs plus at least a 32 on the ACT or 1470 on the SAT. Search for the necessary international qualifications for your particular course here.
After reviewing your UCAS application (which includes a personal statement and teacher reference), grades, and test results, Oxford selects about half of the applicants for interviews with faculty and staff. Your application has been declined if you do not receive an invitation to an interview. However, if you do advance to the interview stage, you will have a fantastic opportunity to showcase your interest and critical thinking abilities in your desired major.
University of Oxford Notable Alumni
Oxford has produced a long list of notable royals, politicians, philosophers, economists, scientists, poets, authors, actors, and musicians. Numerous people are British citizens, including hundreds of lawmakers and 28 UK prime ministers, including Margaret Thatcher and David Cameron. Albert Einstein, Edwin Hubble, Stephen Hawking, and Howard Florey, the creator of penicillin and winner of the Nobel Prize, are some of the alumni from the scientific field.
Oxford produced some of the most well-known authors of English literature, including Lewis Carroll, Oscar Wilde, Vera Brittain, J R. R. Tolkein, C. S. Lewis, John Donne, Percy Bysshe Shelley, T. S. Eliot. Carroll, Tolkein, and Lewis also became lecturers at the university.
Other graduates from the fields of drama and film you might be familiar with include Hugh Grant, Rosamund Pike, Felicity Jones, Gemma Chan, and Rowan Atkinson.
Oxford attracts students from all over the world, not just Britons. Former U. S. Former Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, former State Counselor of Burma Aung San Suu Kyi, and former US President Bill Clinton all applied their political lessons back in their home nations. Malala Yousafzai, a Pakistani activist and the youngest recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize, finished her BA in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics (PPE) in 2020.
Tim Berners-Lee, a co-inventor of the World Wide Web, Jocelyn Bell Burnell, a prize-winning astrophysicist, and Colin Blakemore, a pioneering neuroscientist are among the notable members of the faculty today.
Oxford continues to make history through the accomplishments of its students and faculty around the world despite having such an impressive list of alumni and faculty members.
History of the University of Oxford – When Was It Founded?
Although there is no precise date, Oxford’s academic program began in 1096 and rapidly increased after King Henry II forbade English students from enrolling at the University of Paris in 1167.
This puts the school’s first days almost 1,000 years ago, making it the oldest university in the English-speaking world.
Emo of Friesland, the first recorded foreign student, entered the institution in 1190, sparking the institution’s interest in fostering global understanding through education. Before Oxford’s first residence halls and official colleges, which were built in the 13th century, were established, this occurred. The colleges known today as University, Balliol, and Merton were founded between 1249 and 1264.
Oxford academics have engaged in passionate religious and political debates for generations. John Wycliffe fought against the papacy in the 14th century by promoting a Bible in common tongues. At least three Anglican clergymen were tried for heresy during the Reformation and executed in Oxford by being burned at the stake.
Significant scientific advancement and religious revival occurred in the 18th and 19th centuries. Professor Edmund Halley, for instance, foresaw the recurring appearance of what is now known as Halley’s comet. Bishop Samuel Wilberforce and evolutionist Thomas Huxley famously squared off at the University Museum in 1860.
Women were first permitted to enroll in all-female colleges in 1878, but starting in 1974, they could only do so at a few specific all-male institutions. Since then, all other colleges have followed suit. Today all of them are co-ed. Total enrollment is about 24,000: 11,955 undergraduates and 12,010 postgraduates.
What Are the Colleges of the University of Oxford?
Members of one of Oxford’s 39 colleges or six permanent private halls (PPHs) are required for both students and faculty. Both are associated with the Oxford brand, but some Christian denominations also operate PPHs.
PPHs are primarily responsible for graduate and undergraduate theological and clerical education. With about 200 total students, Regent’s Park College is the largest; however, Blackfriars, founded in 1221, is the oldest. The other four are Campion Hall, St. Benet’s Hall, St. Stephen’s House, and Wycliffe Hall.
The colleges, like the PPHs, are relatively independent and self-governing. They relate to the larger university much like U. S. states do to the federal government. The majority of Oxford colleges provide their own lodging, meals, libraries, sporting events, and other activities, fostering a sense of community through shared coursework and social gatherings. Some universities only allow graduate students to enroll, while others allow both graduate and undergraduate students.
The majority of colleges offer all majors, and the only factors that distinguish one college from another are their location, size, and events that are unique to that college. However, some majors are not offered at all colleges. For instance, only 23 of these colleges offer music, so there are still plenty of options.
All of this means that you can meet other students who have a variety of academic interests within a single college. For example, St. The largest college that accepts both undergraduates and graduates is Catherine’s (983 total), representing a variety of interests and demographics. It’s one of the newest colleges, and the buildings provide a contemporary contrast to Oxford’s historic Gothic spires.
Harris Manchester, on the other hand, is the smallest college with a combined enrollment of 265 undergraduate and graduate students. You’ll get a big community feel from St. Catherine’s and a more intimate, close-knit environment with Harris Manchester. But regardless of which college you attend, you can take advantage of university-wide activities and chances to make friends with students from other colleges.
University of Oxford Ranking
Oxford and Cambridge are friendly rivals who compete to have the best university in the United Kingdom. However, among all of the English universities as well as other institutions around the world, Oxford frequently comes out on top.
According to Times Higher Education, Oxford is the #1 university in the world. It has held that spot for the past five years. THE ranks institutions based on their teaching, research, knowledge transfer, and international outlook. Not only does Oxford have unique teaching methods and copious research output, but it also demonstrates a vibrant global perspective: 45% of students are international.
U.S. News puts Oxford at #5 among global universities, but it is #1 globally for arts and humanities and the #1 university in Europe.
QS World University Rankings places Oxford at #2, just after MIT.
Despite slight variations in these statistics, the overall message is consistent: Oxford is a global leader in higher education. Different aspects of the college experience are valued differently by different ranking sites, but they all generally concur that the Oxford experience is unique.
Oxford excels in every field, unlike some schools where some fields are more successful than others. There is no shortage of brilliant faculty and peers to learn from, whether it be in the fields of biology, mathematics, psychology, chemistry, nanoscience, engineering, computer science, or English literature.
Oxford University Acceptance Rate for International Students
It is not surprising that a fifth of undergraduates and two thirds of graduate students are from more than 150 different countries given Oxford’s long and illustrious history of educating international students.
The school%E2%80%99s overall acceptance rate is 17%, but it%E2%80%99s significantly more competitive for international undergraduate applicants: their international student acceptance rate last year was about 9%
On the other hand, the postgraduate acceptance rate was about 26% According to the numbers, graduate students have a higher chance than undergraduates of being admitted to Oxford.
No matter which Oxford program you are applying to, your research prospects, academic standing, and accomplishments must be flawless.
Unlike many top U. S. universities, Oxford does not emphasize extracurriculars as heavily. Instead, they are more intrigued to see candidates who excel in the classroom and have a passion for their chosen field of study. Extracurricular activities that share this interest will only improve the applicant’s chances.
For instance, if you want to study politics at Oxford, you should at the very least receive good grades in your A-Levels in politics, history, philosophy, sociology, and/or law. Discussing your involvement in a local political party or government can also help set your application apart from those of other political candidates who may lack pertinent extracurricular political activities.
Of course, you should also elaborate in your personal statement why you prefer Oxford’s department of politics to one at a prestigious university abroad.
100% Scholarships for International Students at Oxford University | Road to Success Ep. 08
FAQ
How hard is it to get into Oxford as an international student?
Oxford University admissions are currently fiercely competitive; in 2021, more than 24,000 applicants competed for 3300 undergraduate spots. As a world-class university, Oxford has an international and diverse student body, where international students make up almost 45% of the student body
What GPA is required for Oxford for international students?
Qualifications from your undergraduate program If your graduate program at Oxford calls for a “first class undergraduate degree with honors” under the UK system, you will typically need a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0. 7 out of 4. 0 or 4. 5 out of 5. 0.
Can you get into Oxford as an international student?
Many applicants to Oxford are A-level students, but we also accept a wide variety of other comparable UK and international qualifications. You must have obtained, or be anticipated to obtain, one of the qualifications listed below in order to apply to Oxford as an international student.
Does Oxford accept American students?
55% of graduate students at Oxford arrive from outside of the UK, representing over 150 different countries No matter a person’s nationality, the application process is the same for everyone. Do you still have concerns regarding the Oxford graduate admissions procedure?