Last part resonates a lot. I thought I wanted to do sound engineering but in Christmas of yr13 read a maths book that lit it all up for me, immediately read another, ripped up the ucas and applied for maths courses. Did really well in my degree (because the p word was there) and am joining the MSc in Mathematical Science at Oxford this October; the academics on admissions could probably see from my transcript, letter of application etc what’s there; you can’t fake it. Many thanks for the vid, and best wishes to all you philosophers (in the truest sense of the word) this academic year.
Appreciate the videos, they’re extremely helpful. I know that Oxford is less likely to offer a place when retaking A-Levels. However, I ended up fracturing a couple of vertebrae last summer which led me to perform crudely in my A-Levels this year (as well as the PAT as I was bedridden) even though I was predicted A*A*A*. I was wondering what the most current take is on retaking with extenuating circumstances? Will I be considered the same as everyone else as I have circumstances or will I still be at a disadvantage? I’m healed up now and having gone through the exams once, I know what to expect for next year in terms of my back :) I suppose I am just curious if I should pour energy into an Oxford application and how realistic it is. Though I am very keen and determined as physics is one of my greatest passions and I love the course at Oxford. I’ve just never encountered someone with a situation like mine who tried again for Oxford or anyone resitting becoming an offerholder. Any suggestions on how I should approach this or how much of a chance I have would be greatly appreciated.
If you're keen to study, then give it your best shot! The concern with retakes is when someone does not have good reasons (such as yours) to explain the need to retake. If someone just keeps retaking until they get better grades, then it is more of a concern. Just be sure to have a plan B, other than Oxford, that you'll be happy with, as admissions are very competitive, and there's nothing wrong in not studying at Oxford!
@@JesusCollegeOxford1571 Thank you! This is great advice as I wasn’t sure about how my circumstances would be taken. And yes! I’m doing my best not be too pent up on Oxford, it’s just a little hard not to think of the what ifs after not being able to fully give it my all this past year due to being injured. I was wondering if anyone at Jesus College is retaking or if you’ve ever encountered any students who retook? Regardless, I appreciate the response! I’m sure there are many avenues for me to pursue my passion for physics :)
I just have 2 questions for the application. Firstly, I am currently going to school called Auckland Grammar School from New Zealand and I heard University of Oxford sees igcse results as well as our a levels. Our school has its own course called Pre-Q, which is equivalent to igcse, but I am unsure whether I can use my Pre-Q results as my igcse results. Can I use them? Another question is that does igcse results impact significantly to our applications?
Hello Mr Williams! Thanks so much for doing these videos, they're really helpful! Wanted to ask if it's possible to get one on the admissions tests moving online this year? I am especially concerned about the spatial awareness questions for the TSA- they seem tough to do online
@@JesusCollegeOxford1571I see! Thank you. I don’t know anyone who sat the online TSA, and have just been doing past papers, so this is reassuring to hear :)
Thank you! The admissions process is identical for domestic and overseas applicants. Be sure to practice admissions tests, if your course has them. A strong performance on the test provides amongst the best ways to stand out.
Hi, I’m going to apply to Oxford for PPE. I’m Scottish and the entry requirements for advanced higher are AA / AAB. Will I be given any advantage in the application process for sitting three advanced highers as opposed to two? Thanks, Cameron
Provided you meet the entry requirements, you don't gain comparative advantage by exceeding them. Be sure to practice the TSA test, as that is a strong predictor of admissions success.
Hi, I need some advice. I recently underperformed in my A-levels and got 3Bs despite being predicted 3A*s. This is as I was diagnosed late with Autism and so didn’t get access to extra time in my exams and so ran out of time and therefore underperformed. Would a late neurodivergent diagnosis like this be considered appropriate extenuating circumstances to apply to Oxford with re-sits or not? Oxford states such extenuating circumstances are things like bereavement but I’m not sure if this would count. I just wanted to know if I would be able to apply directly for the course I want to take or not; and if I was, if the odds would be really against me or whether my circumstances would be considered and I’d be treated like any other applicant?
I think you could certainly apply and give it your best shot, whilst explaining your situation briefly in the personal statement and teacher reference. I wish you all the best.
Do you have any idea what is meant by “super LNAT score”? I found this terminology on the law admissions webpage where it discusses a series of contextual data used to shortlist certain candidates and that term is used.
No, I'm sorry, I don't know what that means. I can tell you that contextual data are used with LNAT scores (nd all other application data) to decide on selection for interview. In other words, it's not all about the LNAT, we use all data. Although, it would be fair to say that the LNAT weighs heavily in the scales.
For the Astrophoria Foundation Year what happens if someone who is eligible gets an offer but ends up getting really good A-levels and so despite being disadvantaged (which would prevent them from ordinarily getting into Oxford they don’t need the course as much anymore)? Would they still have to go through the foundation year or could they ship it and progress onto the normal course?
Genuinely though the same a few years back, once you stop thinking about how successful the competition is and how successful YOU are it changes your entire perspective.
For law admissions, for the LNAT test, does Oxford place more emphasis on the multiple choice section or the essay section or are they both weighted equally?
It depends on the rankings you look at. They tend to reach different conclusions, based on their metrics. It may well be that Oxford underperforms in that ranking for future years, but it is well worth considering your own ranking, based on criteria that matter to you.
@@JesusCollegeOxford1571 I had in mind the QS ranking, but do you think the quality of teaching has declined? Perhaps it's easier for professors to commute/live in larger cities, like London? Is the calibre of students still as strong compared to past years?
There are professors that I am really impressed by when I read their books. For example, Cambridge professors, Sir Adolphus William Ward and G. W. Prothero, but their career ended decades ago. Robert Service and Norman Davies, more contemporary, have retired. There are still impressive people at Oxbridge, I think of Christopher Clark and Peter Wilson, but is the general level still as high?
@@Ronald_Farthing Of course! These rankings fluctuate, and Oxford tops on others based on different criteria. The trend is more important than individual polls, as in election forecasting. And the trends are looking good!
I would like to ask if my application would be adversely affected if I am taking a gap year? Is it recommended for me to talk about what I plan to do in the gap year in combination with what I have already done, or should I only talk about my achievements in my personal statement?
It is a good idea to describe your GY plans in brief. Admissions tutors can be nervous that your skills will be blunted by the time away from education. Of course, we admit mature students, so taking a GY is in itself a problem, and we check your skills with the admissions process. But, nonetheless, telling us what you might do to keep your eye in can be helpful.
Love the videos, been a massive help! I do have a question though regarding grades, if we're at the minimum requirements will this affect our chances of getting an interview or is the admissions test the primary determiner of us receiving an interview? (Looking at applying for PPE if that helps).
For PPE, once you have obtained (or are predicted to obtain) the required grades, then all other application materials become more salient, especially the TSA. Be sure to practice that!
@@JesusCollegeOxford1571does this apply for people who are re-sitting their A-levels and are predicted the required grades too or would they be disadvantaged? Could they make it up with a good admissions test score?
@@janeeire2439 If there are specific reasons that you are retaking your A-levels, it may be worth briefly describing these. Otherwise, retaking is not necessarily a problem, provided you are on course to meet the required standard, and you perform competitively on the TSA.
In my personal statement, I want to discuss really personal and private aspects of my life that spurred me on to want to do the course that I’m applying for. However, I’m worried that this would be cringey or that I’d be negatively judged for my experiences/conditions. Do you think I should change my personal statement?
The PS needs to describe your academic ability and potential, by answering the question: “What have you done to prove that you’re ready to study this course?” Anything that doesn’t answer that question won’t help you. But, it can be highly relevant to explain why your potential is yet to be fully realised on account of forces beyond your control, but that you’re still going to make the most of the degree. In other words, a brief explanation of difficulties you’ve faced is fine, provided that it helps explain the depths of your academic potential.
@@JesusCollegeOxford1571 thanks for your response. Is there a reason why Oxford doesn’t have an additional personal statement/questionnaire form you can submit like Cambridge does to give extra reasons for why you want to study your subject and to detail extenuating circumstances?
@@SarahLayton-hu7jm We can obtain info on extenuating circumstances from UCAS (if included in the personal statement or teacher reference), and such info can be communicated directly to the college of application at Oxford. Hence, we don't require any extra data on subject interest or extenuating circumstances.
Are international applicants considered on an equal basis across all majors? And, is it true that after you are shortlisted for interview, your entrance examination scores become much less relevant in the selection process? Lastly, to what extent does Oxford place more weight on the essay section of the LNAT over the multiple choice section? Thank you so much for these videos!
Yes, international applicants are considered on an equal basis, except with regards to medicine where the British government have imposed a cap on the number of places that can be given to overseas applicants. No, it is not true to say that admissions test scores become less relevant at the point of interview. The multiple-choice section of the LNAT is more heavily weighted than the essay, although both are important.
I read an FOI Request for Oxford admissions which considered applicants who were shortlisted for interviewed and given offers. I was surprised by how at one college the highest TSA score for a person interviewed did not match the highest TSA score for a person given an offer. This means somebody who got the highest admissions test score out of all the applicants from a certain college didn’t end up getting an offer post-interview. Is this common and why would it happen?
That's not a common occurrence, but is also not surprising. We use all data holistically. So a good admissions test score needs to go with good interview scores, plus all other relevant data. Sometimes candidates are very good at written tests, but not so good at answering questions at interview.
@@JesusCollegeOxford1571 Do you think that there would ever be a case where a candidate who performed really well on an admissions test was not at least shortlisted for interview?
I am aware that this year's applicants have to take admission tests at one of Pearson VUE test centres. But the nearest centre to me is in another state in India and I will not be able to travel there on the test day. Is there a way I can give the test in my city? Or if not, Can my application be considered without the test and will it affect my entire application adversely?
Sir I am a student from India. I am doing graduation in english honours, but I am a student from State board not cbcs or Iccs or any other board, so pls tell me how much grade or percentage, i have need to get admission in Oxford as a student of state board. Pls sir tell me 😢. It is my dream to read in oxford.pls reply
I’m sorry but the state board exams are not accepted by Oxford for undergrad admission. Please see here: www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/undergraduate/applying-to-oxford/for-international-students/international-qualifications You could apply as a graduate student, after studying elsewhere as an undergraduate. That’s what I did.
Sir I am a student from cbcs board of India, I am doing English honarse course in college , so how much percent number or grade I need to get admission in Oxford, pls sir reply I am requesting.
(From here: www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/undergraduate/applying-to-oxford/for-international-students/international-qualifications) For courses requiring AAA: For the CBSE board, we are aware that students will not know their grades at the point when they are applying. • For CBSE board: Grades A1 A1 A2 A2 A2, with grade A1 in any subjects relevant to the course applied for. • For CISCE board: Overall grade of 90% or more, with grades of at least 95% or above in two subjects (including any relevant to the course applied for) and 85% or above in the other three subjects.
Your advice and videos are really helpful, and definitely prompt me to question my subject area on a deeper level. Thank you Dr Williams!
You're very welcome!
Last part resonates a lot. I thought I wanted to do sound engineering but in Christmas of yr13 read a maths book that lit it all up for me, immediately read another, ripped up the ucas and applied for maths courses. Did really well in my degree (because the p word was there) and am joining the MSc in Mathematical Science at Oxford this October; the academics on admissions could probably see from my transcript, letter of application etc what’s there; you can’t fake it.
Many thanks for the vid, and best wishes to all you philosophers (in the truest sense of the word) this academic year.
Thanks! All best to you
what is the p word
Thank you professor ❤..... I will come to my dream university one day........
Appreciate the videos, they’re extremely helpful. I know that Oxford is less likely to offer a place when retaking A-Levels. However, I ended up fracturing a couple of vertebrae last summer which led me to perform crudely in my A-Levels this year (as well as the PAT as I was bedridden) even though I was predicted A*A*A*. I was wondering what the most current take is on retaking with extenuating circumstances? Will I be considered the same as everyone else as I have circumstances or will I still be at a disadvantage? I’m healed up now and having gone through the exams once, I know what to expect for next year in terms of my back :)
I suppose I am just curious if I should pour energy into an Oxford application and how realistic it is. Though I am very keen and determined as physics is one of my greatest passions and I love the course at Oxford. I’ve just never encountered someone with a situation like mine who tried again for Oxford or anyone resitting becoming an offerholder. Any suggestions on how I should approach this or how much of a chance I have would be greatly appreciated.
If you're keen to study, then give it your best shot! The concern with retakes is when someone does not have good reasons (such as yours) to explain the need to retake. If someone just keeps retaking until they get better grades, then it is more of a concern. Just be sure to have a plan B, other than Oxford, that you'll be happy with, as admissions are very competitive, and there's nothing wrong in not studying at Oxford!
@@JesusCollegeOxford1571 Thank you! This is great advice as I wasn’t sure about how my circumstances would be taken. And yes! I’m doing my best not be too pent up on Oxford, it’s just a little hard not to think of the what ifs after not being able to fully give it my all this past year due to being injured. I was wondering if anyone at Jesus College is retaking or if you’ve ever encountered any students who retook? Regardless, I appreciate the response! I’m sure there are many avenues for me to pursue my passion for physics :)
Thank you 💐💐💐
I just have 2 questions for the application. Firstly, I am currently going to school called Auckland Grammar School from New Zealand and I heard University of Oxford sees igcse results as well as our a levels. Our school has its own course called Pre-Q, which is equivalent to igcse, but I am unsure whether I can use my Pre-Q results as my igcse results. Can I use them?
Another question is that does igcse results impact significantly to our applications?
I believe you can use those qualifications, yes. It's your high school qualifications that will count for the most.
@@JesusCollegeOxford1571 Thank you for answering my questions!
Hello Mr Williams! Thanks so much for doing these videos, they're really helpful! Wanted to ask if it's possible to get one on the admissions tests moving online this year? I am especially concerned about the spatial awareness questions for the TSA- they seem tough to do online
Spatial awareness questions have not been used since the TSA went online. I don't imagine they will return this year.
@@JesusCollegeOxford1571I see! Thank you. I don’t know anyone who sat the online TSA, and have just been doing past papers, so this is reassuring to hear :)
Thank you so much for these videos. They are so helpful. Just a quick question, how to stand out being an international applicant?
Thank you! The admissions process is identical for domestic and overseas applicants. Be sure to practice admissions tests, if your course has them. A strong performance on the test provides amongst the best ways to stand out.
Hi, I’m going to apply to Oxford for PPE. I’m Scottish and the entry requirements for advanced higher are AA / AAB. Will I be given any advantage in the application process for sitting three advanced highers as opposed to two?
Thanks, Cameron
Provided you meet the entry requirements, you don't gain comparative advantage by exceeding them. Be sure to practice the TSA test, as that is a strong predictor of admissions success.
Ok, thanks a lot👍
Hi,
I need some advice.
I recently underperformed in my A-levels and got 3Bs despite being predicted 3A*s.
This is as I was diagnosed late with Autism and so didn’t get access to extra time in my exams and so ran out of time and therefore underperformed.
Would a late neurodivergent diagnosis like this be considered appropriate extenuating circumstances to apply to Oxford with re-sits or not? Oxford states such extenuating circumstances are things like bereavement but I’m not sure if this would count.
I just wanted to know if I would be able to apply directly for the course I want to take or not; and if I was, if the odds would be really against me or whether my circumstances would be considered and I’d be treated like any other applicant?
I think you could certainly apply and give it your best shot, whilst explaining your situation briefly in the personal statement and teacher reference. I wish you all the best.
Do you have any idea what is meant by “super LNAT score”?
I found this terminology on the law admissions webpage where it discusses a series of contextual data used to shortlist certain candidates and that term is used.
No, I'm sorry, I don't know what that means. I can tell you that contextual data are used with LNAT scores (nd all other application data) to decide on selection for interview. In other words, it's not all about the LNAT, we use all data. Although, it would be fair to say that the LNAT weighs heavily in the scales.
For the Astrophoria Foundation Year what happens if someone who is eligible gets an offer but ends up getting really good A-levels and so despite being disadvantaged (which would prevent them from ordinarily getting into Oxford they don’t need the course as much anymore)?
Would they still have to go through the foundation year or could they ship it and progress onto the normal course?
They would still have to go through the foundation year, but would likely benefit from it. The FY doesn't cost anything either.
Just curious but why did you decide to apply to Cambridge rather than Oxford as an undergraduate?
The course seemed better suited to me at the time. That changed at graduate level, when the Oxford course seemed better suited to me.
I'm never going to make it. I'll never be good enough
Genuinely though the same a few years back, once you stop thinking about how successful the competition is and how successful YOU are it changes your entire perspective.
Great advice
For law admissions, for the LNAT test, does Oxford place more emphasis on the multiple choice section or the essay section or are they both weighted equally?
The multiple choice is slightly more heavily weighted.
Q: Why did Oxford fall below Imperial in the rankings this year, will it continue to fall?
It depends on the rankings you look at. They tend to reach different conclusions, based on their metrics. It may well be that Oxford underperforms in that ranking for future years, but it is well worth considering your own ranking, based on criteria that matter to you.
@@JesusCollegeOxford1571 I had in mind the QS ranking, but do you think the quality of teaching has declined? Perhaps it's easier for professors to commute/live in larger cities, like London? Is the calibre of students still as strong compared to past years?
There are professors that I am really impressed by when I read their books. For example, Cambridge professors, Sir Adolphus William Ward and G. W. Prothero, but their career ended decades ago. Robert Service and Norman Davies, more contemporary, have retired. There are still impressive people at Oxbridge, I think of Christopher Clark and Peter Wilson, but is the general level still as high?
@@Ronald_Farthing Of course! These rankings fluctuate, and Oxford tops on others based on different criteria. The trend is more important than individual polls, as in election forecasting. And the trends are looking good!
I would like to ask if my application would be adversely affected if I am taking a gap year? Is it recommended for me to talk about what I plan to do in the gap year in combination with what I have already done, or should I only talk about my achievements in my personal statement?
It is a good idea to describe your GY plans in brief. Admissions tutors can be nervous that your skills will be blunted by the time away from education. Of course, we admit mature students, so taking a GY is in itself a problem, and we check your skills with the admissions process. But, nonetheless, telling us what you might do to keep your eye in can be helpful.
Love the videos, been a massive help! I do have a question though regarding grades, if we're at the minimum requirements will this affect our chances of getting an interview or is the admissions test the primary determiner of us receiving an interview? (Looking at applying for PPE if that helps).
For PPE, once you have obtained (or are predicted to obtain) the required grades, then all other application materials become more salient, especially the TSA. Be sure to practice that!
@@JesusCollegeOxford1571 Thanks, will do!
@@JesusCollegeOxford1571does this apply for people who are re-sitting their A-levels and are predicted the required grades too or would they be disadvantaged? Could they make it up with a good admissions test score?
@@janeeire2439 If there are specific reasons that you are retaking your A-levels, it may be worth briefly describing these. Otherwise, retaking is not necessarily a problem, provided you are on course to meet the required standard, and you perform competitively on the TSA.
In my personal statement, I want to discuss really personal and private aspects of my life that spurred me on to want to do the course that I’m applying for. However, I’m worried that this would be cringey or that I’d be negatively judged for my experiences/conditions.
Do you think I should change my personal statement?
The PS needs to describe your academic ability and potential, by answering the question: “What have you done to prove that you’re ready to study this course?” Anything that doesn’t answer that question won’t help you. But, it can be highly relevant to explain why your potential is yet to be fully realised on account of forces beyond your control, but that you’re still going to make the most of the degree. In other words, a brief explanation of difficulties you’ve faced is fine, provided that it helps explain the depths of your academic potential.
@@JesusCollegeOxford1571 thanks for your response.
Is there a reason why Oxford doesn’t have an additional personal statement/questionnaire form you can submit like Cambridge does to give extra reasons for why you want to study your subject and to detail extenuating circumstances?
@@SarahLayton-hu7jm We can obtain info on extenuating circumstances from UCAS (if included in the personal statement or teacher reference), and such info can be communicated directly to the college of application at Oxford. Hence, we don't require any extra data on subject interest or extenuating circumstances.
Are international applicants considered on an equal basis across all majors? And, is it true that after you are shortlisted for interview, your entrance examination scores become much less relevant in the selection process? Lastly, to what extent does Oxford place more weight on the essay section of the LNAT over the multiple choice section?
Thank you so much for these videos!
Yes, international applicants are considered on an equal basis, except with regards to medicine where the British government have imposed a cap on the number of places that can be given to overseas applicants. No, it is not true to say that admissions test scores become less relevant at the point of interview. The multiple-choice section of the LNAT is more heavily weighted than the essay, although both are important.
@@JesusCollegeOxford1571 Thank you so much!
I read an FOI Request for Oxford admissions which considered applicants who were shortlisted for interviewed and given offers.
I was surprised by how at one college the highest TSA score for a person interviewed did not match the highest TSA score for a person given an offer. This means somebody who got the highest admissions test score out of all the applicants from a certain college didn’t end up getting an offer post-interview.
Is this common and why would it happen?
That's not a common occurrence, but is also not surprising. We use all data holistically. So a good admissions test score needs to go with good interview scores, plus all other relevant data. Sometimes candidates are very good at written tests, but not so good at answering questions at interview.
@@JesusCollegeOxford1571 Do you think that there would ever be a case where a candidate who performed really well on an admissions test was not at least shortlisted for interview?
That would likely only happen if a student did not have eligible A-levels (wrong subjects or inadequate grades).
I am aware that this year's applicants have to take admission tests at one of Pearson VUE test centres. But the nearest centre to me is in another state in India and I will not be able to travel there on the test day. Is there a way I can give the test in my city? Or if not, Can my application be considered without the test and will it affect my entire application adversely?
Which course would the test be for? Typically the tests are essential, but it is best to check with the admissions team at the relevant department.
The test is HAT for History and English undergraduate course
You will most likely need to take the HAT to be considered. Please contact Pearson VUE on 0008004401837 (India).
@@JesusCollegeOxford1571 Thank you
Sir I am a student from India. I am doing graduation in english honours, but I am a student from State board not cbcs or Iccs or any other board, so pls tell me how much grade or percentage, i have need to get admission in Oxford as a student of state board. Pls sir tell me 😢. It is my dream to read in oxford.pls reply
I’m sorry but the state board exams are not accepted by Oxford for undergrad admission. Please see here: www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/undergraduate/applying-to-oxford/for-international-students/international-qualifications You could apply as a graduate student, after studying elsewhere as an undergraduate. That’s what I did.
Sir I am a student from cbcs board of India, I am doing English honarse course in college , so how much percent number or grade I need to get admission in Oxford, pls sir reply I am requesting.
(From here: www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/undergraduate/applying-to-oxford/for-international-students/international-qualifications)
For courses requiring AAA:
For the CBSE board, we are aware that students will not know their grades at the point when they are applying.
• For CBSE board: Grades A1 A1 A2 A2 A2, with grade A1 in any subjects relevant to the course applied for.
• For CISCE board: Overall grade of 90% or more, with grades of at least 95% or above in two subjects (including any relevant to the course applied for) and 85% or above in the other three subjects.
Does Oxford take Open University students for Masters courses?
Yes, I believe so! Can't imagine why not.
@@JesusCollegeOxford1571 Awesome!
Can a 40 year old apply to read Greats at Magdalen?
I imagine so. I don't think that college has any age limit. We certainly don't at Jesus College.
Jesus !
I'm never going to make it. I'll never be good enough