Undergraduate Admissions Procedure

All undergraduate students at Oxford are admitted by colleges, rather than departments. The application procedure to University College is similar to that for every other college. In other words, you will need to apply very much in the same way regardless of which college you apply to.

If you cannot decide which college to apply to, you have the option of making an ‘Open Application’. This means that a college will be chosen for you at random by a computer, and the remainder of the process will not differ in any way.

The selection process is competitive and comparative, with tutors seeking to fill the fixed number of places available for each course with the applicants who most closely meet the subject-specific selection criteria. Selection is on academic merit only: students are selected by tutors on the basis of their educational record and their academic potential.

While the application process to Univ is competitive, the College will do everything it can to ensure that it is not intimidating. Univ is committed to equal opportunities for academically able students regardless of educational background, gender, ethnicity, or disability.

Special arrangements will be made for disabled candidates, but it is of course helpful if the Tutor for Admissions is warned at an early stage of any special needs (including dyslexia).

Univ has a thriving music scene and welcomes applications from prospective choral and organ scholars. Please note that the application process is slightly different for students who wish to be considered for an choral and organ scholarship.

The University’s undergraduate prospectus and admissions website describe the admissions procedures in detail, and you should read the relevant sections carefully.

Interviews

Oxford tutors spend a great deal of time assessing applicants, and trying to establish who will thrive in the Oxford academic environment and benefit from the tutorial system. The interview is a useful tool for selecting candidates, and for candidates to find out about Oxford; however, it is only one of several components of the selection procedure.

Read more about the Interviews.

Written Work and Written Tests

Candidates for a number of subjects are required to send in some written work. In addition, candidates for certain subjects are required to take a written test.

Read more about Written Work and Written Tests.

Application Form

Applicants to Oxford for 2012 entry must complete and submit the UCAS Form by 15 October 2011.

Read more about the Application Form.

Application Timetable

The time-table for making an application to University College is accessible via the link immediately below this paragraph. Please beware that the exact timings may vary slightly from year to year so you should always consult the University’s admissions website for the most up-to-date information.

Read more about the Application Timetable.

Undergraduate Admissions Frequently Asked Questions

We have put together answers to a series of questions which we are often asked. Please have a look through the questions and answers to find the information you seek.

Read more about the Undergraduate Admissions FAQs.