The journey to becoming an Oxbridge student begins with the submission of an application through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS), encompassing personal, academic, and reference details, followed by academic assessments, interviews, and the final decision.
Aspiring Oxbridge students must first submit a comprehensive application through UCAS. This application includes not only personal and academic histories but also a personal statement and a teacher or counsellor reference.
Following the UCAS submission, applicants undergo academic assessments specific to their chosen field of study, such as the Mathematics Admissions Test (MAT) for Mathematics courses, which are critical to the decision-making process.
Successful candidates are then invited to participate in interviews that are designed to evaluate their academic potential, subject passion, and critical thinking skills. These interviews may be conducted in various formats, including online.
Upon completion of the interviews, Oxbridge will issue their admissions decisions, which may result in either conditional or unconditional offers based on the applicants' qualifications.
Applications are first reviewed by the chosen department or faculty, taking into account the submitted materials, the availability of an appropriate supervisor, and the applicant's ranking for funding, with an interview potentially being a part of this phase.
If an application is favored by a department, it moves on to the Degree Committee for further evaluation. Upon their endorsement, the Postgraduate Admissions Office (PAO) steps in to coordinate the final admission process and issue official offers.
Candidates will receive their final decisions via email and can track their application's progress online. Admissions are based on academic merit, course capacity, and supervisor availability, with the bulk of offers made by the end of March.
Once a formal offer is extended by PAO, the application is forwarded to Colleges for consideration of membership, typically confirmed within three weeks of the formal offer. Admission is finalized once all conditions of the offer are met.
For applicants requiring a Tier 4 visa, a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) will be provided by PAO, usually by June for the October intake, completing the final steps towards becoming an Oxbridge student.
The University of Cambridge ensures an equal opportunity policy during all admission processes, embracing diversity and inclusivity in its academic community.