The University of Oxford is renowned for its prestigious academic programs and world-class faculty, attracting international students from over 155 nations across the globe. With an acceptance rate of 13.75%, gaining admission to Oxford is highly competitive. The university offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs, each with its own set of requirements and deadlines.
For undergraduate programs at the University of Oxford, international students must submit their UCAS application by the October 15 deadline. In addition to meeting academic criteria, applicants are also required to provide letters of recommendation, personal statements, and, in some cases, sit for admission tests or interviews. English language proficiency is also a key requirement, with minimum scores on standardized tests such as the IELTS or TOEFL often needed for non-native speakers.
Graduate programs at the University of Oxford have varying application deadlines, so prospective students are advised to check individual department websites for specific dates. In addition to meeting academic and English language requirements, graduate applicants may also need to provide research proposals, writing samples, and letters of recommendation. The admissions process at Oxford is rigorous and thorough, with applications reviewed by faculty members and admissions committees to ensure the best candidates are selected for each program. It is important for international students to carefully follow all guidelines and deadlines to increase their chances of admission to this prestigious university.
What Do You Need to Get to Go to Oxford University?
In order to take up the offer of a place to study here, all applicants must meet the qualification requirements of their course. Most students who apply to Oxford are taking A-levels but we also accept other equivalent UK qualifications, and international qualifications.
Oxford prefers applicants to have as many A*s and 9s as possible, and many applicants have a lot of 7, 8 and 9 grades. So you should ensure that your historic grades don’t let you down, especially in subjects relevant to your course. Also, don’t stretch yourself too thin if you’re struggling to get great grades.
If your graduate course at Oxford requires a ‘first-class undergraduate degree with honours’ in the UK system, you will usually need a bachelor’s degree with an overall grade of Class 1, ‘A’ or 80%, or a GPA of 3.7 out of 4.0.
Is it difficult to get into Oxford University?
The University of Oxford is one of the highest-ranking institutions in the world, offering a wide range of lucrative courses to choose from. Each of these courses has a significant industrial value and is well-known globally.
It is, therefore, expected that the University of Oxford is a highly selective institution with an astonishing average acceptance rate of 17.5%. The acceptance rate for international students is even lower, estimated at 9%. More than a fifth of the candidates applying to Oxford University annually face rejection.
Statistics also reveal that 45% of all Oxford University attendees are students from over 160 different countries! Consequently, the admission process is extremely competitive and requires thorough preparation and planning.
What is the University of Oxford Graduate Acceptance Rate?
The graduate programs offered by the University of Oxford fall into two main categories: research and taught. Students participate in research programs under academic supervision and meet regularly. Supervisors provide advice on the specific project, the nature of the research, the methods of data collection and the expected standards.
As part of their research degree, students often attend courses on specific research skills as well as a range of seminars and lectures. Taught programs usually involve a range of core and optional courses and the submission of a dissertation.
The evaluation can be for coursework, as well as for exams and dissertations. The study is supported by seminars and conferences. Offer numbers include all conditional or unconditional offers made by academic departments or faculties.
8,887 applications (34.3%) were for graduate research degrees.
17,057 applications (65.7%) were for graduate taught degrees.
University of Oxford is a highly selective institution with an astonishing average acceptance rate of 17.5%. The acceptance rate for international students is even lower, estimated at 9%. More than a fifth of the candidates applying to Oxford University annually face rejection.
| Faculty-Level Field of Study | Acceptance Rate | Admission Requirements |
|---|---|---|
Law | 14.0% | GPA and SAT/ACT requirements are 20% above the average |
Medicine | 14.0% | GPA and SAT/ACT requirements are 20% above the average |
Nursing | 14.0% | GPA and SAT/ACT requirements are 20% above the average |
Pharmacy | 14.0% | GPA and SAT/ACT requirements are 20% above the average |
Engineering | 14.0% | GPA and SAT/ACT requirements are 20% above the average |
Arts | 19.2% | GPA and SAT/ACT requirements are 10% below the average |
Humanities | 19.2% | GPA and SAT/ACT requirements are 10% below the average |
Sciences | 17.5% | GPA and SAT/ACT requirements are within the average |
Computer Science | 14.0% | GPA and SAT/ACT requirements are 20% above the average |
What is the University of Oxford Ph.D. Acceptance Rate?
There is no specific figure to show for the University of Oxford Ph.D. acceptance rate, but from the detailed explanation above, concerning the graduate acceptance rate you can know how the school admits for the Ph.D. program.
What is the University of Oxford International Acceptance Rate?
Oxford is one of the most international universities in the world. Today, one-third of its students, including 17% of undergraduates, are international citizens and come from over 150 countries. Oxford welcomes applications from international students.
Applicants to Cambridge in 2016 had a 26% chance of getting in – with applicants to Oxford having just a 17% chance of success.
What is the University of Oxford US Acceptance rate?
It is difficult for everyone, but it seems to be slightly harder for Americans. On average Oxford has about a 16% admission rate, but for Americans, it is just under 9%. Roughly half the average.
If I wanted to risk an educated guess, it would be Oxford is looking for “narrow and deep” people in their academic fields, while American high school education is approaching a much broader (but necessarily superficial) curriculum.
University of Oxford admission is offered to international students from over 155 nations across the world. Being one of the best universities in the world, Oxford manifests an extremely competitive acceptance rate of 15%. UCAS application deadline for the university is October 15 for the undergraduate programs. However, the graduate programs at the University of Oxford have variable application deadlines. The university guarantees college accommodation for the first year of undergraduate programs. Graduate students can contact Graduate Accommodation Office for information on accommodation availability and cost.
Guidance for international students
Deciding to study at a world-class university is one decision, but deciding to study abroad is another big step. Today, one third of our students, including 21% of undergraduates, are international citizens and come from over 150 countries. In this section we look at aspects of student life at Oxford and our admissions process which are particularly relevant to those currently studying and living outside the UK.
University of Oxford Latest Notifications
- 8 October, 2021 : Oxford University Ranked #1 for Computer Science ( 4th Year in a Row) by THE 2022 World University Rankings
- 7 October, 2021 : Last Date to Apply for M.Sc (Advanced Computer Science) is in January, 2022
- 7 October, 2021 : Oxford University: MBA Admission Deadlines Released for Stage-2
University of Oxford charges 150 GBP (~15,400 INR) to the students seeking admission to MBA in UK. For all other programs, international applicants need to pay an application fee of 75 GBP (~7,700 INR). The admission requirements for international students are country-specific. Generally, a 2:1 honours degree or an equivalent (60-70% for Indian students) and proficiency in English are the basic prerequisites for admission to University of Oxford.
The university is globally recognized for the research-oriented programs across science and management and hence required outstanding GRE or GMAT scores for admission to specific graduate programs. The additional admission requirements include official transcripts, proof of fund availability, updated CV and academic or professional LOR. Although interviews are not mandatory for University of Oxford admissions, however, the university encourages the students to appear in the online interview sessions to increase their chance of getting picked in the selection process.
University of Oxford Admission Deadlines
Following are the deadlines for applying to the programs at University of Oxford:
- Undergraduate:
- UCAS: October 15
- Written work: November 10
- Portfolio: November 2
- Graduate: Variable and program specific.
University of Oxford Admission to Top Programs
As a modern, research-driven university with an international character, Oxford provides strong education in all the programs. However, the university cites particular prowess in the sciences and Management disciplines. Some of the top programs and their respective admission details are tabulated below:
| Programs | Fees Per Annum (USD) | Deadlines | Scores Accepted |
|---|---|---|---|
| M.Sc in Advanced Computer Science | 33,000 | September 1 | Undergraduate honors in computer science or mathematics No Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or GMAT scores are sought. |
| M.B.A | 65,489 | September 1 | 2 Years Full-Time Work Experience Median GMAT score of 690 Median GRE score of 160 verbal & quantitative |
| M.Sc Financial Economics | 56,200 | Starting on August 2021 | GMAT/GRE: 85th Percentile & Verbal Scores in 80th Percentile |
| MSc Software Engineering | Registration: 20,515 Per Module: 2,900 | January 8 | Undergraduate in computer science, informatics, or engineering No GMAT or GRE Scores Required |
| MSc Social Data Science | 35,246 | November 13 and January 22 | First-class undergraduate degree with honors in any subject No GMAT or GRE Scores Required Programming Skills in Python |
| M.Phil International Relations | 37,651 | January 8 | Research or working experience Peer Reviewed Publication |
| BA English Language and Literature | 40,480 | October 15 | English Literature ELAT |
| B.Sc Medicine | 45,411 | October 15 | BMAT Chemistry with either Maths, Further Maths, Biology or Physics |
| Bachelor Engineering Science | 48,155 | October 15 | Physics and Mathematics PAT |
| BA Biological Sciences | 38,211 | October 15 | Two from Biology, Chemistry, Maths or Physics BMAT |
| BA Human Sciences | 38,020 | October 15 | Biology or Mathematics TSA |
Acceptance Rate at University of Oxford
University of Oxford has accepted around 3,300 undergraduate students from over 23,000 applications in 2020. This indicates an extremely selective admission policy with an undergraduate acceptance rate of 14%. On the other hand, from over 34,000 applications, only around 5,500 students were accepted by the university for graduate programs, demonstrating the graduate acceptance rate of 16%.
University of Oxford International Admission
The Oxford student body comprises of 32% international students. Candidates from over 155+ countries and territories contribute to the cultural diversity of the university. International applicants require the submission of a 75 GBP (~7,700 INR) application fee for any program in the university.
Admission requirements: Following are the basic requirements for international students to apply to the University of Oxford:
- Details about previous qualifications and education submitted through UCAS application (for undergraduate admission)
- Submission of University of Oxford Graduate application (for graduate admission)
- Official transcripts along with certified English translation (for graduate admission)
- Country-specific academic requirement
- Evidence of financial support for at least a year
- SOP to study in UK
- Proof of proficiency in English
English Proficiency Requirements for International Students
For applying to University of Oxford, international applicants from a country where English is not the primary language should provide evidence of proficiency in English. Following are some of the popular exams and required scores for applying to the university:
| Test | Standard Level Score | Higher Level Score | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| – | Overall | Per Section | Overall | Per Section |
| IELTS | 7.0 | 6.5 | 7.5 | 7.0 |
| TOEFL | 100 | Listening: 22 Reading: 24 Speaking: 25 Writing: 24 | 110 | Listening: 22 Reading: 24 Speaking: 25 Writing: 24 |
| Cambridge Certificate (CAE and CPE) | 185 | 176 | 191 | 185 |
| Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in Engish | 185 | 176 | 191 | 185 |
| PTE | 66 | 56 | 76 | 66 |
Note: The university accepts various other English proficiency tests. Standard level scores are accepted for admission in Computer Science, Mathematics, Mathematics and Computer Science, Mathematics, and Statistics. Higher-level scores are accepted for all other programs.
English Language Test Score Exemptions
University of Oxford also accepts the below-mentioned scores of the following programs as proof of test required to study in UK, in lieu of the aforementioned test scores:
| Program | Minimum Score Required |
|---|---|
| English level GCSE | Grade B or Grade 6 |
| English level O-level | Grade B |
| International Baccalaureate Standard Level | Score of 5 in English (as Language A or B) |
| European Baccalaureate | Score of 70% in English |
Students who studied the last two academic years with English as a language of instruction, International Baccalaureate Program, or Singapore Integrated Programme (SIPCAL) are not required to submit English proficiency scores.
University of Oxford Undergraduate Admission
Oxford is recognized as offering one of the best educations in the world at the undergraduate level. On average six to seven international applicants apply for one seat making it a tough competition. Admission to some of the University of Oxford’s undergraduate programs requires submission of test scores and written work. Written work can be submitted electronically or in hard-copy directly to the college. Students must get their test candidate entry number by 15 October as proof of entry to be eligible for admission.
Where to Apply: UCAS Application
Application Fee: £75
UCAS requirements: Following are the basic requirements for UCAS application:
- Academic details
- A personal statement describing the reason for choosing an applied course
- LOR
Admission requirements: The basic requirements for applying to an undergraduate program at the University of Oxford are listed below:
- Completed UCAS application before the deadline
- Written work and test scores (for elective courses)
- An interview (for shortlisted candidates)
| Course | Subject Requirement | Test | Additional Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engineering | Mathematics; Physics | PAT | Not Required |
| Economics and Management | Mathematics | TSA | Not Required |
| Fine Arts | Not Required | Not Required | Portfolio |
| Computer Science | Mathematics | MAT | Not Required |
| English | Latin, Greek or English Language; English Literature | ELAT | Two Essays upto 2000 words |
Note: Students can refer to the individual department’s guidelines for submitting written work.
University of Oxford Undergraduate Admission Tests
The University of Oxford has specified test scores required to be submitted for admission in a particular course. These tests are conducted under the administration of Cambridge Assessment Admissions Testing (CAAT). Applicants must register for the required tests through a nearby test center (school, college, or open test center).
Registration Deadline: October 15
Test Fee: Varies with Test Centre
Detailed information on some of the tests is provided below:
| Test | Question Type | Time | Section | Required for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thinking Skill Assessment (TSA) | MCQ, Long Answer | 90 minutes 30 minutes | Thinking Skill Assessment Writing test | Economics and Management, Experimental Psychology, Human Sciences, Philosophy, Politics and Economics, and Psychology, Philosophy and Linguistics, Chemistry, History and Economics |
| Physics Aptitude Test (PAT) | MCQ | 2 hrs. | Physics, Maths | Engineering, Materials Science, Physics, Physics and Philosophy |
| Classics Admission Test (CAT) | Long Answer | 1 hr/section | Latin Translation, Greek Translation, Classics Language Aptitude Test | Classics, Classics and English, Classics and Modern Languages, Classics and Oriental Studies. |
| Mathematics Admission Test (MAT) | MCQ, Long Answer | 2 hrs 30 minutes | Mathematics | Computer Science, Computer Science and Philosophy, Mathematics, Mathematics and Computer Science, Mathematics and Philosophy, Mathematics and Statistics |
| History Aptitude Test (HAT) | Long Answer | 1 hr | Based on a paragraph | History, History (Ancient and Modern), History and Economics, History and English, History and Modern Languages, History and Politics |
| Modern Language Admission Test (MLAT) | MCQ, Long Answer | 30 minutes 60 minutes | Czech, French, German, Italian, Modern Greek, Portuguese, Russian and Spanish, Linguistics, Language Aptitude Test, Philosophy | European and Middle Eastern Languages, Classics and Modern Languages, English and Modern Languages, History and Modern Languages, Philosophy and Modern Languages |
| English Literature Admission Test (ELAT) | Long Answer | 90 minutes | English | English Language and Literature, Classics and English, English and Modern Languages |
University of Oxford Graduate Admission
University of Oxford offers various masters, diploma, and doctoral courses under the research and teaching category. Talking about just the graduate students, Oxford receives over 26,500 graduate applications from worldwide each year. Making it to:
- 37% of Graduate students – UK
- 63% of Graduate students – Outside UK
Where to Apply: Graduate Application
Application Fee: £150 (for MBA) and £75 (for other programs)
Academic Requirements: Here are the basic graduate program requirements for University of Oxford admission:
- Official transcripts of institutes last attended
- An updated CV
- An interview (for shortlisted candidates)
Following are some of the top graduate programs offered by the University of Oxford and their respective admission requirements:
| Requirement | M.Sc in Engineering | M.Sc in Computer Science | M.B.A | M.Sc in Biochemistry | M.Sc in Mathematics |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GRE/GMAT | Not Required | Not Required | Required | Not Required | Not Required |
| Research Proposal | Upto 1000-1500 words | Not Required | Not Required | Not Required | Not Required |
| Letter of Recommendation | Three (one must be academic) | Three (one should be academic) | Two | Three | Three |
| Personal Statement | Not Required | Two pages | Required | Upto 1000 words | Two pages |
| Additional Requirement | Not Required | Not Required | Two years experience, Upto 250 words essay, Online Assessment Test | Not Required | Not Required |
Interview of shortlisted candidates is conducted online by University of Oxford admission office. In some cases, the college offering the applied course might decide to interview a candidate over telephone. The interview is not mandatory but is highly recommended to increase your chances of acceptance. International graduate students applying for a visa should submit an application by the January deadline (if available).
University of Oxford Admission Requirements for Indian Students
Indian students must be XII qualification studied with either the CBSE (All-India SSC) or CISCE (ISC) boards. For the CBSE board as an indication, it is required to have 91 or above for A1 and 81 to 90 for A2.
For courses requiring A*A*A
Courses: : Chemistry, Engineering Science, Mathematics, Mathematics and Philosophy, Mathematics and Statistics
• For CBSE board: Grades A1 A1 A1 A1 A2, with grade A1 in any subjects relevant to the course applied for.
• For CISCE board: Overall grade of at least 90%, with 95% or above in four subjects (including any relevant to the course applied for) and 85% or above in the fifth subject.
For courses requiring A*AA
Courses: Biochemistry, Biological Sciences, Computer Science, Earth Sciences (Geology), Economics and Management, Medicine, Psychology, Philosophy and Linguistics (PPL)
• For CBSE board: Grades A1 A1 A1 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 three subjects (including any relevant to the course applied for) and 85% or above in the other two subjects.
For courses requiring AAA
Courses: Archaeology and Anthropology, Classics, English Language and Literature, Fine Art, History, Human Sciences, Law (Jurisprudence), Modern Languages, Music, Oriental Studies, Philosophy and Theology
• 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.
Admission to University of Oxford is tough but achievable by meritorious applicants. Prospective students must prepare themselves to score outstanding marks from the beginning of their previous academic programs. Besides, as an international student, you need to prepare well for the standardized exams to study in UK. Furthermore, you need to develop leadership qualities and explain your plans in a clear perspective while attending the interview session to take University of Oxford admission.
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