Crimson Students Achieve Record Success in Oxford Admissions
Summary
Oxford University’s undergraduate acceptance rate has generally ranged between 13% and 17% over the last five years, reflecting competitive entry but higher overall rates compared to the most selective U.S. institutions. These figures vary significantly by course, with high-demand subjects such as Computer Science, Economics & Management, Medicine, PPE and Mathematics tending to be more selective. Getting into Oxford requires careful attention to completing a strong UCAS application and excludes applying to Cambridge in the same application cycle.
What Is Oxford’s Acceptance Rate?
Overall Acceptance Rate
Generally, Oxford has an acceptance rate of approximately 13-17%. While this may seem a lot higher than the acceptance rates of top American universities, it is important to note that there are higher barriers to applying to Oxford – including the restriction that one can only apply to either Oxford or Cambridge and that one can only apply to 5 UK universities in the academic year.
Oxford Acceptance Rate Last 5 years
| Oxford Annual Admissions Statistical Report 2022 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Applications | Offers | Acceptance Rate |
| 2021 | 24,388 | 3,298 | 13.52% |
| 2020 | 23,414 | 3,695 | 15.78% |
| 2019 | 23,026 | 3,286 | 14.27% |
| 2018 | 21,516 | 3,310 | 15.38% |
| 2017 | 19,953 | 3,285 | 16.46% |
Course-based Acceptance Rate
Nevertheless, acceptance rates can change per course you apply for. Here are some statistics for the most competitive courses in Oxford. Importantly, Oxford does not implement quotas around nationality or domicile of students admitted, except for Medicine courses which are subject to government restriction. Hence, most courses’ acceptance rate applies to both domestic and international students.
Most Competitive Courses at Oxford
| Oxford Annual Admissions Statistical Report 2022 | |
|---|---|
| Course | Number of Applicants per Place |
| Computer Science | 18.6 |
| Economics & Management | 18.1 |
| Mathematics & Computer Science | 12.5 |
| Medicine | 11.8 |
| Biomedical Sciences | 10.9 |
| Mathematics | 9.7 |
| PPE | 9.4 |
| History & Politics | 9.4 |
| Physics | 8.8 |
| Law | 8.1 |
For a complete breakdown of admission statistics at Oxford, check out their Annual Admissions Statistical Report for 2022.
What Do You Need To Get Into Oxford?
You need stellar academic qualifications to meet the entry requirements of Oxford. All applicants must meet the entry requirements to take up an offer of a place to study at Oxford. Depending on where you studied for high school, Oxford accepts a whole range of UK and equivalent international qualifications.
Generally, here are the expected academic qualifications needed:
International Baccalaureate
- A total score of 38, 39 or 40 points (depending on the course), including core points, with 6s and 7s in subjects taken at the Higher level.
European Baccalaureate
- An average of 85% or above, with scores between 8 and 9 in subjects specified at A-level or equivalent.
International A-levels
- Recognised as equivalent to UK GCE A-levels on a grade-for-grade basis
- Grade requirements differ per course.
Specifically, grade requirements differ for each course at Oxford. For example, AAA (at A-levels or equivalent) is needed for courses such as Classical Archaeology and Ancient History, Classics and European and Middle Eastern Languages. In contrast, A*AA (at A-levels or equivalent) is required for courses such as Psychology, Philosophy and Linguistics, Psychology (Experimental) and Physics.
Course Specific Requirements
For certain courses, you may also need to pass specific entrance tests. For example, the MAT (Mathematics Admissions Test) is required for courses such as Mathematics and Computer Science, Mathematics and Statistics and Mathematics and Philosophy.
The ELAT (English Literature Admissions Test) is needed for courses such as English Language and Literature, Classics and English, English and Modern Languages, History and English.
The HAT (History Aptitude Test) is needed for History, History (Ancient and Modern), History and Economics, History and English, History and Modern Languages, and History and Politics.
3 Tips To Help Your Application To Oxford Stand Out
1. Show enthusiasm for the subject
It is important to start thinking of which subject you would want to apply for university early on in your high school career so that you can begin to prepare your application early. Importantly, to develop your interest and enthusiasm for a subject, you may want to consider taking part in relevant extra-curricular activities. For example, if you are interested in the humanities courses (e.g. English, History, Politics), it would help to join clubs such as Debating or Model United Nations to hone your argumentative skills and grasp knowledge of the relevant subject matter. This will also help when you are writing your UCAS statement, given that participating in these activities can show a demonstrated interest in the academic subject.
2. Wider Reading
Given that Oxford courses are known to be very academic in nature, academic tutors tend to look out for potential students who have genuine academic interest through the books that they read. They would want to see students who have read widely and beyond their high school academic syllabus. In part, this shows potential that the potential student would be able to handle the heavy independent reading required for surviving and thriving in the Oxford academic setting.
3. Prepare well for the Interview
Oxford is one of the few universities in the UK that require an admission interview for admission. The interview allows you to meet your potential academic tutors. In essence, the interview is a friendly academic interrogation which enables tutors to tease out how you think about various academic subject matter whilst also allowing them to see if you’re the type of student they can see themselves teaching. It is essential to re-read what you’ve written in your personal statement, especially the books you’ve mentioned you’ve read and the projects you’ve undertaken. Interviewers may quiz you on what you’ve written in your personal statement. It would also help to have a mock interview with your school’s career advisor before going for the actual Oxford interview.
Final Thoughts
Applying to Oxford can be a stressful affair. It will help to learn about the acceptance rates, admission requirements and some valuable tips on preparing for the application. Hopefully, this article has covered some ground in guiding you through the application process. Believe in yourself, and whatever the outcome, enjoy the process and good luck!
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