Studying at Oxford University
Academic excellence and international reputation
Other notable figures include Stephen Hawking, Albert Einstein, Oscar Wilde and J.R.R. Tolkien, dozens of Nobel Prize winners who came to study or teach at Oxford, and a Rhodes Scholar who went on to become very famous.
President William J. Clinton. With such a storied past, the Oxford campus has no shortage of stories to tell: whether it’s the two fauns decorating the door of the office where C.S. Lewis (author of The World of Narnia) worked, the lawns accessible only to PhD holders, the impressive Radcliffe Camera, a spherical-shaped library, the Bridge of Sighs, reminiscent of its Venetian namesake, or the nearby Turf Tavern, Oxford is never short of illustrious places to discover!
The University of Oxford has been awarded first place in the Times Higher Education international ranking of universities. Founded in 1096, or even earlier, Oxford is certainly one of the oldest universities in the world, as well as one of the most prestigious and selective.
Located less than two hours from London, the historic city of Oxford, nicknamed “The City of Dreaming Spires”, is home to 24,000 students, half of whom are undergraduates. Oxford University is often associated with its historic rival, Cambridge University, to the extent that the two institutions are referred to as “Oxbridge”.
Oxford’s most famous graduates include no fewer than 27 British Prime Ministers, including Margaret Thatcher, Tony Blair and Theresa May.
Schooling
At Oxford, semesters are actually 3 blocks of 8 weeks, shorter than at most universities, which explains why work is particularly intensive during term time.
Students spend most of their time on academic work and, more often than not, are required to hand in one essay or solve a series of problems per week.
In addition to courses, Oxford University offers an original method, unique to Oxford and Cambridge. This is called “tutoring”, and consists of small teaching groups (generally between 1 and 5 people) led by a tutor, usually a world-renowned expert in the field being studied.
To consult the complete list of courses offered, click here
Student life
But students don’t devote all their time to work! The college organization encourages friendships between students of different nationalities and backgrounds, as well as the study of a variety of subjects.
The school offers a wide range of activities, from traditional debates and lectures by leading figures (politicians, academics, civil society and business personalities) to team sports. In this field, the best elements have the opportunity to wear Oxford’s colors in inter-university tournaments. Rowing is particularly popular at the college and university levels.
The city of Oxford also offers visitors many quaint old buildings and libraries, a wide range of restaurants, cafés and bars, large green spaces and several great museums, such as the Ashmolean Museum of Art and Archaeology, the Natural History Museum and the Pitt Rivers Museum of Anthropology.
With a city of this size and a university of this nature, it’s impossible to get bored! At the same time, Oxford remains a city on a human scale, home to an authentic, close-knit community.
How can I apply?
Oxford, one of the most selective universities in the world, demands excellent academic results and rigorous preparation. Applications to Oxford are almost entirely concerned with the academic aspects of the student’s profile.
Please note that it is forbidden to apply for an undergraduate degree at Oxforden at the same time as at Cambridge. You will therefore first have to choose between applying to Oxford University or Cambridge. It’s important to note that some programs are only offered at one of the two universities (“Philosophy, Politics and Economics” [PPE]at Oxford or “Human, Social and Political Sciences” at Cambridge, for example).
How do I apply?
They can be broken down into several stages:
- Application on UCAS
- Written test
- Selection interview
- Conditional offer of admission
- Admission
Details of these steps are given below.
What is the student profile at oxford university?
Because the university is highly selective, we recommend that you apply to this university only if you can justify excellent academic results and are sure of obtaining a “Très Bien” mention in your Baccalauréat.
What’s more, as the selection process involves interviews, you’ll also need to demonstrate an excellent command of the English language. Some Oxford University programs, such as “PPE” (“Philosophy, Politics and Economics”), “Economie et Management” or “English literature” receive a particularly high number of applications, so the selection process is even tougher for them.
When should you start preparing?
Students are strongly advised to start preparing their application as early as the end of Seconde or the beginning of Première. If possible, start reading and thinking about your >personal statement as early as possible. Some applicants, particularly those with weaker English skills, may need to start preparing even earlier. Click on the following link for information for foreign applicants.
Students are advised to focus on the aspects of their chosen course that really interest them and to think actively about why they want to study the subject further – after all, they aspire to study it full-time for at least three years.
Is it possible to visit the campus?
Oxford Open Days take place on July 3-4 and September 20. Registration is not required, but may be necessary for sessions that attract large numbers of students. For further information, click here.
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