OXBRIDGE 2020 21 Applying to Oxford and Cambridge

OXBRIDGE 2020 -21 Applying to Oxford and Cambridge Mr JS Hazeldine Head of Higher Education September 2020

OXFORD AND CAMBRIDGE ADMISSION STATISTICS Cambridge University Undergraduate Admissions Statistics 2019 cycle. (Last year’s figures shown in brackets). Summary • The total number of applications was 19, 359 (18, 378), an increase of 5. 3%. • The total number of offers was 4, 694 (4, 559), an increase of 3. 0%. • The total number of acceptances was 3, 528 (3, 465), a decrease of 1. 8%. • The number of applications per offer was 4. 1 and applications per place was 5. 5. • The male/female ratio of accepted students is 51: 49 (51: 49). • 69% (65%) of applications were from State Schools, 31. 2% (34. 8%) from the Independent sector. • The five most popular courses, in order of number of applicants: Natural Sciences, Engineering, Medicine, Maths and Law accounted for 50% of total applications.

OXFORD AND CAMBRIDGE ADMISSION STATISTICS Oxford University Undergraduate Admissions Statistics 2019 cycle Summary • The total number of applications was 23, 020 (21, 515), an increase of 7%. • The total number of offers was 3, 889 (3, 840), an increase of 1. 3%. • The total number of students admitted was 3, 280 (3, 309), down 0. 9%. • The average number of applicants for each offer was 5. 9 and applicants per place was 7. 0. • The proportion of female students has risen from 47. 5% in 2015 to 54. 4% in 2019. • The proportion from state schools rose from 55. 6% in 2015 to 62. 3% in 2019.

TIMELINE Application Deadline (UCAS) • 5 th October (Internal). Why do we have an earlier internal deadline? Deadline for registering for Admissions Test • 4 and 5 November – Admissions Test Oxford • Submitting Written work 10 November • Interviews 1 st – 20 th December Cambridge • SAQ – 22 nd October • Interviews - December

Virtual Open Days § Cambridge: 17 & 18 September 2020 § Oxford: Friday 18 September 2020 § You need to sign up if you wish to attend.

UCAS Application form § Follow closely the How to fill in your UCAS application form

PERSONAL STATEMENT Greyhound has information on how to write a personal statement. You can also access UNIFROG and the UCAS website itself. Professors have read thousands of these and can tell when you are being genuine. Your PS should be a reflection of your academic passion. Only a small proportion (approximately one short paragraph) should be about extra-curricular activities.

Admissions tests § You can access past papers online. § Practise under timed conditions. § The admissions tests are used to decide who should get an interview, so they are very important. § If you underperform on your admissions test there is still a chance they will interview you if the rest of your profile is strong.

Admissions tests Signing up for Admissions Tests • It is your responsibility to sign up for Admissions tests • Check the Oxford and Cambridge Websites for the list of which subjects require tests: • • Cambridge Oxford • Sign up on Greyhound • Special Considerations – laptop, extra time etc. If these have been granted by the school, then these will also apply to these

Submitting extra work § Think carefully about what you are going to submit. § Check the criteria carefully to make sure your work is suitable. § It should be marked by your teacher (let them know in advance if you are planning to use that piece so they can mark it neatly!) § It should showcase your abilities and your flare for the subject.

SAQ – CAMBRIDGE ONLY Within 48 hours of submitting your application to Cambridge, they will send you the Supplementary Application Questionnaire (SAQ). Check that you have received it. In the majority of cases this deadline will be 18. 00 (UK time) on 22 October. You are responsible for completing this on time Sections: • • Application Type Photograph Personal Details BMAT Number Education Qualifications Additional Information Submit

Each college is unique

Choosing a college § § § Go on one of the virtual open days and 'look around' the college. Speak to an Old Carthusian who went there. Google the college to get a sense of the good, the bad and the ugly! Check the number of available places for your subject and how competitive it is. Check the proportion of state school/private school applicants. Check where the college is located (is it close to your faculty, the town centre or the sports centre, for example? ) Do they offer accommodation for all three years or do you have to live out? Look up the professors who teach your subject at each college and see if your interests align. Check what the library is like if you are likely to spend a lot of time there. You can also make an open application. Remember, you may be interviewed at other colleges and be moved around from your first choice.

Research the course Check that the course is absolutely right for you. You may be surprised by the number of contact hours per week. There may be elements of the course that you weren't expecting. You should be prepared to discuss the course in your interview to show you know what you've signed up for!

Interviews You may be interviewed at different colleges You may have numerous interviews There won't necessarily be any 'trick' questions. If there are, they are testing the way you think and vocalise, not necessarily looking for the 'right' answer. They may give you something to read before the interview as a discussion point. Cambridge tend to interview on one day, for Oxford you may have to stay in college for up to five days. Make sure you are well versed on everything in your personal statement. Read for pleasure as much as possible starting TODAY!

Extension Classes § You should attend extension classes in your chosen subject. § This will be run by a staff member who is familiar with the Oxbridge process. § Ask your teacher or Head of Department for details.

Oxbridge Advice Clinic Session § Miss Galton will be available in the Beveridge Centre at the following times: § Tuesday: 3. 30 -4. 30 § Thursday: 2. 30 -3. 30 § Or by prior appointment at lunchtime § GGA@charterhouse. org. uk or § Careers@charterhouse. org. uk