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Higher education

Talk to other parents whose children are preparing for university on our Higher Education forum.

Original poster

Getting into Oxbridge

263 replies

PinkPeppers · 20/06/2017 13:57

Can someone explained to me what is needed to get into Oxford/Cambridge?
Dc1 is decided this is what he wants to aim for (good for him to aim high - I wont stop him from doing that). He is only in Y8 so plenty of time to change his mind too.

However, Im not british and I havent gone through the system so have little idea on how things are actually working.
In particular, im not sure about what is needed. Obviously very good A levels in your subjects (maths/science for dc1). But do you also need a very good GCSE and/or a high number of GCSE with a level 8/9 (A/A*)?
Does doing more GCSE than you have to making any difference?

I know that you need to be able to talk about your subject and be hapy to deal with questions where you didn't know the answer etc...
But what else can be playing in your favour? Ive read for example very conflicting advise of having the right sort of experience/voluntary work etc... (some saying its essential, some not).

Im well aware that he might never get there and might change his mind. But atm, this is the one thing that is helping him focus on his studies and the one thing that makes him want to do well (as well as he can do rather than coasting if that).
So any advice on what would help him and what would make a difference is welcome! and if he changes his mind, he will at least have learnt the power of focusing your mind on something you real;l'y care about

OP posts:
kirsty75005 · 20/06/2017 19:32

Oh and PS, at that point we were told that further maths was mandatory for getting onto the maths course. Have no idea if that's still relevant.

irregularegular · 20/06/2017 19:33

Please read the university and college websites carefully before turning to unofficial sources which vary hugely in how accurate or current they are. There is an awful lot of information available these days.

scaevola · 20/06/2017 19:51

You need to have further maths unless your school does not offer it at all.

Also, does his school enter pupils in the UKMT maths challenge? Many successful applicants have reached the kangaroo or Olympiad rounds.

He'll also need to do the STEP test

Original poster
PinkPeppers · 20/06/2017 19:56

Yes they do the UKMT but it very much feels like 'something that they have to do', aka there is no preparation or anything else.
I have no idea of what sort results ds has!

OP posts:
LRDtheFeministDragon · 20/06/2017 19:57

To the best of my knowledge that's true for Cambridge too, irregular, though it's definitely worth applying with lower predictions, because you don't know what you'll get in the end and you could easily be made an offer, and meet and offer, that's higher than you expected.

Original poster
PinkPeppers · 20/06/2017 20:01

I have to say, Im wondering what will the impact of the new curriculum be as there is no AS level anymore (if I understood well?)

Ive been wondering if this doesnt mean that GCSE marks wont have an even more important role to play too.

Interesting about the Royal Society etc...
This is certainly something to explore (and a good way for him to see of this is something he is really interested in)

OP posts:
shinynewusername · 20/06/2017 20:03

All Oxbridge colleges run outreach programmes to encourage more applicants from state schools, so that they can get the government off their backs encourage diversity. Many have free summer schools and all have open days etc. Your DS should be looking to attend these once he is old enough. Remember, he will be applying to a college, not the university, and he needs a good answer to "Why did you pick this college?" as well as "Why do you want to do maths?".

LRDtheFeministDragon · 20/06/2017 20:10

Yes, I think GCSEs will mean more.

But the interviewers are in the same boat as everyone else when a new system comes in - they're doing the best they can. So, there's only one surefire way not to get in, and that's not to apply.

shiny - a student cannot be disadvantaged (or advantaged) by their choice of college. Many colleges won't ask 'why this college' on principle, because it can wrongfoot candidates who didn't apply there (but were assigned by open application) or candidates who picked a name at random.

SilverHawk · 20/06/2017 20:39

Brains, a good knowledge and passion for your subject and confidence.

Regardless of what people may say, money and tutoring will not improve the IQ. All appearances but if you buy the new library who knows.
By confidence, I do not mean the public school charm but a confidence in yourself. Which can sometimes be hard to see. That is what the interviews are for...

Original poster
PinkPeppers · 20/06/2017 21:06

shiny do you mean that some universities such as Oxford (or others?) have some free summer school for people who dont have theor A levels yet?

OP posts:
titchy · 20/06/2017 21:11

Google Sutton Trust OP for summer schools (aimed at disadvantaged kids though).

drspouse · 20/06/2017 21:57

Whether you have to eat in halls or not depends on the college.

irregularegular · 20/06/2017 22:02

I'd be surprised if anyone asks the "why this college?" question any more. Definitely not best practice!

goodbyestranger · 20/06/2017 22:07

Elendon I can enlighten you insofar as neither my DD who went up to Magdalen in 2011 nor my DS who went up to Corpus in 2012 (not sure which of those years you're talking about) have needed anything other than Student Finance England to see them through, although DS did work in a cafe to subsidize his social life (as opposed to essentials). Complete bollocks about the requirement for a large parental bank account. I suppose if doing drugs on a major scale is your thing then possibly parental support will help, although I'm sure a modest weed or coke habit will be covered by a sensible husbanding of a standard student loan.

shinynewusername · 20/06/2017 22:54

do you mean that some universities such as Oxford (or others?) have some free summer school for people who dont have theor A levels yet?

For first year of A levels - link here

And to those saying students don't get asked about college choice - there are other ways of assessing it than a direct question at interview. It's naive to think that it isn't an advantage to have a clear idea why you have applied to a particular college and to be able to state that during the application process, whether directly asked or not.

goodbyestranger · 20/06/2017 23:04

Why would it be an advantage to be able to state why you want a particular college? Are there any particularly compelling reasons from the tutors' point of view? Also, it's a bummer if you've been moved around during the allocation process. Etc.

LRDtheFeministDragon · 20/06/2017 23:09

It's naive to think that it isn't an advantage to have a clear idea why you have applied to a particular college and to be able to state that during the application process, whether directly asked or not.

Confused

Why would it matter? The college won't care that you applied to them, will they? The interviewers may not even belong to that college.

SuperPug · 20/06/2017 23:15

I'm not sure if it's a great idea to take him along to an open day for sixth formers.
I went to Cambridge as an undergraduate and post graduate. I wouldn't say I'm a genius and that would probably apply to most people there. However, the vast majority of people were very interested in their subject (and whatever your son is interested in, it's good to start encouraging a genuine passion for a subject he likes), most were modest but very quick in terms of grasping and getting through material (you need that for 1/2 essays a week) and they were able to take on other stuff and do that to a high level.
I teach and it's difficult to call who gets in. At interview, I think some across as too shy and any interviewer wants to see genuine enthusiasm. Not forced or trained answers.
I'd leave the open day but I'd start encouraging his interests further, whatever they may be.
The new GCSEs and A Levels are going to differentiate even more and I wouldn't be surprised if 8s and 9s become the standard for top universities.

SuperPug · 20/06/2017 23:16

LRD, you can make an open application but it does matter. As there's over thirty colleges, you can expect a question on why you've chosen that particular college. And you are normally interviewed by at least one fellow of that college, unless they do not have fellows who teach your subject.

Fifthtimelucky · 20/06/2017 23:19

Just wanted to agree with others who have said Oxford is no more expensive than other universities. My daughter has just finished her 2nd year there. Her accommodation is much cheaper than that of friends at other universities, mainly because we pay only for 3 x 8 week terms (Some friends have had to pay for 48 weeks accommodation in their second years). Also food is subsidised and good value. How cheap depends on the college. Some are richer than others. The individual colleges also have different rules. For some there is a minimum charge for food per term (about £200 a term for my daughter) but that is not the case for all.

Advice from her school was that neither Oxford nor Cambridge care about extra curricular activities (except for relevant ones). What they care about is that students have a passion for their subject (and obviously are clever enough). They expect students to outperform their school average at GCSE.

LRDtheFeministDragon · 20/06/2017 23:26

LRD, you can make an open application but it does matter. As there's over thirty colleges, you can expect a question on why you've chosen that particular college.

It really doesn't matter.

It really is bad practice to ask why they chose that college.

I've interviewed for a large subject at a popular college, and neither I nor my co-interviewer were permanent members of that college - we certainly had no intention of being there the following year (when those interviewees would be first year undergrads). That college has several fellows teaching the subject.

LRDtheFeministDragon · 20/06/2017 23:27

*was a permanent member

Bluntness100 · 20/06/2017 23:28

I think it's a bit early if I'm honest. Sorry op. They came to my daughters (private) school and presented to encourage applicants and they have a very specific way of teaching that is not for everyone. We sat through the presentation.

My daughter is straight a/ a star and her teachers wished her to apply, but she elected to study law at a top Russel group law school because in visiting she simply liked it and how they taught more . In year eight she'd never have been able to make that informed decision.

I wouldn't take him now, because unless he is naturally academically excellent, the pressure he may feel and then his lack of desire to go elsewhere if he doesn't achieve may be hugely detrimental to him.

It's fine to be specific in what you wish, but if he doesn't attain it, are you sure he will be happy elsewhere, or will he feel like a failure? I'd urge him to make the decision later.

SuperRainbows · 20/06/2017 23:50

I would definitely look at The Student Room for advice on each college within Oxbridge.

My ds went to King's College Cambridge and got very generous scholarships and bursaries.

He also found them very flexible over his course. His original offer was to read history, but before he started he requested a change to MFL, which they agreed to. He changed again at the end of first year.

If they want you, they will help and support you.

As for extra curricular. King's seemed keener on academic studies and depth of knowledge of chosen subject.

SuperPug · 20/06/2017 23:54

Fair enough, LRD but that conflicts with my experience, experience of friends and more recent interviewees from the schools I've taught in. All have been asked that question, unfortunately, if it's been a direct application.
I don't quite follow what you mean re: applying with lower grades. I don't see how this would be the case from most schools but it is understandable for pupils where other factors were beyond their control e.g. schools with lower A Level passes, pastoral matters etc.