Any insights on the difference between Ox & Cam for History?

[Ooolaaaala]

DD Y12 just starting to think about Uni options - she is v keen on studying History and applying to Oxbridge. Anyone have any insights between the two re application process and studying there?

I seem to remember reading that Oxford pay more attention to GCSE results. (But don't get drawn into the myth that you won't get into Oxford without all grade 9s at GCSE.)

My DC in first year at Cambridge reading history. Loving it. Picked Cambridge rather than Oxford because they massively overhauled their course (Tripos) to make it more in line with current day employability and skills. My DC is on the new course and year 2 and 3 history students remark how much better it is.

Link here about how it changed.

https://www.hist.cam.ac.uk/course/history-ba-tripos-new-2022

Prior to this, I would have said O and C equal for history but not now. C has moved with the times and reflects what employers want (O has not updated course for yonks). I myself went to Oxford so was a tad sorry to have to recommend C to my son.

My DS also first year Cambridge reading history and absolutely loves it. He preferred Cambridge as a city to Oxford when he went to see both in year 9/10. Has enjoyed his courses a lot, loves the tutors and the way of teaching. He has also been able to take a French course as did A level French where he does French history in French of the same period as his actual courses, although I don’t think that counts towards anything. I think his course after Easter is at the Fitzwilliam museum which sounds great.

@Katiestrives That’s a really excellent insight thank you so much.

Do you have any advice on PS or the assessment and interview process at Cambridge? Are they now looking for something different from candidates in light of this new course?

DS talked about extra curricular reading in his PS and they discussed that at interview a lot. They asked about history local to where we live and they also discussed political history in the 70s as DS had specifically mentioned something about that in his PS relating to our family. He really enjoyed the interviews. They challenged his opinions and he had to justify them or not! He also read a text in the first part of the interview that he was questioned on. He said they were really nice. He had no assistance with application really - one mock interview at school with someone and a couple of chats with a teacher. Normal state school. They generally have a couple successful each year to Oxbridge.

For Oxford history, there is an exam ...the HAT. Get your DC to look at those online. Cambridge is interview only. My DS has a friend currently at Oxford doing history. He didn't apply to Cambridge because he felt the HAT would be helpful to him. He also thinks Cambridge is too woke. Yes, he is that type of boy...

As it goes , he did do well on HAT and interview and then 'only' got AAA in A levels, so Oxford worked out for him, as that would not have got him into Cambridge, probably.

My DS’ story v similar to @estherfrewen. Attended non-selective state school and had v little help with application - just one mock interview. His PS really showcased his reading beyond the curriculum and that was what interviews focused on.

@Piggywaspushed makes good point - Oxford let you in with AAA whereas C want A star (in history for my DS) plus A, A. In reality, almost everyone has 3 A stars.

Good luck to your DD!

Yes, the personal statement is very important. If your DD is not already doing this, she must get reading/ watching/MOOCing/ essay comp entering. She should take notes on what she reads and watches so that she doesn't forget the insightful points she wants to make!

If your DD is not already doing this, she must get reading/ watching/MOOCing/ essay comp entering. She should take notes on what she reads and watches so that she doesn't forget the insightful points she wants to make!

Where do you find out about essay comps and MOOCs ? Should she be focused on her specific interests or going broad?

MOOCs are on Unifrog if she has it. Individual unis often promote their lectures/ webinars etc via mailing lists/ their website (doesn't need to be one she is applying to : this is a hangover from virtual open days).

I think pick a few topics that she finds intriguing (eg Thomas Cromwell's role in court) and read around that in some depth rather than tryign to know everything. They do ask about texts in quite some detail read if they have heard of them - this happened to DS twice.

They are interested in the arguments and view points of the writers rather than facts.

Essay comps ... teacher might know or google. I know sociology and economics essay comps - there must be some for history, though. If she does English, she can write for submissions to EMag or English review.

Thanks all for the information. I understand that the process is application, HAT, submit written work, interview…..

Is there a rejection after each stage?

Does everyone get to do the HAT - if predictions are in the right ball park - or could a not good enough PS prevent this?

Also do you to get a good score in the HAT before being invited to submit written work ?

Or are these (PS, HAT, written work) all taken together to decide if you are selected for interview?

Fairly sure everyone does the HAT - interviews come after this, based on HAT scores and UCAS application. The written work is part of the application.

It's all here for Oxford :

https://www.history.ox.ac.uk/how-apply

Thanks for that link - I am still not clear if the PS, HAT and written work are done by everyone before some are invited for interview or if there is a filter after HAT and then again after written work submission?

The written work just forms part of the overall UCAS application. They discuss it at interview. The admission stats page shows a bit about decision making.

There are also some videos online and, of course, visit days.

Ahh OK - so every applicant is invited to submit written work regardless of their HAT score?

For Cambridge, the personal statement is very important. No exam. For Oxford, the personal statement isn't scored at all but it does , of course, get discussed . Written work is scored but HAT is most important.

It's all quite overwhelming but , honestly, it begins to make sense. Choose the one with the most appealing course, I'd say.

There is a written History Admissions Assessment (HAA) for some colleges at C and all candidates have to provide written work ahead of interview if selected for interview.

Where it seems for O - everyone does their version of the HAT and written work is submitted BEFORE a decision is made to interview?

Have I got that right?

https://www.undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/courses/history

https://www.undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/applying/admission-assessments

My DS(cambridge) had no exam but had to submit two essays with the teacher feedback and marking on that had to be as originally submitted to school ie not rewritten or improved for cambridge- that was after PS and UCAS application and before he got an interview. He only had two marked essays anyway from beginning of year 12 as his teachers had left by the start of year 13 and he had had no other work returned

My DS exactly the same as @estherfrewen ’s - two teacher marked essays and no exam. But it does differ by college I believe

HAT is compulsory -prepare by doing every past HAT paper (there was a change of style in recent years, but trying them all is superb preparation, not in terms of knowledge, but in HAT technique)
There is a cut off score to decide who is offered interviews
Look at the admissions report for 21/22 and you can see how each stage of the process is used to decide who receives an offer, and the relative weighting of the HAT, interview, PS, reference etc.
For my son, all his interviews focused on aspects of his personal statement and EPQ
AAA is the standard offer from Oxford and this is because they reject more candidates prior to interview than Cambridge, so by the time they have interviewed a candidate and want to offer, they are as confident as they can be that this person will flourish, so no need to impose A* burden.
Apply to UNIQ programme or the Sutton Trust Summer School if eligible to experience Oxford prior to applying in Y13
Good Luck ! 😀

Think need to find out which Cambridge colleges don’t require the HAA test…not sure how to do this trawl through each one?

Wonder if anyone actively chooses to apply to a college that requires a HAA when there is the opportunity to apply via one that doesn’t?