Oxford and Cambridge, collectively known as Oxbridge, are among the most prestigious universities in the world, regularly featuring at the top of international ranking lists. While their reputations are well known, the admissions and selection process can feel like a mystery, with both institutions requiring a different approach to other UK universities. Highgrove Online School shared insights on how to navigate Oxbridge admissions from our Director of Coaching, David Hodgkinson, a graduate of Oxford, and from a current Cambridge undergraduate, O’Tega Yerifor, who studied online for his upper secondary education.
What Makes Oxbridge So Different?
When considering Oxford or Cambridge, the first question isn’t “Can I get in?” It’s “Is this the right place for me?” These institutions offer a unique educational environment, and whether or not you’ll thrive there depends on your individual learning style and goals.
One of the most defining features of Oxbridge is the teaching style. While many universities rely heavily on large lectures and standard homework-feedback loops, Oxford and Cambridge still place a strong emphasis on tutorials (Oxford) or supervisions (Cambridge). These are intensive one-on-one or small-group academic sessions where you’ll be expected to present arguments, defend your ideas, and engage deeply with your subject. These sessions are not about right or wrong answers; they’re about developing and sharpening your thinking.
Life Within the College System
Another key feature of Oxbridge is the college system. Both universities are made up of individual colleges, or self-governing communities that offer accommodation, dining, libraries, and a wide array of social and academic activities. Each college has its own culture and character, but they all contribute to a rich and varied student experience.
Your college becomes your “home base,” but you can also interact with students from other colleges through university-wide events, lectures, and extracurricular activities. Tutorials may be held at your college or in other departments or colleges, depending on your course and tutor.
It’s important to understand that although teaching happens at the college level, courses are organised by academic faculties that span across the university. Your final exams and degree are set and awarded by the university, not the individual college. This blend of personal academic support and broad intellectual engagement is what makes the Oxbridge experience unique.
The Oxbridge Admissions Process
Getting into Oxford or Cambridge is competitive, but the process can be navigated and understood.
Applications are submitted via UCAS, and most applicants will need to sit subject-specific admissions tests. It’s crucial to research the exact requirements on the official university websites, as they vary by course and college.
The interview is often the most daunting part of the process. However, its main purpose is to assess how teachable you are and whether your academic test results reflect your actual capabilities. Think of the interview as a mini tutorial. It’s less about what you know and more about how you think. Can you respond thoughtfully to a new idea? Can you work through a challenging problem in real time?
What Are Oxford and Cambridge Looking For?
The ideal Oxbridge applicant has three key qualities:
- Academic Ability: You’ll need strong predicted grades (often A* in a majority of your subjects). Many successful applicants take four A levels, but three are required.
- Subject Passion: You must show a genuine and demonstrated interest in the subject you’re applying for. What have you done beyond the school curriculum? Have you read widely? Taken part in competitions or societies? Attended lectures or online elective courses?
- Resilience and Independence: Oxbridge demands hard work, but it also requires persistence and adaptability. You must be able to manage your time effectively, seek out your own resources, and stay motivated even when things get difficult.
Context also matters. Admissions tutors consider the educational environment you’ve come from and the opportunities available to you. What matters most is not just what you’ve achieved, but how you’ve made use of what’s been available.
A Current Student’s Perspective
O’Tega Yerifor, a current Economics undergraduate student at Cambridge, described his time at university as “a lot of fun and intellectually stimulating.” He highlighted the rewarding nature of working closely with engaged professors and peers, and the unexpected kindness and diversity of the student body.
Academically, he found the best part to be “working with peers and trying to understand the course together.” Socially, joining societies and becoming part of an active student community helped round out his university experience.
His advice for future applicants? “Push yourself academically as much as you can. Prepare for the admissions tests. Immerse yourself in your subject. And start early.”
Final Thoughts
Applying to Oxford or Cambridge is not just about ticking boxes. It’s about curiosity, commitment, and character. These universities are looking for students who love to learn, who are excited by ideas, and who are ready for a challenge.
If you want to find out more about applying to Oxford or Cambridge, take a look at the webinar lead by Mr Hodgkinson with a guest appearance from alumni O’Tega Yerifor. You can find the complete webinar recording in our Library of Events. If you’re interested in applying to Oxford or Cambridge, Highgrove Education can help with any of the following:
- Universities coaching
- Interview preparation
- A broad elective programme to help you explore subjects in greater depth than the A level curriculum
- Preparation courses for many of the university access examinations used by Oxford and Cambridge, such as STEP, MAT, PAT, ESAT and the TSA
- A weekly Oxbridge tutorial club, where pupils present and defend academic ideas connected to the subject they wish to read at university
- EPQ courses
- Full time or part time online A level programmes
Book a call with admissions to find out more.
