Why can't you apply to Oxford and Cambridge?
Some people have speculated in the past that the two universities are in such competition that they do not want to be second choice to anyone, let alone to their long-held rival, but it's slightly less dramatic than that. Basically, it comes down to supply and demand.
Before you start:
You can only apply to one course at Oxford, and you can't apply to Oxford and Cambridge in the same year. Read more information on all our courses. Check the admission requirements for your course. Specific grades and subjects required are also shown on each course page.
It is not possible to apply to both Oxford and Cambridge in the same admissions round, so students will have to choose one or the other. Both universities are world-renowned in teaching and research in both arts and science subjects, so the decision is largely an individual one.
Oxford and Cambridge are highly competitive, and unfortunately, you can only apply to one per year. According to these acceptance numbers, Cambridge appears to be the easier to get accepted.
Sure. It is not that common, but you get a couple of dozen each year at each university. Most of them are people who had done their secondary education outside of the United States, but you also get a subset who come from American High Schools directly to Oxford or Cambridge.
You will need to submit an application through the UCAS. You will need to provide records of your high school and write a personal statement. Many Oxford courses require an admission test and/or some written work. If you're deemed a good candidate, you will be called for an interview.
Before deciding where to apply, consider what you want to study. Oxford is currently ranked first in the world for English Language, Literature, Geography, History, and Modern Languages, and Cambridge University is most popular for History, Mathematics, and Archaeology.
How hard is it to get into Oxford? Getting into Oxford is a competitive process; you'll need exceptional academic achievement, as well as a wide range of extracurricular activities and personal qualities. Generally, Oxford has an acceptance rate of approximately 13-17%.
The Cambridge University acceptance rate varies from country to country. You certainly need high grades to get in, considering the unspoken GPA requirement is 3.7 minimum on a 4.0 scale. For US applicants, you'll need a minimum of five grade 5 AP scores and passing (high) marks on your transcript.
They have consistently ranked among the top 10 institutes in the global rankings. According to the world university rank 2023, Oxford University ranked top and Harvard University ranked second in the list, whilst in the QS world university list Oxford University ranked fourth and Harvard University ranked fifth.
Is Oxford tougher than Harvard?
Which University is harder to get into Harvard or Oxford? Oxford University has an acceptance rate of around 17% which is considered relatively good in comparison to Harvard University's low 5% acceptance rate, which makes Oxford easier to get into.
The GMAT/GRE or other test score requirement for Oxford is comparatively higher than Harvard. Similarly, Oxford has a minimum GPA requirement of 4.5 out of 5 while Harvard may accept your application with a GPA of 4.0 out of 5.
Indeed, the Oxbridge brand name is powerful; for example, Cambridge was considered second in the world by employers and Oxford third in the QS World University Rankings. So if you want to study somewhere with a solid international reputation, an Oxbridge degree is difficult to beat.
Undergraduate qualifications
If your graduate course at Oxford requires a 'first-class undergraduate degree with honours' in the UK system, you will usually need a bachelor's degree with an overall grade of Class 1, 'A' or 80%, or a GPA of 3.7 out of 4.0.
Despite its fame and reputation, Oxford University, located in the U.K., is not counted as an Ivy League university. The top eight schools in the USA are collectively known as the Ivy League. Princeton, Columbia, Dartmouth, Brown, Pennsylvania, Cornell, Harvard, and Yale make up the Ivy League.
The minimum University of Oxford GPA is around 3.7 out of 4.0. So, a 3.0 or lower GPA for Oxford won't cut it. Oxford's acceptance rate for international students is comparable to its general acceptance rate, which is reflected in its diverse student population.
University of Oxford SAT score requirements
To be able to get a successful admission in University of Oxford in United Kingdom students need to complete the SAT with a minimum score of 1400. g) TOEFL & IELTS scores if the applicant's native language is not English.
Oxford prefers applicants to have as many A*s and 9s as possible, and many applicants have a lot of 7, 8 and 9 grades. So you should ensure that your historic grades don't let you down, especially in subjects relevant to your course. Also, don't stretch yourself too thin if you're struggling to get great grades.
Of all of the colleges of Oxford and Cambridge, Trinity College, Cambridge is the wealthiest. How wealthy? Cambridge University as a whole has assets of approximately £4 billion, with Oxford coming second with £3.3 billion, and all other British universities – yes, all of them – totalling £2 billion.
Why is Oxford so prestigious?
There's always something special about being number one. Oxford is the UK's oldest university, meaning it has an even richer history and set of traditions than Cambridge. If you like the idea of being associated with the first-ever university in British history, that's really not something you can get anywhere else.
Both Oxford and Cambridge cost around the same amount, although Oxford is more expensive if you are an international student.
In general, where the minimum entry requirement for your chosen course is a UK first-class undergraduate degree, this equates to an overall US GPA of at least 3.7 based on the 4.0 system.
American students apply to Oxford and Cambridge in exactly the same way as other students (via an UCAS form in the October the year before). It is hard for anyone to get into Oxford; the academic standards are very high, and less than a fifth of applicants get accepted.
You stand just as much a chance as anyone else. The acceptance rate at Oxford is about 17.5% which is far higher compared to Harvard, Stanford, MIT and other Ivy League Universities. That said, the application and selection process can be quite rigorous and complex to follow precisely.
