Frequently Asked Questions

International studentsbig

We hope the answers to these Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) will help you in deciding if Oxford is for you.

Oxford University has a world-class reputation for academic excellence.
With many Oxford degrees taking just three years to complete, compared to four years in most other countries, you will find that in many cases the overall costs of study are lower than at institutions elsewhere.
Oxford is one of the few universities in the world that bases its teaching on the tutorial system, which means more individual attention and teaching from your tutors, to help you develop your ability to present and discuss your work.
Many Oxford tutors are international experts in their chosen fields. This engagement with research and scholarship enables students to have an improved understanding of their subject discipline.
All students are members of a college as well as the University. Your college will provide a friendly and welcoming home, particularly important if you are living away from home for the first time. Students soon get to know each other, and tutors get to know students individually, enabling them to respond to their individual academic needs.
Students have access to resources across the University: extensive libraries, sports facilities, laboratories, language-learning opportunities, computer equipment and music facilities.
Oxford University provides a diverse study environment: international students represent over 130 nationalities as well as all nations and regions of the UK.
With clubs, societies and events organised by both colleges and the wider University, as well as a vibrant city nightlife, Oxford offers a wide range of social activities to suit all tastes.
Most colleges offer student accommodation for two years of your course, and many can offer accommodation for every year of your course.
Oxford University has an excellent graduate employment record. Students have the use of the excellent careers service (see www.careers.ox.ac.uk) and enter a huge range of careers. Employers recognise that Oxford's rigorously academic degree courses give graduates a range of transferable skills, as well as breadth and depth in their chosen subject.

All students who wish to apply for undergraduate courses beginning in 2011 must follow the same application procedure. You can find the details in How to apply. Candidates who are shortlisted will be invited to attend an interview. Read more about the interview arrangements for international students.

What will it cost me, and what sources of funding are available to me?

For full details about the costs of studying at Oxford University, and the different ways of meeting those costs, please refer to our pages on student funding.

How do I choose a course?

Students at Oxford do not take major and minor subjects, but instead study for a single degree course. You must choose your course before you make your application. To help you make your decision, you will find details of courses available in the courses section of the online prospectus. These pages give an introduction to the course, a course summary, selection criteria and links to subject specific websites for further information.

Can I apply for more than one subject?

You can apply for more than one subject, only if the combination you wish to study is shown in the list of available courses. These combined courses, often referred to as 'joint schools' or 'joint honours' courses, allow you to study two or more different areas. If you complete such a course successfully, you will receive a single degree but it will combine two or more subjects (e.g. BA in History and English).

Please note that competition for joint schools courses is particularly strong, and you must demonstrate your aptitude for each element of their course.

Can I apply for more than one course?

When making your application, you must specify just one course that you would like to apply for, from the list of available courses. There are a few exceptions, which are explained in Entrance Requirements. For example, if you apply for Physics, you can indicate that you wish to be considered for Materials Science, if your application for Physics is not successful.

Can I transfer credit to Oxford?

Oxford University does not accept transfer students, so you will be required to start your course here from the beginning even if you have already studied for one or two years at another institution. The only exception to this is if you have already completed an undergraduate degree and are applying for your second undergraduate degree. You may then be considered for admission straight in to the second year of an Oxford course.

How do I choose a college?

When you apply to Oxford, you can specify the college you would most like to go to. We refer to this as your 'college of preference'. However, we strongly recommend that international applicants make an 'Open Application', which means that you leave the college choice blank on your application form, and we then allocate you to a college, which has fewer applications in your subject in that particular year. The allocation system is designed to increase your chance of success, and you will be at no disadvantage relative to candidates who have specified a college.

If you do wish to make a college choice on your application, please first check Which colleges offer my course?. You can then find out more about the colleges by referring to the college pages in the online prospectus and also by referring to the individual college websites. If you are able to visit Oxford, you may also like to attend an open day.

Colleges do not specialise in particular subjects, and all are very strong academically. There is no college that is more suited to a particular type of person or a particular nationality; you will have tutorials in your college but your course and final degree will be the same at any college because the University decides the content of courses, organises all lectures and practical classes and sets your main examinations. All colleges contain a cross section of students from all backgrounds.

What qualifications would I need to apply?

To make a competitive application, students need to be studying for, or have already achieved, qualifications equivalent to AAA at A-Level, or 38-40 points in the International Baccalaureate, including core points, with 6s and 7s in the Higher Level subjects. You may also like to refer to further details about other international qualifications. There are also specific subject requirements in some subjects. Please refer to our table of entrance requirements for further details.

Even excellent grades will not guarantee a place, as competition for places is extremely strong. Tutors consider each application on its individual merits, looking at examination results and predicted grades, as well as the personal statement, academic reference and any written work or written test that may be required. (For further details on the requirements for your subject, please see the subject pages in the online prospectus.)

How important are extra-curricular activities in making an application.

Extra-curricular activities will not form part of the selection process except in so far as they may help you to demonstrate the selection criteria for your subject. Tutors select candidates based on their academic achievements and potential.

What English Language Qualifications do I need?

Candidates who are not native English speakers and who have not been educated in the medium of English language during their two most recent years of study must satisfy our English language requirements.

What written work or written tests are required?

We strongly recommend that you check the requirements for your subject, as they may include written work and/or a written test for which separate registration may be required. You can check the details on the how to apply tab of the individual course pages. It is your responsibility to ensure that all deadlines and other requirements are met. If you have any questions at all please do contact us.

Where a written test is set at interview, please note that you may still be asked to sit this test, even if you do not come to Oxford for interview. You would need to sit the test in your own school, or at a suitable examination centre, at the same time as candidates attending interview in Oxford. There is a timetable of tests here.

Any written work submitted in support of your application must be written in the English language (but see entries for Modern Languages and joint honours courses with Modern Languages if you are applying for one of these courses). If you do not have written work in the English language, you are responsible for translating it yourself, and for sending both the original and the translation to the college considering your application. The translation must also be accompanied by a signed declaration stating that the translation is solely your own work.