Media

Oxford more popular than ever with international students

23 November 2010

A twenty per cent rise in international applications in one year has helped to boost the number of students applying for undergraduate courses at the University of Oxford to a new record level.

The University received 17,299 applications by the deadline of 15 October, compared with 17,144 last year. This year saw 804 additional applications from international students.

Loren Griffith, acting Director of International Strategy at Oxford, said: ‘Oxford aims to attract the very best students from anywhere in the world, so we’re delighted whenever we see a rise in high-quality student applications. This is a British university - but it’s also a truly international place. At a time when higher education is globalising rapidly, Oxford’s research engagement around the world and outstanding cohort of current international students makes this a very attractive place to be, even if it means travelling halfway around the world to get here.’

While international figures rose steeply, applications from UK students were down slightly on last year. Once again the proportion of applicants from the state school sector rose again this year: of the UK students that applied, 64.3% were from state schools and 35.7% from independent schools. Applications from comprehensive schools have increased.

Mike Nicholson, Director of Undergraduate Admissions at Oxford University, says: ‘We are pleased to see a record number of applicants applying this year, as well as our highest ever proportion of candidates from the state sector. The extensive range of activity carried out the by the collegiate University with teachers, candidates and parents has contributed to the continued success of Oxford in attracting high quality applicants. In particular, the work with comprehensive schools has led to an increase in applications from students in that sector.’

Last year, the total spend across the University and colleges on outreach activities was around £4m. Staff from across the collegiate University conducted over 1,500 outreach activities with groups from primary age upwards, with a particular focus on working with teachers and guidance advisers.

Suzanne Harrogate participated in one of Oxford’s summer schools, and is now studying Medicine at Magdalen College, Oxford. She says: ‘I was the first person in my family to go to university, and the summer school I attended at Oxford played a huge part in my decision to apply. It gave me the chance to talk to current Oxford students and to ask them what it’s really like, and to see that I would really enjoy living and studying here. Seeing for myself what Oxford was like gave me a more confidence.

‘I love my degree, my college, and above all the people I've met here. Applying to Oxford was absolutely the best decision I’ve ever made. I would really encourage anyone thinking of applying to Oxford to give it a go - the only reason you definitely won’t get in is if you don't apply.’

While the number of applications to Oxford has increased again, the number of places available remains static, meaning getting into Oxford gets more competitive every year. Nearly all of the applicants will be predicted three As at A level or the equivalent.

Oxford’s selection process assesses academic ability and potential by looking at: attained grades; aptitude tests (in many subjects); written work (in some subjects); at least two interviews; and references, which include predictions about future potential.

‘It’s always great to see more high-quality applications,’ says Mike Nicholson, ‘but of course that means that every year it gets more competitive. It’s important that all students with the potential to achieve at Oxford put in an application to us as one of their five UCAS choices. But there are many excellent universities out there, and Oxford is just one of five that students can choose.’

For more information please contact the Press Office, University of Oxford on +44 (0)1865 280531 or press.office@admin.ox.ac.uk.

Notes to Editors

  • The numbers above include those applying for deferred entry in 2012 (around 550 candidates). The government has indicated that students applying in 2010 for deferred entry in 2012 will not be entitled to transitional arrangements and will be subject to the 2012 fee regime. Therefore, Oxford’s admissions team has emailed all students who have applied for deferred entry in 2012 to inform them of the government’s decision not to allow transitional arrangements and giving them the opportunity at interview to be considered for 2011 entry. Students will need to respond within two weeks of receiving the email to indicate their decision.
  • Oxford makes very few offers over and above the number of places available, and does not have the flexibility to move people around after decisions have been made about which year of entry to make offers to in December.
  • Applications from UK schools in 2010 were slightly down on last year, with state sector applications down by 3% and independent school applications down by 8%. However, applications from candidates at comprehensive schools were up by around 1%.
  • Nearly 36,000 people achieve AAA at A-level. More than 17,000 people apply to Oxford. Oxford has 3,000 places.
  • Applications to Oxford have increased by 84% in the last 10 years.* Applications to Oxford from the state sector have risen by 77% in 10 years (in contrast to a rise of 50.5% from the independent sector). 
  • Applications from international students have increased more than twofold over the past ten years, while the total number of applicants has gone up by 81%.
  • International applicants formed 15.5% of the total applicant pool ten years ago; for entry 2011 they comprised more than 28%.
  • Over the past ten years Oxford’s available places has remained the same; the proportion of acceptances going to international students has risen from 8% in 1999 to just under 12% in 2009 (the latest year for which Oxford has published figures).
  • Last year, the total spend across the University and colleges on outreach activities was around £4m (which is in addition to the more than £6m a year spent on bursaries). In 2008/9, staff from across the collegiate University conducted over 1,500 outreach activities with groups from primary age upwards.

    Oxford’s outreach work has a number of aims, not just increasing the number of applications from state school pupils in this and every year. It includes three distinct but overlapping strands: recruitment, widening access and aspiration-raising activity.

    Recruitment activities provide all those considering applying to Oxford with the necessary information, and tackle any myths. They include school visits, attendance at higher education fairs, regional conferences, and work with teachers.

    Widening access initiatives aim to encourage applications from underrepresented groups, for example those from disadvantaged backgrounds or ethnic minorities. This includes summer schools and targeted school programmes.

    Aspiration-raising activities aim to raise aspiration towards university in general, not necessarily Oxford in particular. Activities are aimed at younger year groups and initiatives are typically long-term programmes, such as the Oxford Young Ambassadors programme and Black Boys Can, which run over four years. Curriculum enrichment programmes include special lectures, workshops, mentoring sessions and residentials.

    Suzanne Harrogate participated in one of Oxford’s Sutton Trust summer schools, designed to bridge the gap between school and university work, giving academically talented students from schools and families with little history of higher educational attainment a chance to experience university life and encourage applications to Oxford and other competitive universities. This year Oxford launched its own summer schools programme, called UNIQ, targeted at high performing students from state schools.

  • All applications had to be received by 15 October. Selection is based purely on academic ability and potential. The time, thought and effort that goes into identifying the best students is unrivalled by almost any other university.
  • Selection criteria for each subject are published and made widely available for all potential applicants. See: http://www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/undergraduate_courses/courses/selection_criteria_for_subjects_links/index.html
  • Academic ability and potential is assessed through a range of measures:
    (i) Attained grades (usually GCSEs, usually all A and A*): seen on application form in October
    (ii) Teacher’s reference, which includes commentary on predicted academic potential: seen on application form in October
    (iii) Aptitude tests (in many subjects): taken in advance of interview, around November, for some subjects; taken during the interview period, in December, for others
    (iv) At least two and up to four interviews, increasingly at at least two colleges: in December

    In making a final offer, all these measures are considered and compared between candidates – they should not be seen as stages in an elimination process.
  • The University of Oxford is not using the new A* grade at A level when making offers for 2010 or 2011 entry.