Undergraduate admissions statistics
Oxford University is pleased to publish its seventh Annual Admissions Statistical Report. This gives information on the students who have applied to our undergraduate courses, received offers and been admitted, over the last five admissions years between 2019 and 2023. The statistics are broken down by domicile, nation and region of the UK, disadvantage, school type, gender, ethnicity and disability, and they are presented at University level and by course and college. We publish this Report to measure our progress and provide transparency about our processes.
The data reveals the consolidation of our recent progress to ensure that those with the highest academic potential, from all backgrounds, can realise their aspirations to study here.
Admission to Oxford is increasingly competitive. Over the past five years, students from a wider range of backgrounds than ever have joined the University, including from areas of social and economic disadvantage. Some groups remain under-represented in our community.
In 2023, 21.2% of UK undergraduates admitted came from the least advantaged backgrounds, including students from areas of social and economic disadvantage, students from areas of low progression to higher education and students eligible for Free School Meals. 7.6% of UK students admitted were eligible for Free School Meals (up from 5.3% in 2021).
Students, particularly those from socioeconomically disadvantaged groups, continue to feel the educational impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. We remain committed to building a more inclusive Oxford and being representative of wider society, and are building on and expanding our outreach activities to engage students earlier in their educational journey.
Between 2019 and 2023, within the total group of UK-domiciled undergraduates admitted:
- The proportion from state schools rose from 62.3% to 67.6%.
- The proportion identifying as Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) rose from 22% to 28.8%.
- The proportion from socio-economically disadvantaged areas rose from 12.2% to 14.4%.
- The proportion from areas of low progression to higher education reduced from 14% to 13.3%.
- The proportion declaring a disability rose from 9.5% to 19%.
- The proportion of women reduced from 54.3% to 52.2%.
We remain committed to ensuring that talented, academically motivated students, from all backgrounds, see Oxford as a place for them and have a fair chance of securing an offer for their selected course.
If you are a student considering applying to Oxford, a family member, or teacher with ideas about how we can reach more young people across the UK, please get in touch via ox.ac.uk/ask, as we would love to hear your thoughts.
Information and advice about applying to Oxford and giving more detail on the student experience itself, including forthcoming events, is regularly posted on our Admissions pages.
Students and parents
- Please see: ox.ac.uk/study
- Events: ox.ac.uk/outreach
- Contact us: ox.ac.uk/ask
Teachers
- Resources and events: ox.ac.uk/teachers
- Regional outreach: ox.ac.uk/oxfordforUK
- Contact us: ox.ac.uk/ask
Journalists, MPs and others
- Contact us: [email protected], +44 (0)1865 280528.
Download the Annual Admissions Statistical Report (PDF)