Meet our students
What is it like to go to Oxford University from the East of England? Our students are here to tell you about their experiences.
Rory - Biochemistry | Keren - Philosophy & French | Madeleine - English Literature | Antonia - Geography
Hi! I’m Rory and I’m a second year studying Biochemistry at Hertford College. I’ve lived in Brentwood, Essex my whole life and I went to my local state school, St. Martin’s, throughout school and sixth form.
What advice would you give to anyone from the East of England considering applying to Oxford?
The main obvious advice is to never write yourself off from getting a place at Oxford. So many people who would thrive at Oxford are put off by rumours and misconceptions - you have absolutely nothing to lose from applying and the main thing that tutors are looking for is enthusiasm and passion, not where you’re from or how many books you’ve read.
There is lots of information about the different courses and their requirements on the University website which can be particularly helpful when deciding whether you like the look of the content of the course. Visiting Oxford on an Open Day is also really useful because it gives you a chance to talk to students about their experiences and to look around the different colleges to see which ones you like the feel of. Make sure you talk to your teachers as they can give you support and guidance on the application process and can help you practice for admissions tests and interviews.
The college system at Oxford means you get to know lots of people really quickly and your college quickly feels like a home away from home.
How did you find moving away from home?
I was a little bit nervous about moving away from home and whether I would fit in but I quickly settled in and found it quite refreshing to live here. Oxford feels the perfect size – you get to know your way around really quickly but there’s always so much to see and do. It has the excitement and bustle of life in a city but also has lots of peaceful green spaces. Whilst starting university can be quite daunting, the college system at Oxford means you get to know lots of people really quickly and your college quickly feels like a home away from home. I found that the close-knit college community makes the transition from life at Sixth Form to life at University really smooth.
Why did you apply to Oxford?
One of the main things that made me want to apply to Oxford was the content of my course, which now I'm here is what makes my degree so exciting. I think this is one of the most important things to consider when applying to any university and I remember being really excited by the modules that Oxford offer for Biochemistry. The tutorial system was another thing that appealed to me and the opportunity to have discussions in small groups with leading experts and researchers at the forefront of your subject is one of the best things about Oxford. Before the second half of Year 12 I hadn't even considered Oxford as an option but my teachers encouraged me to apply and I also attended a shadowing day at Oxford through the Target Schools programme which gave me the opportunity to see what life at Oxford was like.
My name is Keren and I study Philosophy & French at Balliol College. I lived in Milton Keynes but come from the Democratic Republic of Congo!
What advice would you give to anyone from the East of England considering applying to Oxford?
Go for it! There is absolutely nothing to lose by putting Oxford as one of your UCAS options since you have four other options left. I know it’s easier said than done, but if you truly love your subject and are ready to go that extra mile to dedicate your time to it, then I can’t see why Oxford wouldn’t be the place for you. At the end of the day, Oxford is looking for students that are overtly passionate and dedicated to their subject, it’s that simple! Once you've made the decision, you can find an immense amount of resources provided by the University and individual colleges to help you through the application process step by step.
If you truly love your subject and are ready to go that extra mile to dedicate your time to it, then I can’t see why Oxford wouldn’t be the place for you.
How did you find moving away from home?
It’s always hard to think of leaving home, a place which represents comfort, to somewhere unknown. But my college did everything it could to make the move as smooth and comfortable as possible. It’s true that it is quite hard getting your bearings, where you need to go for your different tutorials, lectures, etc. but bear in mind that every fresher feels like that as well, so there is this real sense of community in figuring it all out together. Moreover, there are always older college members around which I utilised to the maximum and asked about anything I found confusing and could not figure out.
Why did you apply to Oxford?
It was only after my first mock exam results at the end of Year 12 that I thought I had a shot at Oxbridge and it also provided evidence to my state school teachers that I could potentially make a successful application. Furthermore, the course which I wanted to do which was (and still is!) Philosophy plus a modern language. It's quite an uncommon combination and not many universities offered it but one that did was Oxford and so I just thought to myself ‘why not?!’ and here we are!
Hi, I'm Madeleine and I study English Literature at Wadham College. I come from East Cambridgeshire and went to my local secondary, Ely College, followed by Hills Road Sixth Form College.
What advice would you give to anyone from the East of England considering applying to Oxford?
Don’t be put off by some of the stereotypes you may have heard; there is no one type of Oxford student or experience. Oxford is a fun and diverse place and I’ve always felt welcome here, whether visiting before applying or moving in as a student. The University website is a good first port of call. There’s lots of helpful information about applying, whether it’s a list of available courses, tips for personal statements or virtual tours, so definitely take a look to get a feel for what it might be like studying at Oxford. In general, start with reading and exploring what most interests you and see where it takes you!
The opportunity to have thought-provoking discussions with tutors and fellow students is one of my favourite things about uni.
How did you find moving away from home?
There’s no doubt that moving away from home was quite daunting at first. It helps that Oxford is quite similar to Cambridge so it didn’t feel completely unfamiliar to me. It’s a good mixture of a lively city that isn't too big and - coming from quite a rural area - I wouldn’t want it to be any bigger! The college system is one of the most important aspects of Oxford life and I found it really helpful to be part of a smaller community within the University when settling in. College support really helps ease the transition and gives you time to find your feet gradually, for example college catering means you don’t have to cook for yourself every night.
Why did you apply to Oxford?
The tutorial system really appealed to me and made Oxford stand out from other universities I was considering. It’s definitely delivered on this front; the opportunity to have thought-provoking discussions with tutors and fellow students is one of my favourite things about uni. The close-knit college community is another thing that sets Oxford apart and really attracted me since it divides up a big university into manageable units. I visited Oxford at an open day and was really inspired by talking to staff and students, as well as liking the city. Plus, Cambridge felt a bit too close to home, so in a choice between them, Oxford came out on top.
My name is Antonia and I study Geography at Hertford College. I come from a village south of Cambridge and I went to Hills Road Sixth Form College after secondary school at Sawston Village College.
What advice would you give to anyone from the East of England considering applying to Oxford?
It’s definitely worth going for! Applying to Oxford was one of the best decisions I made and, although it had always been a dream of mine, I was lucky that my sixth form made it feel like it was an real option for me. The uni is becoming increasingly diverse and there’s no such thing as someone who has the academic potential but isn’t suited to Oxford, as you can always find like-minded people here. Even if you don’t get in, the opportunity just to have an interview is worth the experience as something new and exciting. Once you feel confident on getting the grades, read as much of whatever excites you as you feel you want to; it's always helps to stay involved in your subject. Another thing is that applying to Oxford instead of Cambridge means you can move a bit further away from home if that’s your thing.
There’s no such thing as someone who has the academic potential but isn’t suited to Oxford, as you can always find like-minded people here.
How did you find moving away from home?
Moving from Cambridge to Oxford didn't feel like a massive change; they’re very similar cities but it was still a surprise that, despite how similar they look, Oxford is much bigger. I haven’t really used them much as I cycle a lot, but it looks like the transport networks around Oxford are much better than in the East too. The change from living at home to living independently is hard at first but it’s definitely overall a good thing in the end as the freedom you get from being able to manage things in your own way is lovely.
Why did you apply to Oxford?
I’d always wanted to push myself to something like Oxbridge and following GCSEs and A level predictions it started looking like a possibility, so I went for it. It was mostly the Geography course that made me pick Oxford and also getting away from home; if I went to Cambridge, I feel like I’d be home every weekend. Studying Geography, the two departments have different specialisms, and the Oxford course appealed to me a bit more. It’s such a current and versatile subject so I never feel bored and everything feels very relevant to the future but also the past.
