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Oxbridge. Oxbridge. Collegiate system Apply to one or the other, not both VIS deadline September 6th UCAS deadline October 15 th Extra entry tests. Collegiate Structure.
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Oxbridge • Collegiate system • Apply to one or the other, not both • VIS deadline September 6th • UCAS deadline October 15th • Extra entry tests
Collegiate Structure • Students belong to a college which is their base throughout their course. Students really have the best of both worlds: being members of a small College community and a large international university.
Teaching • Students will attend lectures, classes and laboratory work, as appropriate for their course. • Students at Oxford and Cambridge also benefit from highly personalised teaching time with world experts in their field. The only difference is in the name: Oxford refers to these sessions as ‘tutorials’ while Cambridge calls them ‘supervisions’.
Information used in selection • Academic record (G10 final grade, IB predicted grades) • School reference • Personal statement • Submitted work, where requested • Test results (e.g. BMAT, TSA), where tests form part of the assessment • Performance at interview
Admissions Tests • Please check carefully to see if you need to take a test • Oxford University • www.admissions.ox.ac.uk/apply • Cambridge University • http://www.cam.ac.uk/admissions/undergraduate/tests/index.html
Tests and Interviews • Oxford asks around 70% of applicants to take a test as part of their application, then candidates are shortlisted for interview • Cambridge normally only pre-tests for Medicine and Vet Med. Applicants are invited for interview at Cambridge and often take tests while at Cambridge for interview. • Some tests can be taken at VIS. See JH for details.
Written work • You may be required to submit marked work; this is a must for some courses at Oxford and requested for some courses at Cambridge • Cambridge: www.cam.ac.uk/admissions/undergraduate/apply/tests.html • Oxford: • www.admissions.ox.ac.uk/writtenwork/
Interviews • You are encouraged to sign up for interview training. See your counsellor for details. • You will need to do an interview in Oxford or Cambridge; this usually takes place in November/December. Other universities may request that you attend an interview
Interviews • Interviewed at the College: offered place, rejected or put in the ‘Pool’ • The pool is where other colleges can go and pick out applicants they want. • For further details and video examples:Cambridge: www.cam.ac.uk/admissions/undergraduate/interviewsOxford: www.admissions.ox.ac.uk/interviews
Interviews • Between one and three interviews at a college or colleges, each lasting 20-45 minutes, with one or two interviewers • Conducted by academic staff • Academic and subject-focused • Invitation to interview based on academic record
Interviews – qualities being looked for • Genuine passion for the subject • Appropriateness of the course • Enthusiasm for complex and challenging ideas • Clarity of thought and analytical ability • Intellectual flexibility • Vocational or professional commitment (where appropriate)
Interviews - how to prepare • Read around, and then read some more • Get used to talking about your chosen subject with enthusiasm • Get used to talking to unfamiliar adults • Revise what you already know • Show a willingness to discuss things you don’t know
Interviews - typical pitfalls • Candidates have done insufficient revision/homework on: • The course • Recent school/college work • Submitted essays (where applicable) • They cannot back up what they wrote in their UCAS personal statement • They have not read anything, or they haven’t read it analytically or critically • They try to ‘perform’ or second-guess what is going on
Cambridge SAQ • Completed online • Used to collect information not on the UCAS application, including: • Topics covered in IB courses • Optional Cambridge-specific personal statement • Admission test registration numbers (if applicable)
Entry requirements • If you are not predicted at least 39 IB points, your chances are VERY slim. • Cambridge: www.cam.ac.uk/admissions/undergraduate/apply/requirements.htmlOxford: www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/undergraduate_courses/courses/courses_and_entrance_requirements
Make sure you have read the website and are fully informed about:Application ProcessExtra testsDeadlinesThe CollegeThe courseInterviewsetc.
Reminders • Check e mails, reply immediately • Make sure you take all extra tests required • You only make one UCAS application, so you will need to have selected the other 4 universities to include in your UCAS application • September 6thVIS deadline to submit Oxbridge applications • Stay in regular communication with your counsellor
Jeremy Handcock • Student Counsellor • April 9th 2013