Radcliffe Camera
University of Oxford
The University of Oxford is a collegiate research university in Oxford, England. There is evidence of teaching as early as 1096, making it the oldest university in the English-speaking world and the world’s second-oldest university in continuous operation after the University of Bologna.
It grew rapidly from 1167 when Henry II banned English students from attending the University of Paris. After disputes between students and Oxford townsfolk in 1209, some academics fled north-east to Cambridge where they established what became the University of Cambridge. The two ancient universities are frequently jointly called Oxbridge. The history and influence of the University of Oxford has made it one of the most prestigious universities in the world.
The university is made up of 39 constituent colleges, and a range of academic departments, which are organised into four divisions. All the colleges are self-governing institutions within the university, each controlling its own membership and with its own internal structure and activities.
It does not have a main campus, and its buildings and facilities are scattered throughout the city centre. Undergraduate teaching at Oxford is organised around weekly tutorials at the colleges and halls, supported by classes, lectures, seminars, and laboratory work provided by university faculties and departments; some postgraduate teaching includes tutorials organised by faculties and departments. It operates the world’s oldest university museum, as well as the largest university press in the world and the largest academic library system nationwide.
International students
Oxford is one of the most international universities in the world. Today, one third of its students, including 17% of undergraduates, are international citizens, and come from over 150 countries. Oxford welcomes applications from international students.
All applicants apply via UCAS by 15 October, and follow the same process as UK applicants. Whilst the application process itself is the same, we recognise that there are a number of additional elements international students will need to consider when applying to Oxford, including English language requirements and visa and immigration information. Interview arrangements and test arrangements can also be slightly different for international candidates.
International qualifications
In order to take up the offer of a place to study here, all applicants must meet the qualification requirements of their course. Many students who apply to Oxford are taking A-levels but we also accept a whole range of other equivalent UK and international qualifications. If you are an international student wanting to apply to Oxford, you need to have achieved – or expect to obtain – one of the qualifications listed below with the grades shown, or another equivalent. The qualifications below will only be sufficient alternatives to A-level where they cover the same content as the required A-levels, to the appropriate standard.
If you are studying UK qualifications abroad, please go to our UK qualifications page.
There are also specific subject requirements for some courses, particularly in the sciences, so please check the requirements for your course.
Please be aware that competition for places at Oxford is very strong. College tutors considered over 20,000 applications for around 3,250 places for 2018 entry. Many successful candidates exceed the academic qualification requirements for their course. However, exam results are only a part of the information we use to build a picture of your academic ability and potential, so even the best possible grades won’t guarantee you a place. Extra-curricular activities are only relevant if they help to demonstrate how you meet the selection criteria for your course. Read more about our selection criteria and applying to Oxford.
For most courses, all applicants are also required to take an admissions test. Such tests allow us to compare students using a single benchmark, irrespective of the student’s educational background. For information on these admissions tests, please see the individual course pages or ox.ac.uk/tests.
https://www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/undergraduate/applying-to-oxford/for-international-students
https://www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/undergraduate/applying-to-oxford/for-international-students/international-qualifications?wssl=1
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_of_Oxford