Applying to Oxford or Cambridge

When I was applying to study at Oxford, I tried to find as many pieces of advice from current students as I could, however as I went to a school that sends one or two people a year to Oxbridge this meant I was really limited in terms of first hand advice. I thought that YouTube would have some tidbits from Oxbridge students, but for the most part my searches drew a blank. So I thought that it might be useful to other people currently in my old situation to upload a video with advice about how best to go about applying to Oxbridge. This then contains advice on interviews, personal statements, expectations, colleges and criteria for securing a place.

www.youtube.com/SPCOxford

I should point out that I'm not officially connected with the university in any way other than being a student, and these views and opinions are purely my own.
I'm currently a first year reading Physics at St. Peter's College, Oxford. For a video about St. Peter's, see here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gptEpqj8U2g

If anyone would like any advice, like I say far too many times in the video (sorry, incidentally), then please feel free to message me, comment on the video or comment on my channel. And if you're in Oxford during term time let me know and I'm sure I'd be able to show you around Peter's!

Simon :)

P.S. Sorry about the lousy editing/camera work/lack of script - this is the first video I've ever done so it's dog-eared in many places!

Category:

Education

Tags:

• Oxford
• Cambridge
• Oxbridge
• Peter's
• how
• get
• application
• Physics
• undergraduate
• student
• interview
• personal statement
• A-level
• GCSE
• university
• advice
• study

[swiv2d]

is it possible for an adult to get into oxford with an access course.

[SimonOxfPhys]

@swiv2d If you've found the website (google Oxford mature students) then I'm afraid you know as much as I do!

[PagliRajkonna]

(..cont. from previous comment) I read in an article that you need at least 6 A*s to have a decent chance in Cambridge? :(

b) for Maths, students are required to take the STEP test. When is this test? After their AS-level when they apply? Or after their A-levels?

Thank you :)

[SimonOxfPhys]

@PagliRajkonna STEP is taken before you apply, though I'm afraid I don't know all of that much about it. I think I'm right in saying that you take it in the summer of year 12. Your best bet is asking your maths teacher, as I really don't want to tell you the wrong information!

[techloverboii1015]

Hi, I live in America and I don't understand the requirements you are talking about in this video. Do you know what they look for, for american students?

[SimonOxfPhys]

@techloverboii1015 You can find the international requirements on the Oxford uni website. If you google 'oxford international qualifications' and click the first link there's a table on that page.

[smokeeeeeeeee]

What's this? A white middle class man at Oxford? Impossible!

[SimonOxfPhys]

@TheFloogledude Don't panic! There's still loads of time before you have to start thinking about important decisions, so make the most of enjoying what you learn in school :)

[AngelDani23]

what work experience did you do? there's not much that specifically relates to physics :/

[lilpwincess98]

@SimonOxfPhys I see... Atmospheric Physics... interesting choice!

[123Luke456]

@swiv2d oh dear

[swiv2d]

@123Luke456 oxford is the only university that has archaelogical science as a course. It sucks. If I were a celebrity or part of a rich family or sucked some dicked maybe I'd have a chance.

[Imagoldzimbabwebaby]

hey , thanks for this video , it's really helped me consider my future , i am currently studying my GCSEs , and i wish to study physics, maths, further maths and chemistry for A levels. Like you , i wish to study physics at a university level.