Making An Application

The Questions

• When do I need to apply by? Answer
• What are admissions tutors looking for? Answer
• Should I do background reading? Answer
• How do I write a personal statement? Answer

The Answers

When do I need to apply by?

The closing date for applications to Oxbridge is 15 October each year. See the UCAS 'when to apply' page for more information.

What are admissions tutors looking for?

In short, academic potential: a willingness to learn and an enthusiasm for your subject. A good academic history will show your potential, but they are not only interested in how much you know – they are looking for how you think, and how much you can learn. It doesn't matter if you haven't climbed Kilmanjaro, helped old ladies in Basingstoke or read War and Peace in Chinese, however admissions tutors will be interested in well rounded and talented applicants who can show that there is more to them that just study.

Should I do background reading?

One of the things that admissions tutors look for is enthusiasm for your subject, so it is a good idea to read around your interested subject. If you are studying it at the moment, then it would be a good idea to read around your syllabus. Not only does it show that you are enthusiastic, but it can also give you a better idea of the subject, and can confirm for you that it is the subject you want to do at university. If you are applying for a subject which you are not doing at the moment, then you are not likely to be required to have an in-depth knowledge of the subject. For example, most students don't do Law at A-level (or equivalent) and you are not required to know ANY law before you get here, and many physical scientists take biology courses having not studied it since they were 16.. However, it would be wise to read newspapers and magazines and try to keep up to date with current affairs, or to get relevant work experience. If you get a reading list, read what you can - don't try to read everything on a reading list, and don't claim to have read books that you haven't!

How do I write a personal statement?

You get to write two statements: one for your UCAS form and a Cambridge-specific one. Take the opportunity to show off your achievements, non-academic and academic, and your enthusiasm for the subject. There is some information available online on the UCAS website, which may be helpful. For your Cambridge Application Form, you can copy and paste your UCAS personal statement, though it might be an idea to amend it to specify why you are applying to Cambridge.

Based on FAQ originally compiled by Matt Mayer, Revised by Krystyna Larkham
Page last updated 29 Aug 2007 (eaw45)