Your Complete Guide to Oxford University Admission 2024: Application Procedures, Requirements, Deadlines

Welcome, prospective Oxford applicants! We are delighted to have you here as we aim to provide you with the most up-to-date information on admissions. In my previous article, I wrote about How To Apply For UK University Admission As An Undergraduate. You can check it out.

This article will guide you through the key details regarding admission starting dates, eligibility requirements, registration procedures, application deadlines, and other important information that will assist you in commencing your journey at the esteemed University of Oxford.

Although primarily aimed at students intending to study at the University of Oxford in the upcoming 2024 academic year, this article will also prove valuable to those planning to pursue their studies shortly.

Let's delve into the essential information that will enable you to navigate the Oxford admissions process with confidence and clarity.

Application timeline

To ensure a strong and competitive application for the 2024 intake, the University of Oxford has implemented a structured timeline for interested candidates to submit their admission requests. As of June 2023, Oxford will begin accepting admission requests for the 2024 academic year. To maximize their chances of success, prospective applicants are strongly encouraged to initiate the application process through their affiliated partner, UCAS.

The UCAS application deadline: Monday, 16 October 2023

Course registration timeline: 1st of June  - Friday, 29 September.

Deadline for the submission of any written work: 10th November 2023

It is crucial for candidates to carefully adhere to the specified deadlines set by the University of Oxford. Late submissions may not be considered, jeopardizing the opportunity to join the esteemed academic community at Oxford.

Applicants are advised to familiarize themselves with the requirements and guidelines provided by Oxford and UCAS. This includes submitting all relevant academic transcripts, standardized test scores, and any additional materials required by their chosen course of study.

Oxford undergraduate  admission requirements

To apply to study at Oxford, there are certain requirements that every student needs to meet as set by the school. These requirements encompass UK (or international, if you are from outside the UK) requirements, course requirements, and English language requirements.

Admission requirements

Oxford University has established entry requirements for both UK citizens and international students seeking admission. While Oxford acknowledges A-levels as a common qualification for British students, they also accept a wide array of equivalent UK and international qualifications. UK students and others are required to have an A-level qualification to be considered for admission to Oxford. Conversely, international students applying from outside the UK are expected to possess qualifications that are equivalent to those of UK students. Detailed requirements for specific courses vary, and prospective international students who may be interested in alternative qualifications are advised to consult the Oxford International qualifications guidelines.

Course	Entrance requirements (at A-level or equivalent)	Subject choices	Test	Written work
Archaeology and Anthropology	AAA	Combination of arts and science subjects		Two pieces
Asian and Middle Eastern Studies	AAA	A language Mastering the ability to handwrite is a mandatory core element for Japanese, Chinese, and Korean.		Two pieces
Biochemistry (Molecular and Cellular)	A*AA including Chemistry and another science or Maths, with the A* in Maths, Physics, Chemistry, or Biology (or a very closely related subject)	Chemistry and another science or Maths   Maths   Biology (beyond GCSE or equivalent)
Biology	A*AA (with the A* in a science or Maths)	Biology, plus Chemistry, Physics or Maths
Biomedical Sciences	A*AA excluding Critical Thinking, Thinking Skills and General Studies	Two from Biology, Chemistry, Maths or Physics	BMAT
Chemistry	A*A*A (with both A*s in science subjects and/or Maths)	Chemistry and Maths   Another science or Further Maths
Classical Archaeology and Ancient History	AAA	A classical language, Classical Civilisation or Ancient History		Two pieces
Classics	AAA (in Latin and Greek if taken)	Latin and/or Greek (for Course I only)	CAT	Two pieces
Classics and Asian and Middle Eastern Studies	AAA (with As in Latin and Greek if taken)	Latin and/or Greek	CAT	Two pieces
Classics and English	AAA (in Latin and Greek if taken)	Latin and/or Greek (for Course I only), English Literature or English Language and Literature	CAT	Two pieces
			ELAT
Classics and Modern Languages	AAA (in Latin and Greek if taken)	Latin and/or Greek (for Course I only), and a modern language (depending on course choice)	CAT	Two/four pieces
			MLAT
Computer Science	A*AA including Maths, with the A* in Maths, Further Maths or Computer Science	Maths   Further Maths	MAT
Computer Science and Philosophy	A*AA, including Maths, with the A* in Maths, Further Maths or Computer Science	Maths   Further Maths	MAT
Earth Sciences (Geology)	A*AA/AAAA	Maths, plus Chemistry or Physics   Chemistry or Physics   Biology, Geology, Further Maths
Economics and Management	A*AA (with Maths at A or A*)	Maths	TSA section 1
Engineering Science	A*A*A (with the A*s in Maths, Further Maths or Physics.)	Maths and Physics   Maths Mechanics modules   Further Maths	PAT
English Language and Literature	AAA	English Literature or English Language and Literature   A language, History	ELAT	One piece
English and Modern Languages	AAA	A modern language (depending on course choice) and English Literature or English Language and Literature	ELAT	One/three pieces
			MLAT
European and Middle Eastern Languages	AAA	A modern language (depending on course choice)	MLAT	Two pieces
Fine Art	AAA or AAB (for post-A-level applicants on an Art Foundation course)	Art		Portfolio
Foundation Year (Chemistry, Engineering and Materials Science)	AAB	For Chemistry: Chemistry and Mathematics   For Engineering: Physics and Mathematics   For Materials Science: Physics and Mathematics. GCSE Chemistry is also required.
Foundation Year (Humanities)	BBB	For Classics I: Latin or Greek   For English: English Literature or English Language and Literature   For History: History   For Theology: A subject involving essay writing		One piece
Foundation Year (Law)	BBB	A subject involving essay writing		One piece
Foundation Year (PPE)	BBB	Maths   History		One piece
Geography	A*AA	Geography	GAT
History	AAA	History	HAT	One piece
History (Ancient and Modern)	AAA	History   A classical language, Classical Civilisation, Ancient History	HAT	One piece
History and Economics	AAA	History, Maths	HAT	One piece (History)
			TSA: section 1
History and English	AAA	English Literature or English Language and Literature   History	HAT ELAT	Two pieces
History and Modern Languages	AAA	A modern language (depending on course choice)   History	HAT	One/three pieces
			MLAT
History and Politics	AAA	History   Sociology, Politics, Government and Politics	HAT	One piece (History)
History of Art	AAA	A subject involving essay writing   History of Art, Fine Art, History, English, a language		One piece, one response
Human Sciences	AAA	Biology, Maths	TSA

English language requirement

Oxford University places a strong emphasis on English language proficiency when considering prospective students. This requirement primarily applies to applicants from countries where English is not the primary native language. However, candidates hailing from Anglosphere countries, where English is the main native language, are not typically required to demonstrate their English proficiency.

Candidates from non-English-speaking countries must submit an English language certificate during the registration process to verify their language skills and ensure they meet the specified requirements. Oxford recognizes various certificates, each with its own specific requirements.

Test	Standard level scores		Higher level scores
IELTS*	7.0	Minimum 6.5 per component	7.5	Minimum 7.0 per component
TOEFL / TOEFL iBT Home Edition**	100	Minimum component scores: Listening: 22 Reading: 24 Speaking: 25 Writing: 24	110	Minimum component scores: Listening: 22 Reading: 24 Speaking: 25 Writing: 24
C1 Advanced (formerly known as Cambridge English: Advanced or CAE)	185	Minimum 176 per component	191	Minimum 185 per component
C2 Proficiency (formerly known as Cambridge English: Proficiency or CPE)	185	Minimum 176 per component	191	Minimum 185 per component
Trinity Integrated Skills in English (ISE)	ISE III with merit in all skills or ISE IV with a pass in all skills		ISE III with distinction in all skills or ISE IV with a pass in each section
Pearson PTE Academic/PTE Academic Online	66	Minimum 56 in Speaking, Listening, Reading, and Writing. We do not require particular scores in the Enabling Skills	76	Minimum 66 in Speaking, Listening, Reading, and Writing. We do not require particular scores in the Enabling Skills
English Language GCSE (UK-regulated awarding organizations only)	Grade B/6, plus Merit in the separate Speaking endorsement
Cambridge Assessment International Examinations IGCSE First Language English	Grade B/6, plus grade 2 in the Speaking and Listening test       Second Language English International GCSEs are not accepted
OxfordAQA International GCSE English Language (First Language)	Grade 6, plus Merit in the Speaking and Listening test Second Language English International GCSEs are not accepted
Pearson Edexcel English Language A or B (First Language)	Grade 6, plus Merit in the Spoken Language endorsement Second Language English International GCSEs are not accepted
Cambridge Assessment O-Level English	Grade B Please note from the 2023-entry admissions cycle the CAIE O-Level English will no longer be accepted
International Baccalaureate (for those not being taught in English)	English B with a score of 7 at HL
European Baccalaureate	English at L1 or L2 with 70%.
SQA ESOL Higher in the English Language	Grade B

Application procedures

STEP 1: Choose your course through the university website.

STEP 2: Head on to the UCAS website to apply for your application. The website is open from June to 16th of October, 2023. (UCAS is an independent organization that handles all applications to study undergraduate degrees in the UK) Be aware that there is a registration fee that will be charged by UCAS

Note: UCAS is the only means you can apply to study at any university in the UK including Oxford.

STEP 3: Prepare for your school admission test. Many schools and colleges require applicants to sit for the school admission test. The reason for the test is to allow the immediate school to select excellent candidates who apply to study at Oxford. The test varies depending on the course the student applies for. You may need to check the Oxford Admission Test Page to know the required test for the course you want to study.

STEP 4: Organise your written work: You are expected to submit it by 10 November 2023. written work is work that demonstrates your analytical, reasoning, language, and writing skills, as appropriate for your chosen degree course. It is merely for applicants who want to study Classic, English, and other language-related courses. For more info, see the Written Work Page

STEP 5: Prepare for your interview. If you are shortlisted by the school to which you have applied, you will be contacted for an interview during the spring of November/December 2023.

Need any help? feel free to contact me or drop a comment.