Where individual adjustments are needed, we work with you to put appropriate support in place — both during your application and throughout your studies at Oxford. The application process is the same for all candidates, but we recognise that mature applicants may have different qualifications, experiences or responsibilities. We recommend using this alongside the other information in this section, as it provides a comprehensive overview and answers many common questions about applying. It provides essential information on what happens at each stage of the admissions process. Our aim is to select students who will thrive academically at Oxford, using a process that is fair, careful, and consistent for all applicants. Academic achievements, admissions tests, written work, interviews, references, and personal statements are reviewed as a whole to build a clear picture of academic potential and suitability for the course. While it may look different from applications to other universities, each part of the process has a clear purpose and guidance to help you understand what to expect. Considering an application to Oxford can feel like a big step but the only things that Oxford students really have in common are academic ability and intellectual curiosity.
Here you won’t just absorb information; you’ll question it, debate it and build on it, developing the clarity, confidence and intellectual independence that come from serious study. Funding for graduate courses is competitive, but the University offers more support than you might think. Use this search tool to explore all of Oxford's graduate courses. Discover our free flagship outreach programme for UK state-school students in Year 12 (England and Wales), Year 13 (Northern Ireland), or S5 (Scotland). That's why we run thousands of free events each year, online and in person so anyone anywhere can explore what Oxford has to offer and find out whether it might be their right next step. With our Choosing Oxford applicant newsletter, you'll receive admissions guidance, key dates and practical advice along with a closer look at student life at Oxford – all straight to your inbox. Our students come from an amazing range of backgrounds, so you’ll meet people who are like you and people who aren’t.
External websites may give information about graduate courses and admissions to Oxford which can be incomplete and/or inaccurate. These may change and you should consider the version currently online to be the most accurate source of information at any given time. The instructions in this Application Guide are relevant to applications for all graduate courses at Oxford that use the standard application form. Our Application Guide covers all aspects of completing the graduate application form and uploading your supporting documents. This guide explains how to complete the graduate application form and provide supporting documents. If you are a student from overseas and wish to spend up to one year in Oxford on an undergraduate course, you can apply to a college for a place as a registered Visiting Student. It offers a supported route to undergraduate study at Oxford for those who may not have been able to apply directly. Our free resources for applicants will tell you everything you need to know to make a competitive application
Our academic transition programme designed to support talented UK offer holders from under-represented backgrounds as they move from school or college to undergraduate study at Oxford. Alongside general guidance for all applicants, we lucky wheel ksi provide tailored additional information for specific groups of applicants, recognising that people come to Oxford with different experiences, responsibilities, circumstances, and questions. At Oxford, you’ll find many ways to build your support network and connect with people who share your interests and identity. As a member of one of our colleges, you’ll belong to a close-knit academic and social community that supports you throughout your time here. This guidance supports teachers and advisers whose students are considering applying to Oxford, offering a quick overview of how best to support them alongside an introduction to Oxford’s access and enrichment initiatives. Receive step-by-step guidance, key dates and practical advice along with a closer look at student life at Oxford – all straight to your inbox.
Supporting Documents
You’ll find comprehensive, accessible guidance – from choosing a course to preparing for interviews – so you understand what’s involved and can prepare confidently. In an environment shaped by shared curiosity and mutual respect, you’ll grow as a person and as a thinker. You’ll be recognised and valued as an individual, helping to build belief in yourself and in what you can achieve. Our distinctive approach to teaching means you’ll work closely with academic tutors who know you and your work. Undergraduate applicants can now create their UAT-UK test account, plus apply for access arrangements and a bursary.
Oxford’s admissions process is designed to identify students with the academic ability, curiosity, and motivation to thrive in a tutorial-based learning environment. The programme includes ongoing contact throughout the year, as well as a residential experience to help you explore student life and strengthen your university application. Our admissions process is the same for all applicants but if you are coming from abroad you may find our guidance for international students particularly useful. You also become part of a college, a safe and supportive environment where you can focus on your studies, spend time with friends and shape your own Oxford experience. Our mini prospectus is a good place to start for a quick overview of Oxford student life and a summary of our admissions process.
The Astrophoria Foundation Year is a one-year programme for UK state school students with strong academic potential who have experienced significant disadvantage. When it comes to deciding what to do after school, everyone benefits from the support of the family and friends who know them best. If you have spent time in care, you may be navigating additional challenges as you think about university. We encourage you to explore this at your own pace and to return whenever you need a clear overview or a single place to check key information. The key resource for everyone applying to Oxford and for their supporters is our Guide for applicants. Applying to Oxford can feel exciting but also a bit daunting and we are here to support you every step of the way.
Applying to Oxford is a significant step, and we’re committed to supporting you at every stage. If you are applying in 2026, our application timeline provides a quick and digestible overview of key dates and deadlines. Here, you won’t just absorb information; you’ll question it, debate it and build on it, developing the clarity, confidence and intellectual independence that come from serious study. At Oxford, you’ll join students from across the world and from a wide range of backgrounds who share a love of learning. Please tell us what you want to see on this page, the more specific you can be the more likely it is that we can add it. Genuine communications from the University will be sent to you from email protected or from an ‘ox.ac.uk’ email address.
It will be busy, but by the end of the day you’ll have a clearer sense of whether Oxford is right for you. Arrive early and make a full day of it – join sessions at subject departments and colleges, talk to students and staff, and experience the city for yourself. We take student wellbeing seriously, with friends, peers and trained professionals ready to support you if things feel challenging. This is often one of the most rewarding and liberating parts of student life. Oxford isn’t a single campus, but a collection of more than 30 colleges and halls across the city, each with its own history, character and community. Wherever you’re applying from, you’ll find clear information and opportunities to learn more – so you can decide whether Oxford is right for you.
Over 23,000 people applied for undergraduate study in 2024 and almost 38,000 people applied for graduate study in 2023. Our free in-person and online events give you the knowledge, confidence and support you need to make the choice that’s right for you. Deciding whether to go to university – and where – is a big step. UNIQplus is our flagship graduate access programme aimed at talented undergraduates who would find continuing into postgraduate study a challenge for reasons other than their academic ability. Find out about our postgraduate courses and how to apply. As an undergraduate at Oxford, you will join students from across the world and from a wide range of backgrounds who share a love of learning.
