OK, that's the decision-making part over and done with, now comes the start of the application process, so hold on to your seats!
1. The UCAS Form
Most of the form is straightforward, requiring that you fill in personal details, as well as academic qualifications and educational history. This is all explained in the Application Pack, and if you get stuck, there is a very helpful section on the UCAS website.
The institution code for Oxford University is OXF 033. More specific advice concerning the UCAS form and Oxford is available here. All the information you need for your subject is in our Subject Guide.
At the end of the form, an Open Reference is required, and this should be written by someone who knows you well and knows that you are suitable for Higher Education. If you are at school or college, or have recently left, then you should ask your headteacher principal or an appropriate teacher or tutor. If you are a mature student, you should ask a responsible person who knows you, such as an employer, training officer, or a senior colleague.
The part of the form that worries many applicants is the Personal Statement - you are expected to write about yourself, which is never an easy task. It is entirely up to you how you write your reference, but bear in mind that it will probably be used as a way to spark conversation at your interviews. It should be primarily academic in nature. Some of the things you might like to include are:
Why did you choose these particular courses and what interests you about your particular subject?
What have you read about the subject. Tutors like to see evidence of reading outside the scope of your Higher Qualification syllabus, but only put down things that you have read well, as you may be asked about them at interview.
Particular interests you have in your current studies.
Work experience or voluntary work, particularly if it relevant to your course. This is particularly relevant to Medicine.
2. The Oxford Application Form
The Oxford Application Form must be submitted at the same time as your UCAS form. This form is far shorter than the UCAS form, only two pages long (phew) and is almost entirely administrative. This form goes to the Oxford Colleges Admissions Office (OCAO), allowing them a head start in working out how many candidates are applying in each subject and arranging interviews accordingly.
The only part of this form that is not self-explanatory is the 'Additional Information' box, which invites you to fill in any additional information that you did not put in your UCAS personal statement. This is most often used when a student applies to Oxford for a slightly different course than they have applied to other Universities for, for instance PPE (Politics, Philosophy and Economics) is not offered at many other institutions, so the UCAS personal statement might have focused only on Economics. Other than that, feel free to put down any additional information you feel that the tutors interviewing you would find useful, but do not feel you have to put anything in this box if there is nothing to add - don't make something up for the sake of it!
You should receive a copy of the Oxford Application Form from your school when you tell them that you are applying here. However, if you are not applying through a school, or need more information, the form is online here.
3. Written Work
Many applicants to Oxford will be asked to provide at least two samples of written work for the tutors to assess. Details can be found through the Subject Guide of what should be submitted for each course and when the deadlines are. All written work must be in English (but see also Modern Languages and Joint Schools with Modern Languages).
A completed cover sheet (see Application Material) must be attached to the front of each piece of written work. Try to photocopy everything you send - it is a good idea to read through this work again if you are called for interview.
If you are worried about what you can offer, do not hesitate to contact the admissions office of your college of choice or
, who will suggest suitable alternatives.
Try to send up ordinary marked schoolwork. Do not try to write special pieces to impress the tutors - all they are trying to do is get an idea of your standard level of written work, and find a potential topic of conversation for interview.
