Selecting a university involves considering its prestige, how it can help your career, and the overall student life it offers. Oxford provides top-notch teaching and research, a long-standing college system, and a good history of getting graduates into jobs. It often ranks high globally, draws students internationally, and gives great access to resources like libraries, museums, research centres, and industry connections.
Oxford is consistently one of the world’s top universities in global league tables. The QS World University Rankings for 2026 place Oxford 4th worldwide, based on its academic and employer standing, research influence, and international perspective.
Understanding Rankings:
Different ranking systems use different approaches. QS emphasizes academic and employer surveys plus citations per faculty member. THE (Times Higher Education) puts more weight on teaching, research, citations, and international factors. Oxford does well in many areas, which explains its consistent high ranking in most major tables.
Advice for Applicants:
Rankings show worldwide recognition, but applicants should also consider a department's standing, fit within a college, and teaching style when picking a course. Focus on subject-specific rankings, not just the overall rank, when deciding what to study.
Oxford admissions are competitive, and the standards change based on the course.
Course-Level Differences
How Oxford Evaluates Applicants
Oxford is a collegiate university, not a multi-campus one. Its teaching and research are based in the city of Oxford, and the college system is key to the student experience.
Colleges and Halls: Oxford has 36 colleges, three societies, and four permanent private halls. Each college is self-governing and offers housing, tutorials, support, and social events. Students join both a college and the university.
Why colleges matter: Colleges host many tutorials (small-group teaching sessions). They influence your academic and social life and often offer financial aid and scholarships. Colleges differ in size, housing, facilities, and traditions. Many applicants state college choices, while others ask for open assignment.
City setting and facilities: Oxford has many libraries (like the Bodleian), museums (like the Ashmolean), research centers, and ties to industry and culture. It is close to London and Europe for internships, conferences, and trips.
Oxford has four divisions that provide different programs for graduates and undergraduates: Humanities, Mathematical, Physical Life Sciences, Medical Sciences, and Social Sciences.
Typical undergraduate courses:
Graduate programs:
Master's degrees, research degrees, professional doctorates, and DPhils (PhDs) are offered in many subjects. A lot of departments have master's programs such as an MSc in Computer Science, or an MSc in Evidence-Based Social Intervention.
Things to know:
Choosing a course:
Carefully read course pages to understand the structure, requirements such as a year abroad, how the course is graded, and admission test needs. If you can, go to open days and sample lectures.
Here's a brief table showing typical fee ranges and major scholarship programs. Keep in mind that fees differ by course and are updated each year. Always check the Oxford course page for the most current information.
| Student Group | Typical Course Fees (per Year) | Typical Living Costs (per Year) | Major Scholarship Examples |
| Home (UK) undergraduates | £9,535 (2025/26 guidance; subject to government cap — check latest) | £17,100–£24,420 (estimated living costs per year; colleges can reduce some costs) | Oxford bursaries, college hardship funds |
| Overseas (international) undergraduates | £35,000–£58,000 (typical range depending on course — e.g., humanities at lower end; clinical and laboratory-intensive courses at higher end) | £17,100–£24,420 (same living cost guidance applies) | Oxford International Scholarships, Reach Oxford Scholarship |
| Postgraduate (UK/home) | £10,000–£45,000+ (wide range depending on master’s or research programme) | £17,100–£24,420 (varies by course length and personal spending) | Clarendon Scholarships (fully funded), UK Research Council funding |
| Postgraduate (international) | £20,000–£50,000+ (many master’s programmes fall between £25k–£45k) | £17,100–£24,420 | Clarendon Scholarships (fully funded), college scholarships, departmental studentships |
Colleges are very involved in housing students, mostly first-year undergraduates.
On-college housing
• Most colleges make sure that first-year undergraduates have housing, often in college rooms with shared or private bathrooms. Colleges usually provide food or kitchens.
Graduate housing
• Many colleges also have rooms or apartments for graduate students, but it depends. The Graduate Housing Service and college websites have lists and waiting lists.
Off-campus housing
• There are private rentals and student housing all over the city. Prices change based on location and type (shared flat or studio). Plan for rent, council tax (if needed), utilities, and council deposits.
Budgeting
• Colleges sometimes lower the cost of meals, events, and facilities, which lowers living costs. Apply for college housing early and check the college housing pages for prices and contract lengths.
Here’s a guide for UK applicants, and international applicants from a UK point of view, for both undergraduate and graduate study.
Step 1: Carefully read the course page for required subjects, admission tests (like BMAT, LNAT, MAT), and the typical A-level/IB grades needed.
Step 2: Sign up for tests early. Test dates vary, with some in the fall, so check when your test is.
Step 3: Oxford wants UCAS applications earlier than many UK universities. Check the specific date for the current year. Applications include your personal statement, predicted or achieved grades, and a reference.
Step 4: Some courses need writing samples or portfolios, such as English or History of Art. Follow the department's guidance closely.
Step 5: Applicants who make the shortlist get invited to interviews, either in person or online. Interviews check your subject knowledge, thinking, and potential, not just what you already know.
Step 6: Offers can depend on grades (like A\*AA) or be unconditional, based on your qualifications and situation. If you get an offer, use UCAS to accept, hold, or decline it.
Step 7: If you get a spot, apply for college housing and look into funding options like college support, central scholarships, and government loans if you can get them.
Step 1: See department pages for research ideas, supervisor availability, and specific must-haves.
Step 2: Expect to need academic transcripts, a CV, a research idea (for research degrees), references, and proof of English if it's needed.
Step 3: Deadlines change based on the course and funding. Many Clarendon scholarship candidates must apply by the December/January deadline to get looked at automatically.
Step 4: Apply for college/department scholarships and outside funding as early as you can. Clarendon looks at eligible applicants on its own.
Step 5: If accepted, follow the university's directions for signing up, visa help for overseas students, and college placement.
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Studying at Oxford is generally more expensive than most UK universities due to higher tuition fees, college fees, and living costs. Compared to other top universities like Cambridge, Imperial, or UCL, Oxford’s costs are similar academically but living expenses are often higher because of accommodation and daily expenses.
Most postgraduate programmes at Oxford have December or January deadlines, especially for courses that offer funding. Some programmes may accept applications until March, but early application is strongly recommended to be considered for scholarships.
Yes, Oxford offers part-time and flexible study options, mainly at postgraduate level, particularly through its Department for Continuing Education. Fully online degrees are limited, but some programmes include online or blended learning components.
International students typically need excellent academic results, equivalent to top UK grades. For undergraduate courses, this often means outstanding school qualifications, while postgraduate applicants usually require a strong first-class or high upper-second-class degree equivalent.
Oxford is highly competitive, with an overall acceptance rate of around 15–17%, varying by course. Competitive programmes may have much lower acceptance rates, reflecting Oxford’s high academic standards rather than a fixed quota.
Visiting students usually apply through specific departments or colleges, rather than the central admissions system. Requirements include academic transcripts, a study proposal, and approval from the host department at Oxford.
International undergraduate tuition fees typically range from £35,000 to over £48,000 per year, depending on the subject. Postgraduate fees vary widely by programme and can range from £30,000 to £45,000+ annually.
A full and up-to-date list of undergraduate courses is available on Oxford’s official admissions website, where programmes are listed by subject area along with entry requirements and course details.
Oxford accepts IELTS Academic, TOEFL iBT, and Cambridge English qualifications. Most courses require IELTS scores between 7.0 and 7.5, with higher requirements for courses involving extensive academic writing.
Most taught Master’s programmes at Oxford are one year full-time, although some part-time options extend to two years or more, depending on the structure of the programme.
Yes, tuition fees vary by subject, with science, medicine, and engineering courses costing more than humanities and social sciences. College fees are generally standard across colleges.
International students should begin preparing 12–18 months in advance, especially if admission tests, interviews, or funding applications are involved. Early preparation improves chances of meeting academic and financial requirements.
Yes, many Oxford courses require subject-specific admission tests and interviews, particularly at undergraduate level. These are used to assess academic potential beyond grades alone.
Undergraduate admissions focus heavily on school qualifications, admission tests, and interviews, while postgraduate admissions emphasise academic background, research interest, references, and sometimes work experience.
Yes, international students can usually work up to 20 hours per week during term time and full-time during vacations, subject to UK visa conditions and university guidelines.
