Applying to Oxbridge: Your Guide to Securing a Spot at Oxford and Cambridge

Dreaming of studying at Oxford or Cambridge—aka Oxbridge—two of the world’s most prestigious universities? It’s not just a dream; it can be your reality with the right preparation. These iconic schools are known for their top-notch education, vibrant student life, and a history of shaping global leaders. But getting in isn’t easy—it takes early planning, dedication, and a standout profile. The good news? You’re at the perfect stage to start building that profile in Grades 9 and 10! 

Keshav Sheshadri, one of our top performers who got accepted by Cambridge for an Engineering major. In addition to excelling in his academics, he pursued his passion for aerospace engineering beyond the classroom by participating in F1 in Schools, winning the UK Space Design Competition and interning at an avionics company. A standout achievement in Keshav’s academic journey was his research paper, published in a leading international journal. This paper used Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) to study how downforce is created in Formula 1 cars and analyze the airflow around key parts of the 2010 McLaren, like the F-Duct.

Likewise, Vidit Goel, a bright young student from Gabon, secured an admit to the prestigious University of Oxford for its Economics major. A key highlight of his profile was the research paper that he wrote under the aegis of an eminent professor on ‘Fast Fashion’ to investigate the concept of fast fashion, and evaluate its detrimental economic, environmental, and social impacts in contemporary society.

Like Keshav and Vidit, you can also make your dream come true with proper planning and expert guidance. Let’s dive into this exciting journey together! This guide is designed just for you, breaking down the steps to apply to Oxbridge in a way that’s fun, clear, and packed with tips to get you on the right track.

Step 1: Start Early—Explore your Course Options

The successful journey for Oxbridge usually starts in grade 9. This is the time to decide if Oxbridge is your goal and to start shaping your academic and extracurricular profile. First, think about what subject excites you most.

Oxford offers around 48 amazing courses, so take time to explore what fits your interests—maybe you love solving math problems (Mathematics), exploring more about Human anatomy (Medicine), or debating big ideas (PPE—Philosophy, Politics, and Economics).

Cambridge offers around 30 courses, including unique ones like Linguistics or Natural Sciences, where you can explore different sciences before specializing. 

Watch virtual open days or read student blogs to get a feel for what studying there is like. Knowing your course early helps you focus your preparation and shows Oxbridge you’re serious about your choice.

Next, pick the right subjects for your board exams. If you’re in CBSE or ICSE, choose streams that match your dream course—for example, Science with Chemistry and Biology/Maths if you’re aiming for Medicine, or Commerce with Mathematics for Economics. IB students should go for Higher Level subjects like HL Math for Engineering or HL English for Law.

Aim for top grades (95 %+ in CBSE/ICSE, or 6/7 in IB) because Oxbridge loves academic stars! Also, get involved in activities that show your passion—pursue a research paper, design or build something if you’re into Engineering, or chair a debate team for Law. Try summer programs, online courses, or even read books related to your field (e.g., The Selfish Gene by Richard Dawkins for Biology). Building a strong profile early sets you apart when you apply in Grade 12. 

Step 2: Understand the Academic Requirements

Oxbridge expects you to be a top student, so your grades must shine. By Grade 11 and 12, aim for the best scores in your board exams—think A*A*A* or A*A*A if you’re doing A-levels, 95 %+ in CBSE/ICSE along with APs, or 42+ (total 45) points in IB. Some courses have specific subject requirements; for example, Medicine needs Chemistry and Biology, while Mathematics and Engineering at Cambridge require top marks in Math and Further Math for A-level students. You’ll also need to take entrance exams for most courses, which test your skills in your chosen subject. These exams are a big deal, so start practicing early—about 3–6 months before the test date—using past papers from the university websites. The table below lists the requirements and tests for popular courses to help you plan. 

CBSE/ICSE students aiming to apply to Cambridge University should appear for at least five Advanced Placement (AP) courses and score a grade of 5 in each, as this is a typical requirement set by Cambridge for admission across all programs.

Key Oxbridge Courses: Requirements and Tests

Here’s a handy table which has different courses with their academic and entrance test requirements.

University	Course	Academic Requirements	Entrance Test
Oxford	Medicine	A-level: AAA (A in Chemistry + Biology/Math); CBSE: 95%+ in Chemistry, Biology/Math, 90%+ overall; IB: 42 points, 766 at HL (Chemistry + Biology/Math)	UCAT   (University Clinical Aptitude Test)
Oxford	PPE	A-level: AAA (Math/History recommended); CBSE: 95 %+ in Math/History, 90 %+ overall; IB: 42 points, 666 at HL	TSA (Thinking Skills Assessment)
Oxford	Mathematics	A-level: AAA (A in Math + Further Math); CBSE: 95%+ in Math, 90%+ overall; IB: 42 points, 766 at HL (Math)	MAT (Mathematics Admissions Test)
Oxford	Law	A-level: AAA (Essay subjects recommended); CBSE: 95 %+ in English/History, 90 %+ overall; IB: 38 points, 666 at HL	LNAT (Law National Aptitude Test)
Oxford	Physics	A-level: AAA (A in Physics + Math); CBSE: 91%+ in Physics, Math, 95%+ overall; IB: 42 points, 766 at HL (Physics, Math)	PAT (Physics Aptitude Test)
Oxford	Engineering	A-level: A*AA (Math + Physics); CBSE: 91%+ in Math, Physics, 90%+ overall; IB: 42 points, 766 at HL (Math, Physics)	PAT (Physics Aptitude Test)
Oxford	English	A-level: AAA (English Literature required); CBSE: 91 %+ in English, 95 %+ overall; IB: 42 points, 666 at HL (English)	ELAT (English Literature Admissions Test)
Cambridge	Medicine	A-level: A*AA (Chemistry + Biology/Math); CBSE: 95%+ in Chemistry, Biology/Math, 90%+ overall; IB: 40–42 points, 776 at HL (Chemistry + Biology/Math)	UCAT (University Clinical Aptitude Test)
Cambridge	Engineering	A-level: AAA (Math + Physics); CBSE: 95%+ in Math, Physics, 90%+ overall; IB: 40–42 points, 776 at HL (Math, Physics)	ESAT (University Clinical Aptitude Test)
Cambridge	Economics	A-level: AAA (A* in Math); CBSE: 95%+ in Math, 90%+ overall; IB: 40–42 points, 776 at HL (Math)	TMUA (Test of Mathematics for University Admission)
Cambridge	Computer Science	A-level: AAA (A* in Math); CBSE: 95%+ in Math, 90%+ overall; IB: 40–42 points, 776 at HL (Math)	TMUA (Test of Mathematics for University Admission)
Cambridge	Mathematics	A-level: AAA (A* in Math + Further Math); CBSE: 95%+ in Math, 90%+ overall; IB: 40–42 points, 776 at HL (Math)	STEP (Sixth Term Examination Paper)

Step 3: Get Ready for the Application Process

When you reach Grade 12, it’s time to apply through UCAS (University and College Admissions Service). The timeline is strict, so stay on top of it:

• May/June: Register for entrance test, as UCAT registration usually opens in May and booking available from June until mid-September.

• October 15 (Grade 12): Submit your UCAS application, including your personal statement and any extra written work some courses need.

• November: If shortlisted, you’ll be invited for interviews, which happen in December.

• December: Attend interviews, where you’ll tackle subject-specific tasks (more on this later).

• January–March: Get your admission decision—offers are often conditional, meaning you need to hit those top grades in your final exams.

  
  

Mark these dates on your calendar now so you’re ready when the time comes!

Step 4: Write a Compelling Statement of Purpose (SOP)

Starting 2025, the UCAS personal statement has changed. Instead of a single 4,000-character essay, you now need to answer three specific questions, still within a total of 4,000 characters. These questions are: 1) Why do you want to study this course or subject?—share your passion and what excites you about it. 2) How have your qualifications and studies prepared you for this course?—talk about your school subjects and skills that match the course. 3) What else have you done to prepare outside of education, and why are these experiences helpful?— Use these prompts to focus your answers and highlight why you’re a great fit!  Be honest and specific, and avoid overused lines like “I’ve always wanted to study this.” Make it all about you and your journey! 

To know more about the latest format, read here.

Step 5: Secure a Strong Recommendation

Oxbridge needs a Letter of Recommendation (LOR) from your school counselor, which they send directly to the university through UCAS. Your counselor should talk about your critical thinking, problem-solving, and love for your subject—things Oxbridge really values. Help them by sharing your achievements, like a great project or a leadership role in a club. Meet them in Grade 11 to discuss your goals, so they can write a letter that makes you stand out.

Step 6: Prepare for the Interview

If you’re shortlisted, you’ll have an interview in December of Grade 12. These interviews test how you think, not just what you know. At Oxford, each interview lasts about 20 minutes, and for courses like Medicine, Law, or Mathematics, you’ll likely have 2 to 3 interviews. Cambridge also holds them in December, and some courses might ask for a short written task first, like an essay for English. You could be asked to solve a problem (e.g., a tricky Math equation) or discuss an idea (e.g., an ethical question for PPE). To get ready, practice explaining your thoughts out loud—maybe with a friend or a Counselor. Review your essays, brush up on your subjects, and try mock interviews to feel confident.

Step 7: Keep Up the Hard Work

After interviews, you’ll hear back between January and March. If you get an offer, it’s usually conditional—you’ll need to meet the grade requirements in your final exams (e.g., A*AA). Keep studying hard in Grade 12 to hit those targets. Also, the skills you build for Oxbridge—like top grades, critical thinking, and great essays—will help you apply to other top UK universities like LSE, UCL, Imperial, or KCL. Your Oxbridge prep gives you a head start everywhere!

Final Thoughts

Applying to Oxbridge is a big challenge, but it’s also an incredible opportunity to grow and aim high. As a Grade 9 or 10 student, you’re in the perfect spot to start this journey—building your profile now will make the process smoother later. Follow these steps, stay focused, and let your passion for your subject shine through. With hard work and a clear plan, you can secure a spot at Oxford or Cambridge and kickstart an amazing future. You’ve got this!

EZScholar is an expert university admissions consultant and test prep organization which works with bright and ambitious students seeking admissions to Ivy Leagues, Oxbridge, Stanford, MIT, UC Berkeley, University of Toronto and other top global universities. Our experts have helped thousands of students with their profile building, research papers, extracurriculars, co-curriculars, test prep and admissions essays.

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