Is it easier to get into Cambridge or Oxford as an international student?

It's extremely difficult for any student, but recent data suggests Cambridge might have a marginally higher acceptance rate for international applicants than Oxford, though both are incredibly competitive, demanding near-perfect academic records, subject mastery, and exceptional test/interview performance, with success rates for international students often below 10-12%. Your chances depend more on your specific course, country, and qualifications than a significant difference between the two, as you must be in the top few percent of applicants globally.

Is it easier to get into Oxford or Cambridge as an international student?

The success rates for international students are even lower, with only 7.6% of applicants accepted at Oxford and 11.1% at Cambridge in 2024.

Is it harder for international students to get into Cambridge?

The University of Cambridge is one of the most competitive universities in the world, especially for those outside of the UK. To apply, you will need to complete a variety of difficult tasks to prove yourself as a worthy applicant.

Is it harder for international students to get into Oxford?

It is considerably harder getting into Oxford as an international student, completing the IB Diploma and A-Levels will not assure you a seat at Oxford but can definitely aid you in the process moving forward.

Is it easier to get into Oxford or Cambridge for maths?

Cambridge CS is easier to get into. It's also far easier to get a Cambridge maths offer but passing the STEP condition is very difficult (around 50% of offer holders fail to do so).

Study Abroad - HIGHEST ROI - USA vs UK vs Germany vs UAE vs India

Do you need all 9s for Oxbridge?

First, let's look at what GCSEs you will need to get into Oxford. Oxford has explained its stance on GCSE results in multiple places. In all instances, the same message is made fairly clear; there are no set GCSE requirements but it is recommended that applicants have a high proportion of 7, 8 and 9 Grades.

What's the hardest university to get into in the UK?

London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), University of Oxford, University of Cambridge, University of St Andrews, and Imperial College London are the most competitive universities in the UK.

How hard is it for an American to get into Oxford?

Getting into Oxford as an American is extremely challenging, with overall acceptance rates around 14% and lower for US students (around 6-9%), due to intense competition and different academic expectations focusing on deep subject knowledge, rigorous entrance exams, and exceptional grades (like AAA-AAA or 3+ APs with 5s + high SAT/ACT) rather than holistic US-style extracurriculars. Americans face a tougher hurdle because US high school systems often don't align with Oxford's demand for specialized, focused academic depth, requiring outstanding scores and essays demonstrating passion for the specific course. 

What is the easiest elite college to get into?

Cornell, Dartmouth, and Penn are generally viewed as slightly more accessible, while Harvard, Columbia, and Yale are known for their extremely low acceptance rates. These rankings can shift based on applicant pool size, institutional priorities, and early versus regular decision outcomes.

Can international students apply to both Oxford and Cambridge?

Choose which course you would like to study. You can only apply to one course at Oxford, and you can't apply to Oxford and Cambridge in the same year. Read more information on all our courses.

Do you need all 9s to get into Cambridge?

Yes, your grades will need to really dazzle. GCSEs are seen as evidence of work ethic – and you need a really strong one of those to cope with studying at Oxford or Cambridge. Our guesstimate is that the average successful applicant has around eight 8/9 grade GCSEs under their belt.

What is the #1 hardest school to get into?

There isn't one single #1 hardest school, as it varies slightly by year and source, but Harvard University, Stanford University, MIT, and Caltech consistently rank among the top, often with acceptance rates below 4%, with some lists pointing to Harvard or even Minerva University as the absolute lowest (around 1-3%) due to extreme competition and high standards. 

How hard is it for an American to go to Cambridge?

Getting into Cambridge as an American is extremely difficult, requiring near-perfect scores (5s in 5+ APs, SAT 1450-1500+ or ACT 32-35+) for its highly competitive ~21-22% overall acceptance rate, plus mandatory subject-specific tests and intense interviews, often seeing success rates below 10% for US applicants in some years. Success hinges on exceptional grades, top standardized test scores, relevant AP/IB scores, subject-specific tests (like the STEP for Maths or BMAT/UCAT for Medicine), and demonstrating deep subject passion in interviews, as they seek top global talent, not just typical US applicants. 

Can you get into Cambridge with a * a * a?

Although a general offer from Cambridge would require A*A*A-A*AA at A level, many courses or colleges include specific subject requirements that you need to meet. Even if your chosen course does not have any/many specific A level subject requirements, you should check Cambridge's general subject preferences here.

How many Americans get into Oxford?

Yes, getting into Oxford as an American can be challenging. The acceptance rate typically ranges between 13% and 17%, making it comparable to the most competitive universities worldwide, including Ivy League schools.

What is the easiest UK university to get into?

UK Universities with High Acceptance Rate | Easiest Universities in UK

• Aberystwyth University – 96.1% (Offers extended to students who apply)
• University of Roehampton – 93.9%
• Bishop Grosseteste University – 92.2%
• University of Portsmouth – 89.9%
• York St John University – 89.4%
• Leeds Trinity University – 89%

Where do top 1% send kids to college?

The "top 1%" of students, often defined by family income, tend to go to highly selective, elite universities like Dartmouth, Yale, Penn, Brown, Princeton, and Stanford, MIT, and Harvard, with some Ivy League schools having a higher concentration of these students than the bottom 60% of income earners. Rankings vary, but MIT, Princeton, Harvard, Stanford, and UC Berkeley consistently appear at the top for overall academic standing, attracting top talent across all income levels. 

Where do the 1% go to college?

The 1% of the wealthiest Americans disproportionately attend highly selective, elite universities, particularly Ivy League schools (Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Dartmouth, Brown, Penn, Columbia) and other top institutions like MIT, Stanford, Duke, and UChicago, where they make up a large percentage of the student body, often outnumbering students from the bottom 60% of income earners combined. Liberal arts colleges and prestigious public universities also attract many wealthy students, with specific examples including WashU St. Louis, UVA, UCLA, UC Berkeley, Vanderbilt, and Johns Hopkins.
 

What is the easiest little ivy to get into?

The "easiest" Little Ivy to get into depends on your profile, but Lafayette College often shows higher acceptance rates (around 30-40%) compared to highly selective schools like Swarthmore or Bowdoin (often <10%), making it more accessible for strong students, while schools like Union College are also targets with higher acceptance rates; however, "easy" is relative, as all Little Ivies are selective, with Union (around 40-44%) and Lafayette (around 30-34%) generally being less exclusive than Amherst, Williams, or Swarthmore. 

How many Americans get into Cambridge?

Hence your admission success is based solely on your academic merit and potential. 5.7% of the international applicants documented in the table above were US citizens. Hence, there were 427 US applicants; 39 of these were admitted and 23 accepted. So, the US success rate at Cambridge for 2022 was as low as 5.4%!

What is the easiest degree to get into at Oxford?

What are the easiest courses to get into at Oxford?

• Music.
• Classics & Modern languages.
• Theology & Religion.
• Modern Languages & Linguistics.
• Modern Languages.
• Classics.

Is it harder for international students to get into Oxbridge?

Applying to study at the University of Oxford is difficult for anyone, but the chances of success for international applicants are even lower. However, it is not impossible, so this guide will explain all of the steps you will need to complete to apply to Oxford and get your dream offer.

What is the easiest Russell Group to get into?

While all Russell Group universities are academically rigorous and globally respected, some are relatively more accessible than others. Based on offer rates and entrance standards, universities such as Liverpool, Queen Mary (QMUL), Nottingham, Newcastle, and Cardiff emerge as the easiest Russell Groups to get into.

Does applying early increase my chances?

Students who apply early—whether through binding or non-binding admissions programs—tend to matriculate at higher rates, so admitting a sizable percentage of students early can increase a school's yield.

What is the #1 hardest college to get into?

There isn't one single #1 hardest school, as it varies slightly by year and source, but Harvard University, Stanford University, MIT, and Caltech consistently rank among the top, often with acceptance rates below 4%, with some lists pointing to Harvard or even Minerva University as the absolute lowest (around 1-3%) due to extreme competition and high standards.