Why can't I apply to both Oxford and Cambridge?

You can't apply to both Oxford and Cambridge for undergraduate study in the same year because of their unique, resource-intensive, and personalized admissions processes, which would be overwhelmed by double applications, leading to wasted interviews and difficulty for colleges to manage intake for small tutorial groups. This rule, established under UCAS for undergrads, ensures focused attention on each candidate, preventing competition and ensuring fair use of limited interview slots.

Can you apply for both Oxford and Cambridge?

You cannot apply to Cambridge and Oxford in the same year. You can only submit one application to Cambridge in a year. Make sure you're happy with the course you're applying for and with your College choice.

Why can't you apply to Cambridge and Oxford?

It's not that you're not allowed to. It's that you can't apply to both (except for Organ Scholarships). You don't apply directly to British universities. Applications go through UCAS. UCAS doesn't let you put both Oxford and Cambridge on the form as two of your choices.

Can you apply to both Oxford and Cambridge if you play the organ?

Organ award applicants may apply to both Oxford and Cambridge. The timetables of the auditions at the two universities are designed in order that this is possible.

What is the hardest UK university to get into?

What Are the Hardest Universities to Get into UK? University of Oxford, University of Cambridge, University College London, and the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) are frequently regarded as the most competitive and hardest universities to get into in the UK.

So, You Got Rejected From Oxbridge?

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. 

Which is the easiest Russell Group University 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.

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.

What is the best organ in Oxford?

The Dobson Organ in Merton College Chapel is one of the finest mechanical action organs in the UK.

Why do Oxford and Cambridge have sister colleges?

Most of the pairings reflect similarities between the two colleges concerned, often parallel histories. For example, University College, Oxford (an ancient and prestigious college, founded 1249) is paired with Trinity Hall, Cambridge (of equivalent reputation, founded 1350).

Do you need all 9s to get into Oxford?

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.

Why did Cambridge leave Oxford?

It was against this background that our founders fled Oxford in 1209 and settled in the newly-chartered town of Cambridge. The townsfolk of Oxford had hanged two clerks for a murder of which they were apparently innocent; the king backed the townsmen, and the scholars dispersed for five years.

Can I ask Oxford why I got rejected?

Colleges are not required to provide feedback to applicants. However, if you wish to receive further information on any aspect of an application, you can make a request, preferably in writing, to the Tutor for Admissions of the relevant college.

Why can't I apply to Cambridge and Oxford?

Oxford-Cambridge Rivalry

Put simply, one of the main reasons why you can't apply to both Oxford and Cambridge is that each university wants to encourage strong applicants to pick it as its institution of choice.

What's more prestigious, Oxford or Cambridge?

University Rankings and Global Reputation

Both Oxford and Cambridge consistently rank among the top universities globally. According to the 2024 Times Higher Education World University Rankings, Oxford holds 1st place worldwide, while Cambridge ranks 5th.

Does Oxford accept dual enrollment?

Dual/joint enrollment course work will be evaluated, and students may receive credit at Oxford College, provided their performance is creditable, does not count toward high school graduation, and work consists of acceptable college- level courses as determined by the assistant dean for academic affairs.

What is the happiest college in Oxford?

Brasenose is one of the old mid-sized colleges located in Radcliffe Square with a stunning view of the Radcliffe Camera. With its warm and inclusive sense of community, Brasenose is known for being the “happiest” college.

What is the wealthiest college in Oxford?

St John's College is generally considered Oxford's wealthiest college, followed by Christ Church and All Souls College, primarily due to substantial landholdings, especially St John's vast North Oxford estate, with Magdalen College also ranking high in assets, though wealth varies, with some poorer colleges offering expensive accommodation while wealthier ones might have cheaper options due to larger endowments, and an equalisation fund exists to help poorer colleges.
 

What is the hardest college to get into in Oxford?

The hardest Oxford college to get into varies slightly by year and course, but Magdalen College consistently ranks as one of the most competitive due to high application numbers and low acceptance rates (around 9-10%), while Balliol and Brasenose are also extremely competitive with low success rates, often linked to popular subjects and high applicant interest. However, for graduate fellowships, All Souls College is considered the most difficult, featuring arguably the world's hardest exam. 

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. 

Which is richer, Cambridge or Oxford?

Of all of the colleges of Oxford and Cambridge, Trinity College, Cambridge is the wealthiest. How wealthy? Cambridge University as a whole has assets of approximately £4 billion, with Oxford coming second with £3.3 billion, and all other British universities – yes, all of them– totalling £2 billion.

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.

What is the lowest ranked Russell Group university?

Some Russell Group universities ranked far lower on this table, though, with three universities ranking 50 or below, including Queen Mary University of London and the University of Nottingham. The lowest-ranked university was Newcastle University of London, at 81st.

Does "easiest" mean less competitive?

Acceptance rate compares the total number of students that apply to the number of students that are accepted. Colleges with higher acceptance rates are generally considered easier to get into as they are less competitive.

What are the most popular courses at Oxbridge?

Most Popular Oxford University Courses

• Master of Business Administration (MBA)
• Master of Science (MSc) in Advanced Computer Science.
• MSc in Environmental Change and Management.
• MSc in Energy Systems.
• MSc in Theoretical and Computational Chemistry.
• Minimum Requirements for Bachelor's Courses.