University of Oxford – An Overview
The University of Oxford, a historical beacon of academia, stands as a testament to enduring excellence in education, research, and innovation. Its origins date back to the 12th century, making it the oldest university in the English-speaking world. Oxford’s rich history is interwoven with the intellectual growth of Western civilization, having educated numerous global leaders, Nobel laureates, and pioneers across various fields.
Postal address
University of Oxford, University Offices, Wellington Square, Oxford OX1 2JD, United KingdomTelephone: +44 1865 270000
Fax: +44 1865 270708Achievements and Research Innovation: Oxford’s achievements are numerous, but its recent recognition as the world’s top university for a record eighth consecutive year is particularly noteworthy. This accolade reflects the university’s comprehensive strength across teaching, research, international outlook, and industry links. At the heart of Oxford’s success is its groundbreaking research and innovation, which have led to significant technology transfers and societal impacts. For instance, the development of the Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine is a prime example of research that has had a global influence, distributed in over 170 countries.
University Rankings: In terms of rankings, Oxford consistently excels, securing the top spot in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings and maintaining high positions in other prestigious rankings such as The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide and the QS World Rankings. These rankings underscore Oxford’s commitment to research excellence and its influential role in shaping the future of higher education.
Technology Transfer: Oxford University Innovation manages the technology transfer process, facilitating the translation of research breakthroughs into commercial opportunities. This includes a wide range of success stories, from medical advancements to sustainable energy solutions.
The University of Oxford continues to be a global leader in education, offering a transformative experience that extends beyond the classroom to shape the leaders of tomorrow. The University of Oxford offers a wide array of programs for international students, each with its own fee structure and entry requirements. Here’s a comprehensive overview:
Undergraduate Programs:
- Humanities: Including courses like Philosophy, History, and Literature.
- Sciences: Covering Biology, Physics, Chemistry, and more.
- Social Sciences: Such as Economics, Politics, and Sociology.
- Mathematics and Computer Science: Including specialized courses in AI and Data Science.
Postgraduate Programs:
- Masters: Across various disciplines including MSc, MA, and MPhil.
- Doctoral: PhD programs in numerous research areas.
- MBA: Offered by the Saïd Business School.
Fee Structure:
- Undergraduate: Fees vary by program and are subject to change. International students can expect to pay between £25,740 and £36,065 per year.
- Postgraduate: Fees for postgraduate courses also vary. For example, the MBA program has a fee of £59,490.
Entry Requirements:
- Undergraduate: Typically require top grades in your country’s secondary school qualifications or the equivalent of A-levels, along with English language proficiency.
- Postgraduate: A first-class or strong upper second-class undergraduate degree with honors in the relevant field, and English language proficiency.
Scholarships for International Students: Oxford offers a plethora of scholarships for international students, ensuring that the brightest minds have access to its educational resources regardless of financial background. Scholarships include the Clarendon Fund, Rhodes Scholarships, and various country-specific awards like the Oxford-Weidenfeld and Hoffmann Scholarships and Leadership Programme. Additionally, partnerships with organizations such as the Chevening Scholarship and the Rotary Foundation Scholarship provide further opportunities for international students.
Admission requirements for 2025 entry
Below is a summary of each course’s requirements.
Please check the course page for details.
Course | Entrance requirements (at A-level or equivalent) |
Subject choices | Test | Written work |
Archaeology and Anthropology | AAA | ▲ Combination of arts and science subjects | None | Two pieces |
Asian and Middle Eastern Studies | AAA | ▲ A language
Mastering the ability to handwrite is a mandatory core element for Japanese, Chinese and Korean. |
None | Two pieces |
Biochemistry (Molecular and Cellular) | A*AA including Chemistry and another science or Maths, with the A* in Maths, Physics, Chemistry, or Biology (or a very closely related subject) | ● Chemistry and another science or Maths ■ Maths ▲ Biology (beyond GCSE or equivalent) |
None | None |
Biology | A*AA (with the A* in a science or Maths) | ● Biology and either Chemistry, Physics or Maths | None | None |
Biomedical Sciences | A*AA excluding Critical Thinking and Thinking Skills | ● Two from Biology, Chemistry, Maths or Physics | To be confirmed | None |
Chemistry | A*A*A (with both A*s in science subjects and/or Maths) | ● Chemistry and Maths ■ Another science or Further Maths |
None | None |
Classical Archaeology and Ancient History | AAA | ▲ A classical language, Classical Civilisation or Ancient History | AHCAAT | Two pieces |
Classics | AAA (with As in Latin and Greek if taken) | ▲ Latin, Ancient Greek, Classical Civilisation, Ancient History or a modern language | CAT | Two pieces |
Classics and Asian and Middle Eastern Studies |
AAA (with As in Latin and Greek if taken) | ▲ Latin, Ancient Greek, Classical Civilisation, Ancient History or a modern language | CAT | Two pieces |
Classics and English | AAA (with As in Latin and Greek if taken) |
● English Literature or English Language and Literature |
Two pieces | |
Classics and Modern Languages | AAA (with As in Latin and Greek if taken) | ● A modern language (depending on course choice) ▲ Latin, Ancient Greek, Classical Civilisation, Ancient History |
One/three pieces | |
Computer Science | A*AA including Maths, with the A* in Maths, Further Maths or Computer Science | ● Maths ■ Further Maths |
MAT | None |
Computer Science and Philosophy | A*AA, including Maths, with the A* in Maths, Further Maths or Computer Science | ● Maths ■ Further Maths |
MAT | None |
Earth Sciences (Geology) | A*AA/AAAA | ● Maths, plus Chemistry or Physics ■ Chemistry or Physics ▲ Biology, Geology, Further Maths |
None | None |
Economics and Management | A*AA (with Maths at A or A*) | ●Maths | TSA: section 1 | None |
Engineering Science | A*A*A (with the A*s in Maths, Further Maths or Physics) | ● Maths and Physics ■ Maths Mechanics modules ▲ Further Maths |
PAT | None |
English Language and Literature | AAA | ● English Literature or English Language and Literature ▲ A language, History |
None | One piece |
English and Modern Languages | AAA | ● A modern language (depending on course choice) and English Literature or English Language and Literature | One/three pieces | |
European and Middle Eastern Languages | AAA | ● A modern language (depending on course choice) | MLAT | Two pieces |
Fine Art | AAA or AAB (for post-A-level applicants on an Art Foundation course) | ■ Art | None | Digital portfolio (but no written work submission required) |
Foundation Year (Chemistry, Engineering and Materials Science) | AAB |
● For Chemistry: Chemistry and Mathematics ● For Engineering: Physics and Mathematics ● For Materials Science: Physics and Mathematics. GCSE Chemistry is also required. Chemistry at A Level is highly recommended. |
None | None |
Foundation Year (Humanities) | BBB |
● B in your most relevant subject |
None | One piece |
Foundation Year (Law) | BBB | ▲ A subject involving essay writing | None | One piece |
Foundation Year (PPE) | BBB | ■ Maths ▲ History |
None | One piece |
Geography | A*AA | ■ Geography | None | None |
History | AAA | ■ History | HAT | One piece |
History (Ancient and Modern) | AAA | ■ History ▲ A classical language, Classical Civilisation, Ancient History |
HAT | One piece |
History and Economics | AAA | ■ History, Maths | One piece (History) | |
History and English | AAA | ● English Literature or English Language and Literature ■ History |
Two pieces | |
History and Modern Languages | AAA | ● A modern language (depending on course choice) ■ History |
One/three pieces | |
History and Politics | AAA | ■ History ▲ Sociology, Politics, Government and Politics |
HAT | One piece (History) |
History of Art | AAA | ● A subject involving essay writing ▲ History of Art, Fine Art, History, English, a language |
None | One piece, one response |
Human Sciences | AAA | ▲ Biology, Maths | TSA | None |
Course | Entrance requirements (at A-level or equivalent) |
Subject choices | Test | Written work |
Law (Jurisprudence) | AAA | ▲ A subject involving essay writing | LNAT | None |
Law with Law Studies in Europe | AAA | ● A relevant modern language (not required for European Law) ▲ A subject involving essay writing |
LNAT | None |
Materials Science | A*AA (with the A* in Maths, Physics or Chemistry) | ● Maths and Physics ■ Chemistry ▲ Further Maths, Design and Technology (Resistant Materials) |
PAT | None |
Mathematics | A*A*A with the A*s in Maths and Further Maths if taken | ● Maths ■ Further Maths |
MAT | None |
Mathematics and Computer Science | A*AA (with A*A in Maths and Further Maths (FM) or A* in Maths if FM is not taken) | ● Maths ■ Further Maths |
MAT | None |
Mathematics and Philosophy | A*A*A with the A*s in Maths and Further Maths if taken | ● Maths ■ Further Maths |
MAT | None |
Mathematics and Statistics | A*A*A with the A*s in Maths and Further Maths if taken | ● Maths ■ Further Maths |
MAT | None |
Medicine | A*AA (excluding Critical Thinking and Thinking Skills) | ● Chemistry with either Maths, Further Maths, Biology or Physics | UCAT | None |
Modern Languages | AAA | ● One or more modern languages (depending on course choice) | MLAT | Two/three pieces |
Modern Languages and Linguistics | AAA | ● A modern language (depending on course choice) ▲ English Language, Maths, a science or any other language |
MLAT | One to three pieces |
Music | AAA | ● Music A-level or Music Theory Grade 7 or above (see Music page for further details) | Performance piece | Three pieces (two essays and one piece of harmony or counterpoint) |
Philosophy and Modern Languages | AAA | ● One or more modern languages (depending on course choice) | MLAT (including Philosophy section) |
One/two pieces |
Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE) | AAA | ■ Maths ▲ History |
TSA | None |
Philosophy and Theology | AAA | ▲ A subject involving essay writing | Philosophy test | One piece |
Physics | A*AA (with the A* in Physics, Maths or Further Maths) | ● Physics and Maths ■ Maths Mechanics modules ▲ Further Maths |
PAT | None |
Physics and Philosophy | A*AA (with the A*in Physics, Maths or Further Maths) | ● Physics and Maths ■ Maths Mechanics modules ▲ Further Maths |
PAT | None |
Psychology (Experimental) | A*AA | ■ One or more science subjects (including Psychology) or Maths | TSA | None |
Psychology, Philosophy and Linguistics | A*AA | ■ For Psychology: one or more science subjects (including Psychology) or Maths ▲ For Linguistics: English Language, Maths, a science or any other language |
TSA | None |
Religion and Asian and Middle Eastern Studies | AAA | ▲ A subject involving essay writing, a language | None | One piece |
Theology and Religion | AAA | ▲ A subject involving essay writing | None | One piece |
For the most accurate and detailed information, including specific course fees and entry requirements, please refer to the University of Oxford’s official website and the admissions requirements page. It’s important to check these resources regularly as requirements and fees may be updated.