Frequently Asked Questions
Commonly Asked Questions
Find below a list of some commonly asked questions about the Oxford and Cambridge University application process. If you have a question that is not covered here, contact us and we can advise you on the next steps based on your goals.
Support can be tailored from one-off sessions to full end-to-end guidance across personal statement, admissions tests, interview preparation, and application strategy.
Personal Statement
There is no set ‘formula’ for writing a personal statement, in fact, the ‘perfect’ statement doesn’t exist. As it says in the name, a personal statement should be ‘personal’ and needs to come from you. Your statement should show why you want to study the specific courses that you have applied to at all five universities (not just Oxford or Cambridge), and reflect your academic self, interests, motivations, and potential. We always advise that, in addition to any support that we can offer, you also ask the opinion of two or three third parties, such as your teachers or parents.
Our Premier Service includes a face-to-face personal statement discussion session with a mentor and a review with a former Admissions Tutor. For those that register on our site, we offer a whole raft of free personal statement resources, including a guide on how to start out, writing action plans, hints and tips on structure, and subject-specific tools and examples.
Admission Tests
Interview
Tutors look for strong academic potential, intellectual curiosity, subject depth, and the ability to think clearly under challenge, especially in tests and interviews.
No. Admissions decisions are based on your submitted application and performance. Support is designed to improve your readiness, not to change the formal process.
Yes. We also support applicants targeting other selective UK universities where strategic planning, personal statements, tests, and interviews matter.
No. Universities do not evaluate you negatively for applying to Oxbridge. A strong application profile usually strengthens your options overall.
Not necessarily. Strong GCSEs help, but admissions decisions consider your full academic context, predicted grades, school performance profile, and later-stage assessments.
In most cases, yes. Universities usually require accepted English language qualifications unless you meet an exemption pathway.
Start with course availability, then compare teaching structure, location, facilities, and college culture. A realistic shortlist is usually better than chasing perceived prestige.