How hard is it to get into Oxford/Cambridge university?

Question

I am 14, will be in year 10 in September. I am taking German, geography, history, business studies and additional science + the compulsory subjects [english, english lit, maths, science, religious studies..].

I have decided i want a career in law, however i have not decided which type of lawyer i want to be yet.

Question - Will applying for law in Oxbridge be hard? + Which one is better, Oxford or Cambridge?

Answer 1

read and learn: www.cantabrigian.co.uk

Answer 2

very

Answer 3

Go to a real university instead. Oxford and Cambridge are still full of pompous upper class idiots who thinks the world owes them a seat in parliament.

Answer 4

All i'm gonna say is that aiming for those isn't really worth it. Goo lck with it because they are a bit too selectivem make sure you have the brains for it.

in the end, they are just names you know, like brands

Answer 5

Oxford and Cambridge are two of the best universities in the world. It will take near perfect marks, and a huge amount of money to get into either those schools. I really wish you luck with that, following a career in law is a great idea, but it is very very hard. My sister is a second year law student.

I would also suggest taking a few government law and history courses if your school offers those. Good luck Sweetie, I hope you get in.  

Answer 6

Its very hard. I heard it's 3 A's minimum for Oxford and they prefer 5 A's. I think it is 3A's for Cambridge. But I think it could vary for certain subjects like at most universities.

Answer 7

You need straight A grades at GCSE and at least three A levels at grade A. You can also sit the university's own matriculation examinations in which case other examination passes become irrelevant if you do well enough to be accepted. Before you finish your A levels, based on your predicted grades, you usually apply to one or more colleges that teach the subject (or subjects) you would like too read as an undergraduate and, if you are invited, then get interviewed by the tutors at those colleges that teach the courses you want to enrol on. You then get your A level results and are offered a place or rejected; it's usually easier to get into the "younger" colleges than the "older". Oxford is supposed to be better than Cambridge academically unless you want to study the pure or applied sciences in which case Cambridge is better (and came second in the world after Harvard in the USA).

Based on what you've said about yourself check out Balliol College, Oxford.

http://www.balliol.ox.ac.uk/

Answer 8

It would depend on what subject you wish to study. Law and medicine obviously the hardest. I believe you need to sit one of their own personal tests, on admission to Oxford. they test your English skills, and it must be to their Oxford level.

Cheers  

Answer 9

I too want to attend Oxford or Cambridge University. However I don't know which one to apply to or choose, they are both equal academically and are equally as difficult to get into. However I would advise you to make your choice based on location or which course your wish to study. I also have learnt that you can't apply to both in the same year.

Here is Cambridge's page about their Law course:

http://www.cam.ac.uk/admissions/undergra...

Here is Oxford's page about their Law course:

http://www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/undergrad...

As for applying: (Oxford)

http://www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/undergrad...

http://www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/undergrad...

In order to be admitted, candidates must show evidence of an appropriate educational background and good standards of literacy and numeracy. However, the University does not have any formal matriculation requirements, and no requirement for any particular subjects or grades at GCSE, though tutors will use these grades as one indicator of academic ability.

All applications are considered carefully on their individual merits and tutors consider academic achievements, predicted grades, candidates’ personal statements and academic references as well as any written work or written test that may be required as part of the application.

Candidates who feel that they under-performed at GCSE may be able to compensate for this by demonstrating clear upward progression at AS-level as well as in predicted or achieved A-level scores. You may wish to refer to this in your personal statement.

There are some specific subject requirements. Providing that you meet any specific requirements for your course, we recommend you to take those subjects that interest you most and in which you feel you have the ability to do best. Tutors are much more interested in candidates’ overall academic ability, and their potential and motivation for the course at Oxford, than the particular programmes which have been followed at school.

Competition is strong and conditional offers are likely to be for high grades. The offer may specify certain grades to be achieved in particular subjects if they have not been achieved already.

A-levels

Conditional offers for A-level students are likely to be AAA. Providing that any specific subject requirements have been met, all A-levels are approved for admissions purposes, with the exception of General Studies.

Oxford University does not require its candidates to disclose information on the unit grades that have been achieved through their AS and A2 studies, but a candidate may include this information within their UCAS application should they wish to do so. Any conditional offer would usually be made on the basis of final grades alone.

As for applying: (Cambridge)

http://www.cam.ac.uk/admissions/undergra...

http://www.cam.ac.uk/admissions/undergra...

Law course requirements:

Many A level (or equivalent) subjects provide a good grounding for the study of Law at university and Colleges have an open mind about the subjects that are a sound preparation.

Good applicants tend to have taken subjects at A level (or equivalent) that develop a careful, analytical approach to reading and which require them to present information in a way which is well structured and thoughtfully argued. In our experience, applicants with backgrounds in Mathematics and science subjects perform as well as those whose background is in humanities subjects. Many Colleges are pleased to see applicants with a mixed background in these subjects.

Applicants are not required to have studied Law at GCSE or A level. Those who have done so tend not to have any special advantage once they begin studying Law at university. Academic subjects other than Law will generally provide a solid foundation for the course, as well as give a desirable breadth of experience.

General:

AS levels

Cambridge applicants are encouraged to study either four or five Advanced Subsidiary (AS) levels in Year 12. Applicants taking four subjects will not be disadvantaged compared with those taking five subjects. We would normally expect A grades in subjects which are particularly relevant to the course you are applying for.

Separate certification at AS level in the case of subjects being taken at A2 is not a requirement and applicants not cashing in AS levels will not be disadvantaged. All applicants are asked to report (on a supplementary questionnaire) the results of all AS and A2 modules taken to date, whether certificated or not. Colleges will not make unconditional offers on the basis of AS level grades alone.

A level offers

Most conditional offers made by the Cambridge Colleges will require AAA in three A level subjects. For advice about suitable subject choices see course requirements. All Colleges modify offers to meet individual circumstances. For example, lower offers may be made to an applicant whose potential has not been realised at school for good reasons (see Cambridge Special Access Scheme), or to relieve a very good applicant of additional pressure. On the other hand, more challenging offers may be set to ensure that an applicant can cope with pressure and the demands of exams.

APPLICATION: (for both Oxford and Cambridge).

Put simply, you will need to get the right grades, then send an UCAS application form with any evidence of work needed for the course and a personal statement. If they like it, they will invite you to an interview (sometimes two) and you may have to sit an exam (depending on the course) which you will need to pass. I think Law requires an exam.

If you need anymore information, ask it in the additional details and I will try to help. Hope this helps, good luck.  :-)