What are we looking for?

Oriel students are hard-working, inquisitive, and creative. They are determined to explore their chosen subjects, and they are able to work independently towards their goals. There is no ‘Oriel type’, and no ‘Oxford type’ for that matter. All that our tutors are looking for is students who have the potential for academic excellence and who are committed to their studies.

These people will come from all sorts of backgrounds and all sorts of schools. We are not biased against anyone, and we are not biased in favour of anyone. We do, however, know from experience that not all schools can provide the same type of opportunities, so we take this into account and assess your future potential, as well as your achievements on paper.

It’s important to remember that a place at Oxford is an opportunity, not a prize.

How to prepare

You can do a lot to prepare before making an application. First, it’s important to think carefully about your choice of degree course. Don’t simply choose the subject in which you get the best marks at school. Choose the subject the makes you want to find out more. Finding out more might mean doing personal research on the internet, or in a local library or bookshop. It might be possible to get some work or volunteer experience in something related to an aspect of your future studies or career.

Personal statements (UCAS form)

Tell us honestly why you want to study your chosen subject. Give us concrete examples of the things you have done or the books you have read that have confirmed your decision. Tell us what you got out of those books or those experiences. We will use the personal statement as the basis for some interview questions, but we are not looking for a particular type of person, and extra-curricular activities unrelated to your studies are not important to us.