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Joining Oriel as an International Student

Applying as an International Student

The application process itself is the same for international students as for domestic students, although preparation for arrival in Oxford will look different if you are coming from overseas. Here’s some useful information to help you navigate the application process.

overview of the application process
Applying for your course

As is the case for UK students, international applicants will need to submit an electronic application via UCAS before the closing date of 15th October the year before you wish to begin your studies. There are no additional or special forms to fill in if you are an international applicant, but you are required to take the same written test(s) and to submit any written work that is required for your subject, so please make sure that you check the requirements on the relevant course page and take the required action.

Our tutors are used to assessing applicants presenting a wide range of international qualifications. To make a competitive application to Oxford, it is important that you check the entry requirements for your particular qualification and you can do that on the University website.

View information for international students on the University website.

Interviews

As with UK applicants, we interview all applicants who are short-listed. Sometimes international students can be interviewed electronically. However, it is important to note that if you are applying to study Medicine and receive an invitation to interview you must attend in person in order to be considered.

Course fees

The level of fee you will pay depends on your fee status, i.e. where you usually live and what passport you have. Information relating to fee status can be found on the University Website.

Course fees for overseas students vary according to the particular course you wish to study and the latest rates are available on the University Fees and Funding pages.

Overseas students are asked to provide information on how they plan to fund their tuition fees and living costs (for the entire duration of their course) before their places are confirmed. This financial condition applies to all non-UK students in receipt of an offer and must be satisfied by mid-August of the proposed start year.

English language requirements

All teaching at Oxford University is carried out in English, with the exception of some language-specific teaching, and tutors must be convinced that you have sufficient fluency in written and spoken English to cope with your course from the start. Depending on the course, applicants need to illustrate either a standard or higher level of ability in English.

Only the following courses accept the standard level: Computer Science, Mathematics, Mathematics and Computer Science, Mathematics and Statistics. All other courses require the higher level. Details of standard and higher level score requirements across a range of different tests (IELTS, TOEFL, CAE, CPE etc) can be found on the University Website.

Exemptions from this requirement will be considered for applicants who have:

  • Studied the International Baccalaureate programme, if it is taught in English
  • Studied the Singapore Integrated Programme (SIPCAL)
  • Been educated full-time in the medium of the English language throughout the two most recent years before the 15th October application deadline, and who remain in full-time education conducted in the English language until the end of the school year in their home country.

You do not need to submit evidence of your English Language proficiency when you make your UCAS application.

If you have already achieved the required grade, please include the details along with your other qualifications in the appropriate section of your UCAS application.

If you have not yet achieved the required grade, this will form part of any conditional offer, and must be met by 31st July in the year after you apply.

If you require a student visa, the University will vouch for your English language ability on your CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies) provided you have achieved the University’s required results in one of the English language tests accepted by the University or you have been granted an English language test waiver by your college. When submitting your student visa application, you will not be required to provide additional evidence of your English language ability.

Pre-arrival information

The Student Information and Advisory Service is responsible for providing advice about issues affecting international students, including immigration questions, and assistin you if you need to extend your visa. It coordinates a meet and greet service at Oxford bus station for students arriving at the beginning of the academic year and runs an annual Orientation Programme for new students.

If you don’t already have a UK bank account, it would be a good idea to set one up shortly after arriving in the UK. The University Website offers advice and information about this.

Accommodation and vacations

Oriel is able to offer all undergraduates accommodation for the full length of their studies, and postgraduate students arriving in Oxford for the first time are guaranteed College accommodation in their first year with us. The expectation is usually that undergraduate students vacate their rooms between terms. However, it is possible for overseas students wishing to remain in college accommodation to apply for “vacation residence” in order to remain in Oxford. It is also possible for international students to leave their belongings in college over the vacations.

Please contact the Accommodation Manager to discuss this on: accommodation@oriel.ox.ac.uk.

Working in the UK

Undergraduate students are not permitted to take paid employment during term time and international students may be limited in the number of hours they can work during vacations. Information on working while studying can be found on the University Website.

Can’t find the answer to your question? Contact our Admissions Officer

Further Information

Fees and funding

More about life at Oriel

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion