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Popular search terms:
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Help support future generations.
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Oriel in a nutshell
Study with us
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Study with us
Meet our students
Undergraduates
Back
Undergraduates
What can I study?
Applying to Oriel
Fees and funding
Open days
International students
Visiting students programme
Postgraduates
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Postgraduates
Postgraduate study
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Postgraduate scholarships
Postgraduate funding and grants
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Schools liaison
What we do
Events and prizes
Back
Events and prizes
Easter Residential Programmes for Year 12 Students
Virtual Teachers’ Conference
Lloyd Davies Philosophy Prize
Rex Nettleford Prize for Year 12 Students
Rex Nettleford Essay Prizes
Life at Oriel
Back
Life at Oriel
Virtual tour and location
Living at Oriel
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Living at Oriel
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About
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Our history
Oriel’s historical figures and alumni
Oriel and the Regius Chair in History
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What can I study?
Go to the page for
Biochemistry
Chemistry
Classical Archaeology and Ancient History
Classics (Literae Humaniores)
Classics and Asian and Middle Eastern Studies
Classics and English
Classics and Modern Languages
Computer Science
Computer Science and Philosophy
Engineering Science
English and Modern Languages
English Language and Literature
History
History (Ancient and Modern)
History and Economics
History and Modern Languages
History and Politics
Law (Jurisprudence)
Mathematics
Mathematics and Computer Science
Mathematics and Philosophy
Medicine
Modern Languages (and Linguistics)
Music
Philosophy (Joint Honours)
Philosophy and Modern Languages
Philosophy and Theology
Philosophy, Politics and Economics
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Physics and Philosophy
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EXPLORE OUR COURSES
Biochemistry
Number of places
4
Admission Criteria
Applicants must have A-level, or the equivalent, in Chemistry. Due to the course content, Biology and Maths and/or Physics at A level, though not requirements, are very helpful. The first-year course provides the necessary background in biology, physics and maths for those who have not studied these beyond GCSE.
Chemistry
Number of places
4
Admission Criteria
Conditional offers: A*A*A at A-Level (or equivalent) including Chemistry and Mathematics. The A*s must be in science subjects and/or mathematics. Further information can be found on the Chemistry Admissions page.
Classical Archaeology and Ancient History
Number of places
6 for Literae Humaniores (Classics), Classics, Asian and Middle Eastern Studies, Classical Archaeology and Ancient History.
Admission Criteria
Applicants should usually have AAA at A-Level (or equivalent).
Classics (Literae Humaniores)
Number of places
6 for Literae Humaniores (Classics), Classics, Asian and Middle Eastern Studies, Classical Archaeology and Ancient History. There are additionally 1 place for Classics and English and 1 (usually) for Classics and Modern Languages.
Admission Criteria
All candidates must take the Classics Admissions Test (CAT). Candidates will also be asked to submit two pieces of written work in English. The standard offer is AAA at A Level or equivalent. More information can be found on the Classics Faculty website.
Classics and Asian and Middle Eastern Studies
Number of places
6 for Literae Humaniores (Classics), Classics, Asian and Middle Eastern Studies, Classical Archaeology and Ancient History.
Admission Criteria
All candidates must take the Classics Admissions Test (CAT) and the OLAT. Written work is also required. The standard offer is AAA at A Level or equivalent. More information about admission requirements for the course can be found on the University website.
Classics and English
Admission Criteria
All candidates must take the Classics Admissions Test (CAT). Candidates will also be asked to submit two pieces of written work in English. The standard offer is AAA at A Level or equivalent. More information can be found on the Classics Faculty website.
Classics and Modern Languages
Number of places
Usually 1
Admission Criteria
All candidates must take the Classics Admissions Test (CAT) and the Modern Languages Admissions Test (MLAT). Written work is also required. The standard offer is AAA at A Level or equivalent. More information about admission requirements for the course can be found on the University website.
Computer Science
Number of places
4
Admission Criteria
Candidates sit a written Mathematics test in schools before being shortlisted for interview. Conditional offers: usually A*AA at A-level (or equivalent), including Mathematics and Further Mathematics if taken, with the A* in Mathematics, Further Mathematics or Computing/Computer Science.
Computer Science and Philosophy
Admission Criteria
Candidates sit a written Mathematics test in schools before being shortlisted for interview. Conditional offers: usually A*AA at A-level (or equivalent), including Mathematics and Further Mathematics if taken, with the A* in Mathematics, Further Mathematics or Computing/Computer Science.
Engineering Science
Admission Criteria
All candidates for the Engineering course must take the Physics Aptitude Test (PAT), usually in November each year. Conditional offers are usually Grades A*A*A at A-Level (or equivalent) including Mathematics and Physics. The A*s must be obtained in Mathematics, Physics or Further Mathematics if taken.
English and Modern Languages
Admission Criteria
All candidates are required to sit a test or tests in November (find out more on the University website). Conditional offers are usually AAA at A-level (or equivalent), with A grades required for any language to be studied (except ab initio languages). Candidates have two interviews in the college. As part of the process, candidates are given a short text to read and then discuss with interviewers; they are also expected to discuss their recent reading, both in and out of school.
English Language and Literature
Number of places
5 or 6 (including joint schools)
Admission Criteria
One piece of recent written work is required. There is no written test at interview, but all applicants will be expected to have taken the ELAT. Candidates have two interviews in the college. As part of the process, candidates are given a short text to read and then discuss with interviewers; they are also expected to discuss their recent reading, both in and out of school.
History
Number of places
9
Admission Criteria
The admissions process at Oriel is exactly the same as at all other colleges. For further information, please visit the History Faculty admissions pages.
History (Ancient and Modern)
Number of places
Usually 1
Admission Criteria
Short-listing by History Aptitude Test and GCSE results (contextualized by school performance data). Admission by written work, interviews, and AAA at A-level or equivalent. There are no required subjects, and we consider applicants who do not have A-level History.
History and Economics
Number of places
From History quota
Admission Criteria
Short-listing by History Aptitude Test, Thinking Skills Assessment (Section 1), and GCSE results (contextualized by school performance data). Admission by written work, test result, interviews and AAA at A-level or equivalent. There are no required subjects, and we consider applicants who do not have A-level History, but A-level (or at least GCSE or AS-level) Maths would be an advantage.
History and Modern Languages
Number of places
From the Modern Languages quota
Admission Criteria
Short-listing by History Aptitude Test, Language Test, and GCSE results (contextualized by school performance data). Admission by written work, interviews, and AAA at A-level or equivalent. You should have studied your chosen language to A-level (except in the case of Italian, which can be studied from scratch). We consider applicants who do not have A-level History.
History and Politics
Number of places
Usually 1
Admission Criteria
Short-listing by History Aptitude Test and GCSE results (contextualized by school performance data). Admission by written work, interviews, and AAA at A-level or equivalent. There are no required subjects, and we consider applicants who do not have A-level History.
Law (Jurisprudence)
Number of places
6
Admission Criteria
All candidates sit the LNAT test. No written work is required. Conditional offers: AAA at A-Level (or equivalent).
Mathematics
Number of places
6
Admission Criteria
All candidates must sit the Admissions Test for Mathematics. Conditional offers: A*A*A at A-Level (or equivalent) with the A*s in Mathematics and Further Mathematics (if taken). The majority of entrants have two A-Levels in mathematics. Applicants with only one mathematics A-level are not at a disadvantage in the competition for places, but successful candidates have more preparation to do over the summer before they start their course.
Mathematics and Computer Science
Number of places
2
Admission Criteria
Conditional offers: usually A*AA at A-level (or equivalent), including Mathematics and Further Mathematics if taken, with the A* in Mathematics or Further Mathematics.
Mathematics and Philosophy
Number of places
1 or 2
Admission Criteria
A-levels or equivalent: A*A*A with the A*s in Mathematics and Further Mathematics (if taken).
Medicine
Number of places
Pre-Clinical: 5 or 6, Clinical: 4 or 5
Admission Criteria
All candidates take the BMAT test. No written work is required. Oriel does not have a preference for Maths or Biology at A level, and students taking one non-science A level are encouraged to apply.
Modern Languages (and Linguistics)
Number of places
Usually 9
Admission Criteria
One piece of marked written work is required for each language you plan to study and in which you will have A2 (or equivalent) before university. In addition, all candidates must submit one piece of marked writing in English. If you are applying for a language which you have not taken at A2 (or equivalent) then you do not need to submit anything in that language. All candidates are required to sit a test or tests in November. Conditional offers: AAA at A-level (or equivalent), with A grades required for any language to be studied (except ab initio languages).
Music
Admission Criteria
Applicants are asked to submit two essays and samples of harmony and counterpoint. Interviewees are required to perform on their first-study instrument, and those not holding Grade 5 in Piano are required additionally to execute piano sight-reading of that standard. Typical offer: AAA at A-level (or equivalent) including Music.
Philosophy (Joint Honours)
Admission Criteria
The admissions criteria for each course involving philosophy can be found on the dedicated course page. For all courses, applicants invited to interview will be given a philosophy interview, or an interview with a philosophy component. At interview, we will not test whether you are already familiar with philosophical texts or arguments. Instead we are interested in your aptitude and potential for precise analytical thought, and in whether you enjoy abstract reasoning.
Philosophy and Modern Languages
Number of places
1 or 2, taken from the Modern Languages quota of 9
Admission Criteria
All candidates must take the Modern Languages Admissions Tests (MLAT), normally at their own school or college, in November, in addition to the written work specified on the university’s website. Separate registration for this test is required and it is the responsibility of the candidate to ensure that they are registered for this test. Candidates will need to take two sections of the MLAT: one for their chosen language, and one for Philosophy. Conditional offers: AAA at A-level (or equivalent), with A grades required for any language to be studied (except ab initio languages).
Philosophy and Theology
Number of places
3 or 4
Admission Criteria
Typical offer: AAA at A-level (or equivalent). Candidates are required to submit one piece of written work for Theology (no work is required for Philosophy). Applicants should also complete the Philosophy admissions test, which is usually taken in November each year.
Philosophy, Politics and Economics
Number of places
9
Admission Criteria
Conditional offers: normally AAA at A-level (or equivalent). Applicants are not required to submit written work. All candidates must take the Thinking Skills Assessment (TSA) in early November, normally at their own schools or colleges. Separate registration for this test is required and prospective applicants should refer to the test website for further information.
Physics
Number of places
5 or 6
Admission Criteria
All applicants must take the Physics Aptitude Test (PAT) in school or at a test centre in early November. No written work required. Typical offers: A*AA at A-Level (or equivalent) including A*, A in Physics and Maths.
Physics and Philosophy
Number of places
2
Admission Criteria
Typical offers: A*AA at A-Level (or equivalent) including A*, A in Physics and Maths. Applying for Physics and Philosophy, rather than for Physics, will not reduce your chance of admission. Applicants for both degrees are considered as a gathered field and applicants to Oriel for Physics and Philosophy are automatically considered for a place to read straight Physics. All applicants must take the Physics Aptitude Test (PAT) in school or at a test centre in early November.
Theology and Religion
Number of places
2 or 3
Admission Criteria
Typical offer: AAA at A-level (or equivalent). Candidates for places in the Single Honours School of Theology are not required to have backgrounds in particular subjects. Candidates are required to submit one piece of written work.
What next?
Come to an Open Day or for a visit
Come to an Open Day or for a visit
Ask our admissions team a question
Ask our admissions team a question
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Find out what it’s like to live here