Reference
Oxbridge Admissions
Glossary
Every term you need to know for the Oxford and Cambridge admissions process, explained clearly and without jargon.
A
- Admissions Test
- A subject-specific exam required by some Oxford and Cambridge courses as part of the application process. Examples include the ESAT (Engineering and Science Admissions Test), TMUA (Test of Mathematics for University Admission), UCAT, LNAT, and STEP. Results are used alongside predicted grades and interview performance.
- See also:ESATTMUAUCATLNATSTEP
- Applicant Day
- A day organised by a college for prospective applicants, typically in the spring or summer of Year 12. Different from an Open Day in that it may include sample lectures, admissions talks, and subject-specific information.
B
- Bridging Course
- A short academic programme offered by some colleges to students from disadvantaged backgrounds who receive an offer. Designed to help bridge the gap between school-level and university-level study before the start of Michaelmas term.
C
- Collections
- Internal college exams at Oxford, typically held at the start of each term. They test material from the previous term and are used by tutors to monitor academic progress. Not part of the admissions process, but relevant to current students.
- Collegiate System
- The system at Oxford and Cambridge where students belong to a college as well as the university. Colleges provide accommodation, pastoral care, social life, and — at Oxford — small-group tutorial teaching. Students apply to a specific college or make an open application.
- Conditional Offer
- An offer of a place that depends on achieving specified grades in A-Levels, IB, or other qualifications. Typical Oxford offers are A*A*A to AAA depending on the subject. Cambridge offers are typically A*A*A to A*AA.
- Contextual Admissions
- The practice of considering an applicant's educational and socioeconomic background when making admissions decisions. Both Oxford and Cambridge use contextual data such as school performance, postcode, and free school meals eligibility to identify students whose grades may not fully reflect their potential.
- Course
- The degree programme a student applies to study. At Oxford this is formally called a "course"; at Cambridge it is called a "Tripos". Examples include Medicine, Engineering, PPE, and Natural Sciences.
D
- DAT
- Diagnostic Admissions Test. A general term sometimes used for pre-interview assessments. Specific tests have their own names (see ESAT, TMUA, etc.).
- Decanal Reference
- A reference provided by a college Dean, typically for graduate students. For undergraduate applicants, the equivalent is the UCAS reference from their school.
- Deferred Entry
- Applying for admission in the current cycle but requesting to start the course one year later (taking a gap year). Both Oxford and Cambridge accept deferred entry for most courses, though some subjects are more competitive for deferred places.
- Director of Studies (DoS)
- At Cambridge, the fellow responsible for a student's academic programme within their college. The DoS arranges supervisions, monitors progress, and provides academic guidance. The equivalent role at Oxford is the Senior Tutor or academic advisor.
E
- ESAT
- Engineering and Science Admissions Test. A test used by Cambridge for Engineering, Natural Sciences, Chemical Engineering, and Veterinary Medicine, and by Imperial College London for some courses. Replaced the former NSAA and ENGAA tests from 2024.
- See also:Admissions Test
- Extended Project Qualification (EPQ)
- A standalone qualification where students complete an independent research project. While not required by Oxford or Cambridge, a well-executed EPQ can demonstrate intellectual curiosity and independent research skills relevant to the personal statement and interview.
- Extenuating Circumstances
- Personal, medical, or other circumstances that may have affected an applicant's academic performance. Both universities have processes for flagging these, and they can be taken into account during admissions decisions and in the context of contextual admissions.
F
- Finals
- The final examinations at the end of an undergraduate degree. At Oxford these are called "Finals" or "Schools"; at Cambridge they are "Tripos exams". Results determine the class of degree awarded.
- Fresher
- A first-year undergraduate student. Freshers' Week is the introductory week at the start of Michaelmas term.
- Full Term
- The eight-week teaching period within each of the three terms at Oxford and Cambridge. Teaching, supervisions/tutorials, and most college activities take place during Full Term. The terms are shorter and more intensive than at most other universities.
G
- Gap Year
- A year taken between finishing school and starting university. See Deferred Entry.
- See also:Deferred Entry
H
- Hilary Term
- The second (spring) term at Oxford, running from January to March. The equivalent at Cambridge is Lent Term.
I
- Interview
- A key part of the Oxford and Cambridge admissions process. Interviews are academic in nature, designed to test how candidates think rather than what they know. Typically 20 to 30 minutes, with one to three interviews per applicant depending on the subject and college.
L
- LNAT
- Law National Admissions Test. Required for Law applicants to most UK law schools including Oxford, UCL, and others. Tests critical thinking and argument analysis. Note: Cambridge Law does not require the LNAT.
- See also:Admissions Test
- Lent Term
- The second (spring) term at Cambridge, running from January to March. The equivalent at Oxford is Hilary Term.
M
- Matriculation
- The formal ceremony at which a student is admitted as a member of the university. At Oxford, matriculation takes place in the Sheldonian Theatre during the first week of Michaelmas term. At Cambridge, it is administered by each college.
- Michaelmas Term
- The first (autumn) term at both Oxford and Cambridge, running from October to December. This is when new students begin their studies.
- Mock Interview
- A practice interview designed to simulate the format and style of a real Oxford or Cambridge admissions interview. Conducted by subject specialists, mock interviews help students build confidence, improve their problem-solving under pressure, and receive detailed feedback.
- See also:Interview
N
- Natural Sciences (NatSci)
- A broad science degree offered at Cambridge covering biological and physical sciences. Students choose from a wide range of subjects and specialise as they progress. There is no direct equivalent at Oxford, where students apply for specific science subjects.
- Norrington Table
- An unofficial league table ranking Oxford colleges by the examination results of their undergraduates. The equivalent at Cambridge is the Tompkins Table. Neither is published officially by the universities.
O
- Offer Rate
- The percentage of applicants who receive an offer of a place. This varies significantly by subject and college. Published annually by both universities in their admissions statistics reports.
- Open Application
- An application to Oxford or Cambridge without specifying a particular college. The applicant is allocated to a college by the university, typically one that is undersubscribed for that subject. Open applicants are treated identically to those who name a college.
- Open Day
- An event organised by the university or individual colleges for prospective applicants to visit, attend talks, tour facilities, and speak with current students and tutors. Oxford and Cambridge each hold several open days per year.
- Oxbridge
- A collective term for the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge. The two universities share many structural similarities including the collegiate system, tutorial/supervision teaching, and three-term academic year.
P
- Part (Cambridge)
- A stage of the Cambridge Tripos examination. Most courses are divided into Part I (earlier years) and Part II (final year or years). Some courses also have a Part III for a fourth year.
- Personal Statement
- A 4,000-character (approximately 600-word) written statement submitted as part of the UCAS application. It should demonstrate genuine academic interest in the subject, engagement with reading and learning beyond the syllabus, and the capacity for independent thought. Unlike applications to US universities, it should focus almost entirely on academics rather than extracurricular activities.
- See also:UCASSupercurricular
- Pooling
- A process unique to Oxford and Cambridge where applicants who are not offered a place by their chosen college may be "pooled" and considered by other colleges that have unfilled places. A significant number of offers each year come through the pool.
- PPE
- Philosophy, Politics, and Economics. A joint honours degree offered at Oxford. One of the most competitive courses, known for producing political leaders and public figures. Cambridge does not offer PPE as a single course.
- Prelims
- Preliminary examinations at Oxford, taken at the end of the first year. They must be passed to continue to the final years but typically do not count towards the final degree classification.
R
- Realistic Chance
- An admissions concept at Cambridge whereby shortlisted applicants are those judged to have a "realistic chance" of receiving an offer. This threshold determines who is invited to interview.
S
- Schools (Oxford)
- The formal name for final examinations at Oxford, officially called "Honour Schools". Also used to refer to the Examination Schools building on the High Street where many exams take place.
- STEP
- Sixth Term Examination Paper. A challenging mathematics exam used as part of conditional offers for Mathematics at Cambridge and some other universities. Tests mathematical problem-solving and proof-writing at a level beyond A-Level.
- See also:Admissions Test
- Subject Reference
- A reference specifically from a subject teacher, as opposed to the general UCAS reference from the school. Some departments at Oxford and Cambridge particularly value subject-specific references.
- Supercurricular
- Academic activities pursued beyond the school curriculum that demonstrate genuine intellectual engagement with a subject. Examples include wider reading, attending lectures, research projects, relevant work experience, and subject-related competitions. Distinct from extracurricular activities (sports, music, volunteering), supercurricular engagement is what Oxford and Cambridge primarily look for in applications.
- See also:Personal Statement
- Supervision
- The small-group teaching format at Cambridge, typically involving one to three students meeting with an academic for an hour. Supervisions are the cornerstone of Cambridge teaching and involve discussion, problem-solving, and review of submitted work. The equivalent at Oxford is the tutorial.
T
- TMUA
- Test of Mathematics for University Admission. Used by some universities for Mathematics and related courses. Tests mathematical thinking and reasoning at a level between A-Level and university. Replaced by ESAT for some Cambridge courses from 2024.
- See also:Admissions TestESAT
- Tompkins Table
- An unofficial league table ranking Cambridge colleges by the examination results of their undergraduates. Published annually by a national newspaper. The equivalent at Oxford is the Norrington Table.
- Tripos
- The name for an undergraduate degree course at Cambridge. Derived from the three-legged stool on which candidates historically sat during oral examinations. Each subject is a separate Tripos (e.g., the Mathematical Tripos, the Historical Tripos).
- Trinity Term
- The third (summer) term at Oxford, running from April to June. The equivalent at Cambridge is Easter Term.
- Tutorial
- The small-group teaching format at Oxford, typically involving one to three students meeting with a tutor for an hour. Tutorials involve intensive discussion of an essay or problem set submitted in advance. The equivalent at Cambridge is the supervision.
- See also:Supervision
U
- UCAS
- Universities and Colleges Admissions Service. The centralised application platform for undergraduate study at UK universities. Applications to Oxford and Cambridge must be submitted by the early UCAS deadline (15 October). Applicants can apply to either Oxford or Cambridge, but not both in the same cycle.
- See also:Personal Statement
- UCAT
- University Clinical Aptitude Test. Required for Medicine and Dentistry applicants at many UK universities including Cambridge (not Oxford, which uses the BMAT historically and now the UCAT from 2024). Tests verbal reasoning, decision making, quantitative reasoning, abstract reasoning, and situational judgement.
- See also:Admissions Test
- Unconditional Offer
- An offer of a place with no further academic conditions to meet. Rare at Oxford and Cambridge for school-leavers, but may be given to mature students or those who have already completed their qualifications.
W
- Widening Participation (WP)
- Initiatives aimed at increasing access to Oxford and Cambridge for students from underrepresented backgrounds. Both universities run extensive outreach programmes including summer schools, school visits, and targeted bursaries. WP applicants may receive adjusted offers or additional consideration through contextual admissions.
- See also:Contextual Admissions
- Winter Pool (Cambridge)
- The pooling process at Cambridge that takes place after January interviews. Applicants placed in the pool are reconsidered by colleges with available places. Offers from the pool are typically made in January.
- See also:Pooling
- Written Work
- Some Oxford courses require applicants to submit one or two pieces of marked school work as part of the application. This is assessed by admissions tutors alongside the personal statement and interview performance. Cambridge does not generally require written work submissions.