Data & Insights
Oxbridge Admissions Statistics
Offer rates, application trends, and what the numbers actually mean for your application. Use data to plan strategically, not to be discouraged.
Why Admissions Statistics Matter
Admissions data is one of the most misunderstood parts of the Oxbridge application process. Headline numbers like “only 6% of applicants get an offer for Economics & Management” can be paralysing. But when you look more carefully, the picture is far more nuanced.
Statistics help you understand which subjects are genuinely the most competitive, how college choice affects your odds, and where the real bottleneck is in the process. For some subjects, the admissions test is the main filter. For others, the interview carries more weight. Knowing where the bottleneck is tells you where to focus your preparation.
How to Read These Numbers
Offer rates are not your odds
A 15% offer rate does not mean you have a 15% chance. The pool includes many underprepared applicants. A well-prepared student with strong grades, a good test score, and genuine subject engagement has significantly better odds.
College choice matters
Some colleges receive far fewer applications for the same subject. The pooling system helps balance this, but your initial college choice does affect who interviews you and how many candidates you are compared against.
Trends change year to year
A subject that was highly competitive last year may see fewer applications this year. Do not base your decision on a single year of data. Look at 3 to 5 year trends where available.
The bottleneck varies by subject
For Medicine, the admissions test is the main filter. For English, the interview carries more weight. For Engineering, the ESAT and interview are both critical. Understanding this tells you exactly where to invest your preparation time.
Oxford Offer Rates by Subject
Selected subjects showing applicant numbers and offer rates. Data from official published admissions reports.
| Subject | Applicants | Offers | Offer Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medicine | 1,847 | 268 | 14.5% |
| Computer Science | 1,085 | 102 | 9.4% |
| Economics & Management | 1,761 | 107 | 6.1% |
| PPE | 2,143 | 279 | 13.0% |
| Law (Jurisprudence) | 1,669 | 248 | 14.9% |
| Mathematics | 1,864 | 343 | 18.4% |
| Engineering Science | 1,237 | 206 | 16.7% |
| Physics | 1,185 | 226 | 19.1% |
| History | 1,237 | 261 | 21.1% |
| English | 1,034 | 250 | 24.2% |
| Chemistry | 789 | 215 | 27.2% |
| Biological Sciences | 498 | 118 | 23.7% |
Source: University of Oxford official admissions statistics (2023 entry cycle (latest complete cycle available in official published reports at time of writing).). Rates shown here are calculated from applicants and offers in this table.
Cambridge Offer Rates by Subject
Selected subjects from official published admissions reports.
| Subject | Applicants | Offers | Offer Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medicine | 1,518 | 296 | 19.5% |
| Computer Science | 1,319 | 122 | 9.2% |
| Economics | 1,298 | 169 | 13.0% |
| Natural Sciences | 2,729 | 704 | 25.8% |
| Law | 1,389 | 238 | 17.1% |
| Mathematics | 2,069 | 519 | 25.1% |
| Engineering | 2,002 | 427 | 21.3% |
| HSPS | 739 | 189 | 25.6% |
| History | 582 | 177 | 30.4% |
| English | 692 | 211 | 30.5% |
| Architecture | 421 | 55 | 13.1% |
| Classics | 240 | 114 | 47.5% |
Source: University of Cambridge official admissions statistics (2023 entry cycle (latest complete cycle available in official published reports at time of writing).). Rates shown here are calculated from applicants and offers in this table.
Strategic Advantage
How We Use This Data
At Oxbridge Mentors, we provide detailed insights into admissions data that most students never see. Understanding statistics when applying to colleges or courses can make a significant difference, as some colleges have historical trends that affect particular groups of applicants differently. We help students use this data to make informed, strategic decisions about where and how to apply.
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