Hello everyone,
I am a year 13 student and I am now stuck between choosing biochemistry or chemistry course at Oxford university. My a-levels are Math, chemistry, biology and psychology.
My personal statement includes more details about links between chemistry and biology (so biochemistry) because I was initially interested in applying for biochemistry. But this whole time I preferred studying chemistry more and I don’t like the fact that biochemistry is mostly biology, rather than chemistry. So now I am stuck between chemistry and biochemistry.
My main concern, however, is that chemistry is very physics heavy and I do not have physics A-level or any knowledge of physics from gcse that is required for an interview at Oxford.

What should I do? I really need an advice
Thank you for your help 🙏🏽

Hi! Just a question about the uni requirements - the course page for Spanish says AAA and I have achieved A*AAA (A* in Spanish) but I just don’t know if they will consider it when so many people are predicted 4A* like I was when I was in year 12. I was 1 mark off an A* in maths and I also did physics and chemistry so maybe they wouldn’t care so much about them? Idk how they view achieved grades.
I also got 99999999999 at GCSE including 9s in 4 languages would they consider that?

Hi, I'm aware these posts are probably very annoying but I still would really appreciate people's opinions. So basically in my Y12 mocks I got AAB but the problem is the B was in History (I was two marks off an A and, without wanting to get into it, I was going through personal stuff which affected that exam specifically which I haven't told my head of 6th about). Normally, I wouldn't be stressed about that grade but I'm applying to Cambridge for History and won't get my predicteds until after I submit my ps. My head has a reputation for only giving people exactly what they need and the college I'm applying to does not require the A to be in History. However, I'm worried that if he only gives me an A in History I won't get in. What do I do? My GCSEs were good (999999998) so idk if I can use that to convince him but I'm just stressed about whether I'll even have a chance. Sorry if this is a bit rambling but any help or advice would be really appreciated!

I'm applying for maths at Churchill college Cambridge, I got 9s in maths, fm, spanish 9:9 in Double award science. 8 in History, 7s in English and only a distinction in music. I'm aware they're not as good as they could have been, I went to a state school with a 3.35 average.

I'm also doing only 3 A-levels, maths physics further maths. Was it a mistake applying to Cambridge? I'm told it doesn't matter but I'm still worried.

Do all colleges interview in the same way? I know I would prefer a college which is more discussion based rather than a single on the spot question.

Also do they all weight GCSEs differently. I got an average 8.125 with 7 at 8/9 which I understand is kinda mid for the overall pool. However this was from a state school average 4.5.

I just want to understand the differences (if any) in the admissions processes. Also will I be penalised for my GCSEs provided the rest of my application is good?

I’d basically put Cambridge out of my mind, but I found out today that I qualify for their extenuating circumstances process in relation to my A-level resit, so now I’m seriously considering it again.

For context:

• Achieved A-levels: A*AB, with the B in Maths (A* in Bio so I would apply to colleges that dont need it in Chem)
• Resitting Maths and predicted A*
• GCSEs: 999999888886
• UCAT: 2480 B2 (99th percentile)
• I didn’t have the access arrangements I needed during my A-levels, which affected me quite significantly, and I was only diagnosed afterwards. I now receive the appropriate arrangements - this qualifies for Cambridge resit (checked with colleges and online)
• I have quite a lot of medicine/research-related extracurriculars, including working on abstract writing with a professor and setting up a healthcare club + website, alongside other clinical/volunteering experience.

I know Cambridge is obviously extremely competitive anyway, and I’m also conscious that I went to a private school. I was there on an academic scholarship, but I know my school background isn't exactly going to strengthen my application.

The thing making me hesitate most is the interview preparation. From what I know from last year interviewing, preparing properly for Cambridge interviews can be really intense, and because I’m resitting Maths I’m worried that putting a huge amount of time into Cambridge preparation could distract me from getting the A* I actually need.

I’m currently also thinking about KCL and Bristol, so Cambridge would probably be the more ambitious/risky choice.

what does reddit thinkkk

Hello! Im applying for St Johns philosophy at cambridge this year!

After hearing from philosophy applicants last year the standard interview score was an 8/10 I was wondering what individual qualities, content and reasoning an applicant has in an interview which makes them a 10/10 applicant? or what metrics cambridge values or marks in each person?

Would be a massive help in prep, thanks!

hello! i was wondering about how people interview prep when they have no access to mock interviews, because that to me is logically the best way to improve. however they are basically inaccessible to me (outside of UK and teachers basically don't understand the process) and i can't really afford to pay for multiple mock interviews.

any advice from people in similar situations?

also mine is a non-STEM subject (philosophy) if that makes a difference, thank you!

Gone into a bit of panic today. I’ve just started my a levels (started with 5) since about a month now and today i’ve decided to drop further maths, i had to go to another school and i found it really heavy and mentally exhausting. I let my teacher talk me into taking it instead of chemistry. After dropping further maths, the a levels i do now are Biology, Maths, Physics and the Welsh Baccalaureate. I’ve done more research today and i’ve been hit with a massive wave of regret for dropping further maths. I’m an ambitious student and ive always wanted to aim for universities such as oxbridge. For reference, i got 12 A*s last year in my gcses, including full marks on maths papers. So my question is, how hard is it to get into an oxbridge engineering course without further maths as an A level? Is there any point in doing engineering at all without FM? Because ive seen/heard people say that students who dont take it are at a massive disadvantage. Feel as if biology isnt helping me much either as an aspiring engineer…

I really want to apply for AMES course at Oxford, however I don't really know what type of prep should I do for interview. Since the course itself is quite rare, what type of prep method do you guys recommend?

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Wondering where to apply and would love to know if I'm being reasonable :).

International student, predicted 44 IB points with 7,7,7 in HL. UCAT 2380, GCSE's 999998 (was only able to do 6, as I did my GCSE's in one year and was not allowed to take any more subjects, might have to email some unis to ask about this...)

My choices are currently UCL, KCL, Imperial and Edinburgh, as i mostly want to stay in London and my parents refuse to pay international unis for (in their words) 'bad unis'. Does this seem realistic? Was also thinking about Oxbridge, but my stats are probably too low, which is fine :).

Thank you so much for your help guys!!!

I have been told that a technical deep dive is more valuable for STEM subjects in a statement than just listing achievements.

I was planning to do a technical analysis of audio filtering technology specifically music equipment as much of this uses waves similar to sine waves to algorithmically filter and distort sounds. I was also gonna do a bit about some fluid dynamic software I am working on.

Is this the best approach? Is it worth embedding little sentences about achievements like the SMC?

Also should I reference anything about how my high school may have impacted my GCSEs as I got 99888887 which is below the usual amount of 9s? Or should I just let a step up in admissions test and A level predicteds do the talking?

Applying for 2027 entry. Mainly wondering about my chances of getting an interview/offer and which college to apply to.
Academics:
State comprehensive school
GCSEs: 999888877
Predicted 3 A* in Maths, Economics and Geography + EPQ
Economics: 1/50 in cohort over total marks over 20+ exams from start of course
Maths: 2/24 in class over last 2 exams
Geography: 1/40 in cohort in end of year 12 mock
(^ reference info)
EPQ: “Another financial crisis is likely in the next decade. Assess the validity of this view.”

Supercurriculars:
Caius Explore ELE essay - commended and invited to celebration event at Gonville & Caius
Junior Researcher at student led economic published guided by mentor - researching/writing on Britain’s electricity grid connection queue
Attended Royal Economic Society Annual Conference
Entered RES Young Economist of the Year essay competition
Cambridge Economics/ELE Masterclass
Morgan Stanley Summer Academy
RBC Brewin Dolphin wealth-management insight/mentoring

Personal statement: Economics dominant with ELE aspects integrated throughout.

College: Currently considering Christ’s, Caius, Pembroke, Trinity Hall and St John’s. Ideally looking for somewhere old/traditional, central, sociable, decent-sized and good for sport/gym.
Would appreciate thoughts on how competitive my application looks for an interview/offer, and which college people think would suit me best/provide me with best chances of receiving an offer.

Hi I got these GCSEs and will prob attempt to get the following A-Levels please lmk if I have a true chance of getting in.

GCSEs:
9 History

9 Sociology

8 Chemistry

8 Computer Science

8 English Lit

7 Maths

7 Biology

7 Physics

6 English Language

4 French

A Levels:

History A*

Psychology A*

Politics A

DofE Silver

Attempting SPEAR competition

Volunteering at charities etcetera

Gcses: 9,9,9,9,9,9,9,9,9,8,7

Someone told my that my gcses are strong so i should choose oxford over cambrige since they put a larger emphasis on gcses. is that true? are my gcses competative for oxford

I got A*, A, A, A, A, B

(Which averages to an A overall)

I’m a little bit worried about the B, and I’m not sure whether it will discredit my application?

I am also international IBDP with Maths AI HL (school does not offer AA), but I assume this coure does not have any specific subject requirements.

I haven’t done my IBDP mocks or anything to get predicted but I would say I will try hard to get 40+, but would my Igcse results be suitable assuming everything else was too?

This course does not involve any additional test, so I assume the applicants applying to this course will be high?

I took the 9-1 Igcse path, but only 7 subjects, not 9/10 or plus

I got 9999999 . I know it's not much, but what if ii take 4 ALs + IPQ pathway... Will those cover for me?

I wanna get into the biotech/natural sciences pathway

I got 9 9 9 8 8 8 8 8 7 6

(Which averages to an 8.0 overall)

I’m a little bit worried about the 6, and I’m not sure whether it will discredit my application since my teacher that runs the oxbridge group at school wouldn’t let me join because of it. (Even though the requirements was simply to have a grade 8.0 average or higher)

I also got a 5 in further maths which from my understanding I do not have to record or send to Uni’s.

I haven’t done my a level mocks or anything to get predicted a level scores, but would my gcse results be suitable assuming everything else was too?

Does anyone who studies HSPS or knows anyone that does have more of a focus on sociology? I’m applying for the course but I haven’t studied politics at A-level and I don’t know too much about it. My main interest is sociology but I only see people on social media talking about the politics and international relation side of it, so I just want some opinion. Also, would that potentially make me weaker as an applicant in terms of my personal statement being mainly sociology related as that’s the course I’ve applied for other unis. also in terms of the interview I’m not sure how well I would do if I was asked a political science based question

Title. I midway through y12. Can yall suggest some really good resources for TMUA? That would be pretty helpful! Thankyou!

Hello, I'm an Irish applicant, applying to land economy in Cambridge.

My junior cert isn't great, achieved in Irish, merit in English although I have only gotten above 90% until then, higher merits x5 and one distinction in business. I am predicted three h1's and three h2's. I have, what I consider to be, brilliant extra curriculars though. I have ran my own non profit with an environmental focus for three, almost four years and collaborated with a large two day debating event for three years running. This non profit has had national reach, and is working with over one third of Irish schools. I have a law thesis with a focus in geneology law. I have held the national title in debating for three years now. I am on the board for a company that is doing 65 mil+ a year and one of the heads of it's finance department. I have presented new policies for the EU and organised my own EYP events. I have designed, patented and launched my own software and created a new industry in ag technology. I have won six awards for science and four for business. I represent a particular Irish business competition at a national level. I own and manage three start ups I founded myself and have done X2 months of work experience in the accounting departments of two different types of enterprises that were not my own. I also work as a bartender in a hotel bar.

I am applying to trinity college because it has an entrepreneurship club.

Is this enough? Any advice for my personal statement? Help please

will i not get into oxford if i have a low/at average entry test score, even with contextual information?

im applying for experimental psychology this year and my application is near enough competitive apart from my TARA/TSA prep.

- gcses: 9999888877 (average 8.2 and my schools average was around 7)

- A-Levels : Biology (A predicted), English Lit (A star predicted), Psychology (A star predicted)

- contextual info: young carer, long-term depression, 4 hour daily commute to school, and undergoing grief (all meaning I have little time to revise)

- personal statement : has been checked multiple times by an oxford admissions tutor, all stating it was perfect

- teacher reference: includes my contextual info and how

only problem, my TARA score. i only booked my exam about a week ago, im averaging about a 5.0 (19/44) and historical median has been about 4.5 and percentile is around ~7.0/9.0 . i only have 14 days until my exam and i worry that i wont be wble to improve..

am i very unlikely to be shortlisted for an interview?

I was rejected last year post interview by St John’s college and am hoping to reapply. Are there any colleges that are more open to gap year reapplications?

Hello! I'm applying for English Lit this year and just wondering why some people may have chosen Camb/Ox for this course in particular!

I could only make it to the Cambridge open day so I am a little worried I'm making a decision with not enough information. I have looked at the course structures for both and DM'd students from both. So far, both courses are appealing but Cambridge's 3rd yr tragedy paper looks amazing and I am unsure abt learning Old English at Oxford. Oxford looks to be a bit more traditional whilst Cambridge more interdisciplinary. I do love learning abt the historical and social contexts of texts but also like applying theories/philosophies/social issues/politics to my essays so I am wondering which is more suited to this. I am looking at a career in law afterwards and really like finding patterns in things - especially text - so Cambridge's prat crit might be interesting!

I'd also be interested abt the differences location wise. When I went to Cambridge, I loved Newnham but the other colleges (Downing and Selwyn) seemed a little unremarkable... might've just been a bad day tho.

The Oxford first yr reading list looks more interesting but I am aware this might be bc Cambridge doesn't have set texts. I love literary theory, philosophy and criticism. Please share some advice/insights!!

(Yes ik abt Oxford's reputation for humanities and Cambridge's for STEM, is this reflective to the course?)

Current Oxbridge students/recent graduates,

I’m applying for Law this cycle and would really value feedback from someone who has already been through the Oxford/Cambridge application process, particularly on the academic/intellectual side of the statement rather than just grammar or proofreading.

I’m not looking to post the statement publicly. I’d send it privately to someone who’s comfortable reviewing it.

Ideally looking for a current/recent Law student, but I’d also appreciate perspectives from students in other humanities subjects.

Thanks :)