How well should I be doing at GCSE to be looking at Oxbridge?
Q. As in how many, final grades etc...specifics preferred as a general guidance, I do appreciate that backgrounds are often varied, also any advice appreciated. Thank you.
Asked by Ben - Thu Apr 24 18:21:59 2008 - - 1 Answers - 0 Comments

A. The general Oxbridge entrance requirement is 3 A's or 2A's and a B (in some circumstances) at A-level. I'm no expert, but you'll probably need to be looking at getting A's and A*'s in your subjects at GCSE that you want to carry on to A-Level, and have at least B's in the core subjects of Maths, English and Science. It does depend somewhat on what degree you're going for - you won't be criticised for doing double science GCSE if you want to do a science degree, and if you want to do a language degree then getting an A* at science GCSE isn't that relevant. They will, though, expect you not to completely give up on the core subjects just because you didn't 'like them' or didn't want to do them as a degree. That said, GCSEs aren't looked… [cont.]
Answered by Jon - Thu Apr 24 18:58:38 2008

Do people from Comprehensive schools have the same chances of getting into Oxbridge than those from private?
Q. Next year, I'm applying for Oxford university, however I'm from a comprehensive school and I've heard there is a lot more chance of you getting an interview if you're from a private/grammar school, is this true?
Asked by super_saiyan777 - Sun Dec 23 15:24:41 2007 - - 1 Answers - 0 Comments

A. No, the reason that more private students interview at Oxbridge is simply because more apply there. I know lots of people who went to Oxbridge from both state and private schools. As long as you've got good grades and a good personal statement (this is very important - get it looked over by several people) you've got as good as chance as anyone else.
Answered by thetruth_ - Sun Dec 23 16:28:20 2007

I want to go to oxford/cambridge oxbridge, but do I have a chance?
Q. I'm an A level student predicted 3 A's at A level and 2 A's at two different As level subjects. I do some charity/ volunteer work, Top of my college year in Law and won some uk law essays competitions. However my gcse aren't so good, the highest I achieved in gcse are B's. Most people that go to oxbridge got 6A*'s atleast. I might have good grades but i'm competing against people with the same A level predictions as me, done more extra curriculum activities and got much higher grades than me in gcse. How am I mean to compete against them?? Because I really want to go oxford/cambridge and I want to proof some people wrong (esp my parents). And do I even have a chance of getting a interview??? If you already go to cambridge/oxford then could… [cont.]
Asked by Abz - Mon Aug 20 11:49:04 2007 - - 3 Answers - 0 Comments

A. Little to add to the good answers already given. I personally got 12 A*s at GCSE and 4 As at A-level. Unfortunately the competition for many subjects, especially law, is sky high. You do need top grades and extra curricular interests are not a substitute to this, but an absolute requirement in themselves. Some people do have lower GCSEs, but as much as I hate to say it, that often means As, rather than Bs or Cs. There are some people with the odd B who have exceptional reasons as mitigation, however I personally am yet to meet anyone with below a B at GCSE. As noted, a C in maths is an absolute requirement too. Sorry that this isn't the news you'd like, but there are many other top universities out there. I am now in the legal profession… [cont.]
Answered by IAN - Wed Aug 22 17:23:34 2007