Applying as an International Student - Skype Interviews & Personal Statements (Expert Oxford & Cambridge Application Advice
You’ll be pleased to know that both Oxford and Cambridge have large international student communities. So you should in no way feel set back by reason of your nationality.
However, there are nevertheless a few less obvious hurdles that you will have to jump as an international student.
First, many international students will get the option to have their interview over Skype instead of having to come down in person to the college.
The acceptance rate through Skype interviews is acceptably high, but it cannot be denied that there are disadvantages too.
For one, when you interview at the college itself, you have the more likely opportunity of being called back for a second interview, or for an interview with another college. Further, Skype as a medium, even assuming that it is glitch-free for that half an hour, is deficient when compared against the experience of having your potential student sit in front of you in the flesh. Having the student in front of them allows the tutor to more easily observe all your mannerisms, your attentiveness, and how you react to their comments or questions. If you do choose or have to take a Skype interview, bear this in mind in responding to them. Practice how you would like to display your engagement with the conversation, your thoughtfulness and your responsiveness. Saturate the short Skype conversation with a confident and intelligent image of yourself.
Additionally, your tutors should by and large have a competent understanding of your country’s educational framework and what your record correspondingly indicates. Do not take this for granted, however, and take every opportunity you can to, in the fewest words possible, allude to what each item in your record may signify. For example, Singapore’s A-Levels do not award the A* grade. The highest grade attainable is an A. This would be relevant information to highlight.
Depending on which country you are from, you may also have to take an additional exam to show that you are competent in the English language.
Some categories of students are exempt from these requirements, so we would recommend that you ask your college if you have any queries on this matter, as you would only have to fulfil these additional requirements by the time you start your course (and not by the time your application is considered). Nevertheless, you should bear in mind at this early stage that you should be able to converse, read and write in English proficiently, as the classes at Oxbridge are all taught in English for the most part.
Let us know if you have any questions about this article or anything related to applying as an international student to Oxbridge at all.
