Compassion and sincerity allowed the doctors to clarify the gravity of the issue, whilst providing emotional support for the clearly vulnerable parents. I came to learn that, even when curing the patient was no longer possible, the quality of life throughout and after treatment was paramount.
Read MoreMy passion for dentistry stems from witnessing my uncle treating emergency patients at his dental clinic while on holiday two years ago. This has led me to pursue dentistry as I observed how dentists have the ability to provide great comfort and care to numerous people. This experience demonstrated to me how it is a career where "no one size fits all" and it is this unique drive that appeals to me the most.
Read MoreNatural Sciences have played a key part in my personal and academic life since childhood, from watching programmes with my parents about forensic history or reading books about the development of the universe, such as The Magic of Reality by Richard Dawkins.
Read MoreThere is no shortage of advice on how to write a good Oxbridge personal statement. But there’s also no shortage of difficulty in knowing what to believe, what to prioritise, and how to apply a series of abstract Dos and Don’ts in practice.
Read MoreThere is no shortage of advice on how to write a good Oxbridge personal statement. But there’s also no shortage of difficulty in knowing what to believe, what to prioritise, and how to apply a series of abstract Do’s and Don’ts in practice.
Read MoreStarting in Year 6, at 9pm on a Monday evening, I would get into bed and turn on the LBC legal hour. I didn’t read comics in bed as a kid; I listened to legal programs.
Read MoreAccording to age-old convention, you can’t apply to Oxford and Cambridge at the same time (as an undergrad, at least). A choice has to be made, and it can be daunting. What’s the best way of picking?
Read MoreEvery year, a large number of Indian students travel to Oxbridge pursuing a variety of graduate and postgraduate programs. However, in recent years there has also been a steady inflow of students on their undergraduate degrees, a phenomenon which has become common only lately with a change in the academic requirements at Oxbridge.
Read MoreSo - you’ve submitted your essays and your personal statement, you’re preparing for your interview, and you’re half-way through the Oxbridge application process for English. One hurdle looms ahead: the ELAT, or English Literature Admissions Test.
Read MoreMost of the Oxbridge preparation process is exhilarating and a little bit glamorous. You read new books, think bold and daring thoughts, craft a glittering personal statement, picture yourself sparring across a coffee-stained, ancient desk with your interviewers … and then there’s the translation test.
Read MoreAn individual capable of making a competitive application to an Ivy League school is capable of making a competitive application to Oxford and Cambridge as well. Although the requirements of an Oxbridge application are different than the requirements for Ivy League universities, the core documentation for both applications are the same. In addition to the application itself, there are a number of differences in how Oxbridge evaluates applicants, most critically the absence of any legacy consideration.
Read MoreAmericans comprise the largest bloc of international students at Oxbridge. In addition, students at US Universities regularly come to Oxford on educational exchange for either a term or the full academic year. In short, American students at Oxford and Cambridge will find a substantial and welcoming community of other Americans.
Read MoreSeeing my ideas materialise gives me immense satisfaction and drives me to make my concepts a reality. This drive appears, not only in art, but also in physics. Often feeling torn between the sciences and the arts, being able to merge the two through architecture is an exciting prospect.
Read MoreAn instant pathway into the hearts of people you meet. That’s what languages are. This is affirmed as, the day before submitting this, I spoke to a Columbian and through our shared Spanish, he felt an affinity with me and opened up about his whole life. The number of these encounters proves the importance of languages.
Read MoreAccording to the university sources, there are currently just over 300 Korean students studying at Oxford and Cambridge combined. Considering the scale of both universities, or the relative number of Korean students studying in London universities, this isn’t a particularly large group.
Read MoreMost students don’t expect to take gap years. However, most who do seem to find them both enjoyable and informative experiences. It’s a puzzle to me why more students don’t take them. Although there’s a perception taking a ‘gap ya’ is for the rich and affluent, I’ve found in reality the opposite to be true.
Read MoreMy first exposure to foreign languages came from taking up piano. On one level, I was learning a new vocabulary of Italian adjectives and present participles (‘adagio’, ‘meno mosso’, ‘crescendo’); on another, I was learning to read a new script - to recognise symbols and translate them into where, when and how my fingers press the keys.
Read MoreIn 2017, I found out my friend had Friedreich’s ataxia (FA). Intrigued, I carried out an internet search and was surprised to learn that FA is caused by a trinucleotide repeat expansion in a part of the genome that does not even encode amino acids. This prompted me to read ‘Junk DNA’ by Nessa Carey, a book which showed me that the noncoding parts of our genome have vital biological functions.
Read MoreIn February 2019, I attended the AAAS conference in Washington to find out about the way science interacts with global issues. While I was there, I was struck by the breadth of knowledge presented by the attendees.
Read MoreBiochemistry fascinates me. It combines the two disciplines I most enjoy to explain important, complex concepts such as cellular communication, metabolism and the functions of enzymes.
Read MoreSearching for how underlying biochemical mechanisms work showed me the fascinating complexity of the molecular world. I first experienced this through Plasmodium's cunning method of recombining var genes to display different proteins on host erythrocytes, instantly enticing me to discover more about the hidden intricacies of life.
Read MoreI was introduced to Chemical Engineering aged eleven, during my stay at a hotel in Colombo. The manager explained their sustainability programme and how chlorine is used to neutralise water and inhibit bacteria from reproducing, thus making the water pure and safe.
Read MoreLanguage is the basis of everything. From casual conversations to the soul-wrenching song that is Akhmatova's 'Requiem', it encompasses, defines and creates all. I have chosen to study Russian and French because I know the ability to speak foreign languages allows access to a world of experience outside our own cultural context.
Read MoreReading Nicholas Cook's 'Music: A Very Short Introduction' kindled my enthusiasm for the study of music. I was particularly interested in his discussion of how performers are perceived in classical music, and their presumed job to channel the intentions of the composer.
Read MoreWhen you open that email telling you that you’ve been invited to interview for Modern Languages, you’re probably filled with happiness and dread in equal measure. Hopefully, by the time you’ve finished reading this short guide to Modern Languages interviews, you’ll feel a bit more at ease.
Read MoreFor Engineering, you will typically have two interviews. Broadly speaking, these will be split into a technical interview and a more general interview. In the technical interview, you will be confronted with problems based on your mathematics and physics syllabi.
Read MoreI both fear and admire the power of genetics. While genome editing has the potential to treat currently incurable congenital diseases, the prospect of using this technology for biological enhancement could lead to unforeseen impacts on society.
Read MoreCongratulations! You have an Oxbridge interview for Geography. Exciting stuff, but also nerve-racking. The process can be stressful and challenging, but it should also be enjoyable! So, to help you calm your nerves, I have written this article to clarify the process and offer some advice.
Read MoreOxford and Cambridge both accept a wide range of the school leaving qualifications taken by students in Hong Kong – the primary three of these would be the HKDSE (Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education), the International Baccalaureate (IB), and the GCE A-levels…
Read MoreMy drive to study Engineering began as a curiosity about why things fail, and then how an understanding of those failures can give us new tools with which to manage unforeseen problems.
Read MoreIt can be tempting to think that biology interviews require you to know all the facts. You might feel like you’ll be expected to spurt the DNA sequences of every model organism. It can also be tempting by trying to just revise the facts in the textbook. But this isn’t what admission tutors are looking for in an Oxbridge interview.
Read MoreIn our economically, socially and politically interconnected world, cross-cultural sensitivity and understanding is a vital attribute for those studying and working internationally.
Read MoreGeography is one of the most relevant of all disciplines; its global focus attempts to understand the increased interconnectedness of international systems and their local effects.
Read MoreOxford requires you to include a response to an art object, of no more than 750 words, in your application. It’s worth starting this at the earliest opportunity so that you have plenty of time to draft and redraft it. Hopefully, this should be a reasonably pleasant exercise…
Read MoreWhile applying to Oxford or Cambridge is a daunting task for students all over the world, there are some factors that may make it even more challenging for Pakistani students. First, Pakistani students admittedly make a very small proportion of Oxbridge acceptances each year. However, this becomes a circular issue…
Read MoreOxford and Cambridge both accept the two main school leaving qualifications taken by students in Singapore – the GCE ‘A’ levels and the International Baccalaureate. In general, applicants will need a minimum of 3 A grades at the H2 level for the GCE ‘A’ levels, or 38 points on the IB to be invited for an interview…
Read MoreThe most important point I want to put across to you is to try and enjoy the interview process, as hard as that is to do. The tutors are not trying to catch you out with the questions and problems you have never seen before, but are instead trying to determine how you think and approach new problems…
Read MoreThe Oxbridge Interview process is extremely nerve-wracking and demanding for all subjects, and Physical Natural Sciences (Or Phys Nat Sci for short) poses no exception. That being said, the interview process for Phys Nat Sci is far more predictable in form than for many other subjects…
Read MoreOxbridge Medicine interviews are distinct from all other medical schools and require a different approach in terms of preparation. In this article, I hope to dispel any myths about the interview, share some tips to success and give some general advice about the best way to approach the seemingly ‘impossible questions.’
Read MoreChallenging as it may be, interview is a hugely rewarding experience. This blog gives you a primer in the main steps for preparation. Everyone has their own style, but these principles should steer you in the right direction. You will never feel fully prepared for your interview. This is where prioritising is key…
Read MoreWhen I started my application to Oxford, I had never heard of PPL. It was introduced to me through a tutor at my college who thought that my combined passion for science and humanities would make me a solid candidate for PPL…
Read MorePrior to starting my application, I distinctly remember being told by a brother of my friend, who had applied for HSPS the year before, that he had been sent out of the interview after failing to answer the first question (‘Explain this glass of water in regard to HSPS’) in a satisfactory manner.
Read MoreThe Oxford medical course is an incredibly academically challenging course, with the whole undergraduate course (3 years) focused only on academic scientific study of anatomy, physiology, biochemistry and others.
Read MoreThe first and most important step of your analysis must be to identify the themes within the source; that is, what broad topics and subjects does the source pertain to, what ideas recur throughout the source? Identifying themes is crucial because it provides the foundation on which you can build the rest of your analysis…
Read MoreThe questions from BMAT section 2 are taken from GCSE-level Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Maths content. Candidates can expect 6-8 questions on each of the sciences, and between 5 and 7 Maths questions, with just over a minute to answer each question
Read MorePractice questions to get you into the Interview mindset. 1) What is the role of myth in history? 2) Should historians seek to achieve objectivity, and can they ever succeed? 3) Is visiting historical sites useful to a historian?..
Read MoreChemistry as the “central science“ appeals to me due to its interdisciplinary reach, and fascinating areas of research: from organic chemistry to quantum mechanics and materials. Attending a chemistry masterclass at Cambridge University inspired me to explore the science further,
Read MorePreparing students for the History Aptitude Test at Oxford carries with it its own set of challenges. This test is designed to be more difficult than the sort of primary sources that students are likely to encounter at A-levels…
Read MoreOxbridge personal statements are different to most. Focus must be on analysing and evaluating relevant literature. Whilst the exact balance between this and highlighting previous experience differs from subject to subject…
Read MoreThe study of our classical heritage was for centuries the basis of Western education. Classics is a broad-based and varied discipline, the key to understanding the foundations of our civilization.
Read MoreThe Beheading of St John is the only painting Caravaggio signed; from the Baptist’s severed head, blood flows to form the name Michelangelo. This Baroque masterpiece hangs in St John’s Co-Cathedral, a place I often visited during my upbringing in Malta. While the Cathedral’s opulence intrigued me, I was overwhelmed by the painting’s gruesome content.
Read MoreThis article will give you a brief introduction to the main subfields of political science that are taught and studied at Oxford, and how to best prepare for each one by taking you through the introductory literature.
Read MoreAn English degree gives you the chance to spend three years reading books, thinking about books, writing about books, and talking about books. This means you’ll need to spend a lot of time reading - in the library, in your room, in a cafe, it doesn’t matter, as long as you’re meeting your weekly reading goals.
Read MoreUniversities in EU countries are not allowed to discriminate against EU nationals from other countries. In effect, any EU citizen is entitled to study at UK universities under the same conditions as nationals. This applies to entry requirements, course fees, and grants…
Read MoreMy application experience was rigorous but crucially surprised me in that I enjoyed the interview stage far more than I expected. In light of this, through the process itself I was able to gauge whether the Oxbridge teaching system suited my learning style…
Read MoreQueens’ is by no means a small college, with a total of 508 undergraduates, however it is known throughout Cambridge for its welcoming, friendly atmosphere …
Read MoreThe English interview is, essentially, a couple of hours in which you’re allowed to discuss the entire body of English literature with leading experts in the field. That may sound daunting, but it’s also a very exciting opportunity…
Read MoreHearing about my mother's experiences growing up in Belfast in the 70's made me realise how important an understanding of history is to comprehend today's politics. Bomb scares, curfews, soldiers on the streets were all part of her daily life. Segregated education meant that she never met a Catholic until she was 19.
Read MoreThese teachers were well-intentioned, telling me often about the various disadvantages I would be faced with given I came from a state school. However, in reality, the real disadvantage was…
Read MoreYou’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…
Read MoreThe Oxbridge Law course is uniquely different from that offered by many of the other top universities. Putting aside for now the tutorial system that is characteristic of all Oxbridge courses…
Read MoreBy the time you arrive at the interview stage, your application would have passed through many hands, and been reviewed thoroughly by your tutors. They will know already what your grades are like…
Read MoreThe vast majority of the work you complete at Oxbridge is centred around your weekly tutorial. That means hours and hours spent in the library researching for your essay question…
Read MoreMost joint honours schools at Oxford are relatively small and History & Politics is no exception. The university usually admits between 40 and 50 students per year which works out as an…
Read MoreHaving read History & Politics at Oxford, I cannot imagine myself having studied a different degree at a different university. The opportunity to combine two subjects I love and study them…
Read MoreEconomics can be a challenging discipline which tests a broad range of skills. It requires students that are capable mathematicians, historians, scientists and writers. However, the rewards…
Read MoreEconomics can be a challenging discipline which tests a broad range of skills. It requires students that are capable mathematicians, historians, scientists and writers. However, the rewards for taking economics…
Read More1) You want to go to a large college; this can be useful for meeting a range of people and means you’ll have a lot of buildings and grounds to explore whilst there…
Read MoreOriginally I wasn’t planning to apply to Christ Church. First time round I had applied to Balliol and failed to get in; I returned to Oxford, after taking a gap year, to have a look…
Read MoreAged six, I attended a general science exhibition at the Science Museum, where the concept of kinetic energy was introduced, and my interest in Physics was sparked. While studying for my GCSEs, I found that Physics and Mathematics inspired me, so I chose both as my Higher Level IB subjects.
Read MoreChrist Church will always hold some of my best memories. Remembering looking at the stars whilst listening to the chiming of Tom Tower, the huge fireworks display during its commemoration ball…
Read MoreSection 1 of the exam consists of 50 multiple choice questions split between problem-solving and critical thinking skills. These are similar in style to sections from other exams such…
Read MoreIn addition to more general personal statement tips, there are certain dos and don’ts for PPE (Philosophy, Politics and Economics). Let’s start with where students commonly go wrong…
Read MoreThere is a lot of bad advice given to students about interviews. Some of this comes from the press and speculation on internet forums. However, a lot also comes from well-meaning…
Read MoreThe interview is typically the most nerve racking part of the entire application process. Sitting down face to face with your potential tutors and being quizzed by world class scholars…
Read MoreThe History Aptitude Test forms a crucial aspect of your application for History and all Joint Honours Schools. Candidates usually need to clear a minimum threshold to be invited for…
Read MorePersonal statements are perhaps the most needlessly complex element of the entire application, with plenty of often contradictory advice being offered by everyone from schools, tutors…
Read MoreThe interview is typically the most nerve racking part of the entire application process. Sitting down face to face with your potential future tutors and being quizzed by world class…
Read MoreTo understand what makes for an effective personal statement try putting yourself in the shoes of the tutors and supervisors who will make the decision on your admission. What skills…
Read MoreYour Philosophy interview is likely to be mentally stimulating, intellectually challenging and often at times downright mind boggling. Either way, it is likely to be a memorable experience…
Read MoreWhen it comes to personal statements, above all it is important to show a true interest in Philosophy and a comprehensive knowledge of certain components of it. This is best demonstrated…
Read MoreTutorials / supervisions are essential to the Oxbridge learning experience. You learn by discussing your subject with a world class tutors. That doesn’t mean you can’t be shy, or an…
Read MoreYou may not know exactly why you love your subject, or which parts in particular most interest you; but you love your subject nonetheless. It will be what gets you through the inevitable…
Read MoreThere is a great deal of speculation and intrigue surrounding the universities of Oxford and Cambridge. Against the romantic backdrop of historic buildings and manicured quadrangles…
Read MoreWe all see the stories in the news. Private school pupils make up only 6.5% of the UK student population but consistently receive over 40% of offers at Oxford and Cambridge. Although…
Read MoreDefending one’s argument is essential to performing well in the Oxbridge interview. I had done so passionately; we had started by agreeing that spheroids had a lot in common with flat…
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