Oxford vs. Cambridge. Two universities recognised as world-leading institutions of learning, but which is better?
At face value, Oxford and Cambridge are similar institutions: both are world-famous, both are super old, and both are competitive to get into.
However, the intricacies of student life and the similarities and differences between the two giants of academia are lesser-known, so this guide will answer the question of which of these two universities (if either) is the best.
Throughout the guide, we’ll be exploring all the major factors that make up these universities, including entry requirements, acceptance rates, colleges and much more. No applicant can apply to Oxford and Cambridge in the same year, so it’s important to be aware of each university’s strengths to select the one that best meets your needs. Let’s get started!
The History Of Oxford And Cambridge
Before we can explore the modern-day rivalry between the two universities, we should first briefly understand the context of how these two universities became linked in the first place. There are hundreds of years of Oxbridge history, but here are the essential points to know:
The initial formation of the University of Cambridge was actually down to a dispute in Oxford between several scholars and hostile townspeople. The University of Oxford was initially formed in 1026, but it wasn’t until nearly 200 years later that those scholars fled the town and formed the original University of Cambridge in 1209.
From this point, the rivalry between the two universities was ignited, with each institution competing for intellectual dominance and, eventually, victory in a wide variety of competitions and sporting events.
To this day, the two universities regularly compete in a wide variety of events, from sporting tournaments to debates. One of the most notable events is the world-famous “Boat Race: which is held each year across over four miles of the River Thames in South West London (known as the Championship Course). Throughout the event, four separate races are held, including the Men’s and Women’s races, as well as two reserve races.
As of 2025, Cambridge has won more races than Oxford in both the Men’s and Women’s races:
Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race Results
Oxford Boat Race Wins (Men’s)
81
Oxford Boat Race Wins (Women’s)
30
Cambridge Boat Race Wins (Men’s)
88
Cambridge Boat Race Wins (Women’s)
49
While the rivalry is far more friendly today than it was initially, the spirit of Blue vs Blue is still alive and well (Oxford students call Cambridge students ‘Tabs’, a derogatory term derived from ‘Cantab’ (the abbreviated Latin word for Cambridge)), and something that becomes a part of the Oxbridge experience, no matter which university you end up going to.
However, before you can begin to compete with the opposite side, you first need to pick yours. Choosing between Oxford and Cambridge is tough for many applicants, as there are so many factors to consider. Every prospective student wants to attain the best university experience they can, but how can you choose between two universities that seem equally amazing?
We’ll next explore some of the key factors to look at when picking your Oxbridge university, so let’s get into it:
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Oxford and Cambridge University Rankings
One of the first things applicants will look at when choosing their university options is the university ranking tables. In the UK, two of the biggest national university league tables are the Complete University Guide and The Guardian, each of which creates lists for a wide variety of subjects alongside an overall ranking table.
Being so well-regarded, it’s common to see both Oxford and Cambridge at the top of most tables for subjects they teach, but how do they currently fare on each table in 2025?
Oxford University Ranking
Complete University Guide
2nd
The Guardian
1st
Cambridge University Ranking
Complete University Guide
1st
The Guardian
3rd
As we can see, each university was ranked 1st on one list, but Cambridge was actually overtaken by another university on The Guardian’s table, losing 2nd place to the University of St Andrews.
These tables are compiled based on data collected from the National Student Survey and the universities themselves. Each university scored a perfect score on one of the lists, while both achieved great scores in categories like Continuation, Student Spend and Entry Standards.
While these general lists provide a basic understanding of which universities are considered the best in the UK, they aren’t as relevant for the average applicant compared to subject-specific tables. It’s important to view the tables for the course you’re actually considering, as this will give you a better idea of whether each university is well regarded in that field. We have guides analysing many of these subject tables, so be sure to check out the one relevant to you.
Here are Oxford and Cambridge’s Placements for some of the top courses in the UK:
Oxford Medicine Ranking
Complete University Guide
2nd
The Guardian
2nd
Cambridge Medicine Ranking
Complete University Guide
1st
The Guardian
4th
Oxford Law Ranking
Complete University Guide
4th
The Guardian
3rd
Cambridge Law Ranking
Complete University Guide
1st
The Guardian
1st
Oxford Engineering Ranking
Complete University Guide
2nd
The Guardian
2nd
Cambridge Engineering Ranking
Complete University Guide
1st
The Guardian
1st
Oxford Economics Ranking
Complete University Guide
3rd
The Guardian
1st
Cambridge Economics Ranking
Complete University Guide
1st
The Guardian
3rd
As we can see, Cambridge was generally ranked higher in these subjects. However, there isn’t a consistent winner between the two universities overall, with each one having strengths in different subjects (more on this later).
It’s not just UK rankings that Oxford and Cambridge excel in, as the universities are also frequently seen at the top of international ranking tables. Two of the top tables for global rankings come from Times Higher Education (THE) and QS Top Universities, so let’s see how Oxford and Cambridge perform on these:
Oxford World University Ranking
Times Higher Education
1st
QS Top Universities
3rd
Cambridge World University Ranking
Times Higher Education
5th
QS Top Universities
5th
In the global rankings, Cambridge wasn’t quite as competitive as Oxford this year, but each of them still performed extremely well. Interestingly, QS World Top Universities actually ranked Imperial College London – a fellow G5 University and founding Russell Group member – in 2nd place, above both Oxbridge universities.
It is important to remember that, on this global ranking level, the differences between Oxford and Cambridge are marginal; they both have seemingly permanent spots in the global top 10s and are firmly established among the world’s academic elite as well as in the minds of employers.
Indeed, the Oxbridge brand name is powerful; for example, Cambridge was considered second in the world by employers and Oxford third in the QS World University Rankings. So if you want to study somewhere with a solid international reputation, an Oxbridge degree is difficult to beat.
Despite this, rankings can always change, so it’s never a guarantee that Oxford or Cambridge will take the top spot. There are far more tangible factors that can be considered when choosing your university, so let’s continue by looking at university acceptance rates.
Oxford vs Cambridge - Acceptance Rates
The acceptance rate for a university essentially indicates the percentage of applicants who were ultimately admitted into said university. This is one of two important statistics to understand when it comes to university admissions, with the other being offer rate (the percentage of applicants who earned an offer).
Being so prestigious and having so many applicants each year, it’s only natural that Oxford and Cambridge would each have very low offer and acceptance rates, but is one Oxbridge university significantly more competitive than the other? Let’s review their overall admissions statistics for the last five years to find out:
Oxford Acceptance Rate (2019 - 2023)
2023
Applicants: 23,211
Offers: 3,721
Offer Rate: 16.0%
Acceptances: 3,219
Acceptance Rate: 13.9%
2022
Applicants: 23,819
Offers: 3,645
Offer Rate: 15.3%
Acceptances: 3,271
Acceptance Rate: 13.7%
2021
Applicants: 24,338
Offers: 3,555
Offer Rate: 14.6%
Acceptances: 3,298
Acceptance Rate: 13.6%
2020
Applicants: 23,414
Offers: 3,932
Offer Rate: 16.8%
Acceptances: 3,695
Acceptance Rate: 15.8%
2019
Applicants: 23,026
Offers: 3,895
Offer Rate: 16.9%
Acceptances: 3,286
Acceptance Rate: 14.3%
Cambridge Acceptance Rate (2019 - 2023)
2023
Applicants: 21,445
Offers: 4,553
Offer Rate: 21.2%
Acceptances: 3,557
Acceptance Rate: 16.6%
2022
Applicants: 22,470
Offers: 4,238
Success Rate: 18.9%
Acceptances: 3,544
Acceptance Rate: 15.8%
2021
Applicants: 22,795
Offers: 4,260
Success Rate: 18.7%
Acceptances: 3,660
Acceptance Rate: 16.1%
2020
Applicants: 20,426
Offers: 4,710
Success Rate: 23.1%
Acceptances: 3,997
Acceptance Rate: 19.6%
2019
Applicants: 19,359
Offers: 4,694
Success Rate: 24.2%
Acceptances: 3,528
Acceptance Rate: 18.2%
As we can see, Cambridge is generally easier to get into as a student, but neither offers high chances of success.
However, much like rankings, it’s more important to consider the admissions statistics of your chosen course, as these will better reflect your chances of getting a place. There are over 30 courses at each university to look at, so be sure to check out our dedicated guides to Oxford Acceptance Rates and Cambridge Acceptance Rates.
Oxbridge acceptance rates are so low because of the two universities’ famously high entry standards, so let’s review these next.
Oxford and Cambridge Entry Requirements
Oxbridge is notoriously hard to get into, and this is partially down to the extensive admissions process all applicants will have to contend with. This process is far more in-depth than a typical UK university application, but is one university harder than the other?
Firstly, it’s essential to know that UCAS has an early application deadline for those applying to Oxford and Cambridge: mid-October (usually the 15th of October) as opposed to mid-January for non-Oxbridge and non-medical courses. Aside from applying on UCAS, there are a number of different requirements that make up an Oxford and Cambridge application:
Oxbridge Personal Statement
The Personal Statement is important for standing out from the crowd and showing your potential. Therefore, make sure you dedicate time to it.
The qualities Oxford and Cambridge Admissions Tutors look for are a passion for your subject, as well as evidence you’ve gone above and beyond to pursue this passion; think work experience, extra reading and independent projects. This demonstrates commitment and your ability to work independently. Some Oxbridge courses will provide a few key personal characteristics, on their websites, that show suitability, such as on Oxford’s Medicine Website.
For more information, on what Oxford and Cambridge look for in the students and how to stand out from the pack, read through our guide on ‘How To Write An Oxbridge Personal Statement‘.
School Grades
Oxbridge applicants generally have some of the best grades in the country and internationally. Let’s look at an example of a course and the standard of the applicants applying for it.
Of course, A-levels are just one part of the application process, but they are a good indicator of the standard of students applying to Oxbridge.
Typical Oxford Offers
Conditional offers for Oxford range between A*A*A and AAA (depending on the subject) at A Level or 38–40 in the IB, including core points. Certain grades may be required at Higher Level.
Typical Cambridge Offers
The typical A Level offer for Cambridge is A*A*A for most Science courses and A*AA for Arts courses, or 40–42 in the IB, including core points, with 776 at Higher Level.
There may also be specific subject requirements for certain courses, especially in the sciences and, at Cambridge, subject requirements may vary from one college to another.
Oxbridge Admissions Tests
- Admissions tests are required for many Oxbridge courses (though not all). They help widen the gap between the extremely high achieving candidates that apply to their institutions. Admissions Tutors shortlist applicants based on students’ applications and their performance in the test.
- Most Oxbridge admissions tests are computer-based and held at Pearson VUE testing centres.
- Cambridge requires applicants to take pre-Interview tests for some of its courses, but for other subjects, Cambridge requires a written test to be taken on the day you interview, either remotely or in-person.
Oxbridge Interviews
Cambridge Interviews around 70% of their undergraduate applicants. Oxford Interviews considerably less, ranging from 20% to 40%. This is one of the key differences between applying to Oxford and Cambridge.
These Interviews are conducted in December and are the final stage of applying to Oxbridge. They can be intimidating: essentially, you sit with a couple of experts in their field and are asked tricky questions that A-level knowledge alone will only get you so far in answering.
These Interviews are designed to challenge you to think and apply your knowledge and skills to unfamiliar problems, to see how you cope with this situation and how teachable you are.
We outline the differences between the Oxford and Cambridge Interviews in our helpful guide such as the winter pool system, what the Admissions Tutors are looking for and how to approach questions.
Additional Requirements
When you submit your application, you may be required to complete one or more additional forms. For example, Cambridge requires every undergraduate student to complete an SAQ (known as the My Cambridge Application form at Cambridge) shortly after submitting their UCAS application. If you are applying from outside the EU, for Graduate Medicine, or for an Organ Scholarship, you may also need to complete the Cambridge Online Preliminary Application (COPA). Oxford rarely requires you to complete any extra forms.
Beyond this, some courses may require applicants to submit additional work in place of an admissions test. This usually doesn’t require much extra work, as most courses will ask for pre-written work that has been marked in an academic context.
We now have a better idea of how competitive each university is and how challenging their admissions processes are. However, you’ll still need to decide which one would be better at meeting your needs in a specific subject area, so let’s now explore the differences between Oxford and Cambridge’s course offerings.
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Oxford and Cambridge University Courses
Oxford and Cambridge both offer a variety of traditional subjects, including History, Mathematics, Medicine, English, Classics, Law and Engineering. Both universities are well known as being some of the best providers of these subjects in the world.
However, there are some degrees that Oxford offers that Cambridge does not offer and vice versa. For example, Cambridge is the only one of the two with Architecture and Veterinary Medicine courses, whilst Oxford uniquely offers Fine Art and Philosophy, Politics & Economics (PPE), which is one of its most popular courses.
One of the stereotypes surrounding Oxbridge is that Oxford is better for Humanities/Social Sciences, while Cambridge is better for STEM. While this isn’t really the case, it’s understandable how this perception was formed. One of Oxford’s most famous courses is PPE, while one of Cambridge’s top courses is Natural Sciences.
Even looking at the alumni from each institution, we can see that Cambridge has taught some of the most notable names in the field of science, including pioneers like Isaac Newton and Charles Darwin, as well as more recent examples like Stephen Hawking and David Attenborough. Meanwhile, many of Oxford’s most notable alumni are entertainers and politicians, including eight of the last ten UK Prime Ministers.
Although you’re going to be getting a world-class education whether you attend Oxford or Cambridge, there are some notable differences within some of their top courses, so let’s explore a few of these:
Oxford vs Cambridge Medicine
The two medicine courses taught at these universities are broadly similar and both stand out from other UK medical schools due to their focus on scientific teaching over patient-facing experience in the first two years.
There will naturally be differences in where students complete placements and what their intercalation years involve, but there is one key difference between the two universities that may impact your decision of where to apply. Put simply, Cambridge offers full cadaveric dissection, while Oxford does not. This means that Cambridge students will have greater interactivity when studying human anatomy, but this experience isn’t necessarily desirable for everyone.
We have a full guide dedicated to the differences between Oxford and Cambridge Medicine, so be sure to take a look if you’d like to learn more about the two courses.
Oxford vs Cambridge Law
Both universities are highly regarded for the teaching of Law, with each course offering similar content. However, beyond differences in placement opportunities and available modules, there is also a broader difference between how the subject is taught at each Oxbridge university.
Oxford’s Law degree is specifically sub-titled Jurisprudence, and features the topic as a core part of the curriculum with a mandatory study of Jurisprudence. Meanwhile, Cambridge offers more flexibility in choosing modules, including Jurisprudence in later years as an optional module. This leads to Oxford’s degree having a greater focus on philosophical and historical studies in relation to Law, versus Cambridge’s focus on legal practice.
As well as this, Oxford’s exams are largely concentrated at the end of the third year, while Cambridge’s exams are spread out over the three years. Oxford also offers a greater variety of course combinations, with options to study standard Law alongside Law from a variety of European countries, including France, Germany, Italy and Spain.
There’s more to discover about the differences between the two courses, so read our guide to Oxford and Cambridge Law to gain a greater understanding.
Oxford vs Cambridge Engineering
Oxford and Cambridge each offer 4-year Engineering degrees, although Oxford’s is titled as “Engineering Science”. However, this doesn’t have much of a significant impact on how the course is taught. Some consider Cambridge’s course to have a greater focus on practical work, while Oxford students spend more time working with theoretical topics and applied mathematics. However, each course will provide an education unmatched by most other universities in the world.
Oxford vs Cambridge Economics
While Cambridge offers a traditional Economics degree, Oxford does not. Economics makes up a third of the teaching in its PPE degree, but the closest equivalent to a standard Economics degree at Oxford is Economics and Management (E&M).
While this means Oxford applicants will spend less time studying traditional Economics topics, some applicants may prefer the broader range of study encompassed in the Management side of the course. This includes modules on General Management, Financial Management, Operations Management and more, so Oxford may be the better choice for students who have a greater interest in business.
Oxford vs Cambridge Science
Oxford and Cambridge’s science courses likely have the biggest differences between them, as each university approaches the subject in a very different way.
One of Cambridge’s more popular degrees is Natural Science, which gives students the chance to engage in all three primary sciences before eventually specialising in chosen areas. The course is split between Physical and Biological sciences, but full specialisation isn’t implemented until later in the course.
Meanwhile, Oxford does not offer a general science course, instead giving applicants the choice of three unique courses in Physics, Chemistry and Biology. This, naturally, provides a very different experience, as students do not experiment with the three different fields, instead sticking to just one.
Each approach has it’s pros and cons, with neither being objectively better overall:
Pros:
For students who are certain which science they wish to study at university, Oxford would make a far more obvious choice as students will begin studying their chosen subject from day one. This is advantageous over the Cambridge Natural Sciences system as it allows students to immerse themselves fully into a single subject, and explore all its complexities.
Cons:
However, for students who would like flexibility and the option to try subjects before committing, the Natural Sciences system is by far the best choice. Students in this system are given complete control of their subject choices from the first day, ideal for students who wish to take charge of their learning from the beginning. This can be quite intimidating for some.
It’s also worth considering the course lengths as well. For the majority of science degrees at Oxford, it is the norm for students to complete 4-year undergraduate degrees and to leave with a Master’s qualification.
Some courses, for example, Chemistry, are only offered as 4-year degrees whereby students may only leave after 3 years in exceptional circumstances after withdrawing from the university. Many other sciences have options to graduate after 3 years, however, the overwhelming majority of students choose to continue to the fourth year. The general requirement to progress to the fourth year is the achievement of a grade 2.2 at the end of the third year.
This is not the case at Cambridge, where the majority of Natural Sciences students graduate after three years, and where progression to the fourth year is different per academic department.
At Oxford, the final degree classification awarded is dependent on the course studied, for example, 4-year undergraduate programs in Physics lead to an MPhys, Earth Sciences to MEarthSci, etc. This is not the case at Cambridge, where students may leave with a Bachelors degree after three years or continue for an MSc Master’s degree.
In terms of the application process, it’s worth noting that only Physics requires an admissions test at Oxford, whereas all Natural Science applicants will need to take the ESAT at Cambridge. This means that it may be slightly easier to get a place on Oxford’s Chemistry or Biology degrees.
We’ve covered the top subjects, but there are differences between every course at Oxford and Cambridge, so ensure you do your own research to make an informed decision on which degree would be best for you.
Oxford vs Cambridge Colleges
Every Oxford and Cambridge student belongs to the university, their department and one of the 30+ colleges. Subject-specific departments are responsible for course content, core teaching, exams and awarding degrees, which means students get the same degree whichever college they go to. However, their college is a student’s home. Essentially, it is the place where they eat, sleep and do the majority of their socialising.
Looking for more information on how to choose the right Oxford College or Cambridge College? We have the perfect guides for you.
Colleges are responsible for admitting undergraduates, and students can indicate if they have a college of preference in their UCAS application. If you do not have a college preference, you can instead select an ‘open’ application and it will be allocated to a college that has relatively fewer applications for their course in that year. Once you have submitted your UCAS application, however, you will be committed to your choice of college. Each college at Oxford and Cambridge will have its own unique acceptance rate, as they all admit students independently of one another.
It is important to note that, whilst all Oxford Colleges are now co-ed, Cambridge still has a few colleges exclusively for women. Similarly, Oxford and Cambridge both have a handful of ‘mature student’ colleges – those which only accept students over the age of 21. All colleges at both universities are welcoming to international students.
Oxford and Cambridge Teaching Styles
Despite their differences, Oxford and Cambridge are very similar in terms of student numbers and the type of education students receive.
The staff: student ratio is about 1:11 at both Oxford and Cambridge (10.5 at Oxford and 11 at Cambridge). Such a high number of staff is a testament to their commitment to quality teaching.
Whilst terms are relatively short (8 weeks) compared to other universities (which tend to have 10-14 week terms), they are busy! Expect a packed Monday to Saturday with a combination of lectures, practical/laboratory classes, and small personalised teaching sessions called ‘supervisions’ (Cambridge) or ‘tutorials’ (Oxford).
Oxford Tutorials & Cambridge Supervisions
Supervisions and tutorials are usually hour-long sessions, delivered up to four times per week in groups of 2-3 students. They are designed to extend students’ understanding above and beyond what is possible from lectures alone.
You will be challenged to think critically and produce thoughtful, analytical, evidence-based arguments with the help of experts in their field. A balance between intimidating and exhilarating, this style of teaching makes Oxbridge unique and its graduates so sought-after by employers.
In a typical session, you will be asked questions related to lecture content and reading from the previous week and to produce material ahead of time for discussion. This could be an essay or answers to a set of problems or even just to have completed a certain amount of reading. Either way, deadlines are tight so it is important to be organised.
Two current Oxbridge Students (Brendan and Pierre) have created guides for you on what tutorials and supervisions are really like. Check them out below:
Oxbridge Exams
At the end of each University year, you will sit a series of formal exams (how many depends on whether you are at Oxford or Cambridge, on your course, and on your year of study) which are used as the ultimate markers of your progress. At both Oxford and Cambridge, your degree result is heavily reliant on your final year exams (although in some courses you will also do coursework, and a component of your second year may count).
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Oxbridge Tuition fees and financial support
Oxford and Cambridge charge different tuition fees depending on students’ nationalities. Here’s a quick table to summarise the information:
| Undergraduate | Postgraduate | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cambridge | Oxford | Cambridge | Oxford | |
| UK | £9,250 | £9,250 | £8,844 – £80,000 | £8,290 – £63,000+ |
| International | £22,227 – £58,038 | £28,370 – £35,380 | £25,758 – £80,000 | £27,460 – £63,000+ |
Are Oxford and Cambridge more expensive than other universities?
It’s important to note that many applicants are under the impression that Oxford or Cambridge cost more to go to than other universities. For applicants who live in the UK, this is actually the opposite since the terms are 8 weeks long, compared to a normal 10-14 week term at another university. Oxbridge students only pay accommodation fees for term time. However, this does have the inconvenience of Oxbridge students having to “move in” and “move out” of your college more frequently throughout the year, hence being inconvenient for non-UK residents.
Oxbridge Funding and Scholarships
The cost of attending Oxbridge adds up and so for many students, some form of financial support is needed. Tuition fee loans from the UK government are available for UK students, taking massive amounts of pressure off from the get-go. Read on for more information on financial support with Oxford applications. Oxbridge Universities offer a wide range of scholarships and grants for both domestic and overseas students, details of which can be found on Oxford and Cambridge’s main websites.
Oxford and Cambridge - which is the better city?
The biggest difference between Oxford and Cambridge is that Oxford feels bigger – more like a city that has a university, whereas Cambridge is more like a large campus that happens to also be a city. This gives the two universities very different atmospheres. What unites both locations, however, is the air of excitement, learning and possibility – something which enchants any Oxbridge student.
Views around Oxford
Views around Cambridge
Both Oxford and Cambridge are conveniently located about 60 miles (or an hour away by train) from London. Train travel is perhaps the most convenient and reliable form of transport in and out of the cities; cars are strongly discouraged due to inconvenient one way systems and non-existent parking.
Traveling around the cities
Travelling around the cities themselves is best done via bike or foot. Cambridge is more compact than Oxford and the roads less congested; this means cycling is more enjoyable and walking everywhere is much easier. However, Oxford does have a fantastic bus system, making getting from A to B simple.
This is essential, as teaching locations are spread across the city. For some courses, classes might be in one place, but this may be far from your College.
Which city is prettier?
Oxford, being that much bigger than Cambridge, is generally considered to be a bit livelier, and Cambridge prettier. Let’s be honest though: both are gorgeous places to be and both have a selection of great places to hang out. If you like pubs, The Eagle in Cambridge is famous for being where Watson and Crick came up with their theory for the structure of DNA, and the Lamb and Flag in Oxford was frequented by C.S Lewis, who wrote the Chronicles of Narnia.
Oxbridge Nightlife
Both cities have nightclubs offering a selection of music styles and vibes, with student nights pretty much every day of the week. The ‘town vs gown’ issue is not huge, but sometimes places just get super busy and tensions can bubble after a few drinks. Many Colleges hold ‘bops’ (AKA parties) within their own walls for students (both members of the college and members of other colleges). These are often themed (think St Patrick’s Day, Rubik Cube, Neon…) and are great ways to meet new people.
Oxford vs Cambridge - Extra-curricular activities
When you’re not studying, you’re going to want to explore the different activities and societies that your university has to offer, so what do Oxford and Cambridge provide?
Oxbridge Sports
Oxbridge Societies
Have a hobby other than sport? Oxbridge will probably cater for it; there are literally 100s of societies and clubs from politics to painting, from wine to watching movies. These all come together at the annual ‘Fresher’s Fair’ a great chance for new students to join societies. Each has a stall with lots of eager current members ready to give you more info and help you decide what new and current hobbies you want to pursue during your spare time.
If you are feeling intellectual one evening, check out what is on at the Oxford or Cambridge Union; these host regular talks by political figures, TV personalities, famous scientists, and more. Past speakers include Pamela Anderson, Stephen Fry and Sir Ben Kingsley! The Oxford and Cambridge Unions also hold weekly debates, which are exciting to watch and/or participate in.
Oxford vs Cambridge - Employability
Let’s be real: one of the biggest life-long perks of attending Oxbridge is that your CV is going towards the top of the pile for whatever internship or job you apply for.
While this may sound unfair or like an exaggeration, an Oxbridge education is second to none; the intense way you study means not only are you incredibly knowledgeable in your field by the time you graduate, but you also have a suite of transferable skills that employers are hungry for. You are organised, determined, driven, analytical, meticulous, and articulate. This really opens doors for your future career and studies.
Many graduates go on to study for their Masters or PhD and pursue work in academia. Others, however, may change direction completely; for example, I know plenty of NatSci (Natural Science) graduates who now work in finance. While you may choose to stay in Oxford or Cambridge post-graduation (for example, many science and engineering firms choose to base themselves near Cambridge), the world is brimming with opportunities for Oxbridge graduates.
Oxbridge Employability Scores
One factor that university ranking tables score is employability or graduate prospects. This is typically measured by the percentage of surveyed students who went on to a relevant career or further study 15 months after graduating.
In 2025, the Complete University Guide scored Oxford and Cambridge at 92% and 93% in Graduate Prospects. Meanwhile, The Guardian scored them at 93 and 94. This shows that Cambridge was generally about 1% better for employability on these tables.
Conclusion - Is Oxford or Cambridge Better?
We’ve explored a lot of different factors that make Oxford and Cambridge unique (and competitive), but at the end of the day, which is better? While there is usually a better option when considering individual aspects, there isn’t an overall winner in this competition. Cambridge may have won the Boat Race more times, but that isn’t going to be very helpful for you if you’re looking to study PPE, so it’s crucial that you consider the factors that are important to you.
It’s also important to remember that when comparing two of the best universities in the world, the quality differences are going to be marginal at best. Anyone would be lucky to get into either of these institutions, so the decision must be made based on your preferences over anything else.
We hope this guide has been helpful to you and that you’re now prepared to begin your application to your chosen Oxbridge university. As we mentioned before, the application process is incredibly tough, but UniAdmissions is able to ensure you have the best chance of earning your offer. Through our Full-Blue Programme, we provide comprehensive support for every step of the admissions process, including Personal Statement, admissions tests and interviews, allowing you to prepare in the most effective way possible and get a head start on the competition.
If you’d like to learn more about our Full-Blue Programme or would like to start the enrolment process, book a free consultation with our friendly admissions team today.
No matter which university you choose, UniAdmissions is here to help you get a place.
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We help you craft the perfect Personal Statement, achieve a highly competitive Admissions Test score and teach you how to Interview effectively – covering all areas of your Oxbridge application.
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