Here goes the title of the page - it should be something like "Parents Oxbridge Guide" or sth
We have put together the most important information for you to go through as a parent of an Oxbridge applicant. – or sth between those lines.
How to support your child during their Oxbridge application?
Most Oxbridge applicants have a tough time working through the admissions process, so it’s important that you’re able to support them through each step of the journey.
They will often need to compete against hundreds, if not thousands, of other applicants to gain one of the limited places available at one of the top universities in the world. This process has multiple steps that require a lot of time to effectively prepare for, so they will need support during this stressful period.
In the parent section, we will help you, as a parent, understand the process your child will be going through and provide tips for how you can support them in getting their offer.
Below are the figures for the 2023 application to Oxbridge and this really highlights how competitive both universities are, please make you child aware of the success rates for the course they wish to apply to so that you can both decide if they have a realistic chance of getting their place.
If they want to continue with their application then they may need to apply to a specific college within the University or they will have the option to keep their application open on UCAS and a college will be chosen for them.
For the majority of courses your child will be required to complete:
- A personal statement in their UCAS application.
- Either submit written work or/and take an admission test.
- Interview.
Each of the stages are equally important allowing your child to progress to the next stage of the process. However, it is important to note that some admission tests must be taken prior to the UCAS application deadline:
- UCAT test, for Medical or Dental degrees must be completed by the 26th September for 2026 entry.
- LNAT test, for Law degrees must be completed by the 15th October for 2026 entry.
- ESAT test, for Chemical Engineering, Engineering, Natural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine degrees are taken on the 9th or 10th October for 2026 entry to Cambridge.
- TMUA test, for Computer Science and Economics degrees are taken on the 13th or 14th October for 2026 entry to Cambridge.
Please be aware that the UCAS application deadline for Oxbridge is different to all other universities and must be submitted by the 15th October for the following year enrolment, your child’s personal statement is included in this.
If your child’s application is successful the next stage will be to submit work or undergo an admissions test, unless they have already taken one of the above. These tests take place in the last two weeks of October and early November depending on which subject they have chosen to study.
If your child is successful then they will be invited to an interview in the first two weeks of December.
- The University of Oxford will send out offer letters in mid-January to applicants.
- The University of Cambridge has a different process and applicants will either be accepted, rejected or pooled.
The aim of the ‘Winter pool’ is to ensure that capable applicants are given a place regardless of the college they applied to. Cambridge offers typically come out on the 30th January.
The process remains the same for both domestic and international students, with the official application submitted through UCAS.
The only additional requirement when applying from abroad is a test proving proficiency in the English language, although only for those not applying from a majority English-speaking country.
Top grades in school are a prerequisite when applying to Oxbridge, with students expected to have achieved straight A*/A’s (or equivalent) across their GCSEs and A-Levels.
For children with Oxbridge aspirations, preparation should ideally begin prior to them choosing their GCSEs rather than waiting until sixth form.
To truly stand out in their Oxbridge applications, students must demonstrate both a deep understanding of their chosen subject and a genuine passion for it. Achieving this level of mastery requires going beyond the standard school curriculum.
Parents play a crucial role in this journey. You can support your child by investing in subject-specific extracurricular activities, providing access to books and research materials, and encouraging real-world experience through voluntary or even paid work.
For instance, if your child hopes to study medicine at Oxbridge, you might consider funding additional science classes, supplying advanced reading materials, or helping them find opportunities to volunteer at hospitals or clinics. These experiences not only build knowledge but also show commitment—something Oxbridge admissions tutors value highly.
Other opportunities may include entering competitions or publishing pieces.
Oxbridge are looking for passion, love of rigorous debate, the ability to challenge ideas and have new ones, a creative, imaginative and analytical intelligence and confidence, but not arrogance about your own intelligence.
- Your child will be measured on their academic performance and ambitions
- Oxbridge assessments go beyond your child’s grades and UCAS form
- Their personal statement will be used as a guide to what to ask them at their interview
- Oxbridge interviews test your child’s self-motivation and enthusiasm for the subject
- Students who achieve (or are close to achieving) their required grades or predicted grades before joining us
- Students that are always keen to learn more about their subject and regularly partake in extra-curricular activities
- Students who are dedicated to setting aside several hours each week in order to engage with our support effectively
- Students motivated to go the extra mile during their preparation in order to ensure their success.
- Our students dedicate time to wide variety of activities and achievements to enhance their experience within their subject of choice
- Our students demonstrate that they have a genuine interest in their subject by engaging with their resources on multiple levels
Our Oxbridge success calculator will give you an estimate of how likely your child is to get into Oxbridge. To check eligibility click here.
As a parent, you will have your own dedicated dashboard on your child’s personalised portal. This portal allows you to track your child’s progress in the programme and receive alerts if they fall behind.
The Parents Dashboard on the Portal offers an invaluable window into your child’s academic journey, providing real-time insights into their progress and ensuring no milestones are missed.
Our user-friendly interface allows you to stay informed about your child’s advancements in the UniAdmissions curriculum. The dashboard not only showcases completed tasks and achievements but also serves as a proactive tool with its alert system.
You’ll receive timely notifications if your child falls behind the curriculum, enabling swift intervention and support. With the Parents Dashboard, we empower you to actively participate in your child’s educational voyage, fostering a collaborative and supportive environment that enhances academic success.
What other parents say
Hear from the parents of some of our successful Oxbridge applicants
