{"id":24288,"date":"2025-08-13T17:00:47","date_gmt":"2025-08-13T13:30:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/avalvisa.com\/blog\/university-of-oxford-admissions\/"},"modified":"2026-08-29T07:13:21","modified_gmt":"2026-08-29T03:43:21","slug":"university-of-oxford-admissions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/avalvisa.com\/en\/blog\/university-of-oxford-admissions\/","title":{"rendered":"University of Oxford: Courses, Entry Requirements and Costs"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>When people talk about <strong>the best and most respected universities in the world<\/strong>, the University of Oxford is always among the top five. It admits only the strongest applicants, with high grades and high language scores.<\/p>\n<p>For students who meet that bar and want to start a serious academic and professional career, Oxford is a sound choice. What follows covers the <a href=\"https:\/\/avalvisa.com\/en\/uk-student-visa\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">UK student visa<\/a>, the university&#8217;s history, entry requirements, tuition, subjects, scholarships and the steps to an offer.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2>About the University of Oxford<\/h2>\n<p>The University of Oxford is <span style=\"background-color: #d0f0c0;\">consistently ranked among the top five universities in the world<\/span>. Teaching there dates back to 1096, and the university takes its name from the city it occupies. It is made up of a central university with its academic divisions and faculties, together with <strong>a number of self-governing colleges and permanent private halls<\/strong>, covering the full range of subjects; the university&#8217;s own website lists the current colleges. Around 45 percent of its students come from outside the United Kingdom.<\/p>\n<p>Oxford is the oldest university in the English-speaking world. In the medieval period it was one of Europe&#8217;s leading centres of learning, and its influence was such that in 1209 a group of scholars left after a dispute with local townspeople and founded another of the world&#8217;s great universities: Cambridge.<\/p>\n<p>Oxford has held a central place in<span style=\"background-color: #d0f0c0;\"> the scientific, philosophical and political life of Britain and beyond<\/span>, and its graduates have consistently ended up among the most prominent figures in public life. Its alumni include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>30 British prime ministers<\/li>\n<li>More than 70 Nobel laureates<\/li>\n<li>A long list of internationally known figures in literature and politics<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>That record is part of what this old centre of research and teaching is known for.<\/p>\n<div class=\"test\">Oxford&#8217;s reputation rests not only on its academic standing but on its distinctive method of teaching, its international environment and the research and career opportunities that follow.<\/div>\n<div><span style=\"color: #ffffff; background-color: #993366;\">University of Oxford website: www.ox.ac.uk<\/span><\/div>\n<h2>Documents required for an Oxford offer<\/h2>\n<p>An Oxford offer, and then <a href=\"https:\/\/avalvisa.com\/en\/immigration-to-england\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">moving to the United Kingdom<\/a>, is not within everyone&#8217;s reach. Anyone hoping to study here needs <span style=\"background-color: #d0f0c0;\">high grades and a strong language score<\/span>: <strong>A-level grades at the top of the range, and an IELTS Academic score at the level the course you apply for requires<\/strong>. The table below sets out the documents you need for an offer:<\/p>\n\n<table id=\"tablepress-714\" class=\"tablepress tablepress-id-714\">\n<thead>\n<tr class=\"row-1\">\n\t<th class=\"column-1\">Document<\/th><th class=\"column-2\">Level<\/th><th class=\"column-3\">Notes<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody class=\"row-striping row-hover\">\n<tr class=\"row-2\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">Application form (UCAS)<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Bachelor's and master's<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">UCAS form for undergraduate study; master's through Oxford's own application system<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-3\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">English language certificate (IELTS\/TOEFL)<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Bachelor's and master's<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">Academic IELTS minimum 7<br \/>\nTOEFL minimum 100<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-4\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">Previous academic qualifications<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Bachelor's and master's<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">Certified translation of transcripts + high school diploma for undergraduate, bachelor's degree for master's<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-5\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">CV<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Master's and some bachelor's courses<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">A CV must be submitted<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-6\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">Personal statement<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Bachelor's and master's<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">Explains motivation, interests, academic and career goals<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-7\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">Recommendation letters<\/td><td class=\"column-2\"><\/td><td class=\"column-3\">Usually 2 letters<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-8\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">Portfolio<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Depends on the course<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">For arts subjects such as fine art, design, architecture<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-9\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">Subject admissions test<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Bachelor's<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">Some courses such as medicine, law, philosophy and economics require admissions tests: UCAT for medicine (the BMAT has been discontinued), LNAT for law, TSA for philosophy and economics<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-10\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">Research proposal<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Master's and PhD<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">For research-based and PhD programmes<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-11\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">Identity document<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">All levels<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">An identity document must be submitted<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-12\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">Application fee<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Master's<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">GBP 75<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<!-- #tablepress-714 from cache -->\n<h2>How to apply to Oxford<\/h2>\n<p>For undergraduate admission, start by choosing your course, and note that some courses require an admissions test, such as <span style=\"background-color: #d0f0c0;\">the UCAT for Medicine, the LNAT for Law, and the TSA for courses including economics, philosophy and politics<\/span>. You have to reach the required standard in these.<\/p>\n<p>Undergraduate applications go through UCAS only, and the deadline for international applicants is normally 15 October for entry the following autumn.<\/p>\n<p>Once your documents are in and you have sat the required tests, you wait for <strong>the university&#8217;s decision<\/strong> on whether to invite you to interview. Interviews are usually held in December, and offers are issued by January. That leaves enough time to <span style=\"background-color: #d0f0c0;\">book an appointment and start the student visa process<\/span>.<\/p>\n<p>Postgraduate admission works differently. For a master&#8217;s or a doctorate you need to check the entry requirements, the documents, the course details, the fees and any funding options on the university&#8217;s own pages, and to have a CV or a portfolio depending on the subject.<\/p>\n<p>Once your documents are ready and you begin your application in Oxford&#8217;s online system, you pay the <span style=\"background-color: #d0f0c0;\">GBP 75 application fee<\/span> in the Graduate Application Portal and, where the department requires it, sit an admissions test or attend an interview.<\/p>\n<div class=\"test\">At postgraduate level the deadlines vary by course, but most departments begin reviewing applications in December and January.<\/div>\n<p>Once you have an offer, prepare your documents against the student visa checklist, book an appointment and complete your biometrics and visa application.<\/p>\n<p><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-14538 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/avalvisa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/oxford-university-1-scaled.webp\" alt=\"University of Oxford\" width=\"2560\" height=\"769\" srcset=\"https:\/\/avalvisa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/oxford-university-1-scaled.webp 2560w, https:\/\/avalvisa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/oxford-university-1-300x90.webp 300w, https:\/\/avalvisa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/oxford-university-1-1024x308.webp 1024w, https:\/\/avalvisa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/oxford-university-1-768x231.webp 768w, https:\/\/avalvisa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/oxford-university-1-1536x462.webp 1536w, https:\/\/avalvisa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/oxford-university-1-2048x616.webp 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2>The cost of studying at Oxford<\/h2>\n\n<table id=\"tablepress-811\" class=\"tablepress tablepress-id-811 tbody-has-connected-cells\">\n<thead>\n<tr class=\"row-1\">\n\t<th class=\"column-1\">Level<\/th><th class=\"column-2\">Student status<\/th><th class=\"column-3\">Annual tuition (GBP)<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody class=\"row-striping row-hover\">\n<tr class=\"row-2\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">Undergraduate<\/td><td rowspan=\"5\" class=\"column-2\">International students<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">GBP 35,000 to 59,000<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-3\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">Master's<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">GBP 25,000 to 45,000 depending on the subject<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-4\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">MBA programmes<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">GBP 94,120 (2027-28 intake, fee for the whole one-year programme)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-5\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">Medical sciences<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">GBP 43,000 to 57,000<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-6\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">Doctorate<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">GBP 24,000 to 45,000<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<!-- #tablepress-811 from cache -->\n<h3>Scholarships for international students<\/h3>\n<p>International students who meet the university&#8217;s criteria can apply for the following:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Clarendon Scholarship, a full award for master&#8217;s and doctoral study<\/li>\n<li>Rhodes Scholarship, open to applicants from a defined set of countries and regions<\/li>\n<li>Reach Oxford Scholarship, for undergraduate students from low-income countries<\/li>\n<li>Jardine, Weidenfeld, Ertegun and other awards from foundations and individual colleges<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>For the full list, see <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ox.ac.uk\/admissions\/graduate\/fees-and-funding\/graduate-scholarships\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">the University of Oxford scholarships page<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h2>Applying for a UK student visa<\/h2>\n<p>To study at Oxford or any other UK university you need to apply for the <span style=\"background-color: #d0f0c0;\">UK Student visa, the route that replaced Tier 4<\/span>. It covers <strong>undergraduate, master&#8217;s and doctoral study<\/strong> and is open to applicants aged 16 and over. Once you have booked your appointment, prepare and submit the following:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Proof of financial means, if you are not funded<\/li>\n<li>A formal offer of a place<\/li>\n<li>An English language certificate<\/li>\n<li>Original and translated academic certificates<\/li>\n<li>Original and translated transcripts<\/li>\n<li>Your CAS reference from the university<\/li>\n<li>The completed online Student visa application<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<blockquote><p>Students can invite their parents to visit and apply for a <a href=\"https:\/\/avalvisa.com\/en\/uk-tourist-visa\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">UK visitor visa<\/a> for the trip.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<h2>Student living costs in Oxford<\/h2>\n\n<table id=\"tablepress-792\" class=\"tablepress tablepress-id-792\">\n<thead>\n<tr class=\"row-1\">\n\t<th class=\"column-1\">Expense <\/th><th class=\"column-2\">Monthly cost (GBP)<\/th><th class=\"column-3\">Annual cost (GBP)<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody class=\"row-striping row-hover\">\n<tr class=\"row-2\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">Food<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">GBP 300 to 500<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">GBP 3,000 to 6,000<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-3\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">Housing<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">GBP 700 to 900<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">GBP 9,000 to 11,500<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-4\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">Personal purchases<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">GBP 200 to 350<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">GBP 2,000 to 4,000<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-5\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">Social activities<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">GBP 40 to 100<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">GBP 500 to 1,500<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-6\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">Extras and leisure<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Varies with lifestyle<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">Varies with lifestyle<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<!-- #tablepress-792 from cache -->\n<h2>Subjects at the <b>University<\/b> of <b>Oxford<\/b><\/h2>\n<p>Oxford has faculties and colleges covering every field of study, including:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Law and legal studies<\/li>\n<li>Social sciences<\/li>\n<li>Humanities<\/li>\n<li>Natural sciences<\/li>\n<li>Theology<\/li>\n<li>Medical sciences<\/li>\n<li>Computer science<\/li>\n<li>Engineering<\/li>\n<li>Philosophy, politics and economics<\/li>\n<li>English language and literature<\/li>\n<li>Interdisciplinary programmes in international studies and related fields<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"test\">Oxford also teaches through tutorials, small sessions with leading academics held one to one or in pairs. It is what gives the degree its depth and its emphasis on argument.<\/div>\n<div><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-22204 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/avalvisa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/oxford.university-1.webp\" alt=\"University of Oxford\" width=\"1177\" height=\"223\" srcset=\"https:\/\/avalvisa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/oxford.university-1.webp 1177w, https:\/\/avalvisa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/oxford.university-1-300x57.webp 300w, https:\/\/avalvisa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/oxford.university-1-1024x194.webp 1024w, https:\/\/avalvisa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/oxford.university-1-768x146.webp 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1177px) 100vw, 1177px\" \/><\/div>\n<h2>Applying for a UK visa with Aval Visa<\/h2>\n<p>If you plan to study in the United Kingdom, hold strong grades and meet the English language requirement your course sets, <span style=\"background-color: #d0f0c0;\">the University of Oxford<\/span> is one of the best options for your academic development and your career.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Competition<\/strong> for a place at Oxford is intense, but with <span style=\"background-color: #d0f0c0;\">careful planning, professional advice and thorough preparation<\/span> you can put forward a serious application. The team at <a href=\"https:\/\/avalvisa.com\/en\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Aval Visa<\/a> works alongside you on the offer itself, the appointment booking, your CV and the administrative work that goes with it.<\/p>\n<h2>Frequently asked questions<\/h2>\n<ol>\n<li><strong>Can I get an Oxford offer without an admissions test?<\/strong> For most subjects, no. The majority of undergraduate courses require a subject-specific admissions test, and competition for places is very high.<\/li>\n<li><strong>What IELTS score does Oxford require?<\/strong> Oxford sets its English language requirement at one of two levels depending on the course, so check the requirement listed for the course you want before you apply.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Are scholarships available to international students?<\/strong> Yes. Most awards are aimed at master&#8217;s and doctoral applicants, and some undergraduate schemes exist for students from specific countries.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A guide to the University of Oxford: its colleges and subjects, entry requirements and admissions tests, tuition and living costs, and the UK student visa steps.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":22201,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-24288","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/avalvisa.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24288","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/avalvisa.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/avalvisa.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/avalvisa.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/avalvisa.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=24288"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/avalvisa.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24288\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":24807,"href":"https:\/\/avalvisa.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24288\/revisions\/24807"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/avalvisa.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/22201"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/avalvisa.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=24288"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/avalvisa.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=24288"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/avalvisa.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=24288"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}