Is Cambridge more selective than Oxford?

Asked by: Isabella Huels IV  |  Last update: September 26, 2023
Score: 4.5/5 (3 votes)

Recently, over 17,000 students applied to study at Cambridge, and only 3,500 were accepted (an acceptance rate of ~21%). Acceptance rates at Oxford are even lower at 16.25% – in the past academic year, they accepted 3,250 students out of 20,000 submissions.

Is Cambridge harder to get into than Oxford?

Oxford and Cambridge are highly competitive, and unfortunately, you can only apply to one per year. According to these acceptance numbers, Cambridge appears to be the easier to get accepted.

What is more prestigious Oxford or Cambridge?

QS World University Rankings® 2023

In the latest results, Cambridge comes out second in the world for both academics and employers. Oxford, meanwhile, claims the world's third-highest ratings from graduate employers and academics.

Do more people apply to Oxford than Cambridge?

Entry to both universities is very competitive. More than 23,000 prospective students applied to Oxford in each of the last three admissions cycles, with only about 3,300 places available. Meanwhile, in 2020, over 20,000 applied to Cambridge, with a total of 4,710 acceptances.

Is it harder to get into Oxford or Yale?

The acceptance rate for Oxford is higher than Yale, irrespective of its high score requirement for exams to study in the UK. Undergraduate programs at Oxford are highly focussed, while at Yale a broader curriculum is included at UG level of study.

How to choose between Oxford and Cambridge - from an OxBridge graduate

28 related questions found

What percent of Americans get into Oxford?

Generally, Oxford has an acceptance rate of approximately 13-17%.

Is Oxford more prestigious than Ivy League?

With Oxford and Cambridge ranked No. 1 and 2 in the world by Times Higher Education, and Ivy Leagues' Stanford, MIT, CIT, Harvard, Princeton and Yale, directly behind, it's not hard to see why it is a difficult choice for high performing students.

Why you cannot apply to both Oxford and Cambridge?

Basically, it comes down to supply and demand. Both universities know that they are going to receive a huge volume of applications, so by allowing people to apply for both institutions, it would create an even larger number of applicants to assess for a limited intake at each.

Is Oxford or Cambridge prettier?

Oxford has it's stately buildings and picturesque spots, but as a whole, it's not as picturesque as Cambridge. Cambridge is also the perfect place for a punting experience.

Why choose Cambridge over Oxford?

A small city where almost a fifth of the population are students and the centre is dominated by the University; it could be the place for you if you're after a small town feel. Cambridge is more laid-back than Oxford and arguably prettier, with a river flowing through the city centre and countryside surroundings.

Is Cambridge an Ivy League school?

The Ivy League group of universities in the USA – Brown University, Columbia University, Cornell University, Dartmouth College, Harvard University, the University of Pennsylvania, Princeton University and Yale University – and the universities of Cambridge and Oxford in the UK are among the most reputable universities ...

Is Harvard more prestigious than Cambridge?

Harvard University ranks among the Ivy Leagues in USA while Cambridge University is part of the Golden Triangle of UK universities. Harvard University is one of the top private universities in Cambridge, United States. It is ranked #5 in QS World University Rankings 2023 and ranked #1 in US UNI.

Is it harder to get into Oxford as an American?

The 17% acceptance rate applies to UK applicants only. The number drops to 9% for applicants from other parts of the planet, including the US. Despite this, a large fraction of Oxford's student body is not from the UK. As a matter of fact, up to 45% of Oxford's attendees are students from over 160 countries!

Can Americans go to Cambridge?

The University of Cambridge requires applicants from the US to submit their SAT or ACT scores. The SAT score required is at least 1460 or 1500, depending on the course.

Is it easier to get to Oxford or Cambridge?

Oxford and Cambridge are highly competitive, and unfortunately, you can only apply to one per year. According to these acceptance numbers, Cambridge appears to be the easier to get accepted.

Can Americans apply to Oxford and Cambridge?

The application process is the same for everyone regardless of nationality. Have more questions about the application process for graduate studies at Oxford? Submit them here: www.graduate.ox.ac.uk/ask. Keep in touch with Oxford Graduate Admissions through Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

Can American students apply to Oxford and Cambridge?

The process of applying for an Oxford course is the same as for any other foreign students, and not dissimilar to the ones for locals too. You will need to submit an application through the UCAS. You will need to provide records of your high school and write a personal statement.

Is Oxford more expensive than Cambridge?

Both Oxford and Cambridge cost around the same amount, although Oxford is a bit more expensive if you are an international students. Either way, both universities study costs are cheaper than US colleges.

Is MIT more prestigious than Oxford?

Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) is the world's best university, followed by the University of Cambridge, Stanford University, Oxford, and Harvard. This classification is according to the QS World University Ranking 2023, which features 1418 institutions worldwide, and was released this week.

What is the British equivalent of Harvard?

Whilst both Harvard and Oxbridge offer an excellent education, the type you receive is significantly different. When it comes to your academic subject or degree, Oxford and Cambridge want you to specialise early.

Which is the most elite college in Oxford?

1. Merton College. Merton College is one of the most popular Oxford colleges and sits at the top of Oxford's Norrington Table with a score of 82.9%. Located in the centre of Oxford on Merton Street and only a few minutes' walk from the University of Oxford botanic gardens, T.S.

What GPA do you need for Oxford?

Undergraduate qualifications

If your graduate course at Oxford requires a 'first-class undergraduate degree with honours' in the UK system, you will usually need a bachelor's degree with an overall grade of Class 1, 'A' or 80%, or a GPA of 3.7 out of 4.0.

What is the American equivalent of Oxford?

In this respect Harvard, Yale, and Princeton are the Western Counterparts of Oxford and Cambridge, and are maintained largely for the sons of rich men. Members of the American aristocracy would send their boys to one or other of these three universities if there were any aristocracy in the United States.

Do average students get into Oxford?

You stand just as much a chance as anyone else. The acceptance rate at Oxford is about 17.5% which is far higher compared to Harvard, Stanford, MIT and other Ivy League Universities.