For any aspirational student that is beginning to consider their future, the topic of university is never far away. With many young adults dreaming of becoming the leaders of tomorrow by entering the field of politics, education or science and other areas, university isn’t just beneficial but verges on being a necessity.

Attending a prestigious university and coming away with top grades immediately sets your resume apart from the rest. If you dream of becoming a leader in your chosen field, you had better believe that a first-class honour from Cambridge University is a lot more appealing than scraping through college or another form of higher education. The mere fact that you were successful in your application to such an establishment is a demonstration of character that, on its own, will open doors for you.

Of course, you must work incredibly hard for this. Harder than anyone else in your class and harder than you ever have before. When you are at the point in your educational career that you start to consider whether or not university is for you, and which university you wish to spend three years or more at, this is when it gets real. If you thought that you worked hard for your GCSEs, you will look back on that time and laugh at how easy you had it back then.

Applying for Oxbridge
It shouldn’t surprise you that the application process for Oxbridge (Oxford or Cambridge University) is unlike any other. Getting an Oxbridge tutor would be a great help. These universities are only interested in the best of the best, so if you aren’t projected to achieve A stars and distinctions, you are already behind the pack. On top of flawless grades, you must also be able to show an abundance of extracurricular activities which help to build UCAS points.

The average number of UCAS points required to get into Cambridge University is 567, while the average Oxford student would need 571. Points can be earned in several ways, including through grades, extra-curricular activities such as learning an instrument (and being graded) and volunteering.

Your personal statement is another vitally important part of your application. This is your opportunity to talk about yourself and tell your story – the trick is to make it one that stands out above all others. Do not fabricate anything that you put into your statement as this will only come back to bite you on the backside (more on this later) and, we guarantee, you will eventually be found out. Be opinionated in your statement and back them up – universities, especially Oxford and Cambridge – want to see individuals that are willing to stand up and be counted. These are not establishments for the shy and retiring.



The Interview
After your application has taken the interest of the university and those of whom are heading up your chosen course, you will be invited for an interview. Where Oxbridge differs from most universities is that while usually only selected courses require an interview stage, every course on offer at Oxford and Cambridge will ask for applicants to attend an interview.

Do not think that you can simply turn up and bluff your way through the interview, because you won’t. Interviewers have seen it all and are only interested in offering places to applicants that demonstrate the willingness to go above and beyond the call of duty. It is recommend that you take part in Oxbridge interview training to prepare you for the types of questions that you will be asked, as well as to be able to relay the answers that the interviewer will be looking for.

Make sure to memorise your personal statement, because you will be quizzed on this – which is why it is important that you are honest in your writing and do not lie. If any answer is not in line with what you have already submitted this will raise a red flag and likely put an end to your ambitions of studying at either of the two most prestigious universities in the United Kingdom.

Study, Study, Study
This goes without saying, but we will anyway. You must study, study and study some more. Achieving the grades required to take up a space at either Oxford or Cambridge will not be easy, which is why just being able to showcase your attendance at Oxbridge on your resume will open many doors that will remain shut for others. Rightly or wrongly, that’s just the way it goes. It is a privilege, but it is one that you must work incredibly hard for.

Applying for university alongside studying for exams is a highly stressful time for a young person. This is when life starts to become serious amongst a wave of other changes taking place, so if you are feeling overawed at any point then do make sure to talk to family and friends to help you along the way.