oxbridge personal statement physics

Interview Preparation Tips & Questions: Oxford Physics

In this article we will guide you on how to best prepare for your Oxford Physics interview , with guides on past Oxford Physics questions, interview tips, mock examples and real experiences from students who have sat the Oxford Physics panel interview.

This article is from a collection of accounts from Oxbridge applicants.

What is the Oxford Physics interview structure?

The university will assign you a first college – this will most likely be your first choice college (if you specified a college choice in your application). The first college will interview you twice. You will also be assigned to a second college, which will provide you with a third interview. 

Each interview will be marked out of 10. So, your first college will give you two interview marks out of 10. In rare cases, you will have a single longer interview (or three brief interviews) instead of two average length interviews. However, you will still be given two interview marks. Your second college will give you one interview mark. The multiple interviews give you a chance to fully showcase your abilities, even if you are nervous and don’t perform as well as you could in one interview.

After the interview process, your three interview marks will be combined with your PAT score to give a numerical score to you. This score is used to aid the interviewers in their decision making process.

If you have applied for a joint honours course (such as Physics and Philosophy), you will still have three physics interviews, in addition to a couple of interviews in the other subject.

What are the Oxford Physics interview dates?

For 2025 entry, the Oxford Physics interviews will take place in the first and second week of December. Your first college interviews will take place in the first week. The second college interview will then take place in the second week.

Example Past Questions from Oxford Physics Interview

• What drew you to Oxford?
• Why do you want to study Physics at university? 
• Have you researched the Physics course at Oxford? Are there any parts of it that particularly interest you?
• They may ask you a question or two about relevant details in your personal statement – such as asking about a book on Physics that you mentioned.
• Can you derive the diffraction equation?
• Cricket : This cricket jumps off this plank. Can you calculate the trajectory of the cricket as a function of the initial speed and angle? Can you differentiate this to find the maximum range of the cricket?
• Here is the equation for the Leonard Jones potential. Can you sketch it for us? Given an atom, could you tell me where it would rest in the potential?
• Tides : What can you tell me about the tides and how they vary with the position of the moon?
• Ball : A ball is initially at rest. It is then pushed upwards by a constant force for a given amount of time. Can you sketch the velocity of the ball as a function of time (from the start to when it hits the ground)?

Further interview questions

• Hiking : I’ve eaten one cereal bar, and I am going on a hike. How high up the mountain could I go?
• Cooling the atmosphere : Describe what would happen if the atmosphere was cooled to 20 Kelvin?
• Folding paper to the moon : Say there is no limit to how many times you can fold a piece of paper. How many times would you need to fold a piece of paper to reach the moon?
• Glow sticks : Can you explain how glow sticks work?
• Can you use this order of magnitude estimation to calculate how long a kettle would take to heat up?
• Questions about sound waves and whether you can represent the pressure mathematically as a function of time and space.
• Questions asking you to sketch a graph of a function, differentiate it (and perhaps sketch the graph of the differentiation).
• Questions regarding drawing displacement-time, velocity-time, and acceleration-time graphs.

Jesus College, Oxford has a useful YouTube video where students talk through examples of real Physics interview questions:

Insider Guides: Oxford Physics Interview

What happens on the day of your oxford physics interview .

My interviews were in person – your experience will be a little different because your’s will be online. I arrived on a Monday afternoon to the college, and we were given a talk that evening from one of the Physics professors about the interview process. This may still occur in an online format for you, depending on your college.

I had three interviews: two on Tuesday and one on Wednesday. There was a noticeboard which had the interview times and rooms written on it. For online interviews, you will be sent a timetable ahead of time. When it was time for my interviews I went to the room and was let in on time. The interviews lasted around half an hour.

On Tuesday, my first interview was more maths based, while the second was more physics based. My third interview was a mix of the two.

What do you have to bring to your Oxford Physics interview?

I brought pens and a calculator. In the first two interviews, I did all of my working on a whiteboard so that the interviewers could see it clearly. You might be asked to write on an online whiteboard in your interviews – but if this is the case, the college will let you know ahead of time so that you can familiarise yourself with the software.

There is no dress code. Some people recommend wearing a suit or something smart (I wore a suit for one interview and a shirt and jeans for the other two). However, the most important thing is to wear something you feel comfortable and confident in. People wear all sorts and the colleges say that they don’t let clothing affect judgement.

What is the interview setting and how long is it?

I had three interviews. The first two were held in the rooms I would go on to have my tutorials in, where the tutor normally works. The mood was quite formal. I tried to match the energy of the interviewers, so after they had made a couple of jokes I felt more comfortable and made some myself, but it was mostly serious as we were solving physics problems.

The interviews were 30 minutes each, and I had 3 in total.

What are the Oxford Physics interviewers like? 

The interviewers are experts in their field and they are there to assess you. They also meet with many people during the interview period, so they can initially seem quite cold. However, they are also teachers for a large part of their job. They aren’t there to make you feel uncomfortable or judged and they will be taking into account that you are nervous, so you can relax in front of them. If you are successful in your interview they will later be your tutors and you will be spending time with them every week, so it is good to try and make a good impression and form a personal connection.

Question Types

They asked me lots of follow up questions, as the point of the interview is to see how far you can apply the knowledge you already have, or information you have just learnt, to solve new problems. They try to ask every candidate the same questions, so there is a predetermined list of possible questions. However, which of these questions they ultimately ask depends on what you say and how far you get in solving the problem. It is very unlikely that you will say anything that directs the question in a way they don’t predict, as they are world leading experts in physics and they run the interviews every year.

What are the best tips for planning my trip for my Oxford Physics Interview?

You will have a lot of downtime over the few days that your interviews occur, so try to have something to do to wind down in between interviews. Also try to have everything you need prepared, to avoid unnecessary stress during the process. 

Are there any academic or challenging Physics questions at the Oxford Interview?

Almost all the questions were challenging and academic. They were designed to take me to my limit in order to find out how skilled I am in solving problems and using information I had just learnt. You will be guided through it by the tutors, and the point is to learn something and solve a problem that you wouldn’t have been able to before.

Are there any personality, work experience or extracurricular based Physics questions at the Oxford Interview? 

I wasn’t asked any questions about my personality, work experience, or extracurriculars. I was asked very few questions on my personal statement, but they weren’t important to the interview. If you put something really unique or surprising in your personal statement, you may be briefly asked more about it.

Top Tips for the Oxford Physics Interview

• Try to stay relaxed and be yourself . The examiners are not trying to trick you or make you feel bad, and they will be your tutors if you are successful. 
• Don’t worry about what you wear . The colleges have said many times that they don’t judge your clothing. 
• Use all the resources that are available online . Many Oxford students upload videos about their experience and give their advice. Many Oxford colleges also produce mock interview videos, and StudyMind has some great resources.
• Practice ! Ask your school teachers or even family and friends to ‘interview’ you, to let you practise talking about physics and solve problems while explaining your thought process out loud. This will improve your ability to showcase your knowledge and skills verbally. 
• Enjoy the experience ! You are getting the opportunity to have a conversation with, and be briefly taught by, some of the greatest academics in physics. Even if you don’t get in, this experience is invaluable in your academic development.

Top Tips for the “Why Oxford” interview question

• Think about what unique things about Oxford lead you to want to study here. Oxford is famously one of the best universities in the world. Having been there, I can say that the standard of teaching is extremely high, and it is a great place to study. 
• You should also research the Physics course , and find particular topics that interest you and make you want to study Physics at Oxford.
• The city and the buildings are also beautiful and the university has such an amazing history , so these may be additional things drawing you to study here.

My Favourite Things about Studying Physics at Oxford University

I love that the level is extremely high. It is probably among the most intense courses in the country. This is not for everyone but if it is what you want then Oxford is the place for you. 

As well as this, the people are all so interesting and we all have one thing in common: a thirst for knowledge. 

I don’t want to make it sound too serious. There’s tons of socialising and blowing off steam, tons of sports and societies and fun things to do, and at the end of the day students are going to be students. Oxbridge students are similar to those all over the country, and of course just like students all over the country Oxbridge students are very diverse. You will find a group of people with whom you fit in no matter what type of person you are.

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Suggested Subject Resources

Whether you need inspiration for your personal statement, something to think about before your interview or whether you are simply intellectually curious, you might find the suggested reading and resources below useful and entertaining. They are intended to give you an idea of the kind of material you might engage with during a course at Oxford. We've also included links to the University's current research to give you an idea of how academic research can impact upon society. 

Remember, these are only suggestions for further reading, so please don't feel restricted to only reading what we recommend! We have also compiled the best of our cross-curricular digital resources to support learning and exploration in our Digital Resource Hub . 

You can also enjoy an insight into what it's like to study at Oxford by exploring our free podcasts and videos. These include public lectures covering a wide range of subjects, plus teaching resources, interviews with leading academics, and more. You can watch and listen on your computer, or download files via our  podcasts page .

You may also like to have a look at our Medium channel for articles about Oxford research, covering topics from the weirdest plants in the Botanical Garden to how to teach a computer to recognise your cat. 

Archaeology and Anthropology

Suggested reading for Archaeology and Anthropology .

You may also like to take a look at the website Discover Anthropology .

Oxford research: 

• Reconnecting Indigenous Nations with their Material Heritage
• Who Needs Migrant Workers
• Endangered Archaeology video  

Biochemistry (Molecular and Cellular)

Read the  recommended reading list for Biochemistry. 

At present we do not produce a reading list for students applying for Biology but we encourage you to read New Scientist , National Geographic or any other Biology materials which you find interesting.

• Putting ticks on the map
• Poetry in motion
• Defeating dengue with GM mosquitoes
• The loneliness of the long-distance seabird
• Balancing conservation and commerce in the world’s forests
• The surprising uses of silk
• Bringing back the large blue butterfly - Jeremy Thomas
• Preserving Endangered Trees: A Chilean case study 
• Jatropha Curcas in the Global Race for Biofuels
• Peru's Data Collectors
• Researching the Reef: fish and coral of the Caribbean

Biomedical Sciences

Introductory Reading for Biomedical Sciences .

• Bringing together universities, industry and the NHS to benefit people in the Oxfordshire region and beyond
• Restoring Sight With Gene Therapy
• Cooling babies to save lives
• Innovative genomics
• Helping diabetes sufferers
• Transforming the diagnosis of Tuberculosis
• Mending broken hearts
• The million women study
• Helping the brain to control Parkinson’s
• Combining cultures
• Preventing strokes

Research videos: 

• The TOBY Trial - Cooling Babies  
• Tackling and tracking TB through DNA analysis
• "Bionic eye" trial in Oxford  
• Fighting Arthritis: the development of anti-TNF therapies  
• The Paternal Age Effect: Identifying reproductive risks 

Introductory reading for Chemistry .

You may also like to read Chemistry World magazine , and view other resources from the Royal Society of Chemistry .

• Turning orange into grapefruit
• Fuel cells inspired by nature video
• Chemistry in the garden video

Classical Archaeology and Ancient History

There is no reading list for students applying for Classical Archaeology and Ancient History, as we encourage students to engage with whatever they find interesting about the ancient world. If you are interested in Classical Archaeology and Ancient History, this will include the historical and archaeological evidence through which we learn about that world.

As well as visiting your local museum, or other museums, you may wish to explore some websites which have excellent links to historical and archaeological materials, such as the British Museum or Oxford’s own Ashmolean Museum's collection highlights , or the BBC Radio 4 archives , for example for the programme ‘In Our Time’, covering material from Ancient Greece and Ancient Rome .

There are also many social media sites which you can join such as Classics Confidential, Classics Outreach and Classics International.

• Classics for the people
• Endangered archaeology video
• Conserving by copying: 3D Printing Tutankhamun's Tomb video

There is no reading list for students applying for Classics, as we encourage students to read as widely as possible about any Classics materials they find interesting (in literature, history, philosophy, archaeology, and/or philology), and to think critically about their reading. You may also wish to explore some websites which have excellent links to materials about the ancient world, such as the British Museum or the BBC Radio 4 archives , for example for the programme ‘In Our Time’, covering material from  Ancient Greece  and  Ancient Rome .

Classics and English

There is no reading list for students applying for Classics, as we encourage students to read as widely as possible about any Classics materials they find interesting (in literature, history, philosophy, archaeology, and/or philology), and to think critically about their reading. You may also wish to explore some websites which have excellent links to materials about the ancient world, such as the  British Museum  or the  BBC Radio 4 archives , for example for the programme ‘In Our Time’, covering material from  Ancient Greece  and  Ancient Rome .

For the English Literature element of the course, we recommend that you read as widely as possible, and think critically about all the texts – literary or not – that you read. Read more about this in our  examples of interview questions . You can find literary resources on our  Great Writers Inspire site . You may also like to look at literary websites and listen to radio programs such as BBC Radio 4's ' In Our Time '.

• Dramatic research
• Making Britain
• Digitising Jane Austen's fiction manuscripts
• On the joy of not rehearsing Shakespeare video

Classics and Modern Languages

There is no reading list for students applying for Classics, as we encourage students to read as widely as possible about any Classics materials they find interesting (in literature, history, philosophy, archaeology, and/or philology), and to think critically about their reading. You may also wish to explore some websites which have excellent links to materials about the ancient world, such as the  British Museum  or the  BBC Radio 4 archives , for example for the programme ‘In Our Time’, covering material from  Ancient Greece  and  Ancient Rome . There are also many social media sites which you can join such as Classics Confidential, Classics Outreach and Classics International. 

Please view the guidance on the FAQs section of the  Modern Languages faculty website  under the heading 'How best to prepare for the entrance procedure'. You can also find reading lists on the individual pages of the following languages: 

• Modern Greek
• Shedding new light on Tchaikovsky’s Eugene Onegin
• Writing Brecht, living well

Classics and Asian and Middle Eastern Studies

There is no reading list for students applying for Classics, as we encourage students to read as widely as possible about any Classics materials they find interesting (in literature, history, philosophy, archaeology, and/or philology), and to think critically about their reading.

You may also wish to explore some websites which have excellent links to materials about the ancient world, such as the  British Museum  or the  BBC Radio 4 archives , for example for the programme ‘In Our Time’, covering material from  Ancient Greece  and  Ancient Rome .

Suggested reading for Asian and Middle Eastern Studies can be found on the Asian and Middle Eastern Studies website by following the relevant links below:

• BA in Arabic
• BA in Sanskrit
• BA in Persian
• BA in Turkish
• Recreating an experience of ancient Egypt
• Helping the UK understand China

Computer Science

Introductory reading for prospective applicants to Computer Science can be found on the departmental website.

You may also like to look at our GeomLab website which will introduce you to some of the most important ideas in computer programming in an interactive, visual way through a guided activity.

• Securing the internet of the future
• Putting out ‘Digital Wildfires’ before they take hold
• The friendly face of robots
• Safety by design
• Computers at the heart of the matter
• 60 Years of Computer Science
• Oxford and Cybersecurity 1 – the Internet and Policy
• Oxford and Cybersecurity 2 – Trusted Computing
• Oxford and Cybersecurity 3 – The Academic Edge

Computer Science and Philosophy

Introductory reading for prospective applicants to Computer Science can be found on the departmental website.

There are many introductions to philosophy: Myles Burnyeat and Ted Honderich’s ‘Philosophy’ as it is a very useful collection. Martin Hollis ‘An Invitation to Philosophy’ and Simon Blackburn’s ‘Think’ are also recommended but feel free to pick up any introductory or beginners’ text.

Earth Sciences

At present we do not produce a reading list for students applying for Earth Sciences but we encourage you to read New Scientist , National Geographic or any other relevant materials which you find interesting.

• Preserving an exceptional fossil site for future generations
• Understanding oil-rich strata
• Influencing global policy on mercury
• Reducing toxic mercury emissions video
• Tracking Life 40 Degrees South video
• Volcano hunting, Italy to Peru video

Economics and Management

An indispensable introduction to economic analysis, both for those who have not studied it at school and for those who have is ‘The Economist’ or the Economics pages of newspapers. Paul Krugman’s writings are highly recommended. Begg, Fischer and Dornbusch’s ‘Economics’ is one of the introductory textbooks widely used at Oxford.

You can find the Economics reading list and Management reading list  online. 

Oxford research:

• The value of mutuality
• Geometry to the rescue
• Research led to Supreme Court ruling on removal of UK employment tribunal fees video
• The surprising uses of auctions video

Engineering Science

At present we do not produce a reading list for students applying for Engineering Science but we encourage you to read any relevant materials which you find interesting. Here are some online resources you may like to use to test your knowledge:

• Isaac Physics :  this website contains lots of maths and physics problem solving questions.
• British Physics Olympiad : this website contains lots of past papers and solutions of problem solving type questions.
• Next time, education centre : this website contains some quite fun questions designed to make you think about physical concepts.
• I want to study Engineering : this website is just as useful for all applicants not just those applying to engineering.
• Brilliant.org : this website has some resources to test your mathematical and physics knowledge.
• Providing the technology for ‘space refrigerators’
• Improving hospitals’ ‘early warning’ systems
• Data scientists to the rescue
• Driverless cars video
• Delivering drugs better - using sound video

English Language and Literature

English and modern languages.

Please visit the guidance on the FAQs section of the  Modern Languages faculty website  under the heading 'How best to prepare for the entrance procedure'. You can also find reading lists on the individual pages of the following languages: 

European and Middle Eastern Languages

Please visit the guidance on the FAQs section of the Modern Languages faculty website under the heading 'How can I prepare myself for the entrance procedure?'. This advice can be applied to both the European and the Middle Eastern elements of the course. You can also find reading lists on the individual pages of the following languages:

Suggested reading for Asian and Middle Eastern Studies can be found on the Asian and Middle Eastern Studies website by following the relevant links below:

Experimental Psychology

Please view the  suggested reading for Experimental Psychology. This document also includes reading suggestions for those interested in the Psychology, Philosophy and Linguistics course.

Research videos:

• Improving Access to Psychological Therapies: Using evidence to change policy
• Spread the word
• How people with depression see faces
• From the Minds of Babes: New frontiers in paediatric pain

The following list is suggested as a starting point and is not exhaustive and nor does it mean that you must read these. 

• Barthes, Roland , Camera Lucida: Reflections on Photography  (Vintage) 
• Crow, Thomas, The Rise of the Sixties: American and European Art in the Era of Dissent  (Everyman )
• Stallabrass, Julian, Contemporary Art: A Very Short Introductions  (Oxford University Press) 
• Smith, Terry, Contemporary Art: World Currents (Laurence King Publishing)

We strongly encourage all students to attend exhibitions and look at art works as much as possible. Public art galleries like Tate Modern, the Whitechapel, and the Serpentine in London, the Ikon in Birmingham, the Liverpool Tate, the Whitworth in Manchester, the Baltic in Gateshead, the Arnolfini in Bristol, and Tramway in Glasgow are all excellent places to see contemporary art and to find out more about it.

Other excellent resources include:

• the UK-wide exhibition listings
• the online edition of the US journal Artforum  
• the excellent repository of moving image and sound art, called UBU Web

It is also a good idea to look at journals such as:

An indispensable introduction to contemporary issues in Geography is the Royal Geographical Society 'Geographical Magazine'. Reading 'The Economist' is also highly recommended.

• Managing the risk of surface water flooding
• Smartphones become Smart Stones
• The value of a green and pleasant land
• Getting critical
• How changes to inland waters impact regional climates
• Calculating the risks of coastal flooding and cliff erosion
• How global warming is changing tropical forests
• Climate Network
• Avoiding infrastructure failure
• Stopping floods on the cheap: A success story from Yorkshire

The best way to prepare for a History degree is to read the history books which interest you, either related to your school work or ranging beyond it – and be prepared to discuss your views of those books and their arguments.  To find such material, you might want to follow up on references made in your school or college text books, or your History teacher may also be able to recommend particular works for you to read on topics that you find most interesting.

One good way of broadening your historical horizons is to read one of the popular History magazines: History Today or BBC History , which has weekly podcasts . You may like to look at the books which are being reviewed in the quality press.

You may also like to explore the websites of public institutions which have excellent links to historical materials, such as the British Museum or BBC Radio 4 archives .

Lastly, delving into some historical sources can be a great way to develop your ideas and understanding. You could try exploring literature, art, music or even films produced by different societies, and consider what these can tell us about the people of that time.

• Looking back to understand the recent economic crisis

History (Ancient and Modern)

There is no reading list for students applying for Ancient and Modern History, as we encourage students to read as widely as possible about any period of history, ancient and/or modern, that they find interesting. (View 'History' above). For the ancient world, you may also wish to explore websites which have excellent links to historical materials, such as the British Museum or Oxford’s own Ashmolean Museum , the BBC Radio 4 archives , for example for the programme ‘In Our Time', covering material from Ancient Greece and Ancient Rome .

History and Economics

An indispensable introduction to economic analysis, both for those who have not studied it at school and for those who have is ‘ The Economist ’ or the Economics pages of newspapers. Paul Krugman’s writings are highly recommended. Begg, Fischer and Dornbusch’s ‘Economics ’ is one of the introductory textbooks widely used at Oxford.

History and English

One good way of broadening your historical horizons is to read one of the popular History magazines:  History Today  or  BBC History , which has  weekly podcasts . You may like to look at the books which are being reviewed in the quality press. You may also like to explore the websites of public institutions which have excellent links to historical materials, such as the  British Museum  or  BBC Radio 4 archives . Lastly, delving into some historical sources can be a great way to develop your ideas and understanding. You could try exploring literature, art, music or even films produced by different societies, and consider what these can tell us about the people of that time.

History and Modern Languages

Please visit the guidance on the FAQs section of the  Modern Languages faculty website  under the heading 'How best to prepare for the entrance procedure'. You can also find reading lists on the individual pages of the following languages:

History and Politics

Politics is a very wide-ranging subject. In addition to newspapers and weeklies, Jonathan Wolff’s 'An Introduction to Political Philosophy' is recommended; and also, for interesting and up-to-date insights into recent political developments in a number of countries, the series of texts produced by Macmillan publishers at regular intervals called ‘Developments in British (French, German, East European etc.) Politics’ .

One good way of broadening your historical horizons is to read one of the popular History magazines:  History Today  or  BBC History , which has  weekly podcasts . You may like to look at the books which are being reviewed in the quality press.

You may also like to explore the websites of public institutions which have excellent links to historical materials, such as the  British Museum  or  BBC Radio 4 archives .

History of Art

A reading list for prospective applicants to History of Art can be found on the History of Art departmental website .

You may also find it interesting to explore the following resources:

• BBC Radio 4 'In Our Time' - Culture archive
• BBC Arts coverage

Human Sciences

Introductory reading lists can be found on the Institute of Human Sciences website .

• Who needs migrant workers

We recommend that you start by reading the court reports in broad sheet newspapers.

As the reading lists for the degree course change each year it isn't always advisable to buy text books in advance, but you may find one or more of the books from this list useful when preparing your application Introductory reading for Law . It can be useful to look at the list of law academics on the departmental website and follow the links to their latest publications. All lecturers have their own lists, which change from year to year and include books and journal articles.

You may also like to read the BBC's website Law in Action , and download their podcasts. Other recommendation are the Guardian's law pages and the Counsel magazine .

• Research led to Supreme Court ruling on removal of UK employment tribunal fees
• Tackling Adolescent to Parent Violence
• Research in Westminster: Human Rights law and the treatment of rape victims

Materials Science

There is no set text and students should read widely around the subject. Introductory reading for prospective applicants to Materials Science can be found on the departmental website.

Students may also wish to read the New Scientist magazine which may be available in your school or local library.

Running an internet search on Nanoscience or Nanotechnology will give useful background information in the sciences. Here are some further resources to test your knowledge:

• Isaac Physics :  This website contains lots of maths and physics problem solving questions.
• British Physics Olympiad : This website contains lots of past papers and solutions of problem solving type questions.
• Next time : This website contains some quite fun questions designed to make you think about physical concepts.
• I want to study Engineering : This website is just as useful for all applicants not just those applying to engineering.
• Brilliant.org : This website has some resources to test your mathematical and physics knowledge.

Oxford research:  

• A new material for reconstructive surgery

Mathematics

Reading lists for prospective Mathematics applicants can be found on page 12 of the departmental prospectus, available to download from the Maths Department website .

• Influencing HIV/AIDS policy in India through mathematical modelling
• Helping the ‘Greeks’ to run faster
• Mathematics in the design and manufacture of novel glass products
• Mathematical solutions for industry
• Sharing the beauty of networks video
• A computer model of the heart video

Mathematics and Computer Science

Reading lists for prospective Mathematics applicants can be found on page 12 of the departmental prospectus, available to download from the  Maths Department website .

Introductory reading for prospective applicants to Computer Science can be found on the departmental website. You may also like to look at our  GeomLab website  which will introduce you to some of the most important ideas in computer programming in an interactive, visual way through a guided activity.

Mathematics and Philosophy

Reading lists for prospective Mathematics and Philosophy applicants can be found on page 18 of the departmental prospectus, available to download from the  Maths Department website .

Mathematics and Statistics

Reading lists for prospective Mathematics and Statistics applicants can be found on page 12 of the departmental prospectus, available to download from the  Maths Department website .

• Statistical expertise in drug discovery

Prospective students for Medicine may like to start by looking at the introductory reading list below. You may also be interested in the Oxford Medical School Gazette, for more information about the Gazette and subscription offers for Sixth Form students please visit  the Medicine website .

Introductory Reading for Medicine

• The TOBY Trial - cooling babies
• "Bionic eye" trial in Oxford
• Fighting Arthritis: the development of anti-TNF therapies
• The Paternal Age Effect: Identifying reproductive risks

Modern Languages

Please view the guidance on the FAQs section of the Modern Languages faculty website under the heading 'How best to prepare for the entrance procedure'. You can find reading lists on the individual pages for of following languages: 

Modern Languages and Linguistics

Please visit the guidance on the FAQs section of the Modern Languages faculty website under the heading 'How best to prepare for the entrance procedure'. You can also find reading lists on the individual pages of the following languages: 

You can also download the  Introductory reading list for Linguistics .

• Improving treatment of speech disorders
• Saving the world’s threatened languages
• Voice analysis for everyone: health monitoring by phone video

Please refer to this recommended reading list for Music .

• Medieval plainsong gets a contemporary makeover
• Composing Opera for Children
• Searching for Schumann video

Asian and Middle Eastern Studies

Suggested reading for Asian and Middle Eastern Studies can be found on the Asian and Middle Eastern Studies website by following the relevant links below:

• BA in Arabic
• BA in Chinese
• BA in Japanese
• BA in Persian
• BA in Turkish

Suggested reading lists for BA Egyptology and Near Eastern Studies, BA Hebrew Studies and BA Jewish Studies are currently in development and will hopefully be available in the near future.

Philosophy and Modern Languages

There are many introductions to philosophy: Myles Burnyeat and Ted Honderich’s ‘ Philosophy ’ as it is a very useful collection. Martin Hollis ‘ An Invitation to Philosophy ’ and Simon Blackburn’s ‘ Think ’ are also recommended but feel free to pick up any introductory or beginners’ text.

Please visit the guidance on the FAQs section of the  Modern Languages faculty website  under the heading 'How best to prepare for the entrance procedure' for the Modern Languages element of this course. You of also find reading lists on the individual pages for the following languages: 

Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE)

We always recommend that students read widely around their subject, deepening their knowledge and understanding, to help prepare for their application. Tutors will be looking for evidence of students' academic potential, as well as their commitment and motivation for their course, so will certainly be looking for evidence that a student has really engaged with their subject, and has a passion for studying it. This is particularly important for courses like PPE, as many students will not have studied any of these three subjects at their school or college.

The very best preparation is a reasonable grasp of the workings of the social and political world in which we live. For PPEists, reading newspapers, watching TV and listening to radio news and current affairs programmes are not optional activities – they are crucial to success at the subject. Students should read a good quality daily newspaper, and ‘ The Economist ’ weekly is also highly recommended – this offers unparalleled quantity and quality analysis of current events.

Politics is a very wide-ranging subject. In addition to newspapers and weeklies, Jonathan Wolff’s ' An Introduction to Political Philosophy ' is recommended; and also, for interesting and up-to-date insights into recent political developments in a number of countries, the series of texts produced by Macmillan publishers at regular intervals called ‘ Developments in British (French, German, East European etc.) Politics ’.

An indispensable introduction to economic analysis in use both for those who have not studied it at school and for those who have is ‘ The Economist ’ or the Economics pages of newspapers. Paul Krugman’s writings are highly recommended. Begg, Fischer and Dornbusch’s ‘ Economics ’ is one of the introductory textbooks widely used at Oxford.

Oxford research:   

Philosophy and Theology

At present we do not produce a specific Theology reading list for people who are considering making an application, though we always advise prospective candidates to read beyond what they are reading in school and to explore areas that interest them.

• Empires of Faith video

There are many suitable sources for reading. Popular science books are normally readily available at your local library, as are copies of the New Scientist or other scientific periodicals. Anything that takes your interest will be valuable; we have no set reading list.

However, for general preparation prospective candidates can view the suggestions on the Physics department website . We also recommend maths preparation .

There is also lots of information on the internet, on sites such as www.physics.org  or through some of the excellent science blogs. The University of Oxford publishes a science blog and our department also runs a project called Galaxy Zoo which is part of the Zooniverse community of projects , which allows members of the public to contribute to astrophysics research. Large scientific organisations such as CERN and NASA publish a lot of good material online, for example the Astronomy Picture of the Day website . Here are some further resources to test your Physics knowledge:

• Isaac Physics : This website contains lots of maths and physics problem solving questions.
• Brilliant.org : This website has some resources to test your mathematical and physics knowledge.

iTunesU can also be a very useful resource, as it has a range of physics content, from public talks to undergraduate lectures, from a variety of reputable sources.

• Near-perfect distance measurement
• Cheaper, smaller, super-resolution
• To the Zooniverse and beyond
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• A revolution in solar power technology
• How to be certain of uncertainty in climate and weather forecasts
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Physics and Philosophy

However, for general preparation prospective candidates can view the suggestions on the  Physics department website . We also recommend  maths preparation .

There is also lots of information on the internet, on sites such as  www.physics.org . or through some of the excellent science blogs. The University of Oxford publishes a  science blog  and our department also runs a project called  Galaxy Zoo  which is part of the  Zooniverse  community of projects , which allows members of the public to contribute to astrophysics research. Large scientific organisations such as CERN and NASA publish a lot of good material online, for example the  Astronomy Picture of the Day website . Here are some further resources to test your Physics knowledge:

Psychology, Philosophy and Linguistics (PPL)

Please follow this link for the suggested reading list for Psychology, Philosophy and Linguistics. This document also includes suggested reading for Experimental Psychology.

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Religion and Asian and Middle Eastern Studies

At present we do not produce a specific Religion and Asian and Middle Eastern Studies reading list for people who are considering making an application, though we always advise prospective candidates to read beyond what they are reading in school and to explore areas that interest them.

Theology and Religion

You may also find it interesting to explore the BBC Radio 4 archives of the ' In Our Time ' program, especially the Religion and Philosophy archives .

• Empires of Faith

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The Worcester Bookshelf project is all about sharing books that we love about our subjects with you. We suggest books that we love - you tell us what you think of them. Every term we will release a new list of six books that our tutors and academics would like to share with you. If you are in year 10, 11 or 12 at a UK state school and would like to find out more, simply email [email protected] .

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• Oxbridge Personal Statements: A Complete Teacher’s Guide

Author: Matthew Amalfitano-Stroud

19th April 2024

• Personal Statements

Table of Contents

The Personal Statement is a major part of any university application, with the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge being no exception. 

You and your school mostly likely have a wealth of support options available for your students, but how equipt are you to effectively support Oxbridge applicants with their statement? In this guide, we will be exploring how  Oxbridge Personal Statements differ from standard universities, what your students should be including in their writing and how you can effectively mark and provide feedback to your cohort. Let’s get started:

What is An Oxbridge Personal Statement

Most of you who are reading this will likely have a lot of experience working with Personal Statements, so we’re sure you don’t need a full guide on what a UCAS Personal Statement is and how the process works. If you need a quick refresher on what they are: 

A UCAS Personal Statement is a concise written document where an applicant highlights their achievements, skills, and aspirations to support their application for higher education.

Every university applicant in the UK has to complete a Personal Statement as a part of their UCAS Application , but why are we singling out Oxford and Cambridge in particular?  

In a technical sense, an Oxbridge Personal Statement is just a Personal Statement. There are no special requirements or different processes that one must take when submitting a Personal Statement. In fact, an Oxbridge Personal Statement will still be sent to every other university option that an applicant has picked. So what do we mean by an Oxbridge Personal Statement? 

The difference comes down to the competitiveness of the Oxbridge application process and the level of quality that is therefore expected of applicants. Oxbridge admissions tutors have very high standards and expect more of their applicants than your average university. They have to be as they receive more applications than most other universities in the world, a problem that comes with being so prestigious and highly-rated.

In 2021, the combined amount of applicants between Oxford and Cambridge was 47,133 , with 29,205 being home applicants. Out of 616,360 UK UCAS applicants in that cycle, Oxbridge received applications for nearly 5% of them. (Find more Oxbridge statistics in our Oxbridge Application Data Explained Guide for Teachers )

With figures like that, a standard Personal Statement is going to make it nearly impossible to even be shortlisted, much less accepted by Oxbridge. 

So that leaves applicants with one option; write their Personal Statement to the standards that Oxbridge require. Of course, this is easier said than done, so let’s next look at what an applicant needs to do to make a Personal Statement worthy of Oxford or Cambridge. 

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Writing a Personal Statement for Oxbridge

The process of writing an Oxbridge Personal Statement is not wildly different from a typical UCAS Personal Statement, but there are key things that your students should consider to ensure their Personal Statement is up to the standards of Oxbridge. One thing that both you and your applicants should know is what Oxford and Cambridge are actually looking for from their candidates:

What Do Oxford and Cambridge Look For in Their Applicants?

Oxbridge admissions tutors are obviously looking for a very high calibre of students in their grades, experience and attitude. However, there’s more to it than this, so it is important to study what the universities actually say they are looking for rather than just assuming. The University of Cambridge specifically have an in-depth guide explaining exactly what they expect from their applicants, which will likely be mirrored by Oxford too:  

Academic ability and potential

Of course, Oxbridge needs applicants who can thrive in an academic environment. While this can take various forms, the easiest way to judge this is through grades. Each course already has a grade requirement, so all Oxbridge applicants should already have ticked this box.

Ability to think critically and independently

Oxbridge is looking for applicants who are exceptionally intelligent not just within their chosen subject but in a general sense as well. Critical thinking is a vital skill for many professionals in a wide variety of industries, so being able to think logically in both academic and everyday scenarios is important for a successful applicant. On top of this, the applicant must be able to take initiative and work independently too, a trait that will be essential during the many projects that Oxbridge students must undertake. 

Suitability and enthusiasm for your course

Successful applicants must really care about the subject they are applying for and be able to demonstrate an expanded interest, knowledge and desire to learn more. Places are limited and the admissions tutors know that the students who will perform the best are the ones that are truly engaged in what they are doing, so applicants need to prove that they match that description. They also describe “self-discipline, motivation, commitment and the desire to grow” as essential traits for applicants.

If your student can demonstrate every quality listed there, then they are ready to begin work on their Personal Statement. Firstly, the structure and basic planning stage of their statement will be roughly the same. We have a complete guide to UCAS Personal Statements designed for applicants, so we recommend your students check it out to get them started in their Personal Statement planning.  

Once the base of their Personal Statement is formed, including their story, academics, subject-specific experience, extra-curricular activities and more, it’s time for them to take a look at what they have written and reflect on whether their work is really going to be appealing to admissions tutors at Oxford and Cambridge. The chances are that the answer is no, as very few applicants get their statement right in their first draft.

So how can they improve their first draft? There are various writing techniques and requirements for their content that will elevate their work beyond that of a standard Personal Statement:

While all applicants should be doing this, it is incredibly important for Oxbridge applicants to link everything they have discussed back to their application. Every experience and achievement mentioned needs to have relevance to the course they are applying for, otherwise, it is just wasted space. Essentially, applicants need to reflect on what they mentioned and explain how the experience helped them grow and why it has made them better as an Oxbridge applicant.

The landscape of Oxbridge admissions is extremely competitive, so applicants need to ensure that every sentence is utilised as efficiently as possible in presenting their strongest attributes. Some applicants may have a wealth of experience that they want to talk about, but the quantity of examples given does not offer nearly as much value as an in-depth explanation of one highly relevant example, complete with a reflection of how these events helped them grow as an academic and a person.

Oxford and Cambridge are very interested in applicants that lead their own research and education, so discussing research projects and wider reading is one of the best things your student can include in their statement. This could be about anything relevant to their subject, as long as they are able to demonstrate initiative, inquisitiveness and the ability to push the boundaries of their own understanding and capabilities. You can learn more about how to guide your students through this additional work in our Teacher’s Enrichment Guide . 

Oxbridge admissions tutors are looking for a mutually beneficial relationship with their new students, so your applicants should be able to present themselves as an asset to the university through their statement. Beyond the enrichment we just discussed, this can include experience in volunteering, both at school and with charities, as well as other extra-curricular activities that would be desirable to Oxford and Cambridge. These are all extra’s rather than core elements of a Personal Statement, but they are still very important to include for Oxbridge applicants. 

We should stress that all of these things will be beneficial for any student’s Personal Statement, but writing of this quality is more or less required for Oxbridge applicants. In each subject, your student will be facing off against potentially thousands of other viable candidates, so their Personal Statement needs to be as fine-tuned as possible. 

This advice is also very general, so you will need to be able to provide tailored support to each student so they can utilise their strengths and experiences when creating a high-quality Personal Statement. We will soon learn about how you can approach marking an Oxbridge Personal Statement, but let’s first take a look at some common mistakes that Oxbridge applicants tend to make.

UniAdmissions' Teacher Tips

• It always helps to have a bank of successful examples to use as reference for your student's work. If you have former students who were admitted to Oxbridge, ask if they can provide you with their statement to show your current cohort. And keep the statements of any current students who get their offer (with their permission) to build your bank for next year. You can never have too many high-quality examples!

Common Personal Statement Mistakes Your Students Should Avoid

No Personal Statement will ever be truly perfect, but there are a variety of mistakes that applicants make each year that could be easily avoided. Here are some errors to be aware of when marking Personal Statements: 

Lying and Over-Exaggerating

These are two different things but both can cause big problems if your student gets found out.

Lying is obviously the more serious matter here and should never be done in a Personal Statement. We’re not saying that applicants commonly lie about their grades or achievements, but it can be tempting to add “small innocent lies” to improve their writing. 

Some applicants will have the idea to include a little extra tidbit that would likely not be questioned, such as referencing a book they haven’t read or mentioning a task that they did not actually perform during a work placement. However, when it comes to a Personal Statement, no detail is safe from scrutiny in the interviews, so it’s not worth them risking an encounter with a question that they cannot accurately and truthfully answer. 

As for over-exaggeration, it can actually be good for applicants to do this within limits. They want to sell themselves as the best candidate for their course, so it won’t hurt to make their biggest achievements seem even more impressive. However, they need to be able to back up what they claim or risk looking cocky, unprepared or dishonest in their interview.

As a teacher, you may not be able to initially identify a lie in their statement, so always be sure to question (not necessarily accuse) a student if something seems off. The best place to weed out any potential misrepresentation is during mock interviews, so try to hold one before statements are submitted if possible. Learn more about this in our Oxbridge Interviews Teacher’s Guide .

Writing What Tutors Want to See

Surely applicants should be writing what tutors want to see in order to impress them? That’s true, but applicants will often misunderstand what it is that they actually do want to see. 

Some applicants will stuff their Personal Statement with every achievement they have ever accomplished, thinking tutors are expecting them to have done a hundred different things. Others will add extra details that may not be strictly true (see the previous point) simply because it will sound impressive.  

Admissions tutors are able to very easily see through these tactics; they have read through hundreds of Personal Statements in their careers after all! So what do they want to see? While competency and experience are important to them, they are also judging an applicant’s character. Those that are humble, inquisitive and able to reflect on why their achievements are important are the most appealing candidates, especially at Oxbridge. 

As a teacher, you too must learn to identify these positive characteristics when reading, as well as be able to call out when a student is pandering to the reader in one way or another. It’s an easy mistake for applicants to make, so helping to course correct in a gentle and constructive way is the best approach. 

Spelling and Grammatical Errors

This is an easy one that you likely already look out for. However, it’s safe to assume that the majority of your students will submit drafts to you that have spelling or grammatical errors. 

This does happen, unfortunately, as spending hours looking at one piece of work will blind even the most observant of us to simple, easy-to-miss mistakes. One small mistake will potentially be forgivable depending on the leniency of the admissions tutor, but it really is better for them to put in the extra work to ensure there are no mistakes at all. 

If you are marking their drafts and spot any errors, you should always make a note of them as it would be irresponsible to let them submit their statement with a fixable error. If you don’t want to directly tell them the mistakes they have made, you could present them with a brief summary explaining how many errors you found and give them the task of identifying them. They will likely be more careful to double-check and avoid them in the next draft. 

• Encourage your students to download an automatic spelling and grammar checker that is more advanced that the default option on Word. While they shouldn't become reliant on them and should still reread their drafts carefully, these apps will give them a head start in catching out errors before they submit.

These are all fairly common mistakes that you should keep an eye out for when marking. But speaking of marking, let’s next see how you should approach providing feedback for an Oxbridge Personal Statement: 

How to Mark and Oxbridge Personal Statement

The best way you can support your applicants in their Oxbridge Personal Statements is to provide detailed, actionable feedback to the drafts that they present to you. Therefore, we’re now going to take a look at an example Personal Statement, complete with some example teacher feedback. The statement that has been written is not of the highest quality and certainly not up to the standards required by Oxbridge. 

You’ll have marked plenty of Personal Statements before, perhaps even a few Oxbridge ones, so this example focuses on how the applicant can get their statement suitable for Oxford or Cambridge (although this style of feedback would be great for any university applicant). 

Example Personal Statement: Oxford Economics & Management

As an aspiring student at the University of Oxford, I am driven by a profound passion for knowledge and a relentless pursuit of academic excellence. It is with great enthusiasm and commitment that I present my application to study Economics & Management at one of the most prestigious academic institutions in the world.

This opening is very generic and does not reflect any specific qualities about yourself. The introduction should be an intro to you as a person and as an applicant, telling the story of why you want to study E&M and why you deserve your offer. Too much space is wasted stating the purpose of the statement (the entire second sentence), which is already known to the reader.

On the other hand, this paragraph is also too specific, as you have referenced one specific university when this statement will be sent to all of your choices. Focus on the subject rather than the university to ensure that it is applicable to each of your choices. 

My fascination with E&M was sparked during my early years of secondary education. As I delved into the subject, I was captivated by its intricate complexities and its profound impact on various aspects of society. This initial curiosity has only grown stronger over time, as I have actively sought opportunities to expand my understanding and engage with the subject on a deeper level.

Once again, this paragraph is too generic. Here, you should reference a specific event that triggered the interest you described, discussing how it made you feel and what it inspired you to do. The second sentence is a good lead into your discussion of research but needs to be shorter as it is currently using up characters unnecessarily. 

One of my most significant academic achievements has been the completion of an extended research project on the government’s budget in 2021. Through this endeavor, I was able to develop critical thinking skills, conduct thorough research, and present my findings in a concise and articulate manner. This experience not only solidified my passion for academic inquiry but also demonstrated my ability to engage with complex ideas independently.

This project is a good discussion point, but you do not offer a deeper insight into the work you did. Offer an example of what you had to do during the research and what you learnt from it. You must have undertaken some pretty challenging tasks here so make brief references to them. 

You have listed off a series of generic skills that you had developed during this task but offer no additional context into how you developed them or why they are useful to you. Through this whole statement, you need to focus not just on the activities you did, but how they shaped you into the person you are today and how you can action your skillset. The final sentence is a better example of this. 

“Endeavor” is spelt in the Americanised way, be sure to proofread your statement and check for spelling and grammatical errors. 

Beyond the classroom, I have actively pursued extracurricular activities that complement my academic interests. For instance, I have been a member of the school debate club, where I have honed my communication and analytical skills. This involvement has taught me the importance of constructing persuasive arguments based on rigorous evidence—a skill that I believe will be invaluable throughout my academic journey.

This is a fairly good paragraph for your statement as you have highlighted a specific skill that you have learnt and referenced how it will aid you during your studies. However, this could be more subject-specific by providing an example of where these skills will be invaluable in your journey. 

Furthermore, I have had the opportunity to participate in a community service project that involved teaching money management to underprivileged teenagers. This experience allowed me to witness the transformative power of education and reinforced my belief in the importance of knowledge-sharing. It also highlighted the need for accessible and inclusive education—a value that I believe Oxford champions.

Again, this is a good foundation for a paragraph, but you need to explore the topic a bit further. Perhaps you could tell a brief story of a specific student you dealt with, explaining something you learnt that will stay with you through your studies. You could also connect your belief in “knowledge-sharing” with Economics specifically to add greater context. 

Your discussion of “accessible and inclusive” education is good but could link more to your own experiences and desire to study economics. You have also specifically mentioned Oxford again, which should be changed to a generic statement like “your university”.

Studying at Oxford represents not only an opportunity for academic growth but also a chance to contribute to the vibrant intellectual community that thrives within its walls. The university’s esteemed faculty, extensive resources, and rich academic traditions provide an environment that is conducive to pushing intellectual boundaries and nurturing a passion for lifelong learning. I am eager to immerse myself in this unique atmosphere and embrace the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.

This paragraph is a great way to show the value that you could bring to the university, but you could go into more depth about how. Try to link your reasoning back to the experiences and interests you have already mentioned as you are beginning to conclude your statement. You could also dedicate a bit less space to how great the university is and further discuss how you will be great for the university. 

Once again, remove mentions of Oxford specifically, this paragraph could apply to any of the universities that you apply to. 

In conclusion, my unwavering passion for Economics & Management, coupled with my academic achievements, extracurricular involvement, leadership experiences, and commitment to making a positive impact, make me an ideal candidate for the University of Oxford. I am ready to embark on this transformative educational journey, and I am confident that Oxford’s renowned academic rigor and vibrant intellectual community will provide the perfect foundation for my personal and intellectual growth.

This is a good conclusion but is a bit too long. While both of the points that you are making here are important (why you are suitable for the university and why you want to study at the university), it has all been covered in the statement already so much of this is redundant. This should be condensed into one sentence that briefly summarises each point. 

More references to Oxford need to be removed here. You have also used the Americanised spelling for “rigour” so please change this. 

Of course, you know your own students better than us, so your feedback will be personalised to their needs. However, consider this example as a rough guide to how you can offer line-by-line feedback that is constructive and encourages your student to write a Personal Statement that is more suitable for Oxbridge. 

• You may or may not have noticed, but this Personal Statement was actually written through Artificial Intelligence (AI), another challenge that teachers will continue to face in the coming years. Always discourage your students from relying on AI to write their Personal Statements, as an AI is not going to be able to accurately discuss their qualities, motivations and life experiences. Our AI and UCAS Personal Statements Guide has more information about how AI could and shouldn't be used in Personal Statement Writing.

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Successful Oxbridge Personal Statements

The Personal Statement that we just showed you fell well below the standards of Oxford and Cambridge, so it’s now time to look at some high-quality examples that were written by successful Oxbridge applicants. 

Below you will find our complete library of Successful Personal Statement examples from Oxbridge applicants. Each one features a summary, a star rating and a self-evaluation from the writer that details the positive and negative aspects of their writing. 

Although you will get the most value from the statements relating to your students’ chosen subjects, we recommend reading through as many examples as possible as each has universal and actionable advice that will help both you and your students. 

Successful Humanities Personal Statements

Cambridge law ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆, oxford law ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆, oxford law & french ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆, oxford economics & management ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆, cambridge economics ★ ★ ★ ★ ★, cambridge land economy ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆, cambridge classics ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆, oxford classics ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆, cambridge pbs ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆, oxford psychology ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆, cambridge philosophy ★ ★ ★ ★ ★, oxford ppe ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆, cambridge english ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆, oxford english language & literature ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆, oxford modern languages ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆, oxford geography ★ ★ ★ ★ ★, oxford history ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆, successful science personal statements, cambridge medicine ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆, oxford medicine ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆, cambridge veterinary medicine ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆, kcl dentistry ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆, cambridge natural sciences (bio) ★ ★ ★ ★ ★, cambridge natural sciences (phy) ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆, oxford physics ★ ★ ★ ★ ★, oxford chemistry ★ ★ ★ ★ ★, cambridge engineering ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆, oxford engineering ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆, cambridge maths & physics ★ ★ ★ ★ ★, oxford computer science ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆, changes to oxbridge personal statements.

Everything we have discussed so far has been in relation to UCAS Personal Statements in their current form. However, if you have been keeping up to date with the current university application landscape, you will know that UCAS is planning a variety of changes throughout its process and services to be implemented over the next two application cycles. 

One of the areas that will be affected is the Personal Statement, which will remain the same for 2024 and 2025 Entry but will be updated in the next admissions cycle. We have written a full guide relating to these changes , but let’s take a brief look at how the process will be changing starting next year. 

UCAS Personal Statements for 2026 Entry

The first thing to note is that these changes are being implemented across the whole UCAS process, so it will not just be Oxbridge applicants that are affected. 

As you know, UCAS Personal Statements are currently required to be submitted as one, free-form piece of written work with a character limit of 4,000. This will need to be written into a textbox included in the UCAS Application Form, although it can be written in a separate programme and pasted in. 

In 2024, Personal Statements will change to a questionnaire-based system within the UCAS Application Form. This means that applicants will now be required to write shorter written answers to a series of questions relating to their application and experience. 

This is being implemented in a way that allows applicants to provide the information from their Personal Statement in a more structured and focused manner that will help universities get the relevant information for their admissions tutors. Essentially, applicants will still need to discuss the same topics, just in a different format. 

As of now, UCAS has stated that these are the topics they intend to ask applicants about: 

Motivation for Course – Why do they want to study these courses? 

Preparedness for Course – How has their learning so far helped them to be ready to succeed on these courses? 

Preparation through other experiences – What else have they done to help them prepare, and why are these experiences useful? 

Extenuating circumstances – Is there anything that the universities and colleges need to know about, to help them put their achievements and experiences so far into context? 

Preparedness for study – What have they done to prepare themself for student life? 

Preferred Learning Styles – Which learning and assessment styles best suit them – how do your course choices match that?

As you can see, these questions cover all of the basic elements that one would expect from a high-quality Personal Statement, including reasons for applying, academic achievements and extracurricular activities. Therefore, nothing about the approach or the quality of the content will be changing significantly, it will primarily be a format change. 

Why are Personal Statements Being Changed?

UCAS has stated that a key concern with Personal Statements in their current form is that the difficulty of writing one from scratch “widens the gap” for applicants of certain backgrounds. The fear is that applicants who do not have access to a support system that helps them through the writing process will have less of a chance of gaining an offer despite being viable candidates.

Other issues raised state that there is uncertainty amongst some applicants as to how Personal Statements are actually used and that a high percentage of surveyed students found the writing process stressful (83%) and difficult to complete without support (79%).

This new format has therefore been tested by applicants and universities alike to ensure that both parties are happy with the new format. The result is a way for applicants to express themselves without increased stress worrying about superfluous things like the structure and flow of the piece. 

How Does This Affect Oxbridge Applicants?

If you are reading this as a teacher, it is more than likely that your students do have access to high-quality Personal Statement support, meaning they would be considered more “advantaged applicants”. These new changes are designed to even the playing field for all applicants, but this doesn’t mean that you don’t need to worry about supporting your Oxbridge applicants, or any university applicants at your school. 

Although the Personal Statement structure is changing, Oxford and Cambridge’s standards will not be. This means that the quality of the content they write will still be of great importance whether it is present as one document or as multiple answers. Although the structuring will be different, the core of their writing will be the same, which means you need to provide the same level of support that you would have before.

We will be updating this guide, as well as our other Personal Statement guides, once more details emerge about how applicants are expected to answer these questions and once our tutors have had a chance to get to grips with the new system. Advice about structuring a Personal Statement will likely change, but guidance relating to the quality of content should be universal across both formats, so don’t be afraid to continue teaching the lessons that you have already been using. Just be sure that all applicants for 2025 Entry know that their Personal Statement experience will be different. 

That concludes our teacher’s guide to Oxbridge Personal Statements. We hope that you will now be able to take a slightly different approach when supporting Oxbridge applicants with their Personal Statements in order to help them make them as good as they could possibly be.

Be sure to share these resources, as well as our collection of applicant Personal Statement Guides, with your students and encourage them to research further. We have even more great guides for teachers available at our Teacher’s Hub, and you can find out how UniAdmissions can support your school in creating the ultimate support programme for your students .  

Other Helpful Oxbridge Resources

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Physics & maths personal statement example 1.

The nobility of physics together with my aspiration to explore natural phenomena mathematically and to formulate theories that govern them has changed my perception of reality and this has made me ponder difficult questions.

What is the history of the Universe? What is quantum entanglement? What is the string theory? I am intrigued by the implication of Quantum theory and the elegant significance of Relativity theory. For me, Physics is the key to the survival of the human race which makes me want to immerse myself in this discipline.

Physics requires the use of analytical techniques to construct magnificent theories that guide complex natural phenomena which also uncover hidden secrets of nature.

This is reflected in the study of physical properties in four dimensions, where a gentle touch of mathematical techniques and fundamental physical laws allow me to prove equations defining special relativity which Einstein used to unlock the mass-energy equivalence. My desire to explore Nature's true identity has led me to read the works of Stephen Hawking and Prof. Susskind.

From these, I have realised how the Uncertainty Principle brings an element of unpredictability into science, which adds mysterious new dimensions to Physics. Interactions among Fermions and Baryons with the exchange of Bosons as well as the prediction of the existence of Higgs Boson intrigue me.

These have helped to increase my knowledge regarding force and Schrodinger equation. My enthusiasm for mathematical physics has led me to formulate an equation that equates time-location. In the past I have designed a free energy generator, and a feasible past event viewer, which enabled me to understand the arrow of time in depth.

Combining the practical and analytical techniques I have gained from my A-level courses has given me a sound scientific background. I received the best young mathematician award which was given to me by my local government chairman.

To solidify my mathematical ability, I have decided to take six units of Further Maths this year and I also study "Engineering Maths" by K.A Stroud which acts as an invaluable extension to my mathematical experience.

The beauty of physics, not just as a theoretical discipline but with its various applications, grabbed my attention after shadowing a Professor at the Missouri State University. He shared with me some of his elegant abstract ideas using clues from Nature.

This encouraged me to look for abstract clues to make new discoveries. I have developed good communication and team working skills as an A-level science and maths tutor and through my contribution towards building an electric racing car for the Greenpower competition.

My responsibilities include designing an effective drive system, while supervising other aspects of the project. I believe the skills I have gained have prepared me for university life.

In addition to studying for my A-levels, I am an official college advocate. I collate quantitative and qualitative data, analyse, and make presentations that highlight areas for improvement for the college management. Football and chess are among my favourite activities where I practise and develop my strategic skills.

The works of Beethoven have motivated me to play the piano. I also enjoy dancing as well as imaginative drawing.

On completion of my degree, I plan to go into research and university lecturing.

My passion for the application of physics from abstract and conceptual ideas, along with my attitude toward learning and researching into underlying theories of nature will enable me to achieve these goals. I believe I possess the essential skills, capacity and motivation to tackle the academic challenges that lie ahead.

Profile info

This personal statement was written by dawaj2004 for application in 2011.

dawaj2004's university choices Cambridge University University College London

Green : offer made Red : no offer made

Degree Physical Natural Science at Cambridge University

Related Personal Statements

Fri, 13/05/2011 - 14:44

I must say you have written an awesome personal statement. It truly reflects your passion for physics....enjoy your time at cambridge :)

Great statement! Would love

Tue, 09/08/2011 - 00:02

Great statement! Would love to follow in your steps soon, I hope to be an astronaut one day you see. Your passion is amazingly understood. :)

He says he created a free

Sun, 18/09/2011 - 22:42

He says he created a free energy generator? does he mean a perpetual motion machine that violates the laws of thermodynamics?

Interactions between Fermions

Thu, 22/09/2011 - 18:33

Interactions between Fermions and Baryons?

Baryons are Fermions... So, interactions between Fermions and Fermions. So, interactions between Fermions?

What do you mean 'past event viewer'?

No hating! when I wrote this

Thu, 17/11/2011 - 04:18

No hating! when I wrote this statement my knowledge of baryons and Fermions was from wikipedia. Now I can look back at it and point out the errors!

perhaps, If you understand the laws of thermodynamics in detail and from first principle, you will understand how this is possible! I wont waste my time on irrelevant things.

And yeah, I designed a past event viewer, and that explains how I got into Cambridge in the first place.

HUMAN, trying to dim another man's candle wont make yours bighter! That's not the way forward mate!

good job...!

Wed, 14/03/2012 - 21:11

I really liked the statement, it is informative and yet to the point - though being but a simple student myself I cannot comment on the accuracy of the physics, but who cares? I still liked it. One question about good ol' Cambridge though - are the students and staff pretentious or elitist at all. I don't like that kind of thing as I think it gets in the way of more important, useful things... it would be good to hear your opinion...

Wed, 28/03/2012 - 21:17

I'm sorry if I've offended anyone here! I'm just a very moody HUMAN and I was in a bad mood when I wrote my previous comment! Perhaps, this site is meant for us to help one another to get to the University we want. Like I said I wrote that statement when my knowlegde of particle physics have lots of holes. Anyway, to those interested, creating a free energy generator doesn't violate the 1st law of thermodynamics. The free energy generator uses gibb's free energy to its advantage by converting the everlasting magnetic field of a material together with a cycle of motion replenished by magnetic field itself, by taking advantage of maxwell's beautiful equations *I'll be very happy to share my knowlegde on this* (inbox me if you want to know more @ * [email protected] ). I recently found out that this machine has been proposed by some past physicist and they were silenced* (murdered). Well, do some research on this! :)

Wed, 28/03/2012 - 21:47

To be honest with you, pretentious; I consider that a source of motivation Aiming to become someone that will one day be capable of making a change is a good thing from my POV (I'm just human, I know not). Many people in cambridge have their drives. Etilist; hmmm! I'll talk for myself: I'm just HUMAN and so are you! So I don't think that I'm better than anyone just because of my social status, knowlegde etc: all that matters to me is the fact that we're human and death is something we can't escape from, thus; I just want to help to shape the bright,peaceful and beautiful future of humanity! EQUALITY... I know not!

Important, crucial question

Mon, 25/06/2012 - 12:42

How good are you at football?

don't thank me

Sat, 06/07/2013 - 18:40

Most of the comment are in early 2013... are you guys thanking me now cos your Cambridge/Oxford application is successful? :)

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