I am a Class X student. I’m expecting about 85 per cent in my board exams. My dream is to study in Oxford University. Could you let me know what I should do to make this dream come true? I’m interested in studying humanities.
Eva Das

Oxford University offers a plethora of courses at the undergraduate and the postgraduate level on campus and also through its department for continuing education. It also offers courses online. I would advise you to first finish your Plus Two before thinking about taking admission to Oxford. Needless to say, you’ll have to score very high marks in your Class XII exam if you want to make your dream a reality. In addition, I would also advise you to be more focussed and decide on the subject you want to study and the level at which you want to enter Oxford. The university website (www.ox.ac.uk) can help you to make an informed decision.

For international undergraduate admission, you must complete a Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) application at www.ucas.com by October 15. You also need to send a hard copy of the completed application to Oxford University before October 15 of the year preceding the year you wish to begin studying.

If called for an interview, you have to obtain a special application form that will enable you to appear before the Oxford interview panel which visits Delhi and Bangalore in the months of October and November.

To get admission you should have a decent IELTS or TOEFL score. To be eligible for some subjects you need to have your previous degree in them. You may also need to appear for an aptitude test depending upon the subject you choose.

Oxford’s selection criteria are somewhat complex. The admission process tests a student’s intellectual curiosity, conceptual clarity, flexibility, accuracy, attention to detail, capacity for hard work and enthusiasm for the subject. In addition, it also takes into account the information provided in the UCAS form, the Oxford application form, your performance in the aptitude test, the quality of the written work submitted and your performance in the interview. Therefore, preparing yourself along these lines will help.

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