Oxford and Cambridge are world-famous universities that everybody knows about, young and old. For many applicants, admission to the most prestigious universities is considered a real limit of dreams and a real peak of achievement. These two oldest universities even have a joint name - Oxbridge. Where are Oxford and Cambridge located? In the vast old British in the town of Oxford and the county of Cambridge, respectively.
Admission to the oldest universities in the world
From time immemorial, it is believed that during an interview before admission, the future student is literally alone with a person who is better oriented in his subject than anyone, with someone who has completed more than one job and who, if he so desires, can simply wipe the applicant into powder . Based on this stereotype, many myths and legends have developed that only true geniuses come to Oxford or Cambridge, and they simply humiliate others at these interviews. And if you suddenly entered what is considered incredible luck, then all the free and not free time of a student is absorbed by tedious and painstaking study. The load here is greater than at any other university in the world, and the deadlines are tougher than you can imagine. In addition, the works evaluate the best minds in Britain, where Oxford and Cambridge in the first positions.
What really is?
However, in fact you can notice such a picture, undoubtedly graduates of Oxbridge are experts in their field who know their profession “from” and “to”, but it so happened that Oxford and Cambridge have not the best indicators for the employment of their wards. It turns out that graduates have more than enough theoretical knowledge, and graduates are simply not ready for practical use. But the fact remains: Oxford and Cambridge are one of the most prestigious universities that provide a powerful base. But the image of their graduates from employers is as follows: they slowly walk down the river, drinking not the cheapest champagne and have philosophical conversations. After such a measured life, it’s not at all easy to break into a prestigious company, show the best results, immediately become the best in your field and get a leading position. Of course, there is no doubt about the privileges that the oldest universities offer to their students. For the sake of these advantages, people are ready to cross the entire globe to just touch the history, to visit the place that Oxbridge students call home. Be that as it may, the fact that a person graduated from one of Britain's oldest universities is respected by many employers, and indeed by people in general. This diploma is considered elite and inaccessible to "mere mortals"
The most common stereotypes about Oxford and Cambridge
Since these two universities are considered one of the most prestigious in the world, there are a lot of rumors and legends around them. You can pay attention to the following problems:
- Many people think that Oxford and Cambridge are small, boring cities. And here you can even agree with something. Still, people come here to study and lead a rather specific way of life. But, despite this, the campuses are not limited only to rooms for lectures and seminars, here you can find sports grounds where the best teams train, a lot of interest clubs where everyone can find entertainment to their liking, you can even hold parties here! The traditions of Oxford and Cambridge are hundreds of years old and there are a lot of them. Worth doing to get to know them.
- Oxford and Cambridge is only accessible to very wealthy people. And every second inhabitant of the planet is sure of this, but such a statement is not entirely true. The selection committee always first of all pays attention to the intellectual component of the applicant, they choose future students from the total mass. Therefore, if a person has a lot of money, but there is nothing in his head, the road to Oxbridge is closed. Although university studies are not cheap.
- Many smartest applicants do not even consider the option of entering one of the oldest universities in the world, guided only by the fact that they are not smart enough for them. Both Oxford and Cambridge have high standards and will have to work several times harder. In order to enter one of the universities you do not have to be the most brilliant person. The only problem may be that on the course you will not be the smartest student, as it was before. The main thing is the desire to learn.
- Many are convinced that the load at Oxbridge is so high that time is left only for sleep, and even then not always. On the one hand, you can’t argue, the load at these universities is higher than at many others. Students are not allowed to work while studying, but nothing supernatural happens. Students have time for both sports and entertainment. The main thing is to learn how to distribute it correctly.
For some reason, many people are firmly convinced that inflated old people will sit in the admissions offices who will do everything to prevent you from being a saint of holies, but this is fundamentally wrong. Cambridge and Oxford are in stunning scenic spots and even host tourists.
How to prepare for admission?
Many applicants around the world do not even consider such an option as Oxford or Cambridge, believing that this is not their level. But if you decide to try your hand, then go for it. They say that the relationship of both universities to applicants is only positive. What is worth worrying about is competition, for Oxford, Harvard and Cambridge are the most popular universities on the world stage.
Important Rules
To enter one of the oldest universities, you need to follow some recommendations:
- The first and most important is worthy academic preparation. The selection committee, of course, will appreciate past results, only they will have to be confirmed.
- The second is sincere enthusiasm. The banal desire to learn will not pass. You need to try and prove to the commission your true interest in the learning process. It will not be superfluous to study thematic literature, and even better to have work experience. You need to talk about this first in the application, and then the selection committee at the interview.
- And the main reason for conducting an interview is to find out if you have the same potential, whether you will be successful, and whether you will do everything that depends on you.
If the desire to be in one of the oldest universities in the world is high, then this will not be anyone's work.
Departments of Oxford and Cambridge
The oldest universities have a wide range of educational programs. It is believed that it is easiest in Oxford to enter the Department of Chemistry, Classics, Humanities, Linguistics, Ancient Languages, Theology and Oriental Studies. But seriously, those who wish to study art, economics, medicine, law, engineering and management, and art history will have to try hard. A similar situation in Cambridge will be easier for those who intend to study ancient languages, music, archeology, theology. But the least chance is to enter a course in higher medical education, at the faculty of economics, politics, psychology, sociology and veterinary medicine.
How to get an interview?
Before you get an interview, you must provide the university with a personal statement, letters of recommendation from previous places of study, work and, of course, exam results. If all these points will meet the conditions of the university, the applicant will be interviewed.
Since the flow of people who want to study at Oxbridge is quite large, applicants are often offered to take an additional test. The best of the best will get to the interview, and it usually takes place in December.
What do interviewers say?
The real legends go about these interviews. What you just don’t hear: they say that the admissions committee walks on their heads, throws themselves with soccer balls and assesses the entrant’s reaction to everything that happens. But this, of course, is not so. Interviewers, as in most universities, are highly predictable. Here you need to prepare for questions about work, try to discuss with your entrant his favorite topic, ask them to reason and prove their life principles.
No one expects phenomenal abilities from future students, it is important for the commission to see the desire to learn, the ability to assimilate and put into practice the knowledge gained. But this still may not be the end, if the selection committee has questions, they may ask for a written test. Usually, a future student is warned about this in advance. In fact, the universities of Oxford and Cambridge are the best opportunity to begin their journey to outstanding academic heights. And if a student really loves science and his work to the core, then such a chance cannot be missed.