Applying to Oxbridge from the UAE: Deadlines, tips, and secrets of a successful application

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Applying to Oxbridge from the UAE: Deadlines, tips, and secrets of a successful application

The universities of Oxford and Cambridge are famously competitive, with a 15% and 19% acceptance rate respectively in 2022. For international students applying from the UAE this can seem a daunting prospect, but there are plenty of things you can do to help yourself stand out from the crowd. SchoolsCompared.com spoke with Joe Hall, Head of Sixth Form at Brighton College Dubai to discover what you need to know about applying to Oxbridge from the UAE.

When to apply to Oxbridge from the UAE?

You need to apply a year before the start date of your course by completing an online UCAS application form.

Applications open in May, but you won’t be able to submit your application until early September.

When is the deadline for applying to Oxbridge?

There is a strict submission deadline of 9:00pm UAE time (6:00pm UK time) on 16th October for 2023. The deadline is normally 15th October each year, but in 2023 this date falls on a weekend. You need to ensure your application has everything required by each university before the deadline, and this includes your academic reference, so make sure you get started in plenty of time. Late applications will not be accepted.

How is applying to Oxbridge different to applying to other UK universities?

The deadline for applying to Oxbridge (usually 15th October, except when this date falls on a weekend) is earlier than for other universities, which have a January deadline. It is also only possible to apply to either Oxford or Cambridge, not to both. As with many other universities, applicants then sit an admissions test, usually in the subject they are applying to study. Following the admissions test, successful applicants will be invited to interview, and these normally take place during November or December. Only between 25% and 45% of interviewees are offered places, the percentage depending on how competitive your chosen subject is. There are three implications that follow:

First, securing an interview is a major achievement in itself.
Second, preparing for the interview is extremely important.
Third, securing an interview is is no guarantee of being offered a place.

What makes an Oxbridge education different from an education at other universities across the globe?

With such challenging odds, what makes an Oxbridge education worth it? It is not just the reputation, says Joe Hall, Head of Sixth Form at Brighton College Dubai, who was educated at Corpus Christi College Oxford and now helps Brighton College students with their Oxbridge applications. This year, Mr Hall and his specialist colleagues have set up the Oxbridge Society to ensure that Brighton College students are as well prepared for their application as possible. Mr Hall says:

“The fundamentals of an Oxford or Cambridge education haven’t changed in centuries. The tutorial system provides a really unique opportunity for undergraduate students to have very small, or one-on-one, tutorials with world-leading academics. Very few other universities in the world can provide this direct access to academics for first-year students.

“The division of the universities into Colleges also provides a unique experience, with students living and studying in much smaller communities within the wider university.

“The students who study at Oxford and Cambridge tend to be highly engaged in and passionate about what they study, which makes for a very rich intellectual environment.

“On top of this, the sheer history and prestige of the universities provide a very different experience in terms of atmosphere and ambience.

“Whilst the fundamentals haven’t changed, the cutting-edge research and innovation which characterise all Russell Group universities is of course something which continues to flourish at both Oxford and Cambridge, and undergraduates are also sometimes given more exposure to this than they might have at other universities.”

What do I need to do before applying?

Choose which course you would like to study. You can only apply to one course at Oxford or Cambridge (as above, you cannot apply to both universities in the same year).
Check what grades are required and any other admission requirements for your preferred course.
Choose between applying to a specific college, or submitting an open application. Making an open application means you will be assigned to a college which has had relatively fewer applications for your course in the year you apply. There is disagreement on which approach is most likely to be successful. The universities, however, argue that they are equally weighted.
Fill in your UCAS application. This will require personal details; details about any qualifications you have already received; a personal statement (tips on this later); a fee payment to UCAS; and an academic reference. Your teacher will need some time to complete this, so do not leave it until the last minute.
Register for the admission test. Most courses will require an admission test, but registration for tests is not automatic and is not part of the UCAS process. Ensure that you check the details for your chosen course online, paying attention to the admission test details.

Read guidance from UCAS on how to complete your application here.

How do I stand out from the crowd if I secure an Interview?

Joe Hall, Head of Sixth Form at Brighton College says:

“To stand out from the crowd you have to demonstrate an ability to think outside the box, approach problems from different angles, to verbalise your thought processes and to demonstrate genuine intellectual flexibility. Above all, you must be able to hold your own in an academic conversation about subjects you are passionate about.”

Will there be trick questions in an Oxbridge interview?

There are a lot of myths and legends surrounding Oxbridge interviews, such as that tutors try to catch you out, or deliberately do things to throw you off course. If a student is lucky enough to get an interview, is this something they should worry about? Mr Hall says:

“Both universities go out of their way to emphasise that there are never trick questions in an interview. Everything you are asked has a purpose. Questions may be challenging but that is the whole point. If an interview is too easy then they may have chosen not to push you intellectually as far as a stronger candidate…

“There are rarely ‘right’ answers in Oxbridge interviews, instead the interviewers are looking for how you approach difficult questions and a willingness to learn and change your answer as the conversation progresses.

“Oxford and Cambridge are very conscious that many of the myths surrounding the interview can be off-putting so provide a lot of information and guidance on their websites about what to expect at interview and what kind of questions candidates might expect to be asked.”

5 Top Tips for your Oxbridge Application

Joe Hall, Head of Sixth Form at Brighton College, shares his top tips for unlocking the secrets of Oxbridge acceptance:

Be yourself and don’t try too hard

Oxford and Cambridge admissions tutors are looking for genuinely interesting, sharp, well-read, and articulate students. The application and interview process that both Universities follow is designed to select individuals who have both academic potential, and the character potential to flourish in a tutorial-based university system. They are looking for applicants who stand out for their unique qualities and who show they have a genuine love of learning. Be yourself, don’t try too hard and let your personality shine through.

Read – a lot!

A significant amount of your time at university will be spent reading as this is the foundation of most Oxbridge courses. You need to be ready to talk about what you have enjoyed reading in your interview and it will be virtually impossible to demonstrate your academic interests if you are not a keen explorer of ideas. It is important to develop consistent reading habits and make sure you are reading books and articles which challenge you and push you out of your intellectual comfort zone. Don’t just read one text and leave it at that; instead try to deploy a three-step approach to wider reading. Start with reading the key text, then read a critique of that text and then end with a broader and deeper philosophical work which addresses some of the more fundamental questions behind the topic.

Challenge yourself to have debates

Take every opportunity you can at school, and beyond, to discuss, debate and challenge yourself and those around you. Don’t shy away from controversial or unusual topics – and challenge yourself to take sides you don’t necessarily agree with. Model United Nations, debating competitions and school societies are all great places to get started. Debating opportunities are all around you, from the dinner table at home to the Common Room and within your friendship groups. The more you initiate and practice debating, the more confident you will become with your interview technique.

Work on the articulation of your arguments

The real key to success in your interview is to be able to verbally articulate and present your thought process of how you work through problems to the tutors. This takes courage and confidence – and building your confidence takes practice. Get comfortable with talking through each stage of your thought process. You can do this out loud to yourself in the mirror, presenting at school and presenting your ideas to family and friends. The more you practice, the easier this will become. There is rarely a right or wrong answer at Oxbridge interviews and the tutors are more interested in seeing how you think and the ways in which you approach situations. The only way to present this to them is to become comfortable with speaking and presenting to an audience so you can confidently explain your thought process out loud, and in detail.

Practice the admissions tests

You will need to score above a certain point if you are going to be called to interview, so putting in the time to practice past admissions papers is a great way to make sure you are on the right track in providing the kind of responses the tutors are looking for. Whilst the admissions tests are currently being changed for many Oxbridge courses, the principle remains the same – it is expected that all applicants to Oxbridge are academically outstanding.

Overall, think to yourself, how can my application stand out from others? You need to be able to showcase both your unique personality and passion for your subject through a thought-out, interesting and in-depth application. Taking inspiration and learnings from past examples will help you a great deal.

About Joe Hall

Pictured above: Joe Hall, Head of Sixth Form at Brighton College Dubai.

Joe Hall has 15 years of teaching experience in schools around the world, latterly as Founding Head of Sixth Form at Brighton College Al Ain. Mr Hall has taught many Brighton College pupils, helping each on their journeys to becoming successful, confident and kind Old Brightonians. Many have gone on to study at Ivy League and Russell Group universities around the world.

Having taught in schools in Mexico, the UK, Korea and the UAE, Mr Hall’s teaching experience spans across many continents, cultures and religions. His expertise has developed over many key posts, including through leadership roles as Director of the English Department at a Mexico based language school, his role as Enrichment Coordinator and Humanities Teacher at Honiton Community College in Devon in the UK, and as Deputy Head of Senior School at Brighton College Al Ain.

Mr Hall holds a Postgraduate Certificate in Education: Secondary History from the University of Exeter, a Master of Arts in Near and Middle Eastern Studies from the University of London, as well as a Bachelor of Arts in Politics, Philosophy and Economics from University of Oxford.