• Studying
      Here
      • As an Undergraduate
        • Chat with a Magdalen student
        • Courses We Offer
        • Joint Schools
        • How to Apply
        • Information for applicants 2019/20
        • Funding Your Course
        • Choral Scholars
        • Open Days and Visits
        • Overseas Students
        • Visiting Students
        • Commonly Asked Questions
      • As a Graduate
        • Application Process
        • Selection Criteria
        • Clinical Medicine
        • Funding Your Course
        • Scholarships and Awards
        • Visiting Students
      • Second BA
      • Outreach
        • Magdalen College Outreach – Event Booking Form
        • Outreach Resources
    • Living
      Here
      • As an Undergraduate
      • As a Graduate
      • Environment
      • Student Life
      • Catering
      • Magdalen College Welfare Support
      • Societies
        • The Florio Society
        • The Atkin Society
        • The Sherrington Society
        • The Magdalen College Trust
          • Accomodation
      • Glossary
    • Discover
      Magdalen
      • College History
        • The College Buildings
        • The 42 Presidents
        • Famous Alumni
        • Nobel Laureates
        • Conversation Pieces
      • Research at Magdalen
      • Visiting Magdalen
      • News
      • B&B Room Reservation
      • Shop
    • People at
      Magdalen
    • Chapel
      & Choir
      • The Chapel
        • Chapel Services
        • Chapel People
        • Sunday Addresses and Sermons
        • Learning and Fellowship
        • Some Magdalen Sermons
        • The Organ of Magdalen College
      • The Choir
      • Choir Recordings
      • Services and Music List
    • Library
      & Archives
      • Libraries
        • New Library & St. Swithun’s Library
        • SOLO (Library catalogue)
        • History of Magdalen College Libraries
      • Archives
        • About the Archives
        • Access to the Archives
        • Online Catalogues
        • Magdalen Hall
        • Magdalen College School
      • Library & Archives Contact Details
      • Conservation
        • The Medieval Title Deeds Project
        • The Conservation of the Daubeny Library
        • The Conservation and Preservation of Greek Manuscripts at Magdalen College
      • Online Exhibitions
      • Illuminating Magdalen
      • Library & Archive News
    • Alumni
      & Friends
      • Alumni Area
        – Log in
      • Useful Information
      • Alumni News
      • Alumni Events
      • Supporting Magdalen
        • May Giving Challenge
        • Making a Gift (UK)
        • Making a Gift (Outside UK)
        • Giving in your Will
        • Fundraising Priorities
        • Recognising Your Support
      • Involving our Alumni
      • Publications
        • Publications Archive
      • Development and Alumni Relations Office Team
      • Social Media Hub
    • Conferences
      & Events
      • Magdalen News and Events
      • Residential Conferences
      • Day meetings
      • Private Dining
        • Sample Menus
    Home > How to Apply
    • An unbroken tradition of learning since 1458
    • Engaging environment for study and friends
    • Welcoming students from all backgrounds
    • Building on excellence
    • A warm community
    • Academic and athletic experiences
    • A community of enquiry and discovery
    • An environment for growth
    • Nurturing arts and culture

    How to Apply

    Applying to Oxford

    Applications for undergraduate courses at the University of Oxford take place between 1 September and 15 October each year, for places beginning the following Autumn. To apply you must complete a UCAS form.

    • more about applying to Oxford

     

    Applying to Magdalen College

    Magdalen is one of Oxford’s 33 undergraduate colleges – all student members of the University are also members of a college. You can:

    • select a preferred college on your application forms, or
    • make an ‘open’ application, where a college is selected for you
    • more about choosing colleges

    Cloister

    Before you apply

    Before you apply to Oxford:

    • Choose a course and check it is right for you
    • Check the entrance requirements for your course
    • Check the admissions deadline for your course
    • Check which colleges offer your course
    • If you are an international applicant check the additional information about qualifications, language requirements and application arrangements
    • Remember: entry is competitive, and every year there are not enough places for the number of qualified candidates who apply. On average around 1 in every 5 or 6 applicants is offered a place

     

    Students with additional needs

    We welcome applications from students with additional needs and encourage early disclosure on the UCAS application form. Mentioning your disability or Specific Learning Difficulty will not affect your application, as admissions decisions are made solely on the grounds of academic merit. It will instead enable us to ensure that we are able to put in place any necessary adjustments should you be shortlisted for interview.

    • Further information for students with additional needs
    • Supporting your move to Oxford

     

    Preparing to apply

    First steps

    • Use the relevant Department/Faculty website to learn more about your course: look at lecture timetables, reading lists, academic profiles etc.
    • Explore your subject beyond the school curriculum. This may include: reading articles, going to exhibitions, entering essay competitions, listening to podcasts, watching lectures etc.

     

    Personal statement

    The personal statement is your chance to tell us why you want to study the course you have chosen: what interests you about it; what motivates you to study it; and how you have deepened your engagement with it – especially on your own initiative.

    We only select on academic criteria, so we will only be interested in your extra-curricular activities and work experience insofar as they are directly relevant to the course you are applying to. Your other university choices may well have different selection criteria, so you should make sure to include something about extra-curricular interests – but keep it to a minimum. We would recommend 80% focus on academic interests and 20% focus on extra-curricular interests.

    It’s important to remember that the same personal statement will be seen by all the universities you apply to and should therefore focus on the course you want to study, not the universities themselves.

    Some tips:

    • Discuss, don’t list your interests and activities
    • Depth rather than breadth – if you try to cover too much ground you won’t be able to provide sufficient detail
    • Read everything you claim to have read
    • Be critical and analytical rather than descriptive
    • No errors – proof-read
    • More advice on writing your personal statement

     

    Admissions tests and written work

    • Some courses require you to take a test before you are invited to interview – you have to register for this, so make arrangements in good time
    • Download past papers and mark schemes to familiarise yourself with the test format and question style. Completing past papers under timed conditions is good preparation
    • These tests are designed to show us how you think: how you analyse and solve difficult questions. You won’t be expected to know things that aren’t taught at A-level; but you will be asked to apply that knowledge to texts or problems you won’t have encountered before
    • Some courses require you to send in examples of your written work as part of your application
    • Written work deadline is usually early November
    • Your work needs to have been marked by a teacher and each piece needs a cover sheet that has been signed by that teacher and stamped with the school stamp. Don’t leave it to the last minute to arrange this!

    Test picture

    Interviews

    Interviews are a crucial part of our selection process, and are entirely academic in nature. They are a short conversation about your subject – like a mini tutorial – where the tutors are looking to see you demonstrate your ability in and commitment to your subject, as well as the flexibility of mind that the tutorial system requires.

    Student ambassadors will be there to help you during your stay in Oxford.

    Some tips:

    • Take time before you answer each question
    • Ask for clarification if needed
    • Listen carefully to the tutor’s responses
    • Get used to thinking out loud
    • Remember that tutors are human!

    Charlotte6

    Studying Here
    As an Undergraduate
    • Courses We Offer
    • Joint Schools
    • How to Apply
    • Information for applicants 2019/20
    • Funding Your Course
    • Choral Scholars
    • Open Days and Visits
    • Overseas Students
    • Visiting Students
    • Commonly Asked Questions
    As a Graduate
    • Application Process
    • Selection Criteria
    • Clinical Medicine
    • Funding Your Course
    • Scholarships and Awards
    • Visiting Students
    Second BA
    Outreach
    • Magdalen College Outreach – Event Booking Form
    • Outreach Resources
    BUILDING OUR FUTURE: Magdalen's Campaign to raise £7.5m to redevelop the New Library How you can help

    Connect with us

    Get in touch

    Magdalen College
    Oxford
    OX1 4AU
    United Kingdom

    T: +44 (0)1865 276000

    Contact us

    Media Enquiries

    Job Vacancies

    Find us

    • Studying
      Here

      • As an Undergraduate
      • As a Graduate
      • Second BA
      • Outreach
    • Living
      Here

      • As an Undergraduate
      • As a Graduate
      • Environment
      • Student Life
      • Catering
      • Magdalen College Welfare Support
      • Societies
      • Glossary
    • Discover
      Magdalen

      • College History
      • Research at Magdalen
      • Visiting Magdalen
      • News
      • B&B Room Reservation
      • Shop
    • People at
      Magdalen

    • Chapel
      & Choir

      • The Chapel
      • The Choir
      • Choir Recordings
      • Services and Music List
    • Library
      & Archives

      • Libraries
      • Archives
      • Library & Archives Contact Details
      • Conservation
      • Online Exhibitions
      • Illuminating Magdalen
      • Library & Archive News
    • Alumni
      & Friends

      • Alumni Area
        – Log in
      • Useful Information
      • Alumni News
      • Alumni Events
      • Supporting Magdalen
      • Involving our Alumni
      • Publications
      • Development and Alumni Relations Office Team
      • Social Media Hub
    • Conferences
      & Events

      • Magdalen News and Events
      • Residential Conferences
      • Day meetings
      • Private Dining
  • Copyright © Magdalen College, Oxford 2019 | Equality | Other policies | Strategic Plan | Internal Pages | Gender Pay Gap Magdalen College is a Registered Charity, No.1142149
    This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We will assume that you are ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish.Accept Read More
    Privacy & Cookies Policy