A-level grades you need for Oxford & Cambridge

[@IlyasCambridgeAdvice]

Subscribe or your offer will be A*A*A*A*

[@fayelynchwilliams9538]

excellent banta

[@IlyasCambridgeAdvice]

@U Ik Cambridge gives out bursaries depending on need and not academic merit because pretty much everyone is a top student. You can find out more here: www.cambridgestudents.cam.ac.uk/cambridgebursary

[@AR-vb4xy]

@@IlyasCambridgeAdvice What about Oxford?

[@IlyasCambridgeAdvice]

@@AR-vb4xy There's some over here: www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/undergraduate/fees-and-funding/oxford-support

[@johnwang3153]

I didn't subscribe because the offer is so generous! A*A*A*A*. At least you didn't require me to do 4 A levels in 1 year while getting A*A*A*A* with UMS marks over 95%, AND further Maths don't count as an A level, neither is Chinese Language! (Looking at you CUHK).

[@danish9615]

Honestly, wished i applied to Oxbridge when i was 1st applying in 2022, but its fine! ended up with A*A*A*A and I'll be heading to Imperial!

[@isaac-s6f]

good lord… any tips? i start my a levels in september 🙏

[@LOVEAD2]

I'm here for the video but damn this face got me hooked

[@johnwang3153]

Are you doing 4 A levels in one year? A*A*A seems generous. The uni I'm applying to requires me to get A*A*A*A* with UMS mark over 95%, and it must be done within one year! (Further Maths don't count as an A level for that university for some reason, but neither is Chinese Language) Yeah, I'm applying for Medicine at CUHK. I ended up doing 5 A levels in one year and it might be too much work!

[@amiray8856]

5 alevels in one year 🤯🤯

[@Kistenz]

Hey, what did you end up getting? Where do you study and what is your score?) Share pls)

[@tkrobert1921]

Does anybody know if the number of A level grades affects how competitive your application is? I am doing maths further maths computer science and physics at current and I want to apply to Trinity for Maths, but I need to work more hours to even afford to go to university and on top of preparing for STEP, I am worried my grades might be affected and I will not get the grades I need, so from a practical standpoint, I was wondering if it was worth it (If I drop one, it will be CS, as although I love it, it is my worst one) (I should note I am a state school student, I think the people in the year above with maths offers only do three, but I want to make sure my decision is not affected by survivorship bias)

[@jinsoulsclit6126]

I'm anxious about my GCSE grades because they were damaged a lot... Can you do a video about extenuating circumstances and how to approach them? (i.e. Bullying, Young carer, etc).

[@IlyasCambridgeAdvice]

The admissions tutors definitely do take contextual information into account. I don't know if there are standardised approaches, but they do look at your area, your school, and personal circumstances. As part of your Cambridge application you do an additional questionnaire (SAQ) which is where you'll be able to explain your circumstances further. Hope that helps.

[@evezland1812]

he's got the beauty and brains, damn 😣

[@darmalkro3802]

Ilya, are CGP books the best revision textbooks you could get? And also, did you go to any prestigious schools? And the last question, would I need textbooks or should I just find resources online? Thank you so much

[@IlyasCambridgeAdvice]

I was generally satisfied with CGP textbooks when it came to revision. However, if you want to learn stuff from scratch they're maybe not the best because they're very concise and to the point, so if the content is new to you it might be hard to understand at first. I went to Simon Langton Grammar School for Boys, which is a state grammar school (it's a good school but not particularly prestigious I'd say, like A-level average was C- in my cohort though we did get like 10 people into Oxbridge out of 250). There are enough online resources to learn anything tbh, so if you'd rather not spend money on textbooks then you can always do that. I only bought the CGP textbooks and generally used the textbooks my school gave me to help learn stuff initially.

[@letsgolesbians9617]

@@IlyasCambridgeAdvice No way you went to Langton Boys! Close friend of mine goes to the girls, I'm at a girls grammar in a nearby town :)

[@kaifa9973]

What about international students. What are the requirements?

[@venkat13529]

As an international student, does adding in a 1570/1600 SAT help your application? I love your videos btw ( the application process is really daunting since really nobody applies from my school so this realllly helps).

[@IlyasCambridgeAdvice]

Hi! Yes, I don't see why you wouldn't want to include getting top grades in your SAT or other relevant exams.

[@isa-sn3ng]

If your igcses are “average” but your AS and ALevel are A*A*A* will that hinder your chances of getting in?

[@IlyasCambridgeAdvice]

If by average you mean mostly B's, then yes that would probably weaken your application. People with all A*s get rejected all the time. But they take your contextual background into account, in case that makes a difference to you

[@salt7532]

why is it so hard to find material for oxford AS level. its so different from gcse where everything is available. i cant find any website that provides past papers or notes for oxford AS

[@pojwanglee7032]

Would being online for 2/3 of my AS year in a different time zone count as an extenuating circumstance? Also, if I don't get all A* predicted does it matter that much, compared to A*AAA - A*A*A*A? I'm doing physics, bio, chem, maths btw

[@IlyasCambridgeAdvice]

They will take that into consideration and you can mention it in your application. However, predicted grades can make a difference, especially if you don't meet the standard offer.

[@pojwanglee7032]

@@IlyasCambridgeAdvice I think that my predicted will make the standard offer, it just won’t be all A*.

[@magtazeum4071]

In 2019, were you there near the King's College as a guide to show around Cambridge University for a fundraising activity or something like that? I remember some Cambridge students were there to show around, and there was a guy who looked like you.. I'm still thinking f it was you or not

[@IlyasCambridgeAdvice]

Don't think it was me, must be someone else!

[@magtazeum4071]

@@IlyasCambridgeAdvice okay..maybe it's someone else then.. The world was very different at that time

[@mrstarctech2386]

I am from india. What is the fees structure if you got A*A A in Cambridge or oxford like average fees plz reply

[@AR-vb4xy]

AS: Math: b Chem: b Physic: b EngLang: b A levels: Math: A* Chem: A* Physics: A* F. Maths: A What are my chances?

[@IlyasCambridgeAdvice]

What are you applying for? Your A-levels meet the standard offer so that's good. Obviously that doesn't guarantee you'll get in but still it's looking good.

[@AR-vb4xy]

@@IlyasCambridgeAdvice My primary target is Computer Science.

[@IlyasCambridgeAdvice]

@@AR-vb4xy I'd say it's worth applying, good luck!

[@lifeunfiltered9056]

The requirments for Computer Science/ Economics is A*AA with an A* in Maths. So should A* in Maths be added in the A*AA or there needs to be A*A*AA?

[@IlyasCambridgeAdvice]

No, it means that you should achieve at least A*AA and that you should have an A* in maths (which is included in the A*AA). However, if you do 4 A-levels sometimes your offer will be A*A*AA (that was my offer).

[@ellietaylor1182]

Hi! I’m hoping to study Bio Nat Sci (I’m applying this October) at Cambs. I do Biology, Chemistry and Geography and my predicted grades are A* for Bio and Geography, and an A for Chem. I was wondering if you know anyone at Cambs doing Bio Nat Sci who didn’t do A level Maths? I understand that it’s important for the course which is why I’m self-studying elements of the AS Maths course :)

[@IlyasCambridgeAdvice]

Tbh I don’t recall meeting any Nat sci students who didn’t do maths. Ngl will be hard to cope with the maths if you haven’t done at least maths a level, even if it’s just mathematical biology.

[@honeywren]

hey! we take the same a-levels which unis did u end up applying to??

[@as9213]

I am done with my olevels and now I am in a level. I am taking maths phy and chem. Will this combination be good enough to apply for computer science. Also i am an international student so what other things do i need to do to get scholarship aprt from getting A A A .

[@IlyasCambridgeAdvice]

The subjects you are taking do meet the entry requirements (see here www.undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/courses/computer-science). Getting a scholarship is not easy and usually is not merit-based but based on need. Here is a scholarship you could look at: www.cambridgetrust.org/scholarships/key-points-for-undergraduate-applicants/

[@IbrahimKhan-wm8my]

Bro do 9 and 10 grade marks matter

[@IlyasCambridgeAdvice]

Ultimately, no. In short term, yes because they might affect how you do in your GCSEs and they are an opportunity for you to develop study skills. But unis won't see your grades pre-GCSE

[@reza_dav]

Do they actually accept Access to HE instead of A Levels?

[@nurallisyazaliayazid8862]

Does it matter which college we take our A levels in order to go to Cambridge or Oxford?

[@IlyasCambridgeAdvice]

In a way, yes. They will take your school's performance into account for example: getting a higher grade at a low performaning school is more impressive than a high grade at a high performing school. If you're an international student though they might have less of this information though. Additionally, a better college might get you better grades, which can help you get in.

[@nurallisyazaliayazid8862]

@@IlyasCambridgeAdvice ouhhh ok thanks for the info 😊

[@absi4385]

How many igcse subjects do i need to sign up

[@jerryzhang6149]

my AS grades just came out and I got 95 in economics and 90 in alevel maths. I can get all a*s in the predicted grade but do Cambridge look at your individual marks? if they do then would a 90 in maths be too weak for cambridge?

[@IlyasCambridgeAdvice]

That’s fine, though if you’re applying for maths might be suboptimal

[@jerryzhang6149]

thank you, I'm applying for economics and you gave me some confidence!

[@mandeyz9055]

I'm planning on taking 3 A-levels and IELTS but I don't have any O-levels, however, I've passed grade 10 in my country. So are those enough or do I need O-levels regardless, for application?

[@IlyasCambridgeAdvice]

By O-levels I'm assuming you mean GCSE equivalents. You don't need to have done GCSEs to get in, they will look at the equivalent exams you did.

[@313ahmadyt5]

Respected sir I have question ❓

[@bibasboy1123]

I have got 3 A* in my GCEs alevels. What are my chances as a international student?

[@IlyasCambridgeAdvice]

3 A*s at A-level in general is very good, but that's not enough information to know if you're going to get in. For example, what the subjects you're doing is important as well as other aspects of your application such as interview performance or entrance exam if applicable. But yeah 3A*s is generally good.

[@toodlesx_x]

If my predicted was A*AA but the requirement was A*A*A, do I still have chance?

[@IlyasCambridgeAdvice]

That would significantly reduce your chances in my opinion. (Predicted grades are usually too generous). Maybe getting in via clearing or after gap year if you get top grades might be your best chance.

[@toodlesx_x]

@@IlyasCambridgeAdvice thanks. My school are genuinely harsh in how they give A*s and it depends on a final exam only. I saw your reply after speaking to my careers advisor and she said there wasn't a point in applying so I'm not and will be applying to Oxford which has an A*AA requirement. Though, it still hurts it could have been worse. Thank you nonetheless.

[@IlyasCambridgeAdvice]

I think it's still worth applying though, like it's not that you can't get in.

[@DivineSource444]

What does AAA mean? Three subjects with a final grade of at least an A? So if I had an A* in History and a B in Politics, and a B in Classics, I can't apply to Oxford for History?

[@IlyasCambridgeAdvice]

AAA means you get at least 3 As. They might let you in with A*AB but anything lower will probably reduce your chances quite a bit (not impossible though)

[@b19gow76]

​@@IlyasCambridgeAdvicewould AAA be more for those who are considered disadvantaged?

[@ALIABBAS-yl6so]

HI ILYA IS THERE COMPUTER SCIENCE IN OXFORD OR CAMBRIDGE

[@IlyasCambridgeAdvice]

Come on bro you can Google this

[@kikimayi4104]

Hello, I am a high school senior student. I have my SAT in 2 months, my APs in 4 months, CLEP in 5 months, board exams in 4 months and one subject test in 4 months. ( i gave one subject test and got 800, and 1400 in SAT but will give again.) My board is an indian board (CBSE). i was wondering, should i give AS and A level in 3 subjects in june? I am pretty sure I already know a lot of syllabus as it overlaps from other tests but I am still unsure and very confused. Do tell please......

[@IlyasCambridgeAdvice]

Sounds like you have a lot of exams! I don't think there's a need for you to sit A-levels because Oxford and Cambridge recognise the exams you're sitting (for Cambridge see here: www.undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/international-students/eu-and-international-qualifications, for Oxford see here: www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/undergraduate/applying-to-oxford/for-international-students/international-qualifications). If you're still unsure, you could email an admissions tutor because ultimately they decide whether they will let you in.

[@venkat13529]

I'm a CBSE student too, and no you don't need to. Oxford recognises CBSE grades provided you get 95+ in your intended subjects. Make sure you work on getting the predicted board results you need because that's what Oxford looks at the most.

[@kikimayi4104]

@@venkat13529 95+ is a bit much... will 90+ be okay?

[@你是杰瑞吗]

Are these entrance requirements real? they seem to be very low.

[@IlyasCambridgeAdvice]

Meeting entrance requirements doesn't guarantee entry

[@你是杰瑞吗]

​@@IlyasCambridgeAdvice is A*A*A really the "typical offer" they made tho? because I have seen a lot of offers made only to really strong candidate who gets at least 4A*. this is very confusing to me. Your video is very helpful btw!

[@IlyasCambridgeAdvice]

Successful candidates tend to exceed their offers, e.g. my offer was A*A*AA but I got 5 A*s

[@Idekkwhatever]

Should I apply before a levels ?or after?

[@IlyasCambridgeAdvice]

Normally at start of year 13

[@fariamahzabeen2006]

I got a lot of Bs in my GCSEs will this affect my chance of getting in? Are A levels more important than GCSE grades?

[@_ratsoup1348]

From what I know, Oxford places slightly more emphasis on GCSEs than Cambridge, but this doesn't mean either will reject you on the basis of bad GCSE grades. Ultimately if your predicted A levels and the other points of your application are strong enough, you should still have a good chance of getting it

[@_ratsoup1348]

Cambridge also tends to have slightly higher entry grades, so that can be interpreted as them having more emphasis on A levels. The course I've applied to at Oxford is AAA but the equivalent Cambridge course is A*AA

[@Anonymous-li6py]

Cambridge has a higher admission standard

[@IlyasCambridgeAdvice]

yes

[@ΔιονυσηςΧαλμουκης]

if you actually get accepted and you pass the exams with really high score do you get a scholarship or you have to pay the expected fees?

[@IlyasCambridgeAdvice]

Bursaries and scholarships for undergrads are not usually awarded based on academics but financial need. For international students they are very hard to get.

[@lawonyinye7056]

@@IlyasCambridgeAdvice why is it hard for international students to get, could you explain more

[@IlyasCambridgeAdvice]

@@lawonyinye7056 people don’t normally throw tens of thousands of money to strangers from different countries

[@lawonyinye7056]

@@IlyasCambridgeAdvice what of those from underdeveloped countries and also considering the fact that international student pay 3times the amount of home student, shouldn't there be some sort of financial aid

[@infinity9064]

I am homeschooled; I am 13 im taking my gcses may - june next year, i am talking geography, history, english lit, english lang, maths, physics and chemistry is that a good starting point?

[@IlyasCambridgeAdvice]

If you're 13 you've ages so I wouldn't worry too much about uni yet. Just try to get good grades and follow your interests

[@user-tg1zf6ow4o]

Would u still get in if u get top grades for a level but not so great for gcse And also is gcse a big part of ur applications a break a make moment

[@IlyasCambridgeAdvice]

Can do

[@izzydriscoll3840]

Hi! I just wanted to ask about my chances for getting in? I’ll list my GCSEs and A levels below : GCSEs - English- 7/8, Geography- 8, Re- 9, Sociology- 9, French - 7, Science - 8/8, Maths - 6 Predicted grades currently - A*A*A But hoping to get the A up to an A* I would like to possibly to apply for Human, Social and Political Sciences at Cambridge. Thank you!

[@IlyasCambridgeAdvice]

It's very hard to say but you meet the standard offer for A-levels, so that's good

[@izzydriscoll3840]

@@IlyasCambridgeAdvice Thank you! I just worry the GCSEs will bring the application down massively.

[@laracanli]

@@izzydriscoll3840 did u end up getting in!

[@mrrabia1]

Did you get in?

[@izzydriscoll3840]

Update for those asking : I didn’t even end up applying! Hahaha. Visited both Oxford & Cambridge, and was fond of neither. So I picked Ed’s instead. There are people at my school who applied with similar grades to the above, and got a place or at least got very far in the application process. My advice would be to apply if you are drawn towards Oxbridge, even if you think there’s a particular aspect of your application that’s weaker than the rest. If the rest of your application is strong, you may stand a fighting chance. But also keep in mind the application process is DRAINING, and takes a lot of your time & energy in a period of year 13 which is already rather stressful. You MUST be realistic about how much work you can take on. Go easy on yourself. X ALSO: Oxbridge put on a LOT of webinars to introduce prospective students to things like the application process, super-curriculars & so on. Definitely check these out if you’re thinking of applying!

[@diexzz7074]

what i get average grades in as level and get outstanding grade in a level

[@IlyasCambridgeAdvice]

I think it's still possible to get in, but keep in mind that it's unlikely for someone to do average in AS and outstanding at A-level.

[@diexzz7074]

@@IlyasCambridgeAdvice My brother got B out of A in bio B out of A in chem and B out of A in maths (for as level), he got A* in maths bio and chem (for A level), do you think he can get in Cambridge ?

[@IlyasCambridgeAdvice]

If he's got A*A*A for example then he would meet the standard offer for science subjects, so yes he could (though having the right grades doesn't guarantee you'll get in)

[@IlyasCambridgeAdvice]

The bad AS grades will affect the application, there's no denying that. The good grades in year 13 could compensate for that, which is why it's probably worth applying.

[@ahmadmohamed4980]

Does year 12 even matter?

[@IlyasCambridgeAdvice]

Kinda. Usually predicted grades are based on how you do in year 12

[@ahmadmohamed4980]

@@IlyasCambridgeAdvice Question: To get a conditional offer from oxford or Cambridge do you need certain gcse or as-level grades or predicted grades???

[@IlyasCambridgeAdvice]

@@ahmadmohamed4980 In general, you should have the right A-level grades (and high GCSE grades). You can check the entry requirements for each course on the respective website.

[@Ahmed-x5c]

Scoring 7A*, one A and one A* after retake. Is this good? ​@@IlyasCambridgeAdvice