Why you DON'T need PERFECT grades for

For more details on entry requirements, see here: www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/graduate
On neurodiversity at Oxford, see here: www.ox.ac.uk/students/news/20...

[@faithful5470]

Love this! Please produce more videos interviewing people like her who didn’t achieve “perfect grades” and still have much potential.

[@JesusCollegeOxford1571]

Thanks! Will do

[@starryskyautumnwinds]

Hi! I just received a law offer two days ago and wanted to say thank you. I remember watching your videos many years ago, never anticipating that I would apply, but I did. Your videos are truly excellent and have helped so many students. Thanks again.

[@JesusCollegeOxford1571]

Fantastic - congratulations! Thanks for your kind comment.

[@albarazayani7201]

I’ve heard you say a couple times that you don’t need perfect grades to go to Oxford but having excellent grades, above the entry requirements would that give an upper hand to the applicant. Also your videos have helped me so much in my journey and I’ve seriously considered Jesus college for my application for next year due to all of your wonderful help and support. I really appreciate it!!

[@JesusCollegeOxford1571]

Thanks for your kind comment! No, having better than required grades will not necessarily yield a competitive advantage. We use lots of data to make a holistic judgement on all applicants. For UG studies, admissions tests are usually more important than grades. Provided someone is on course to meet the entry requirements, they don't need to exceed them, but do need to do well in the admissions tests. For PG studies, the statement of purpose is very important.

[@anushar7223]

I would just like to say thank you so much for this channel it was what encouraged me to apply when I didn’t think I was good enough but now I have an offer at Regent’s Park college!!!!

[@JesusCollegeOxford1571]

Fantastic! Congratulations! RPC is a lovely place. I've taught there many times.

[@katherineschexneider585]

I was especially impressed with Cath's thoughtful answers to the interview questions, but my question is: Where can I get that cool sweater she's wearing? I love dinosaurs, and it's so colorful.

[@JesusCollegeOxford1571]

Great question!

[@barror1532]

It's a Run and Fly jumper (with a Run and Fly plant shirt underneath). It's a great combo 😉

[@user-pb5jt6xk2m]

It would be interesting to see a video about the new UCAS system where they are are scrapping personal statements and how that would potentially work when applying to Oxford especially for courses such as PPE. Although I know there isn't much information about it currently I would like to know your thoughts on it and advice to the first cohort as I believe it will start in 2025 for entry in 2026 which is my cohort. I'm really struggling as there will be no PS and no resources for us, as well as the first cohort this is tested on. Please let me know how I could make my application more competitive. Thanks!

[@JesusCollegeOxford1571]

Thanks for your comment. As I understand it, the PS will be broken down into separate segments, but will essentially remain the same. You will be given more specific guidance on what to write for each segment. So, rather than a long essay, you’ll be writing more focussed short answers. Much of the guidance on PSs out there will continue to be relevant, because unis will still want that information. It’s just that the PS structure will be different. Nothing to be concerned about. I think the change will make the PS better for everyone.

[@foodforlifes399]

Dr. Williams, I love your videos and find them so helpful but the thing that is stressing me out is that I don't know if Oxford tutors look at personal circumstances that affected my GCSE grades, mine weren't terribly low but I did only score 1A* 6As 3Bs. I wanna apply for medicine and I know I could have gotten much higher if it wasn't for those circumstances, do you reckon they won't reject my application just cause of my GCSEs? I have told my teacher to put them in my reference. I am aiming for A*s in my a-levels and have lots of super-curricular stuff I'm doing like research projects and stuff and I am really passionate about medicine. But I really don't want my GCSEs to hold me back.

[@JesusCollegeOxford1571]

Hi there. Thanks for your message. Tutors will look at personal circumstances affecting GCSE performance. Just note that medicine is highly competitive, so be sure to have a Plan B university/course that you will be happy with. I'm not saying that you do not have a chance. With strong A-levels and a good admissions test performance, you can be competitive.

[@foodforlifes399]

@@JesusCollegeOxford1571 Thank you so much. That has put my mind at ease and I do have back up universities. Thank you so much Dr. Williams.

[@zarakhant4610]

Hi! Thank you for this video. I am applying to the MSc in Modern South Asian studies but apparently one of my profs says that personal statements don’t matter? Is this true? Thank you!

[@JesusCollegeOxford1571]

No, I’m afraid that’s not accurate. The statement of purpose is very important for postgrad applications.

[@_Addys.World_]

I have a question cause I'm really lost in the applying process. So I'm an international student from France and I wanted to know if I need to apply at the beginning of my last highschool year or the beginning of the first uni year? Cause it says October but I'm kind of confused

[@JesusCollegeOxford1571]

Most UK applicants apply in the last high school year, before completing their high school qualifications. But it is also possible to apply after high school.

[@Babs77777]

Hi! For graduate applications, what would you say the acceptance rate is for students coming from lower ranking universities? (Given the candidate has a upper first class degree and relevant experience for the chosen course) Does the university ranking play a factor on whether your application will be considered/ successful? Are students from higher ranking universities more likely to be accepted ?

[@JesusCollegeOxford1571]

We accept applicants from a very wide range of universities. More important than the university ranking will be your course results, your letters of recommendation from tutors, and your statement of purpose.

[@_mxmi1244]

Hi! I'm a Year 11 student dreaming of studying undergraduate law at Oxford, but I feel that I'll probably end up getting mostly 7s, with a few higher grades and maybe like a 6 in a weaker subject. There were a few circumstances that I think would be considered to have affected my schooling, but do you think that I'd have a chance if the rest of my application ends up really strong?

[@JesusCollegeOxford1571]

Hi, yes, you could be competitive if your A-levels meet the eligibility criteria and you perform well on the LNAT test and at interview. There are no GCSE requirements, although applicants tend to have strong GCSEs. If there are extenuating circumstances to explain your results, that would be worth communicating to your universities via the UCAS form. Bear in mind that law at Oxford is one of our most competitive degrees. If your goal is to become a practising lawyer, you do not need to study law is an undergraduate.

[@aserahmed8471]

Hello Matt . I was a lazy student in my intial study in my home university . I have low grades in most of my courses and failed in some maths and physics courses more than twice . Before one year , i transferred to a university in USA and i have gotten excellent grades in most of my courses and my GPA now is 3.9 out of 4 . My question is can i be accepted to study masters at oxford or Am i have a chance to study ? . I asked this question because i am afraid i will be rejected due to my initial years of studying . Thanks in advance

[@JesusCollegeOxford1571]

It tends to be your more recent qualifications that count for the most in postgraduate applications. So, I certainly wouldn't rule out an application under your circumstances. The only way to guarantee not getting it is not applying!

[@samihaali2424]

Would you encourage anyone who doesn't meet the minimum GPA requirement to apply if they have strong research/work experiences?

[@JesusCollegeOxford1571]

Yes! GPA is just one of several components that are considered. If there is a reason you feel the GPA does not represent your potential, it may be worth telling the admissions tutors in the statement of purpose. But, generally, a strong statement of purpose can make up for a marginally weaker GPA.

[@Sophist98]

Dear Mr Williams, I applied to Oxford and in my official transcript i had one failing grade that i had written 2 years ago and is unrelated to my studies. You might think that this will affect admission? It worries me a bit so i‘d be happy to hear your honest assumption! Thank you very much, if you see this and find the time to answer!

[@JesusCollegeOxford1571]

I think that should be fine. Provided you meet the entry requirements, one unrelated failing grade is unlikely to cause trouble.

[@Sophist98]

@@JesusCollegeOxford1571 thank you so much, i really appreciate it!

[@Chan-zn7wb]

How does one get research experience, if you didn't get an opportunity to do so at university?

[@JesusCollegeOxford1571]

Research experience is rarely required. Provided you comply with the published eligibility criteria, you will make a competitive application.

[@krishnagopalsrivastava2084]

Hi! I have a question. On the Oxford website in the international qualifications page, it says that students from CBSC board in India will not be aware of their final grades before applying. I am from ICSE board, so can I still apply before my actual grades come out, if my teachers have predicted my grades?

[@JesusCollegeOxford1571]

Yes, that should be no problem. The vast majority of UK applicants to Oxford do not know their grades when they apply. The University will then make a conditional offer to them, stating that they can have a place if they get the required grades. I imagine the same arrangement could be made for you too.

[@krishnagopalsrivastava2084]

@@JesusCollegeOxford1571 Thank you for the reply.

[@yzvzar]

I’m an 11 grade international student who’s planning to apply to oxford but apparently indonesian qualification isn’t accepted. i decided to sit for as level this year and a2 level for the next year despite from national curriculum but i’m confused with the application requirement. on the oxford website it said that students usually apply during their last year with predicted grades before the result came out so did they input their predicted grades during ucas application and how does predicted grades work? also my tutor said predicted grades are no more after covid. i’m very confused right now which one is right.

[@JesusCollegeOxford1571]

Hi there. Yes, UK students typically apply before they have attained their A2 results, with teachers suggesting a predicted final grade. The university then makes a conditional offer, which is conditional on the student getting the A2 grades required for their course. This has always been the situation, and has nothing to do with Covid. You can wait to attain your A2 grades, and then apply with the grades in hand. Then you would not be made a conditional offer, but just an offer of a place. But if you apply with predicted grades, it is all just a little quicker, as you can move from school to uni in the same year.

[@yzvzar]

@@JesusCollegeOxford1571 what if i sit the as level for oct/nov series & applying to oxford this year?? is it possible??

[@JesusCollegeOxford1571]

Provided that will have your A-levels completed before you are due to start Oxford (October 2025), then it should be fine to apply this year.

[@yzvzar]

@@JesusCollegeOxford1571 hello i have another question, does oxford pay attention to high school reports from 1st to the last term? (especially for international students)

[@JesusCollegeOxford1571]

@@yzvzar No, we ask for a teacher reference, but do not analyse all high school reports.