What is University?
Introduction to Higher Education
Thinking about University can often be a confusing and daunting process, especially for those who might be the first in their family to go or consider going to university.
We have prepared a helpful guide as an introduction to the Higher Education system in the UK, and the options available to you.
One of the major concerns students might initially have about going to university is the financial aspect, which is covered in the guide linked to here.
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What is Oxford?
Introduction to Oxford
Information and short videos about university, how Oxford is different, and why it might suit you.
Oxford has a history going back over 900 years, and has a lot of aspects that make it a very special place to live and study. Most notably, Oxford is a university made of many unique colleges, and uses the tutorial system to really enhance its teaching.
This is part of the reason why Oxford has been ranked Number 1 in the world by Times Higher Education World Rankings for the past seven years!
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Is Oxford for Me?
Oxford is a place for some of the most academically-able students from across the world from all backgrounds – there is no "typical Oxford student" because Oxford is made up of such a vibrant, diverse, and varied group of people from all walks of life.
The real qualities all Oxford students share are passion for their subjects and motivation to learn more about those subjects! If you really love your subject, and have the perseverance to push yourself academically with its demanding workload, then Oxford might just be the place for you – regardless of your background.
If these qualities describe you, then why not apply – you might be just what Oxford is looking for!
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Picking a Subject
Courses
Find out which subjects you can study here, as well as those offered at the university more widely.
Here you'll also find the entry and selection criteria for each subject, and resources to help you explore courses you might not have come across before.
See St Anne's Range of Courses
Colleges
Oxford is a bit different from the majority of UK universities – it is made up of many colleges, each teaching a variety of subjects. So as well as choosing your course, you can also choose which college to apply to, or if you really can't decide on a college, you can make an Open Application.
Colleges are typically where you live, eat, and socialise, and are your first contact for any welfare or finance matters, making each college its own unique community. Click here to find out more about Oxford colleges in general, and below to see St Anne's.
Why Choose St Anne's CollegeHow do I choose?
Selecting a College
When you make your application to Oxford, you are asked to pick a college, as well as your selected subject. Some colleges don’t offer certain subjects, so that can often help narrow down your selection.
There are many factors that can go into deciding on which college you apply to, such as its buildings, accommodation, rent, catering, location, etc., but the best way to gauge whether a college is right for you is by visiting it in-person, and speaking to its students (if possible). Ultimately your college will be your first point of contact for your whole degree, so you need to make sure it’s the place that you feel suits you best.
When making applications, it’s also very important to remember that which college you apply to (or making an Open Application) will not affect your chances of being offered a place – applicants are judged across the entire cohort (across all colleges), so strong applicants who apply to a college that is “over-subscribed” for their subject may be reallocated to another college, so that the best candidates will always get a place at a college.