How to get into Oxbridge: What A-Level Results Do I Need?

Stephen Spriggs
August 27th 2020

Wondering how to get into Oxbridge? 

Winning a place at Oxford or Cambridge isn’t easy. The entrance requirements are demanding and courses are oversubscribed with high achieving applicants from all over the world. In order to maximise your chances of being accepted, you need to start planning early, which includes choosing the best A Levels for Oxbridge.  

University can seem a long way off when you’re at school, and many students won’t have a clear idea – or any idea – of what they plan to study. But if you're even considering applying to Oxbridge, planning ahead is key. 

Here’s how to get into Oxbridge by making smart A-Level choices: 

1. Focus on quality over quantity 

You may think that the more A-Levels you have, the better your application will look.In reality, Oxbridge values depth over breadth. but Three well chosen subjects, with top grades will always outweigh four or five average ones. There’s no point overburdening yourself.  

While this is of course still impressive, it unfortunately won’t make you more appealing to Oxbridge. 

2. Consider your interests and what you plan to study 

When thinking about how to get into Oxbridge, your intended degree should strongly influence you’re A-Level choices. For example, if you think your future career is in a medical or health-related field, the best A-Levels for Oxbridge that you can choose will be subjects which reflect that.  

Explore the admissions requirements on the Oxford and Cambridge websites. Look closely at what’s required – and what’s recommended. For instance, you might not need A-Level Maths to apply for Medicine, but it could strengthen your application, especially in a competitive field. 

The Informed Choices tool by the Russell Group is a great place to start. It helps match degree subjects with the A-Levels that will support your application. 

Some courses require specific subjects, For example, History for a History degree, or Music for Music degree. Other subjects such as Philosophy, don’t. In those cases, a mix of analytical and essay-based subjects (like English and History) is usually the way to go. 

3. Consider Oxbridge’s preferred subjects 

If you’re unsure what you want to study, choosing facilitating subjects is a smart move. These are subjects that top universities, including Oxford and Cambridge will favour: 

  • History 

  • Geography 

  • English Literature 

  • Modern and Classical Languages 

  • Biology 

  • Chemistry 

  • Physics 

  • Maths and Further Maths 

Cambridge’s Trinity College requires two of these just to get accepted into the college. However, don’t force yourself to sit subjects you find difficult or don’t enjoy. A-Levels are a lot tougher than GCSEs, and you’ll probably struggle and not do as well as you would in a subject you love. 

Like many Russell Group universities, Oxbridge tends to avoid the “soft subjects,” which include Media, Art and Design and General Studies. If more than one of your A Levels is in these subjects, it’s unlikely you’ll receive an interview, even if your grades are high.  

4. Avoid overlapping subjects sitting subjects that are similar to each other 

Equally, avoid sitting subjects that cover similar ground such as Business Studies and Economics, as content may overlap. This can make it feel like you don’t have two strong subjects under your belt. 

5. Don’t assume Oxbridge and Cambridge want the same thing 

Although often grouped together, Oxford and Cambridge have their own unique entry requirements. For example, to read Medicine at Cambridge you need Chemistry and Biology and either Maths or Physics, but for Oxford you need only Chemistry and Biology.  

As you can’t apply to both universities in the same year, your A Levels may dictate which one you apply to. Check websites and prospectuses. Both universities are very open about their application requirements. 

Qualifications alone won’t get you into Oxbridge 

Understanding how to get into Oxbridge means looking beyond grades. While academic results matter, they’re only part of the picture. Personal statements, admissions tests, and interviews all play a huge role in the final decision. 

However, by making informed decisions when it comes to selecting your A Levels, you’ll increase your chances of winning a place if you do decide to apply.  

Here’s how William Clarence can help 

Here at William Clarence, we have a team of consultants who specialise in Oxbridge applications and can give you expert advice on how to get into Oxbridge. As well as advising on the best A Levels for Oxbridge as outlined above, they will also support you with college selection, your personal statement, work experience and wider reading, plus more. 

Find out more about what our specialist Oxbridge Applications team can offer you here, or get in touch with us today. 

best a levels for Oxbridge