Oxbridge Personal Statements: The Secret to Success is Wider Reading
If there were only one thing that we’d advise our students to do in preparation for a university application, it would be to read widely.
Of course, a typical personal statement should make reference to your interests, qualifications, experience, supercurricular and extracurricular activities - but for a multitude of degree subjects, the backbone of a successful Oxbridge personal statement should be your wider reading.
What is Wider Reading?
Wider Reading is the act of reading materials - books, news articles, long-form journalism, publications, research papers - related to your chosen degree.
These materials should not be those you've encountered in class at sixth form or during your A-levels - the idea is that you go beyond the school curriculum and syllabus to explore and examine your degree in depth.
The best wider reading usually takes the form of well-regarded or award-winning materials from established writers, experts or institutions. Start with the well-known books that every future Oxford University or Cambridge student should have read before they start their degree, and then progress to more specific and advanced materials related to the parts of your degree you’re most interested in.
Podcasts and video series can also fall under this ‘wider reading’ umbrella - but with some caution, as explained later.
Why Should I Read Around My Subject?
There are four reasons why wider reading is essential for Oxbridge personal statements and the wider admissions process.
1. Wider reading can help determine whether you've chosen the right degree
If you find yourself interested and eager to learn more, that's a good sign you're on the right path. But if you're struggling to engage with the material, even the core or 'pop' books that align with your chosen subject, then this might be an indication that you're not as suited to your university course as you might have imagined.
Demonstrating genuine intellectual curiosity and a desire to learn is what Oxbridge are looking for in university applicants.
2. Strengthen your knowledge base
When applying to Oxbridge, it's generally expected that you will have a reasonable understanding of what it is that you're applying for, that you'll demonstrate through your UCAS personal statement.
Of course, if this is a subject you have studied already, then you will have this - but to make an Oxbridge application stand out from the rest, it's good to have academic knowledge that extends beyond school-level.
If your chosen subject is not offered at GCSE or sixth form - Archaeology, Anthropology or Architecture, for example - then wider reading is how you'll attain the knowledge you'll need to write a great personal statement for Oxford or Cambridge.
3. Writing your personal statement
Not sure where to begin when writing your personal statement? The personal statement is an opportunity to showcase your commitment to your chosen degree and your academic interest in one subject, and wider reading is a fantastic way to demonstrate this.
Some successful Oxbridge personal statements make reference to as many as ten different resources, from academic journals to publications like New Scientist, all showing how reading has led them to explore their decision to study their chosen subject at university.
4. Interview preparation
Oxford and Cambridge universities are renowned for using interviews as a crucial stage of the admissions process.
Being able to articulate your ideas to an interviewer means using your wider reading to support and counter them, and the more widely read you are, the easier you'll find the interview.
Oxbridge admissions tutors want to see that you can think critically about your subject and engage with complex ideas beyond the curriculum.
What about Social Media?
Certain authoritative, educational podcasts and Youtube channels, such as PBS, Ted-Ed, CrashCourse and Vox can be excellent resources, but be mindful that a great deal of content on Youtube, Tiktok, Instagram, Reddit and Snapchat is not verified and therefore cannot be trusted to be well-researched.
When it comes to using these materials, a Vsauce video entitled ‘What Color is a Mirror?’ might not be usable as a resource for a Physics personal statement, but the links it contains to the Institute of Theoretical Physics’ Prof. Dr. Dietrich Zawischa’s research on Colour Physics most certainly could be.
What Should Students Read?
This is where William Clarence can help.
As the UK’s leading educational consultancy, our admissions experts are well-versed in what books are well-received by university admissions and how to incorporate them seamlessly into your personal statement and interview. Our UCAS advisors have access to an archive of materials that will make your personal statement stand out, and know which news outlets, media organisations and educational institutions to trust.
Whether you want to study Math, Computer Science, History, or any other subject, our UCAS advisors have access to an archive of materials and example personal statements that will make your piece of writing stand out.
We know which news outlets, academic publications, current affairs sources and educational institutions to trust, and can guide you through each stage of the admissions process.
Begin Your Oxbridge Personal Statement with Expert Support
Book a consultation with our Oxbridge admissions experts today and we'll help you identify the perfect wider reading materials for your chosen subject, craft a compelling personal statement that demonstrates genuine intellectual curiosity, and prepare you for every stage of the admissions process - from UCAS application to interview success.
Wider reading can take time, so it’s best to start early. Get in touch with us today to begin your journey with expert help at every stage.