Located in the city of Oxford, the University of Oxford is one of the best public universities in the world.
In addition, it is the oldest university in the English-speaking world. It is a historic and unique institution that attracts students from all parts of the world.
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More so, the university’s cutting-edge research, enduring global reputation and unique teaching environment has helped the university retain its 1st position in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings consecutively for five years.
As an international student, you need to secure admission into a school with global standards that provides the required knowledge, skills and expertise needed for your field of study.
The University of Oxford is one of such schools that will give you a fascinating experience.
However, before choosing to study at Oxford University, you must know its tuition fees, admission requirements, cost of living and scholarship opportunities.
In this article, we bring you information on everything you need to know about studying at Oxford University with emphasis on tuition fees, cost of living, admission requirements and scholarship opportunities.
Now let’s begin!
Table of Contents
About University of Oxford
Being the oldest university in the English-speaking world, the university has no clear date of establishment. Academic activities started in different forms from 1096 and metamorphosed in 1167 when Henry II banned English students from attending the University of Paris.
Similarly, the university has different academic departments and 39 constituent colleges- which are self-governing institutions within the university. Each college has its internal structure and academic activities.
The university does not have a main campus, as the university’s facilities and buildings are scattered throughout the city centre.
In addition, undergraduate and postgraduate programs are organized around weekly tutorials at the colleges supported by seminars, lectures, classes and laboratory work provided by the university departments and faculties.
The university operates the world’s oldest university museum and the world’s largest university press and academic library.
Oxford University is ranking among the best universities in the world by most national and international league tables.
In addition, the university currently has an enrolment of over 25,000 students, including 13,000 undergraduates and 12,000 postgraduates. Oxford offers 360 different graduate degree programs; in addition, it is ranked in the top 6 world universities for studying life sciences, engineering, social sciences and the arts and humanities.
University of Oxford Rankings
Oxford University has a strong alumni forum/base of over 400,000 alumni scattered across the globe. The university’s research activity involves over 5,500 research, 70 departments, the colleges, research support staff, and over 6,100 graduate research students. From time immemorial, Oxford university has been producing notable leaders such as Bill Clinton, Albert Einstein, Hugh Grant, Tony Blair, to mention but a few.
Oxford University is currently the best research institution in the United Kingdom. Its quality of education, research, facilities and academic programs also put it on top of the tables across Europe. The university is ranked fifth globally according to the most recent rating of the best global universities.
Clinical medicine, mathematics, social sciences, Arts and Humanities are some of the best-ranked courses. Generally, all courses offered at Oxford university appear in the top 100 list of global rankings.
| RANKED BY | 2021 |
| World University Ranking – QS 2021 | 5TH |
| University Ranking – THE (Times Higher Education) 2021 | 1ST |
| University Ranking (UK) – The Complete University Guide 2021 | 2ND |
| University Rankings – The Guardian 2021 | 1ST |
| Global Universities – US News & World Report 2021 | 5TH |
Tuition Fees at the University of Oxford
According to institutions within the UK, including the Oxford university- all students from outside the UK, the Islands, and the Republic of Ireland are classified as international students or “Overseas” as such international students pay higher fees than home-based students.
As an international student, you should expect to pay an annual tuition fee between $35,000 and $45,000. You should also note that the tuition fees depend on your program and academic level (undergraduate, graduate or postgraduate).
Admission Requirements for International Students at the University of Oxford
Before you begin your application process at Oxford University, it is important to check the admission guidelines on the official admission portal. This is because once you have chosen a program, there is no option for changing it in the next stages of the admission/application process. Therefore, you need to ensure that you get everything right from the first step.
All applicants are expected to pay a non-refundable application fee of $90. This fee is charged per course; therefore, if you apply for two courses, you will be required to pay $180 to facilitate the application process.
To gain admission into the prestigious university, you need to meet the requirements set by the university itself and by the United Kingdom government.
Firstly, you must have an up-to-date passport which will serve as your identification document. All international students whose primary language is not the English Language must complete the English proficiency test provided by the university.
Secondly, you must prove that you will meet your financial demands while studying in the UK. This is done by submitting your bank documents/statement of account or that of your sponsors if you’re not the one funding your studies.
University of Oxford Acceptance Rate
As expected, Oxford University receives thousands of applications every year. However, the application process is strict and selective. The estimated acceptance rate for new admissions currently stands at 16% and 20% for undergraduate and graduate programs, respectively. Over the last five years, these acceptance rates have largely dropped due to the ever-increasing number of applicants recorded each year.
Cost of Living at the University of Oxford
Here is an overview of the estimated living cost for a single student living in Oxford for one academic term
| EXPENSES | ESTIMATED COST |
| Housing and utilities (off campus) | $3500 to $4000 |
| Food- groceries | $1000 |
| Personal expenses estimated at $400 per month | $1600 |
| Books and supplies | $600 to $1000 depending on your program |
| Total estimated living cost | $6000 to $7000 |
Frequently Asked Questions for University of Oxford
- Does the University of Oxford require SAT?
The University of Oxford requires a minimum SAT score of 1470 out of 1,600. That is not only what you need to secure admission, but you must note that without SAT, you cannot apply.
- How difficult is it to get into the University of Oxford Medical school?
Generally, securing admission into any medical school across the globe is tough, but for the University of Oxford, it is very challenging. The current admission rate is 9%. Due to its reputation and robust curriculum, admission into medical school is strict and competitive. You need to have an outstanding academic performance to secure admission.
- Is Oxford University Expensive?
Oxford is generally an expensive place to live in, and the cost of living is high. Its close proximity to London and the fact that it is home to some of the world’s best universities all add to this. Oxford is an expensive place to live and, in some areas, prices are on par with London. Its closeness to London, its excellent schools, and the fact that it houses one of the world’s top universities all add to the cost of living in Oxford.
- Is it hard to get into the University of Oxford?
Without much exaggeration, getting into the University of Oxford is sometimes hard, but not as hard as people make it appear. While it might be difficult to get admission into the university, it doesn’t mean it’s impossible. Give it a try, follow the application/admission guidelines on the university’s official website and see how it goes.
- Can I study at the University of Oxford for free?
Yes. You can take advantage of the numerous scholarship opportunities available for international students from low-income countries.
How to get accepted at the University of Oxford
Now that you’ve decided you want to study at the University of Oxford, the next thing is how to get accepted. The following tips will be helpful.
- Read the university of oxford’s Application Guide
You will find this application guide on the admissions page. Ensure you thoroughly go through this guide to get the relevant instructions you need for the year in view. This will give you a better understanding of the admission process and what is expected of you.
- Decide the course you wish to study at the Oxford University
You should finalize the course you wish to study before you begin your application process. The university of oxford has a wide collection of undergraduate and postgraduate programs. Therefore, carefully examine/investigate the courses you’re passionate about and willing to dedicate years studying.
- Decide on the oxford college you wish to apply
The University of Oxford has over 30 colleges, each functioning independently as a smaller academic community. Students belong to a particular college or faculty and study in smaller groups.
Similarly, you can get more information about the colleges on oxford’s official website.
The colleges vary in levels of study and facilities; therefore, your choice will affect your candidacy because your application to the university is accessed by the department/college you choose. Preferably, you can also use the code provided in the application to make an “open application” to indicate you have no college preferences.
The university will assign you accordingly to any college based on certain parameters like funding opportunities and location.
- Verify the admission requirement for your selected course
Carefully study the course information pages on the University of Oxford’s website. Each page clearly explains the admission requirements for each course. This includes grade requirement, language requirement and specific admission exams.
- Write your statement of purpose
Your statement of purpose is an important document for admission. It is an expression or declaration of your passion, interest and commitment to study n the university. You need to convince the admission board why they should consider you for admission.
Above all, Give real-life examples of how you’ve engaged in the course both in your academic and extra-curriculum pursuits.
Give details of how this course will aid in your chosen career path.
The University of Oxford Scholarships for International Students
Studying at the University of Oxford can be a fascinating and exciting experience; however, it’s also quite expensive. However, the good news is that there are lots of scholarship opportunities for international students coming from low-income countries.
Here are some of the University of Oxford Scholarships for international students you should take advantage of.
- Reach Oxford Scholarship
Scholarship worth: Tuition Fees, accommodation and one return airfare
The Reach Oxford Scholarship is available only for students who have been offered admission. Therefore, you should wait for your application to be processed before applying for this scholarship.
The scholarship covers your tuition fees, accommodation and annual return airfare throughout the program period.
- Simon and June Li Scholarship
Scholarship worth: Tuition Fee and Accommodation
This university of oxford scholarship for international students was originally designed to support students who might not be able to continue their studies at the university due to financial constraints.
Once you qualify for this award, you will be required to submit an annual report about your academic activities. You must demonstrate a high academic performance to benefit from this offer.
- Clarendon
Scholarship worth: Tuition fee and accommodation
Clarendon offers 140 students scholarships to enrol for graduate programs at the University of Oxford. This scholarship is quite appealing for international students because there is no separate application process for the Clarendon scholarship.
you will be automatically considered for the scholarship if you meet all the requirements stated on the official website
- Ertegun Scholarship
Scholarship worth: Tuition fees and a generous living stipend
The Ertegun is another Oxford University scholarship that could help you cover your expenses as a graduate student.
The application process is straightforward. Visit the scholarship website page to get more details.
In conclusion, with we shared in this post, be rest assured that you’re ready to study at the University of Oxford. If you enjoyed this post, you would definitely enjoy these too:
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Cheers to your continued success!
