Applying to Read Geography
Selection Criteria for Geography
- Criteria for written work
- Criteria used to assess the summary written during the interview period
- Criteria used to assess performance at interview
- Applications for deferred entry
Tutors responsible for admitting undergraduates in Geography will be looking at all the available information from past and predicted examination results, school reports, personal reports and interviews, with a view to assessing the individual candidate's potential to benefit from the academic courses provided by Oxford in Geography. Predicted examination results will be viewed in relation to a minimum standard offer. This is normally AAA in A2 examinations, excluding general studies or equivalent. Offers for candidates taking the IB are likely to be in the range 38-40 points. For candidates offering Scottish or other qualifications, the minimum standard offer will be an equivalent advised by the Oxford Colleges Admissions Office.
Normally candidates with fewer than 3 predicted or achieved As in A2 examinations (excluding general studies or equivalent) will not be invited for interview. Otherwise, candidates will normally be invited for interview unless they possess two or three of the following: relatively poor results in official examinations, especially GCSE or its equivalent; a weak school report; written work that shows a lack of intellectual coherence, a lack of adequate powers of analysis, serious inaccuracies, or a poor command of expression in the English language.
As indicated in the University Prospectus, interviews will not normally be required of candidates who are not domiciled, or at school within, Europe, although colleges may make alternative arrangements.
Criteria for written work
Assessors shall take note of the declared circumstances under which the written work was done, and assess it accordingly. A very different standard of content and presentation will be expected from a piece of highly prepared course work than from a piece written for homework with a short deadline, or written under exam conditions. Taking these differences into account, assessors will be looking for signs of good basic knowledge, powers of analysis, powers of expression, ability to construct a coherent train of thought, and to shape argument. The quality of English expression and of presentation may also be part of the assessment, according to the circumstances under which the work was done.
Criteria used to assess the summary written during the interview period
During the time they are in Oxford all candidates are asked to write a brief (approx. 250 words) summary of an article. One hour is given for this task. Assessors will be looking for an ability to identify the key arguments in the article and to express these clearly. No prior training in critical thinking is required for this exercise.
Criteria used to assess performance at interview
The interview is aimed primarily at assessing the candidate's potential for independent thinking, ability to follow an argument, comprehension, problem-solving and a spirit of enquiry. It is not a test of knowledge in isolation from context, nor is it a test of verbal facility or social charm. Interviewers will be looking for evidence of ability to respond in a thoughtful way to unpredictable questions and ideas. They will also be looking for evidence that the candidate's interest goes beyond their current academic training, and that they are able to deploy their knowledge in ways that show initiative and enthusiasm. Candidates should be reassured that the weight given to the different criteria will vary according to the individual background and circumstances of each candidate. They are encouraged to contact colleges for further advice and information.
The interview process is explored in the following Times Online article:
- Oxford University releases sample interview questions, The Times Online, 9 October 2009.
Applications for deferred entry
Applications for deferred entry are welcomed. However, candidates should be aware that applicants for deferred entry are unlikely to be given interviews at other than their college of first choice.
These selection criteria relate specifically to candidates applying to Oxford for a first undergraduate degree. Second undergraduate degree candidates are considered on the basis of their submitted application, and are unlikely to be interviewed, except if resident in North America, South East Asia, or the Indian Subcontinent. Entry is very competitive.