OXBRIDGE PATHWAY
(Year 11 to Upper Sixth)
Oxford and Cambridge Admissions Timeline
For students applying in UVI for entry the following academic year (2027 entry)
This timeline outlines the expected academic focus, preparation milestones, and key deadlines for students intending to apply to Oxford or Cambridge.
Applications to these universities are highly competitive and require sustained academic excellence, early planning, and personal responsibility, particularly around admissions tests and deadlines.
(Please note: Medicine applicants should refer to the separate Medical Pathway document, which includes UCAT preparation)
September – December (Autumn Term)
Primary focus: academic excellence
• The most important priority this term is achieving consistent A–A* grades in all A level subjects
• Strong, secure grades are the foundation of any successful Oxford or Cambridge application
• Select an ambitious EPQ title that links clearly to your intended course and that you can discuss confidently at interview and in your personal statement
January – March (Spring Term)
Build academic depth and direction:
• Maintain top grades across all A level subjects
Begin subject exploration, including:
• Wider reading
• Public lectures
• Essay competitions
• MOOCs or other online courses
You should keep clear notes from these activities in a single document to support your later personal statement writing
Firm up course choices:
• Ensure clarity about subject and university preference
Adopt a teacher:
• Speak directly to a subject specialist about your Oxbridge ambitions
• Ask them to support you through the application process
• Inform Mrs Sutton or your Form Tutor which teacher you have approached and for which specific course
Continue with your EPQ:
• Work diligently - you need a strong final mark
• Your reading and research can also contribute meaningfully to your personal statement
April – June (Summer Term)
Transition to application preparation
Identify whether your chosen course requires an admissions test, and if so, which one (see over for a more complete list):
• TARA – reasoning-based test
• TMUA – mathematics
• ESAT – science and problem-solving
• LNAT – Law
• (UCAT information is covered in the Medical Pathway documentation)
Begin familiarisation with the test format:
• Discuss expectations and preparation strategies with your adopted teacher
Set up a UAT-UK account:
• Use your school email address (as this must match the email used for UCAS)
• Apply for access arrangements, if applicable (this must be done before booking a test)
Decide which college to apply to:
• Discuss options with your adopted teacher and/or Mrs Sutton
• Research college tutors, including their specialist areas and published research
Begin test preperation:
• Agree a summer reading list and admissions test preparation programme with your adopted teacher
Personal Statement:
• Review a first draft of your personal statement with Mrs Sutton, identifying where further reading or enrichment will strengthen it
University Open Days:
• Oxford University: 1 - 2 July 2026
• Cambridge University: 9 - 10 July 2026
Summer Holidays
(between Lower and Upper Sixth)
Book your admissions test:
• Booking opens for the October sitting in late July
• Book early via Pearson VUE to secure a preferred test centre and date
Personal Statement:
• Produce the next draft of your personal statement and upload it to Unifrog
Additional Preparation:
• Complete all summer reading
• Continue with admissions test preparation
• Ensure A level subject knowledge remains strong and secure
Lower Sixth
September – December (Autumn Term) Application and assessment phase
Ensure you are registered for the appropriate admissions test(s):
• TARA (Oxford) - via UAT-UK / Pearson VUE
• TMUA (Oxford & Cambridge) - via UAT-UK / Pearson VUE
• ESAT (Oxford & Cambridge) - via UAT-UK / Pearson VUE
• LNAT (Oxford & Cambridge) - via the LNAT website
You are responsible for registration and booking - missing a deadline may invalidate an application
During this period:
• Sit admissions tests
• Submit UCAS application by 15 October
• Finalise and submit written work, where required (mainly humanities subjects)
• Be prepared for Cambridge to request an additional written statement after application submission
Post-application stage
Decisions and interviews:
• November - shortlisting decisions released
• Interview invitations sent
• Arrange interview practice with your adopted teacher
• Attend mock interviews
• Engage fully with the PSHEE and Careers programmes, which include interview preparation in October and November
Attend interviews:
• Interviews at Oxford and Cambridge take place in December
• Some Cambridge courses include college-based assessments during the interview
Offers:
• Offers released in January
Oxford and Cambridge Admissions Tests by course
OXFORD
TARA: PPE, Economics and Management, History and Economics, Human Sciences, Psychology
TMUA: Mathematics, Computer Science, and joint maths courses
ESAT: Engineering, Physics, Biomedical Sciences
LNAT: Law
UCAT: Medicine
CAMBRIDGE
TMUA: Computer Science, Economics
ESAT: Engineering, Natural Sciences, Chemical Engineering, Veterinary Medicine
LNAT: Law
UCAT: Medicine
No pre-interview test: Most arts and humanities courses (students must check individual course requirements carefully)
For 2027 entry
Upper Sixth
