Oxbridge Masters Guide

‘Oxbridge’ refers collectively to the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge. These are the UK’s two oldest, most prestigious and most competitive higher education institutions. But what exactly is it that sets them apart from the rest? Do they really offer the United Kingdom’s best postgraduate education? And how can you secure a spot?

In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about these two world-famous universities, including history, course types, applications and more.

What makes Oxbridge different?

Courses

Oxford and Cambridge offer different qualifications to other UK universities. Neither university offers the Masters of Arts (MA), one of the most common postgraduate qualifications worldwide, as a standalone degree. The MA is only awarded as an honorary qualification to former undergraduate students. The University of Cambridge also does not offer the Master of Science (MSc).

So, what will you study instead? At both Oxford and Cambridge, the most common postgraduate qualifications on offer are the Master of Philosophy (MPhil) and the Master of Studies (MSt). Bear with us, things are about to get slightly confusing…

At most universities, the MPhil consists solely of an independent research project. It does not involve any taught modules and is often as the precursor to a PhD. At Oxford and Cambridge, however, things work differently.

A Cambridge MPhil can be either a taught course (the MPhil by Advanced Study) or a research-only course (the MPhil by Thesis). At the University of Oxford, all MPhil courses have a taught element. Many deliver taught modules in the first year, followed by an extended thesis in the second year.

The MSt is an alternative to the MPhil, which, again, is delivered differently at each university. At the University of Cambridge, the MSt is essentially a part-time version of an MPhil, and the two degrees carry the same amount of prestige. An MSt at the University of Oxford is of a slightly lower standing than the MPhil and can be studied on a part-time or a full-time basis.

Alongside the MPhil and MSt, Oxford and Cambridge offer plenty of other postgraduate qualifications. These include the Master of Business Administration (MBA), Master of Fine Art (MFA), Master of Public Policy (MPP), Master of Theology (MTh), and many more.

Collegiate structure

Both the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge are divided into a series of colleges. These have a largely residential and social function (although some do carry out teaching). All postgraduate students are members of a college. Many students will live at their college, though this is not compulsory. The role of your college extends far beyond being a simple hall of residence. Many have their own libraries, organise sporting and social events, offer pastoral support and more!

Belonging to a college essentially means that you’ll be integrated into a small, multidisciplinary community – as well as being a member of your academic department.

It’s worth noting the word ‘college’ can mean several different things in higher education. In the USA, for example, ‘college’ and ‘university’ are often used interchangeably, so it’s easy to get confused! Our guide to the differences between college and university breaks down the terminology.

Unique tradition

Oxford and Cambridge’s long and rich histories mean they have acquired many fascinating traditions. Perhaps the most well-known of these is matriculation, which is a formal ceremony marking your admission to the university. Students are famously required to wear formal academic attire. At Oxford, this is known as sub fusc, and is worn at several other formal events throughout the year. The ceremony is partly conducted in Latin (you can also expect this ancient language to make an appearance at many other occasions, such as graduation and formal dinners).

Other quirky traditions abound, from Corpus Christi Tortoise Fair at Oxford, during which pet tortoises from various colleges compete in a nail-biting race to the edge of a lettuce ring, to Cambridge’s post-exam custom of rowing along the River Cam in boats fashioned from cardboard boxes.

Are Oxford and Cambridge really the ‘best’ universities in the UK?

You’ll certainly receive a very high standard of education at both Oxford and Cambridge – and both institutions consistently occupy top spots in university league tables. Oxbridge has produced an impressive list of alumni, including 43 UK prime ministers and almost 200 Nobel laureates.

That said, it’s worth approaching Oxbridge’s reputation as providing the ‘best’ higher education in the UK with a healthy degree of scepticism. As we’ve explained elsewhere, rankings are not always the most useful tool for deciding which institution is the ideal fit for you, not least because there are (unfortunately) no postgrad-specific university rankings.

A productive postgraduate search should always start with a clear definition of what your personal goals are. You can then shortlist specific courses that align with these. Setting out with the ambition of gaining entry to Oxford or Cambridge at the expense of all else is likely to be a non-starter.

As we also pointed out in our guide to the American Ivy League, a narrow focus on a small group of elite universities means you risk forgoing the opportunities available elsewhere – which may be better suited to your interests and aspirations.

How to get into Oxbridge for a Masters?

There’s no getting around the fact that admission to Oxford and Cambridge is competitive. In 2020/21, Cambridge offered a place to 35% of Masters applicants – and at Oxford this figure was just 20%.

But while acceptance rates may be lower than at other universities, securing a spot at one of these top institutions is far from unachievable! Generally, entry requirements will include the following:

• A UK Bachelors degree (or international equivalent). Usually, you will need at least a 2:1, though some courses (particularly in STEM subjects) may require a first-class degree. US applicants will generally need a GPA of between 3.5 and 3.7.
• An academic transcript – it’s likely you’ll need consistently high grades across the course of your degree, as well as a strong overall classification.
• The details of your referees. Cambridge only requires two references, while Oxford requires three. Both your references should preferably be academic (though some courses may allow professional references).
• A personal statement (sometimes referred to as a ‘statement of academic purpose’)
• Two writing samples, ideally from work submitted during your previous degree (not every course will require these)
• An academic CV
• Proof of language proficiency (if applicable)

Some courses at Oxford and Cambridge require a Graduate Record Examination (GRE) score, though this is uncommon.

Application deadlines at Oxford and Cambridge are often earlier than at other universities. They can be as early as the autumn/winter – so pay close attention to these!

Oxbridge fees and funding

Fees at Oxford and Cambridge can be quite variable depending on your chosen course, but on average, UK students can expect to pay between £9,111-15,000 per year for a Masters. International fees are considerably higher, usually ranging from around £28,000-33,000.

Luckily, there are a wide variety of funding options available for Masters students! Both universities offer generous scholarships. Cambridge awards £100m in postgraduate scholarships every year. There will be 1,000 Oxford scholarships available for Masters applicants in 2023/24.

Keep in mind that university funding is extremely competitive. You’ll often have to get your application in early (sometimes up to 18 months before the start of your course).

There are a variety of other funding options on offer, including the UK’s postgraduate loan (usually for UK students only), and support from external organisations such as charities and trusts. For more information, see our guide to UK Masters funding.