Applying for Oxbridge

At Nonsuch we offer a comprehensive programme of Oxbridge preparation and support throughout the school in order to help students to foster an attitude of intellectual curiosity and academic inquisitiveness from a young age. Interviews for places at Oxford and Cambridge do not take place until December in Year 13, but interviewers are always looking for a genuine love of the subject a student has applied to study and confidence in academic risk-taking, which develops over time.

The table below summarises the support available in Years 12 and 13:

• The annual ‘Aspiring to Oxbridge’ Information Evening for Year 11 and 12 students and parents, led by a visiting speaker from Oxford or Cambridge.
• Trips to the university open days in the summer term of Year 12.
• One-to-one meetings in the summer term of Year 12 with the Director of Sixth Form or the Oxbridge Coordinator to discuss applications and gain personalised feedback on personal statements.
• Workshops led by previous Nonsuch students who are currently studying at either Oxford or Cambridge - sometimes.
• Intellectual curiosity workshops led by members of staff at Nonsuch. These workshops help students to develop divergent thinking skills required for Oxbridge interviews.
• Advice on preparing for the Oxbridge Admissions Assessments such as HAT (History Aptitude Test), ELAT (English Literature Admissions Test) and TSA (Thinking Skills Assessment).
• A one-to-one mock interview and personalised feedback a few weeks prior to the interview at Oxford or Cambridge.
• Numerous ‘drop-in’ opportunities with the Oxbridge Coordinator.
• Support after conditional offers from Oxford and Cambridge have been made in order to help students to meet the conditions of their offers.

If you have any questions about the Oxbridge programme or Oxbridge admissions in general, then please do get in touch with: 

Mr Key, Oxbridge Coordinator, via the main school office - office@nonsuchschool.org.