University of Oxford
Teaching at Oxford dates back to 1096, with the university officially founded around 1167. The oldest English-speaking university in the world. Times Higher Education number 1 in the world for 9 years running, QS World 2026 number 4 globally. ~26,000 students, ~45 percent international from 160 plus countries. Unique collegiate system: 39 constituent colleges. UCAS deadline 15 October 2025.
About the University of Oxford
University of Oxford: teaching at Oxford dates back to 1096, with the university officially founded around 1167. The oldest English-speaking university in the world! The 2nd oldest continuously operating university in the world (after Bologna). Location: Oxford, Oxfordshire, England, an iconic city nicknamed the "City of Dreaming Spires" (by the poet Matthew Arnold!). Russell Group founding member. Unique collegiate system: 39 constituent colleges (Christ Church, Magdalen, Balliol, Merton, New College, Univ College, Trinity, St John's, Worcester, Brasenose, Exeter, etc.) plus 6 Permanent Private Halls. Every student is simultaneously a member of the university AND of a specific college.
What makes Oxford unique: Times Higher Education World University Rankings: number 1 in the world for 9 years running! QS World 2026: number 4 globally. Unique tutorial system: students have weekly 1-on-1 or 1-on-2 sessions with professors (tutors) for in-depth discussion and personalised feedback. ~26,000 students total (~13,000 UG plus ~13,000 PG), ~45 percent international from 160 plus countries. Acceptance overall ~14-17 percent, but acceptance per subject varies dramatically: PPE ~7-10%, Medicine ~7-9%, Math ~8-10%, CS ~6-9%, Humanities ~15-25%. 30 plus Nobel laureates affiliated with the university. 28 UK Prime Ministers studied at Oxford: Margaret Thatcher, Tony Blair, David Cameron, Theresa May, Boris Johnson, Liz Truss, Rishi Sunak, Asquith, Gladstone, plus others. Iconic global alumni: Stephen Hawking, JRR Tolkien (Lord of the Rings, Oxford professor!), CS Lewis (Chronicles of Narnia, Oxford professor!), Oscar Wilde, Lewis Carroll (Alice in Wonderland!), Sir Tim Berners-Lee (Queen's College Oxford, inventor of the World Wide Web!), Bill Clinton (Rhodes Scholar, Univ College), Indira Gandhi, Aung San Suu Kyi, Malala Yousafzai (Lady Margaret Hall!), Emma Watson (Worcester College Oxford), Hugh Grant, Rowan Atkinson.
Globally strong specialisations at Oxford: Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE): the iconic Oxford course, considered training for future politicians and global leadership (Cameron, Truss, Boris Johnson, plus many other PMs and politicians did PPE!). Medicine: 6-year BMBCh, top UK. Law (Jurisprudence): top UK (LNAT required). Physics: world-leading (Stephen Hawking heritage!). Mathematics: world-leading (TMUA required from 2026). Computer Science: top UK (TMUA). English Language and Literature: world-leading (Tolkien, CS Lewis heritage!). Classics: world-leading. Modern Languages: top UK. History: top UK. Engineering Science: top UK (ESAT from 2026). Chemistry, Biochemistry: top UK. Economics and Management, Geography, Music, Theology, Archaeology: all top UK. Over 250 UG courses.
For Romanian students, Oxford is the dream of the very top global academic elite. Major Oxford advantages: (1) THE World number 1 globally for 9 years running: unmatched prestige; (2) 1-on-1 tutorial system: personalised attention impossible to find at other large universities; (3) Incomparable global network: 28 UK PMs, 30 plus Nobel laureates, global leadership; (4) Collegiate system: an intimate community with academic and social support; (5) Dedicated academic mentor within your college; (6) Rhodes Scholarship: fully-funded PG option after a UG degree at Oxford. The reality: acceptance ~14-17 percent, predicted grades A*AA-A*A*A (equivalent to Baccalaureate 9.5 plus), mandatory admissions test (ESAT/TMUA/TARA/LNAT/UCAT), interview in December. The critical rule: you CANNOT apply to Oxford AND Cambridge in the same year! The decision is made in Year 12 (clasa a XI-a) based on vibe plus course plus college. Typical Romanian profile: science-track Baccalaureate for Medicine, Math, CS, Engineering, Physics, Chemistry, Economics; humanities-track for PPE, Law, English, Modern Languages, History, Classics.
How to apply to Oxford
UCAS application (O33), deadline 15 OCT!
You apply through UCAS, maximum 5 choices total. Oxford uses the institution code O33. Oxford deadline: 15 October 2025, 18:00 UK time (NOT 14 January 2026 like other UK universities!). UCAS application fee: £28.95. You also choose a college (Christ Church, Magdalen, Balliol, etc.) or an "Open Application". The critical rule: you CANNOT apply to Oxford AND Cambridge in the same year!
NEW tests 2026: ESAT, TMUA, TARA
Oxford has replaced its own tests with the UAT-UK tests (a collaboration with Imperial plus Cambridge). ESAT for Engineering Science, Chemistry, Biomedical Sciences (replaces PAT plus BMSAT). TMUA for Mathematics, Computer Science (replaces MAT). TARA for PPE, History and Politics, Geography (replaces TSA). October sitting ONLY! UCAT for Medicine, LNAT for Law.
STRICTLY ACADEMIC Personal Statement
UCAS Personal Statement reformatted for 2026, structured into 3 sections with specific questions. Total ~4,000 characters. Strictly academic for Oxford: focus on interest in the subject, in-depth reading, critical thinking, NOT personal stories. Oxford requires additional documents through the Oxford Application Form (transcripts, written work for certain courses).
Shortlisting plus December interview
Shortlisting: after assessing UCAS plus test plus written work, Oxford selects ~3 candidates per place for interview. Interview in December: 2-3 interviews per candidate at your preferred college. Intense academic interview of 20-30 min: discussing a problem, text or concept from your field. For international students, some exceptions may be online.
IELTS / TOEFL (by November)
IELTS Academic minimum for Oxford: Standard 7.0 overall, no below 6.5 per component. Higher 7.5 overall, no below 7.0 for Medicine, Law, English, Classics, Modern Languages, History, PPE, Theology. TOEFL iBT 100-110 (depending on course). Cambridge English C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency accepted. Submit the test by 15 October 2025.
Conditional offer plus Baccalaureate
Conditional offers based on predicted grades. For the Romanian Baccalaureate: Baccalaureate average 9.5 plus and 9.5 plus on the relevant track for all Oxford courses. A-Level equivalent A*AA-A*A*A: Medicine A*AA plus Chemistry, Math/CS A*A*A plus Math, Physics A*A*A, Law AAA plus LNAT. IB accepted: 38-40 points with 7,7,6 or higher in relevant subjects.
Costs for Romanians
Intl tuition 2026-27 (per year, depends on course)
Total cost for a Romanian
Limited for intl
Oxford does NOT offer need-blind or need-aware admissions for international students like the US Ivies. For intl undergrads, financial aid is limited and competitive. Oxford offers merit-based plus targeted scholarships, NOT general need-based aid for intl UG.
Rare options at UG
Reach Oxford Scholarship (low-income countries, does NOT currently include Romania). Crankstart UK home ONLY. Clarendon and Rhodes postgraduate ONLY. Recommendation: apply to Oxford UG with your own funding, then Rhodes/Clarendon for PG. Check oxsfit.ox.ac.uk for external scholarships.
Full Overseas fees
Since 2021, EU citizens (Romanians) pay full Overseas fees and NO longer have access to UK Student Loans. Exception: pre-Brexit settled status or Irish citizenship. Oxford CAS visa: proof of funds for tuition plus £1,334/month living costs.
Want to apply to Oxford?
Oxford offers an unrivalled combination: the oldest English-speaking university in the world, THE World number 1 globally for 9 years running, QS number 4, 28 UK PM alumni, a 1-on-1 tutorial system and a unique collegiate system of 39 colleges. UCAS deadline 15 OCT 2025. NEW tests 2026: ESAT/TMUA/TARA. You CANNOT apply to Oxford AND Cambridge the same year! Your first mentoring session is 100 percent free.
Talk to a mentorFrequently asked questions
How hard is it to get into the University of Oxford?
Oxford is extremely competitive with an overall acceptance rate of ~14-17 percent. For intl: ~13-15% (varies dramatically by subject). Subject-specific: PPE ~7-10%, Medicine BMBCh ~7-9%, Math ~8-10%, Computer Science ~6-9%, Humanities ~15-25%. For Romanians: predicted grades A*AA-A*A*A (equivalent to Baccalaureate 9.5 plus and 9.5 plus on the relevant track) MINIMUM. Mandatory admissions test (ESAT, TMUA, TARA, LNAT or UCAT depending on course). Interview in December (2-3 intense academic interviews of 20-30 min with tutors). The critical rule: you CANNOT apply to Oxford AND Cambridge the same year! The decision is made in Year 12 (clasa a XI-a) based on the desired course, the vibe, plus your preferred colleges.
How much does the University of Oxford cost for Romanians?
Post-Brexit 2021, Romanians pay Overseas fees. Tuition 2026-27: £33,050-£62,820 per year. Humanities/Law/PPE/History/Classics/Modern Languages: ~£33,050-£37,380. CS/Math: ~£37,510-£40,000. Lab Sciences/Engineering/Chemistry/Physics: ~£40,640-£44,000. Medicine clinical years: ~£44,240-£62,820. There is NO additional college fee at Oxford (versus Cambridge £11,500-£14,950/year!). Oxford cost of living: ~£12,580-£17,380/year. Total 3 years BA for a Romanian: ~£140-180k Humanities/PPE/Law, ~£160-200k CS/Math, ~£180-220k Sciences/Engineering. 4 years MEng: ~£190-280k. 6 years Medicine: ~£280-380k.
What scholarships are available at Oxford for international students?
Oxford offers limited options for intl UG: Reach Oxford Scholarship (low-income countries, does NOT currently include Romania, check annually). Crankstart Scholarship: ONLY for UK home students. Clarendon Scholarship: ONLY for postgraduate. Rhodes Scholarship: ONLY for postgraduate (after a UG degree). College-specific scholarships: each college has its own bursaries (rare for intl UG). Strategy for Romanians: apply to Oxford UG with your own funding, then aim for the Rhodes Scholarship for postgraduate (there is a Rhodes for Romania). Check oxsfit.ox.ac.uk for external scholarships eligible for Romanians (UK Government Chevening, Erasmus alternatives).
What admissions tests do I need to take for Oxford 2026?
Oxford has replaced its own tests with the UAT-UK tests (a collaboration with Imperial plus Cambridge). ESAT (Engineering and Science): for Engineering Science, Chemistry, Biomedical Sciences, Earth Sciences, replaces PAT plus BMSAT. TMUA (Mathematics): for Mathematics, Computer Science, joint Math, replaces MAT. TARA (Academic Reasoning): for PPE, History and Politics, Geography, replaces TSA. October sitting ONLY for Oxford! January sitting NOT accepted for Oxford. UCAT mandatory for Medicine BMBCh. LNAT mandatory for Law (Jurisprudence). Tests retired by Oxford: TSA, MAT, PAT, BMAT, Classics Admissions Test, Modern Languages Admissions Test (the last 2 removed with no replacement!).
What is the Oxford collegiate system?
Oxford has 39 constituent colleges (Christ Church, Magdalen, Balliol, Merton, New College, Univ College, Trinity, St John's, Worcester, Brasenose, Exeter, Wadham, Pembroke, etc.) plus 6 Permanent Private Halls. Every student is simultaneously a member of the university AND of a specific college. The college provides: accommodation (guaranteed the first year, often continuing in years 2-3), catering (formal dinners in the college dining hall!), dedicated tutors (weekly 1-on-1 or 1-on-2 tutorial sessions!), its own library, societies and sport, a chapel, an intimate community (~300-500 students per college). On UCAS you can specify a preferred college or an "Open Application". Historically important colleges: Christ Church (the largest!), Magdalen (Tolkien, CS Lewis here!), Balliol (Blair, Boris Johnson PPE), Merton (the oldest documented Oxford college, 1264), New College.
Which are the strongest Oxford courses for Romanians?
Oxford is renowned globally for: Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE): the iconic course, training for leadership (Cameron, Truss, Boris Johnson alumni!). Medicine BMBCh 6 years: top UK. Law (Jurisprudence): top UK (LNAT). Physics: world-leading (Stephen Hawking heritage!). Mathematics: world-leading (TMUA from 2026). Computer Science: top UK (TMUA). English Language and Literature: world-leading (Tolkien, CS Lewis professors!). Classics: world-leading. Modern Languages: top UK. History: top UK. Engineering Science: top UK (ESAT). Chemistry, Biochemistry: top UK. Economics and Management: top UK. Theology: world-leading. 250 plus UG courses.
What is student life like at Oxford?
Oxford is the "City of Dreaming Spires" (the poet Matthew Arnold), an iconic medieval city with Gothic architecture, parks (Christ Church Meadow, University Parks), and the Cherwell and Isis rivers. ~26,000 students total, ~45% intl from 160 plus countries. Unique collegiate system: an intimate community (~300-500 students/college), formal dinners with academic gowns, intercollegiate sport, traditional societies (Oxford Union Debating, the oldest debating club in the world!). Iconic landmarks: Bodleian Library (the 2nd largest library in the UK!), Radcliffe Camera (iconic Palladian rotunda), Sheldonian Theatre (graduations), Pitt Rivers Museum, Ashmolean Museum (the oldest university museum in the world!). Oxford cost of living: ~£12.5-17.5k/year official. Train to London 60 min, Oxford Tube bus direct to Heathrow plus Gatwick. Trinity Term: punting on the Cherwell in May!
Can I stay in the UK after graduating from Oxford?
Yes, through the Graduate Route visa. After graduating from Oxford (BA, MEng, MMath, MChem, BMBCh, LLB), you are automatically entitled to 2 years on the Graduate Route (3 years for a PhD) with no sponsor. Visa cost: £822 plus £1,035 per year IHS. Oxford graduate employability is exceptional: top global recruiters (Big 4, Goldman Sachs, McKinsey, BCG, Bain, Google, Microsoft, Apple). Oxford graduate salaries: PPE £35-60k consulting/finance/civil service (Foreign Office, HM Treasury!); Medicine BMBCh £33-37k FY1 NHS; Math/CS £40-80k tech (Google, Microsoft, DeepMind, fintech, quant finance!); Law (Jurisprudence) £50-70k starting City of London Magic Circle (Linklaters, Allen and Overy, Slaughter and May); Engineering Science £35-55k (McLaren, Rolls-Royce, BAE); Physics £35-60k finance/research/tech; Humanities £30-50k publishing/journalism/civil service/academia. For Romanians: an Oxford degree is a passport to a global career. Alumni network 250,000 plus members, 28 UK PMs, 30 plus Nobel laureates. Rhodes Scholarship option for PG at Oxford after UG.
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