Oxbridge application support at CATS Cambridge empowers talented students to submit competitive applications that strengthen their chance of securing a University of Oxford or University of Cambridge offer. Our Oxbridge support is offered within our Key Professions Programme (KPP Programme) by our KPP coordinator, supported by Higher Education Officer, teaching staff and experienced external advisors.
Admission to the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge is extremely competitive. In 2023, the two institutions received over 40,000 undergraduate applications*. Outstanding grades are essential, but Oxbridge look for students who display an understanding of and passion for their subject beyond examination results. Our Oxbridge application support provides would-be Oxbridge undergraduates with up-to-date, personalised advice to make their application stand out.
The Oxbridge application process involves several parts: a written application, an interview and, for most courses, an admissions test. Offers for a place are received after a successful interview. It is important to know that entrance is only confirmed after formal examination results are received by the universities.
Recent Success
Three CATS Cambridge students have achieved places at the University of Cambridge over the last three years.
In academic year 2023/24, 4 CATS Cambridge students were invited to interviews at the University of Cambridge. These invitations indicate that our students’ applications demonstrated the academic prowess and personal qualities that Oxford and Cambridge seek in their undergraduate classes.
Initial Oxbridge Application Support
CATS Cambridge offers a varied events calendar designed to intellectually stimulate and motivate all students. Our annual calendar includes speaker events, including University of Cambridge professors and lecturers, university visits, and academic competitions. Alumni events, where CATS Cambridge graduates share university and career advice, are extremely popular. School trips include attendance at lectures, exhibitions and events at the University of Cambridge.
Within the KPP Programme, Oxbridge applicants receive advice specific to their chosen undergraduate degree course during their first year of A Level study. Working with our KPP coordinator, students identify super-curricular activities to enhance their subject knowledge and strengthen their Oxbridge application. Potential super-curricular activities include academic competitions, online courses and academic lectures and events. Many students also pursue independent research projects, facilitated by our teaching staff, to explore topics in more depth.
Students are supported to obtain degree relevant experience through internships, volunteering, work experience or courses. For example, several student have participated in BioGrad courses, which provide relevant clinical and research skills for medicine.
Personal Statement Advice
A UK university application includes qualification details, employment history and a strong personal statement. Our Higher Education Officer provides all students with expert advice on completing the UCAS application form. As the UK uses a common application process, students submit one application to (up to) five universities. Oxbridge applicants must use their personal statement to demonstrate their suitability without mentioning their motivation for pursuing a place at either Oxford or Cambridge.
Our Oxbridge application support includes specific personal statement writing tutorials. Personalised advice is delivered by our KPP coordinator, Oxbridge graduates on staff and experienced external advisors, Leading Education. Draft statements are carefully reviewed with students receiving feedback on how to strengthen their statement. They are guided to demonstrate their motivations for pursuing university study, their passion for their degree subject and how their achievements and experiences to date make them a strong candidate.
Test Preparation
Admissions tests are used by Oxford and Cambridge to assess candidates’ academic potential and suitability for many undergraduate courses. To facilitate success, we offer a rigorous preparation schedule that includes test specific tutorials focused on question types, knowledge development and test technique and regular practice tests. Students receive personal feedback to help them improve their scores.
Interview Preparation
Our Oxbridge application support assumes that all our Oxbridge applicants will receive an interview. We do not wait until students receive interview invitations; every applicant is rigorously prepared for interviews from the beginning of the application process.
Our interview preparation is delivered in three ways. Firstly, a set of interview preparation tutorials focused on interview technique, potential questions and answer preparation. Secondly, a guest speaker series, where speakers provide subject specific insight and advice for interviews. Students attend the full series to benefit from the subject specific advice and the more general interview tips shared by each speaker. Finally, students have multiple practice interviews with our teaching staff and external interviewers empowering them to be confident interviewees who offer carefully considered, well-reasoned responses.
University Application Support
CATS Cambridge is committed to providing students with personalised, relevant and up-to-date Oxbridge application support. Through our rigorous application support and preparation programme, students are supported to submit competitive applications and deliver strong interview performances. Our support does not stop once Oxbridge offers are received. Students receive personalised support with their academic studies to ensure they achieve the strong examination results needed to secure their Oxbridge place.
Students passionate about pursuing undergraduate studies at top UK universities, including Oxford and Cambridge, are welcomed at CATS Cambridge. Our KPP Programme provides tailored support for Oxbridge applications, as well as supporting students with applications to the G5 universities (Imperial College London, the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) and University College London (UCL)), Russell Group and top 20 UK universities, and highly competitive degree subjects, including Medicine, Veterinary Science and Law.
“At CATS Cambridge, I received a lot of support with my university application process. They helped with all of the details we need for UCAS.”
Ihor from Ukraine
“CATS Cambridge helped me a lot with studying and with learning... which prepared me for university. The education back home is not as good as in the UK and there are a lot of opportunities that I can achieve after finishing my degree.”
Study In The Heart Of Cambridge
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