The official website of Oxford University announced: the 2024 admission interview will be online! Previously, Oxford University cancelled two admission written tests and added a new AHCAAT written test.

Cherwell, the student newspaper of Oxford University, announced: Oxford University's English College and Geography and Environment College will no longer set up ELAT and GAT written tests in the 24/25 application season. The official website made it clear: Students applying for admission in 2025 or later in classical archaeology and ancient history must take the AHCAAT written test (full name: Ancient History and Classical Archaeology Admissions Test).

Admission requirements - Classical Archaeology and Ancient History
Academic requirements:
A-Level:AAA
IB:39 (including core points) with 666 at HL

Admission test: AHCAAT

Other requirements:

For details, please visit the official website
Although the written test time has not yet been announced, the format of the interview has been announced!

There are many "myths" about interviews at Oxford University, but in fact it is just a conversation about your chosen topic (with someone who knows a lot about it).

Why does Oxford University have an interview?

Most of the teaching at Oxford University is in small classes or tutorials, and the interviewer may be your future tutor - assessing your ability to study, think and learn in this way.

The purpose of the interview is to assess your academic potential. Tutors value students' self-motivation and enthusiasm for the course. The decision is not based on your manners, appearance or background, but on your ability to think independently and to entertain new ideas that are outside the scope of the school or college syllabus.

How do I know if I have been invited for an interview?

Oxford University typically receives over 22,000 applications for 3,300 places each year, and shortlists around 10,000 candidates. There are more applicants than places, and it is impossible to interview everyone.
Tutors shortlist the candidates they think have the most potential and who best meet their selection criteria. Only those shortlisted are invited for an interview.
You will usually receive a letter or email informing you whether you have been invited for an interview in mid-November to early December. Different courses will send invitations on different dates depending on when the interview is. The email or letter will usually come from the university you applied to. If you submitted an open application, it is from the college you were allocated to.
Sometimes you may be invited for an interview at a university you did not apply to. This is part of the school's reallocation process, where applicants are moved around to ensure that everyone interviewed has the same chance of being accepted.

Where will the online interview take place?

The online interview should take place when the candidate feels they can present their best. This should be a place where you can reliably use the required technology, a quiet space, without distractions. We hope this will be at your school or college, or your home or similar environment.
Once you receive an interview invitation, the school recommends that you discuss with your school or college where you would like the interview to take place and make arrangements accordingly.

What questions will be asked during the interview?

The interviewer will understand that the students are nervous and try to put them at ease. They want the students to be their true selves in the interview and let the students show their skills and abilities.
The interviewer may ask some simple questions: perhaps about something in the personal statement, or why you applied for a certain course. Then they will move on to questions about the subject.
Depending on the content related to the course you applied for, you may receive an essay, poem, picture or object, and then need to answer questions and comment on it. You may be given these before your interview, and will be given advice if there are any particular things to focus on!

How should I prepare？

Here are some tips on how to prepare for your interview!

• Reread your personal statement and any written work you submitted.
• Think about the answers you gave in any entrance exams, don't worry if you can't remember the details.
• Remind yourself why you chose your subject and why you want to study it at Oxford. These are questions your tutors are likely to ask you.
• As well as reviewing material you've recently studied, explore your subject in the wider world, for example through newspaper articles, websites, videos and TV shows. We've provided
• some suggested subject resources which may be a good starting point.
• Remind yourself of the selection criteria for your chosen subject.
• If you're applying for a course you haven't studied at school or university, be prepared to demonstrate your interest and show some relevant background knowledge.
• Be critical of the opinions and arguments you encounter in your daily life - think about all sides of the debate.
• Look at the 'Sample Questions' and familiarise yourself with the types of questions your tutors might ask in your subject.
• Watch the Demo Interview Videos tab to hear tutors talk about how they interview for their subject, watch them interview current students and then hear their comments. If you can't find a video related to your topic, watch a video on a similar topic on the same floor. This will give you the best idea of ​​what your interview might be like, and you'll also have a chance to see how the technology works.
• Keep practicing explaining what you're thinking - almost as if you were thinking out loud.

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