How to Get into Oxford University From India?

Oxford University is one of the world’s oldest and most prestigious universities. If you are a student from India and aspiring to secure an admission spot in Oxford University, it might seem challenging due to high competition. However, you can beat the competition by applying to the right course, securing good marks in your exams, and with the right preparation. In this article, we will guide you through the key steps required for securing a spot at the prestigious Oxford University.

Why Study at Oxford University?

• Oxford University ranks among the top universities in the world. It earned the 3rd spot in the QS World University Rankings 2025 and the 1st spot in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2024.

• Graduates from Oxford University have a high employability rate. 91% of students get employed within 6 months after graduation. 

• Oxford University offers hundreds of scholarships to international students, including Indian students. Many of these scholarships are designed to fund the entire tuition fee.

A Glance at Oxford University

Year of Establishment	1096
Mode of Teaching	Online and On-Campus teaching
Degrees Offered	Bachelor’s degreesMaster’s degreesDoctoratesDiploma
Undergraduate Fee for Indian Students	Around Rs 45,00,000 to 76,00,000 per year
Postgraduate Fee for Indian Students	Around 40 lakhs to 68 lakhs per year
Duration	Undergraduate studies – 3 or 4 yearsPostgraduate Studies – 1 to 4 years, depending on the course
Acceptance Rate	17.5%
Employment Rate	91%

Tips to Get into Oxford University for Indian Students

Here are some tips students can use to secure admission to Oxford University:

1. Pick the Right Course

Oxford University offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate courses across various disciplines, including engineering, humanities, and social sciences. Based on your interests, duration, and career goals, choose the right course.

2. Meet the Academic Requirements

Oxford University has set high academic requirements. If you want to pursue an undergraduate degree, you need to:

• Complete your 12th with at least 90% to 95% marks from a recognized board, such as ICSE, CBSE, or state boards.

• Clear the entrance exams. For example, the Economics and Philosophy courses require students to clear the Thinking Skills Assessment Test. For Computer Science, students must clear the Mathematics Admission Test. And for law courses, students must clear the Law National Aptitude Test.

If you wish to pursue a postgraduate degree from Oxford University, you need to:

• Complete an undergraduate degree from a recognized Indian university with at least 60% to 75% or more marks. 

• Appear for exams like the GRE for Computer Science, IT, and other programs. GMAT for MBA.

3. Prepare for English Language Proficiency Tests

Indian students are non-native English speakers. When pursuing higher education in English-speaking countries like the UK, non-native English speakers have to clear the English Language Proficiency Test. Some of the most popular tests taken by Indian Students are IELTS and TOEFL. Here is an overview of the minimum test scores required for undergraduate and postgraduate courses at Oxford University:

• IELTS Academic – Students must score a minimum of 7.0 to 7.5. No section should be below 6.5.

• TOEFL – Students must score a minimum of 100 or above.

4. Create an Impressive Personal Statement

Oxford seeks students who are motivated and excellent at their studies. A Statement of Purpose provides Indian students with an excellent opportunity to showcase their academic brilliance. To create a compelling SOP, you need to include the following elements:

• Compelling introduction
• Academic background
• Research interests
• Career objectives
• Reasons for applying to Oxford University
• Personal Qualities (if any)

Please avoid including general statements, unsubstantiated claims, cliches, and repetitive information.

5. Get References

Oxford requires references for its undergraduate and postgraduate studies. If you are looking to pursue an undergraduate degree at Oxford University, get references from your professors or principal. When it comes to postgraduate degrees like an MBA or management courses, references from your senior supervisors or high-level managers from your work will be highly valuable.

Admission Process to Oxford University

• Visit the university’s website and choose a course of your interest, whether it is an undergraduate or a postgraduate course.

• Check the academic and standardized test requirements.

• If you meet the requirements, begin the application process. For undergraduate programs, you need to apply through the UCAS website. And for postgraduate courses, you can directly apply to the university.

• Once confirmed, you will receive your offer letter.

Here’s the step-by-step process to apply to undergraduate programs through the UCAS website:

• Visit the UCAS portal and create an account.

• Select the course that you are interested in.

• Fill out the application form by entering your personal details, including name and address.

• Write a personal statement explaining why you are interested in the course.

• Provide your educational details and work experience (if any).

• Pay the application fees.

• Review your application form and submit it.

Cost of Living at Oxford University for Indian Students

Here’s a breakdown of the cost of living at Oxford:

Parameter	Estimated Cost/Month
Accomodation	Around Rs 85,000
Food	Around Rs 50,000
Transportation	Around Rs 7,000
Miscellaneous activities	Around Rs 7,000
Student Health Insurance	Around Rs 85,000
Total Cost	Around Rs 2,00,000

Scholarships for Indian Students

Scholarship	Details	Application Deadline
Felix Scholarship	The scholarship allows students from India to pursue graduate studies at Oxford University. Plus, the scholarship will cover the full tuition fees.	December/January
The Rhodes Scholarship	The Rhodes Scholarship allows Indian students to pursue postgraduate study at Oxford University. The scholarship covers tuition fees and provides an annual stipend to students.	23rd July 2025
Reach Oxford Scholarship	The Reach Oxford Scholarship allows Indian students to pursue undergraduate studies at Oxford University. The scholarship covers tuition fees, provides a grant for living costs, and one-way return airfare per year.	February

Conclusion

Getting into Oxford University could be challenging. However, with strong preparation, academic excellence, and a strong application, Indian students can seamlessly navigate the admission process and secure a spot at this prestigious university.

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