Oxbridge Admissions Pack

Maximise your chances of getting into Oxford or Cambridge for your undergraduate degree

Updated 2 November 2026

Key facts and figures

Deadline, now passed: UCAS applications to Oxford and Cambridge for 2027 entry closed on 15 October 2026 at 18:00 UK time, and My Cambridge Application, with a transcript where one is required, closed on 22 October 2026 at 6pm UK time. Every other course on the same UCAS list still runs to the equal consideration deadline of 13 January 2027 at 18:00 UK time, and the 2027 application fee is £34.50 for up to five choices, waived for applicants who have received UK government funded free school meals and for care leavers (sources: UCAS, University of Cambridge, consulted 2 November 2026).
Admissions tests: Oxford uses the UAT-UK tests ESAT (engineering and sciences), TMUA (mathematics, computer science) and TARA (economics and management, PPE, psychology, human sciences); medicine uses the UCAT and law the LNAT, and the TSA is no longer used (source: University of Oxford, consulted 2 October 2026). The October tests were sat 12 to 16 October 2026 and candidates receive their results in their UAT-UK account on Monday 16 November 2026 (source: UAT-UK, consulted 2 November 2026). At Cambridge the ESAT covers Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, Engineering, Natural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, and the TMUA covers Computer Science, Economics and Mathematics (source: University of Cambridge, consulted 2 November 2026).
Test registration: UAT-UK booking for the October sitting ran from 20 July 2026 at 3pm BST to 28 September 2026 at 6pm BST, with access arrangements to be requested by 14 September 2026 at 6pm and bursary requests by 21 September 2026 at 6pm; UAT-UK takes up to 10 working days to review an access arrangement request and up to 5 for a bursary, which is why both run ahead of the booking deadline (source: UAT-UK, consulted 2 November 2026). Cambridge asks candidates to sit the UCAT by 24 September 2026 and the LNAT by 15 October 2026 at the latest (source: University of Cambridge, consulted 2 November 2026).
Interviews and decisions: Cambridge Colleges send most interview invitations in November 2026 and a few in early December, most College interviews take place in the first 3 weeks of December 2026, and candidates interviewed in that main period learn the outcome on 27 January 2027 (source: University of Cambridge, consulted 2 November 2026).
Oxford after the application: written work must reach your college by 10 November 2026, shortlisting runs from the end of November to the beginning of December, interviews are held online in December 2026, and shortlisted candidates for 2027 entry are informed through UCAS on Tuesday 12 January 2027, with colleges following up directly later that day (source: University of Oxford, consulted 2 November 2026). The written work itself is capped at 2,000 words and is submitted electronically with a cover sheet for each piece (source: University of Oxford, consulted 2 October 2026: the written work page did not reopen today, so that detail keeps its October date).
January 2027 UAT-UK sitting: booking opened on Wednesday 28 October 2026 at 3pm GMT and closes on 21 December 2026 at 6pm GMT, with access arrangements requested by 7 December 2026 at 6pm GMT and bursaries by 14 December 2026 at 6pm GMT; the tests are sat 4 to 8 January 2027 and results are released on 8 February 2027. A test costs £78 for candidates in the UK and the Republic of Ireland and £133 elsewhere, and a candidate may sit only once per admissions cycle. January does not apply to Oxford or Cambridge applicants, with two exceptions: a mature applicant to a Cambridge mature college with a January admissions deadline, and an applicant to Oxford’s Astrophoria Foundation Year (source: UAT-UK, consulted 2 November 2026).
Cambridge’s two January routes, which are not the same thing: the Cambridge Foundation Year, open to applicants ordinarily resident in the UK, is applied for through UCAS by 13 January 2027 at 6pm UK time. The mature round is open only at Hughes Hall, St Edmund’s and Wolfson, excludes Medicine, Graduate Medicine and Veterinary Medicine, is closed to anyone who applied in the preceding October, runs to a UCAS deadline of 13 January 2027 at 6pm UK time with My Cambridge Application due by 20 January 2027 at 6pm UK time, and interviews its candidates between March and April 2027; for that round, ESAT or TMUA registration closes on 21 December 2026, or 7 December 2026 with access arrangements, and the LNAT must be sat on or before 25 January 2027 (source: University of Cambridge, consulted 2 November 2026).
Your Dream School results: 12 students admitted to Oxford or Cambridge since 2018, out of 300+ students admitted across the United Kingdom (source: our results overview, consolidated in November 2026).

I was very satisfied with the care delivered by this organization, just as much with the mentoring plan as with the plan for administrative procedures, particularly with drafting the personal statement.
Mother of Anaelle, admitted to University College London (UCL) and King’s College (KCL) in Mathematics, client testimonial

Why Your Dream School for Oxbridge applications

Oxford and Cambridge compress three hurdles into ten weeks: the UCAS file by 15 October, the admissions test in mid-October and interviews in December. Our article on the 15 October 2026 UCAS deadline sets out the test registration cut-offs that fall before it. Our coaching, in English or French, treats them as one plan, with college choice, written work and subject-specific mock interviews. Since 2018, Your Dream School has coached more than 1,300 students and counts 12 students admitted to Oxford or Cambridge among 300+ students admitted across the United Kingdom; parents and students have left 160+ five-star Google reviews. Where none of the 5 first-choice universities agreed at the outset makes an offer, the re-application is coached with us, with no additional coaching fee. Where St Andrews sits alongside Oxford or Cambridge on a school list, our note on the Guardian 2027 ranking and St Andrews applications sets out what the move actually means. Ask for a free assessment. Imperial College, by contrast, accepts the ESAT or the TMUA taken in October or in the January sitting: see our analysis of Imperial College’s 2027 rankings and how to apply.

Law is the Oxbridge subject whose admissions test also governs applications elsewhere: UCL, King’s College London and the LSE require the LNAT to be sat by 31 December 2026, well after the UCAS deadline, and our LNAT calendar for UK law applications sets out who requires it and when each university receives the score.

Test booking runs on its own calendar: the January 2027 ESAT, TMUA and TARA session explains why an Oxford or Cambridge applicant must still sit the test in October, and our TMUA preparation hub sets out the format and the 2027 dates.

Overview of the Package

The Universities of Oxford and Cambridge are the most selective universities in the UK. Gaining entry to one of these prestigious institutions therefore requires a considerable amount of preparation work to be put in, in order to draft and complete an the application file, obtain a high score in the entry exams, and to achieve success in the interview. Our Oxbridge applications package includes the following services:

The UAT-UK admissions tests fall in the same window: our guide to the ESAT and TMUA test week sets out the final revisions, what to bring to the test centre and the January session as a fallback.

For the submission itself, our checklist for the last days before the 15 October UCAS deadline covers the last-minute checks and sending the application before 6pm UK time.

Assistance in selecting the most suitable course and university
Development of an admissions strategy
Deepening and consolidating the student’s knowledge in the subject area
Develop the student’s ability to express their ideas and opinions in English on themes related to the proposed subject area
Help with the drafting of an application file and an exceptional UCAS Personal Statement
Preparation for the entrance exam(s)
Preparation for the Oxford or Cambridge admissions interviews

Who is this Package for?

This pack is designed for students approaching the end of secondary school or college who wish to apply to a Bachelor’s degree at the University of Oxford or the University of Cambridge and who are looking for full support at each stage of the admissions process. Applicants weighing Oxbridge against the rest of the UK can read our analysis of the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2027, in which St Andrews took first place and both Oxford and Cambridge finished outside the top three. Applicants who want the collegiate experience without the tests and interviews can weigh it against Durham, 6th in all three 2027 UK league tables.

Once the application is in, the next milestone is December: our guide to the Oxford and Cambridge interviews of December 2026 sets out the interview weeks subject by subject, the notice candidates are given and which colleges interview online.

For the global picture behind those UK positions, see our reading of the THE World University Rankings 2027, in which Oxford took first place for an 11th consecutive year and Cambridge finished 5th.

Once the file is in, the next weeks are already mapped: our timeline of what happens to Oxbridge applicants after 15 October 2026 walks through the written work, the shortlisting and the December interviews.

The Your Dream School Method

Individual sessions with an Inspiring Tutor

Each student is advised by a Mentor who plays the role of advisor, coach and tutor.

A bespoke method for each student

While our track record is consistent, our method is neither rigid, nor formulaic. Our coaching is tailored to the individual needs of each student.

Absolute flexibility in coaching

Our coaching can be done entirely remotely. This allows students to be in contact with the best tutors no matter where they live.

An international team dedicated to your success

Our team guides you at every step and answers all your questions on a daily basis.

How can we support you in your application?

Your first session free

In order to let you note the quality and efficiency of our preparation and our method, we offer you your first 30 minutes of IELTS coaching free.

Dozens of records and shared resources

Access to dozens of records and resources online to train you throughout your preparation.

Score improvement commitment

We coach you until your SAT score improves. If the goal we set together before your first session is not met, we keep coaching you at no extra cost.

Evaluation of your initial level and recommendation of a personalized IELTS preparation plan

Firstly, we will evaluate your level of English in order to best identify the aspect we need to work on. Then, we will develop a made-to-measure preparation plan, perfectly tailored to your profile to allow you to achieve your target score.

Individual coaching with an expert IELTS teacher

Individual coaching with one of our excellent IELTS teachers.
All native English speakers, they have all been selected for their excellence in teaching and all have many years of experience in preparing for the IELTS.
Attentive and readily available, our very experienced professors put emphasis on the key points and questions of the test. Thanks to their informed techniques and advice, you will be able to tackle the difficulties and traps of each test and progress quickly.

Development of a personalized preparation program

We will then create a preparation program entirely personalized and adapted to your profile in order to help you obtain the scores required in each of the tests in the time given.

Organization of mock IELTS oral tests in real conditions

In order to best prepare you for the IELTS oral test, your teacher will also organize exams in real conditions

Unlimited essay corrections by your professor between sessions

In order to improve your capacity for writing in English, you will also have the possibility of submitting essays to your teacher on an unlimited basis which will be corrected and graded according to the official mark scheme

Unlimited access to a preparation platform online

We will also give you access to an IELTS preparation platform online in order to allow you to work where and when you wish.
Available on your computer, tablet and mobile, it will allow you to follow your progress and to practice between sessions.
With more than 700 targeted practice questions, 1 complete test and more than 100 video lessons in order to deepen your knowledge on each concept, traps and tips of the IELTS, this online IELTS preparation is among the most reputed on the market.

What is the price of the pack?

DURATION

From 9th grade to halfway through 11th grade (January)

PRICE

From 3,000 EUR

SUPPORT

Individual remote coaching

LANGUAGE

English

★★★★★ 5/5 on Google, 160+ reviews. A dedicated test expert and a personalised study plan from the very first session.

Frequently asked questions

When is the Oxford and Cambridge application deadline for 2027 entry?

For 2027 entry that deadline has passed: UCAS applications to both universities closed on 15 October 2026 at 18:00 UK time, and My Cambridge Application closed on 22 October 2026 at 6pm UK time (sources: UCAS, University of Cambridge, consulted 2 November 2026). Two January routes stay open at Cambridge, the Foundation Year and the mature round at Hughes Hall, St Edmund’s and Wolfson, both applied for through UCAS by 13 January 2027 at 6pm UK time. Every other course on a UCAS list runs to the equal consideration deadline of 13 January 2027 at 18:00 UK time, and the 2027 application fee is £34.50 for up to five choices.

Which admissions tests do Oxford and Cambridge use in 2026?

Both universities use the UAT-UK tests: ESAT for engineering and sciences, TMUA for mathematics and computer science, and at Oxford TARA for economics and management, PPE, psychology and human sciences. The October tests were sat 12 to 16 October 2026 and results reach candidates in their UAT-UK account on Monday 16 November 2026. Medicine uses the UCAT, law the LNAT (sources: University of Oxford, consulted 2 October 2026; UAT-UK and University of Cambridge, consulted 2 November 2026). Booking for the January 2027 sitting opened on 28 October 2026 and closes on 21 December 2026 at 6pm GMT, but for an Oxbridge candidate it only counts through the two January routes: see our guide to the January 2027 ESAT, TMUA and TARA session, and our TMUA past papers for the revision itself. The form also asks for a college, and our guide to choosing an Oxford or Cambridge college sets out when an open application is the better answer.

Does Oxford still use the TSA?

No. The Oxford admissions test page for 2027 entry no longer lists the TSA. The courses that used it, such as PPE, Economics and Management, Psychology and Human Sciences, now take TARA, one of the 3 UAT-UK tests alongside ESAT and TMUA (source: University of Oxford, consulted 2 October 2026). Booking for the October 2026 sitting closed on 28 September 2026 at 6pm.

When are Oxbridge interviews and decisions?

Cambridge Colleges send most interview invitations in November 2026, most College interviews take place in the first 3 weeks of December 2026, and candidates interviewed in that main period learn the outcome on 27 January 2027. Oxford asks for written work by 10 November 2026, shortlists from the end of November, interviews online in December 2026, and informs shortlisted candidates for 2027 entry through UCAS on Tuesday 12 January 2027, with colleges following up directly later that day (sources: University of Cambridge, University of Oxford, consulted 2 November 2026). Our coaching schedules 4 to 6 weeks of interview preparation between the test in mid-October and the first interview invitations, with subject-specific mock interviews.

What is the difference between Cambridge’s mature round and its Foundation Year?

They are two separate routes that happen to share a UCAS deadline of 13 January 2027 at 6pm UK time. The Cambridge Foundation Year is a fully funded one-year course in arts, humanities and social sciences, for applicants ordinarily resident in the UK who have experienced educational disadvantage. The mature round is for applicants who will be 21 or over by 1 October of the year they start, is open only at Hughes Hall, St Edmund’s and Wolfson, excludes Medicine, Graduate Medicine and Veterinary Medicine, is closed to anyone who applied in the preceding October, asks for My Cambridge Application by 20 January 2027 at 6pm UK time, and interviews between March and April 2027 (source: University of Cambridge, consulted 2 November 2026).

How many Your Dream School students have been admitted to Oxbridge?

Our results overview lists 12 students admitted to Oxford or Cambridge since 2018, with 140+ students admitted to UCL, 140+ to King’s College London, 80+ to the LSE and 20+ to Imperial College London, consolidated in November 2026. Across the United Kingdom 300+ of our students have been admitted to the most selective universities.

Your Dream School admissions database, application cycles 2018 to 2026. Minimum figures: a student admitted to several institutions in the same group is counted once.