Economics & Management is consistently cited as one of the hardest subjects to gain admission to at Oxford University.
Understanding Oxford's Highly Competitive Admissions
Oxford University is globally renowned for its academic excellence, attracting a vast number of highly qualified applicants from around the world each year. This intense demand naturally leads to extremely competitive admissions across most of its programs. While all courses require exceptional academic achievement, some stand out due to an exceptionally high number of applicants relative to the limited number of available places, making them particularly challenging to secure.
Economics & Management: A Top Contender
Economics & Management is recognized as one of the most competitive courses offered at Oxford. The primary factor contributing to its extreme selectivity is its very small cohort size, typically accommodating under 100 students each year. This limited availability means that even a slight increase in applications can dramatically drive down the acceptance rate, making every successful applicant a standout candidate.
Factors Contributing to High Competition
Beyond the sheer number of applicants and limited places, several other elements contribute to the intense competition for courses like Economics & Management:
- Exceptional Academic Requirements: Prospective students are expected to have achieved, or be predicted to achieve, top grades in their pre-university qualifications (e.g., AAA for A-Levels, 40+ points with 7s in Higher Level subjects for IB).
- Rigorous Admissions Tests: Many competitive courses require applicants to sit specialized admissions tests, such as the Thinking Skills Assessment (TSA) for Economics & Management. Achieving a high score on these tests is crucial for progressing to the interview stage.
- Demanding Interview Process: Successful applicants typically undergo multiple interviews with Oxford tutors. These interviews are designed to assess a candidate's intellectual curiosity, critical thinking skills, problem-solving abilities, and suitability for Oxford's unique tutorial system.
- Global Pool of Talent: The worldwide prestige of Oxford attracts the brightest minds from across the globe, intensifying the competition significantly.
Overview of Highly Competitive Courses
While specific acceptance rates fluctuate annually, courses with high applicant numbers and stringent requirements consistently feature among the hardest to get into.
| Course | Key Factor for Competitiveness |
|---|---|
| Economics & Management | Very small cohort size (under 100) |
| Computer Science | High demand, challenging admissions |
| Medicine | Extremely high demand, specific tests |
| Law | High demand, rigorous interviews |
The combination of limited places, a vast pool of exceptionally talented applicants, and a multi-stage, demanding admissions process makes courses like Economics & Management extraordinarily difficult to gain entry to at Oxford University.
