Apply to Oxbridge Economics: A Complete Guide

XIE TAO

Independent Teacher

Apply to Oxbridge Economics: A Complete Guide

I. Common Knowledge to Oxbridge Economics Admissions

1. Choose Either Oxford or Cambridge

You can only apply to only one course of either Oxford or Cambridge in a same academic year, rather than applying to both the two universities.

2. Apply Through the UCAS

You are required to submit your application through the UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service), which serves as the official admissions platform for universities and colleges in the UK.
You are only allowed to list up to 5 course choices.

II. Timeline for Oxbridge Economics Courses

Timeline for 2025 Entry

2024

June

|

September

Preparing for the Application

Choosing Your Course

Oxford Economics and Management
Oxford Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE)
Oxford History and Economics
Cambridge Economics
Cambridge Land Economy

Writing Your Oxbridge Economics Personal Statement

Preparing Your Academic Reference

Choosing Your College

August

1

Registration for TMUA Exam Begins

Cambridge economics course applicants

September

3

UCAS Application Opens

September

T.B.D.

TSA Exam Registration Deadline

Oxford economics-related courses applicants

September

16

TMUA Exam Registration Deadline

Cambridge economics course applicants

October

15

UCAS Application Submission Deadline

For all applicants to Oxbridge economics

October

16 or 17

Cambridge TMUA Exam Day

Cambridge economics course applicants

October

T.B.D.

Oxford TSA Exam Day

Oxford economics-related courses applicants

October

22

Deadline for Submitting My Cambridge Application and Transcripts

Students applying for Cambridge

November

|

December

Receive interview invitations

December

first three weeks

Oxbridge Interview

2025

January

14

Release of Oxford University Admission Offers

January

Mid

Release of Cambridge University Admission Offers

August

31

Deadline for Meeting Conditional Offer Requirements

October

Official Commencement of the Academic Year

III. How to Choose an Oxbridge Economics Course?

There are three economics-related courses at the University of Oxford:

Courses	UCAS code
Economics and Management	LN12
Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE)	L0V0
History and Economics	LV11

Cambridge University offers two economics-related courses:

Courses	UCAS code
Economics	L100
Land Economy	KL41

IV. What Are the Oxbridge Economics Admission Requirements?

1. General Admission Requirements for Oxford Economics Courses

The requirements below only discuss the Oxford PPE (Philosophy, Politics, and Economics) and Economics and Management courses, which students from China more commonly apply.

Course	Oxford Economics and Management	Oxford PPE
Language Proficiency:	IELTS: 7.5 (with a minimum of 7.0 in each component) TOEFL: 110 (Listening 22, Speaking 25, Reading 24, Writing 24) Cambridge English (C1 Advanced): 191 (minimum 185 per component) Cambridge English (C2 Proficiency): 191 (minimum 185 per component) English Language GCSE: Grade B/6, plus Merit in the separate Speaking endorsement	IELTS: 7.5 (with a minimum of 7.0 in each component) TOEFL: 110 (Listening 22, Speaking 25, Reading 24, Writing 24) Cambridge English (C1 Advanced): 191 (minimum 185 per component) Cambridge English (C2 Proficiency): 191 (minimum 185 per component) English Language GCSE: Grade B/6, plus Merit in the separate Speaking endorsement
A-Level	A*AA including Mathematics at grade A or above	AAA
IB Scores:	39 (including core points) with 766 at HL	39 (including core points) with 766 at HL
SAT/AP score	Requirements vary and are based on conditional offers.	Requirements vary and are based on conditional offers.
High School Exam (e.g., Gaokao):	Not accepted	Not accepted
University Entrance Exam:	TSA: Section 1	TSA
Interview	Yes	Yes

2. Oxford's Official Statement on Reference Criteria for Admission

Expectations of the Oxford Economics and Management

We are looking for candidates with:
an interest in and a motivation for studying the organisation of businesses and the economy
a capacity to construct and critically assess arguments
a willingness and an ability to express their ideas clearly and effectively both on paper and orally.
Successful candidates will also show independence and flexibility of thought and an ability to analyse and solve problems logically and critically. The interview is not primarily a test of existing knowledge and, in particular, is not a test of any economics or management studied previously.
More detailed requirements and qualities:
An interest in and a motivation for studying the organisation of businesses and the economy
Independence and flexibility of mind
An ability to analyse and solve problems logically and critically
A capacity to construct and critically assess arguments
A willingness and an ability to express ideas clearly and effectively both on paper and orally.
The interview is not primarily a test of existing knowledge and, in particular, is not a test of economics or management, unless these subjects have been studied before.
Interest and motivation in learning about the organization of businesses and the economy.

3. General Admission Requirements for Cambridge Economics Courses

The table below lists the general admission requirements (partial) for Cambridge’s Economics and Land Economy courses.

Course

Cambridge Economics

Cambridge Land Economy

Language Proficiency:

IELTS: 7.5 (with 7.0 or above in each element)
TOEFL: 110 (with a minimum of 25 in each element)
Cambridge English (C2 Proficiency): 200 (with a minimum of 185 in each element)
Cambridge English (C1 Advanced): 193 (with a minimum of 185 in each element, alongside other evidence of competence in English)

IELTS: 7.5 (with 7.0 or above in each element)
TOEFL: 110 (with a minimum of 25 in each element)
Cambridge English (C2 Proficiency): 200 (with a minimum of 185 in each element)
Cambridge English (C1 Advanced): 193 (with a minimum of 185 in each element, alongside other evidence of competence in English)

A-Level

A*A*A
(Mathematics required, some colleges require Further Mathematics and some require A* in Mathematics and/or Further Mathematics)

A*AA
(No requirements, Mathematics, Economics recommended)

IB Scores:

41-42 points, with 776 at Higher Level (and HL Mathematics required)

41-42 points, with 776 at Higher Level

SAT/AP
score

Requirements vary and are based on conditional offers

High School Exam (e.g., Gaokao):

Ranked in the top 0.1% of college entrance examination candidates in their province

University Entrance Exam:

TMUA

NONE

Interview

Yes

4. Cambridge's Official Statement on Reference Criteria for Admission

Expectations of the Cambridge Economics

Admissions Tutors consider all of the information available together before making any decisions. While the most recent academic performance carries the greatest weight, the relative importance of each element varies because each student is different. No part of an application is considered in isolation; for example, a student’s performance at interview alone doesn’t determine the outcome of their application.

Cambridge places the highest value on applicants’ academic performance. All other factors serve as references to measure whether an applicant can be admitted. Based on feedback from former students and what admissions officers emphasize, the main focus is still on students’ mathematical ability and thinking skills.

Key Data Provided by the Cambridge Economics Department

Typical Economics entrants
(A Level and IB)
Most Economics students (who had studied A levels and started at Cambridge in 2017-19) achieved at least A*A*A* (87% of entrants).
Most had studied:
Economics (93%)
Further Mathematics (93%)
or both (86%)
The majority of students who studied IB achieved at least 44 points overall.
This information is intended to give you a sense of the academic standard of our typical A Level entrants. We welcome applicants from a range of qualification backgrounds.

The conclusion of the above data is as follows:

87% of students studying A Level achieved A*A*A* or above. On the other hand, the percentage of students taking respective courses is 93% for Economics, 93% for Further Mathematics, and 86% for both Economics and Further Mathematics. Meanwhile, the majority of IB students scored at least 44 points (HL 777) or above.

Key Data Provided by the Cambridge Economics Department

Typical Economics entrants
(A Level and IB)
Most Land Economy students (who had studied A levels and started at Cambridge in 2017-19) achieved at least A*A*A (67% of entrants).
Most had usually studied:

Economics

Mathematics

The majority of students who studied IB achieved at least 43 points overall.
This information is intended to give you a sense of the academic standard of our typical A Level entrants. We welcome applicants from a range of qualification backgrounds.

The conclusion of the above data is as follows:

67% of students studying A Level achieved A*A*A* or above. The majority of students took Economics and Mathematics, while most IB students scored at least 43 points or above.

Therefore, it is recommended and essential to look at the statistics and information provided by the Univerisity of Cambridge rather than relying on general admission requirements.

Many people say it’s easier to apply for Land Economy at Cambridge because there are fewer applicants than Economics. Is that really the case? Let’s analyze the admission statistics from previous years.

Economics and Land Economy at Cambridge: Offer Rates Analysis

V. Application Process and Required Materials

The application process of applying to Oxbridge economics courses is not complicated. There are some important details you need to know and materials to prepare before applying.

1. Materials Required for UCAS Application

When applying to Oxford or Cambridge through UCAS, you must confirm or submit the following information:

The specific course and its UCAS code at either Oxford or Cambridge.
Choose a particular college or open application.
Your personal information, including your email address.
Your educational history and your academic achievements to date.
Your economics personal statement.
Your academic reference.

1. Materials Required for UCAS Application

When applying to Oxford or Cambridge through UCAS, you must confirm or submit the following information:

The specific course and its UCAS code at either Oxford or Cambridge.
Choose a particular college or open application.
Your personal information, including your email address.
Your educational history and your academic achievements to date.
Your economics personal statement.
Your academic reference.

2. Differences between the Application Processes for Oxford, Cambridge, and Other UK Universities

The application process of applying to Oxford and Cambridge through UCAS is similar to other universities in the UK, with the exception of certain courses and circumstances. However, there are a few important points to know:

Early Application Deadline: The application deadline for Oxford and Cambridge is October 15th, earlier than most other universities.
Selection of College or Open Application: Unlike many other universities, applicants to Oxford and Cambridge must choose a particular college or opt for an open application.
Single Course Application: Unless under extremely rare circumstances, Oxford and Cambridge allow applicants to apply for only one course.
Transcript Requirement: Cambridge University may request transcripts from some applicants covering their secondary school academic records.

3. Official Undergraduate Application Process for the University of Cambridge

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4. Official Undergraduate Application Process for the University of Oxford

Part 1: What Oxford is Like

Play Video

Part 2: How to Apply

Play Video

Part 3: Preparing

Play Video

5. Language Proficiency and High School Grades

Language proficiency does not need to meet the admissions requirements before the UCAS application deadline of October 15, 2024, but only the admissions requirements of the relevant courses before August 31, 2025.

What’s more, predicted high school grades need to be submitted before October 15th. This score is one of the critical factors for Oxbridge admissions reference.

6. Open Application (Choosing a College)

It can be difficult for you to choose a college from the pool of 30 colleges at both Oxford and Cambridge. Therefore, if you are not that confident or do not care which college to apply to, you can choose an open application on UCAS.

After the application deadline, students who choose an open application will be randomly assigned to a college via a computer program.
The random allocation aims to balance the number of applicants across various colleges and courses.
Once assigned to a college, the application process proceeds like other students.
For students who meet all the application requirements, the likelihood of being admitted is the same whether they choose a specific college or opt for an open application.

Click the link below to view our blogs about Oxbridge colleges and how to choose a college in Oxbridge.

How to Choose Colleges at Oxford University

How to Choose Your Oxford College

How to Choose Colleges at Cambridge University

How to Choose Your Cambridge College

7. Oxbridge Economics Personal Statements

As a part of the UCAS application process, every student is required to submit an application essay, also known as a personal statement (PS). The Oxbridge economics personal statement serves as a tool for universities to better understand students’ interests in the subject and course. It also allows students to better understand their academic interests and motivations.

Typically, the Oxbridge economics personal statement should encompass the following aspects:

Explain the reasons for wanting to study the relevant course at the university.
Demonstrate enthusiasm and dedication to the chosen course.
Express specific interests within the relevant field of study.
Articulate how one is committed to researching the subjects of interest.

Click on the link below for more guidance on composing an economics personal statement and official suggestions from Oxford, Cambridge, and UCAS.

Oxbridge Economics Personal Statement: Composing Guidance and Samples

8. Academic References

Academic references (academic references at Oxford and school/college references at Cambridge) provide universities with a better understanding of a student’s abilities and potential. Admissions officers use these references to assess whether a student’s academic capabilities are suited for the chosen course and if they can adapt to the university’s learning environment.

As a crucial component of the UCAS application, universities typically prefer academic references submitted by school teachers or individuals who can provide authoritative insights into a student’s academic background.

Please note that academic references must also be submitted before the application deadline on October 15th.

9. Transcripts

To find out if you need to submit the transcript when applying to the University of Cambridge, you should check the official Cambridge guidelines in the section “Completing My Cambridge Application“.

VI. What Preparation is Needed for Applying to Oxbridge Engineering?

1. Preparing for the Oxford TSA

Students applying for Economics and Management, PPE, and History and Economics at Oxford must take the TSA (Thinking Skills Assessment) exam. (Students applying for History and Economics must also take the HAT exam.)

Please refer to the blog for comprehensive understanding and preparation suggestions for Oxford TSA exams.

Oxford TSA Test: A Comprehensive Guide

2. Preparing for the Cambridge TMUA

TMUA is required for students applying for computer science at Cambridge, which is a mathematics test. On the other hand, many other universities in the UK require TMUA for mathe-related courses except for Cambridge.

Preparing for the TMUA exam for 2-4 months is recommended, and the specific preparation time should also consider the student’s academic workload, holiday activity arrangements, etc. But the sooner you start preparing, the better.

Please refer to UE’s blogs for a comprehensive understanding and suggestions for preparation for the Oxford TMUA exams.

TMUA Test: A Comprehensive Guide

3. Interview Preparation

It is advisable to start a mock interview before receiving the invitation. Conduct at least six mock interviews covering various possible question types, scenarios, and topics, which will help improve your on-the-spot response speed and achieve the best interview results.

Check our blog about Oxbridge interview preparation.

Oxbridge Interview Prep Hub

4. Academic Research Projects

More and more students have been participating in university academic research projects in recent years. Experience engaging in academic research and excellent academic achievements can significantly enhance your personal statement and boost your competitiveness when applying to Oxbridge economics courses.

Online research project topics are continuously updated. For more details, please refer to

5. Extracurricular Reading

While preparing for exams and personal statement can take up a significant amount of time, it is still advisable for you to engage in extracurricular reading. Typically, you are encouraged to read two deeply and broadly read more than ten books related to your chosen field. Extracurricular reading can enrich the material for writing your Oxbridge economics personal statement, making it more appealing.

6. Oxford and Cambridge Summer Schools

Many summer schools have unique selling points, but not all are worth it, especially regarding teaching staff. Therefore, it is recommended for students to attend summer school with reasonable fees because the purpose is to enhance and get a taste of learning methods at Oxbridge.

You can refer to our blog about the summer school of Brasenose College from Oxford.

7. Oxford and Cambridge Open Days

Both Oxford and Cambridge Universities have open days for students to learn about and visit their preferred universities and colleges in advance.

For Oxford University, 2024 undergraduate Open Days will be held on 26 and 27 June and 20 September. And for Cambridge University, currently published undergraduate Open Days will take place on Thursday 4 July and Friday 5 July 2024.

For more about the open days and other related events, please check the official websites of Oxford and Cambridge for detailed information.

Please refer to the following resources for more information on applying to maths courses at Oxford and Cambridge.

Attached: Recommended Readings for Oxbridge Economics Courses

The Cambridge Economics Department has recommended some readings that help broaden the perspective on economics, but there is no need to purchase these books before being admitted to Cambridge University. The official stance from Cambridge is that they hope you will select some of these to read.