The Oxbridge application process, highly competitive and rigorous, often reflects the academic calibre of the institutions where applicants have been educated. The 2023 UCAS cycle has revealed striking data from some of the UK’s most prestigious schools, showcasing the success rates of students applying to Oxford and Cambridge. Here’s a breakdown of how many students applied and the number of offers received, highlighting the schools’ achievements in securing places for their students at these esteemed universities.
Westminster School: A Dominant Force in Oxbridge Success
Westminster School leads the pack with 165 applicants, out of which 69 received offers, translating to an impressive 42% success rate. This high percentage underscores the school’s formidable academic reputation and its robust Oxbridge preparation programme. Westminster’s students consistently excel, and the school’s curriculum is likely geared toward developing the critical thinking and intellectual rigour necessary for Oxbridge admissions.
St Paul’s School: Maintaining High Standards
St Paul’s School also performed strongly, with 161 applicants and 56 offers, achieving a 35% success rate. The school is known for its academic prowess, and its ability to secure over a third of applicants with Oxbridge offers highlights its focus on preparing students for the challenges of the rigorous admissions process. With a long-standing tradition of excellence, St Paul’s continues to be a top contender in sending students to these elite institutions.
The Perse and Eton College: Competing Closely
The Perse and Eton College are neck-and-neck in terms of applicants and offers. Both schools had 161 and 166 students applying respectively, with The Perse securing 53 offers (33%) and Eton gaining 48 offers (30%). While both schools have a strong history of success, their slightly lower offer rate compared to Westminster and St Paul’s may indicate the increasing competitiveness of Oxbridge admissions, even for traditionally high-performing institutions.
St Paul’s Girls’ School: Leading in Percentage Success
With 98 applicants and 48 offers, St Paul’s Girls’ School achieved a remarkable 49% success rate—the highest among the schools listed. Nearly half of the students who applied received offers, a testament to the school’s outstanding academic environment and targeted preparation for Oxbridge admissions. This high percentage also reflects the school’s focus on fostering intellectual curiosity and critical thinking skills, traits that are heavily valued by Oxford and Cambridge.
Highgate School and Tonbridge: Noteworthy Achievements
Highgate School also boasts a significant success rate of 42%, with 37 offers from 89 applicants. Similarly, Tonbridge School saw 27 offers from 69 applicants, resulting in a 39% success rate. Both schools are recognised for their academic excellence, and their ability to secure Oxbridge offers for a large proportion of their students demonstrates their strong Oxbridge-focused support systems.
Other Leading Schools: A Range of Success
King’s College School and Winchester College performed admirably, both securing 32% of applicants with Oxbridge offers. Dulwich College (27%), Latymer Upper (28%), and Wellington College (27%) also had noteworthy performances, though slightly lower in percentage compared to some of their peers.
Schools like Sevenoaks, Brighton College, and Harrow had lower success rates, ranging from 19% to 23%. However, the number of offers these schools secured still reflects their ability to prepare students for one of the toughest university application processes in the world.
Smaller Schools Shine
Smaller schools like JAS and Abingdon also performed well, with JAS achieving an impressive 47% success rate and Abingdon securing 40%. These schools, while having fewer applicants, demonstrated that smaller student bodies do not necessarily equate to fewer Oxbridge successes, thanks to personalised attention and targeted academic guidance.
Conclusion
The 2023 UCAS cycle data reveals that success in securing Oxbridge offers is not solely about the number of applicants but also the quality of preparation and support offered by schools. Whether it’s Westminster’s 69 offers or St Paul’s Girls’ School’s stellar 49% success rate, these institutions continue to shape the future leaders and thinkers by enabling a significant number of their students to gain places at two of the world’s leading universities.
Data compiled from The Spectator Magazine.