Oxford University has published preliminary statistics on the 2021-22 admission cycle. The statistics, which were released on 11 January, provide data on offers that were sent out the same day.
Oxford University has stated that on 11 January 2022, over 3,600 students received offers of places for undergraduate study from October 2022, following the second year of online interviews due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This is a 2.6% increase in offers from last year, with 38% of those interviewed receiving an offer. There was slightly greater competition for offers this year with an average of 7 applicants per place, although this varied across subjects.
Oxford University has also confirmed that 69% of offers to UK applicants were awarded to those educated in the state sector. This reflects the University’s goal of increasing accessibility. Pupils from state schools received 68.6% of offers in 2020 and 58.0% of offers in 2016. While a full breakdown of this year’s admission statistics is not yet available, the University has stated that “early indications are that admissions from under-represented social groups continues to grow in line with last year’s figures.”
There have also been a greater number of offers to the “Opportunity Oxford” scheme, which is entering its third year of operation. There has been a 36.5% increase in offers to the scheme, going up from 168 to 228. The scheme provides support to students from under-represented backgrounds as they transition to studying at Oxford, including a residential visit to the university in the lead up to their first term.