The latest news &
Webinars from Keystone

Parents often ask us which books their children should be reading. In some respects, it’s the wrong question to ask – are there any books children shouldn’t be reading? – but with children’s free-time seeming ever to shrink, there is certainly merit in searching out the best.

Tips for giving a great Oxbridge history interview

Oxbridge interviews typically start relatively straightforwardly, but quickly get complicated. It’s entirely normal for candidates to emerge from the experience feeling wrung out and as though they have never thought so hard in their lives. And, while it’s thankfully less common than it used to be to encounter aggressive or self-satisfied dons, even the kindliest interviewers are still going to force you to think carefully. 

Between them, Oxford and Cambridge admit around 500 students each year to read History or joint honours degrees such as History & Politics. Until quite recently – in fact, up until 2023 – the two universities operated broadly similar admissions systems for students applying to read these subjects; each set a written test and required the submission of one or two pieces of written work before offering final interviews to successful candidates. Then, in 2024, Cambridge dropped its written test, the History Admissions Assessment (HAA), and this year Oxford has done the same with its long-established History Admissions Test (HAT), which had run ever since 2004. 

The result of these changes is that candidates who hope to start reading history at these universities next year face a good deal of uncertainty. In particular, it’s still unclear how Oxford colleges plan to select their candidates for interview this year. This article rounds up what is known about the changes that are taking place in the Oxbridge admissions process for history, and offers guidance – based on long experience – for students applying to Oxford and Cambridge this year as to how best to prepare for the revised admissions process.

What are Oxford and Cambridge looking for in candidates to read history? How should candidates prepare for the admissions process?

It is critically important for applicants to realise that Oxbridge looks for potential in its candidates – not at current levels of achievement. The students who win places at Cambridge and Oxford are generally the ones who can show their interest in the past goes well beyond what they have been made to study in school – and then demonstrate that they have done more than simply read quite widely, and have actually thought about the problems and the implications of the things they’ve read. 

What this means in practice is that it is important to be able to demonstrate – in both the personal statement and at interview – that you’ve gone well beyond the school curriculum, and have looked into some other times and places that interest you. Where and when you choose to explore doesn’t matter so much as your ability to show you have pursued a clear line of enquiry, encountered a problem or two, and tried to surmount them. At least part of your job in this respect is simply to make yourself memorable if you can. Interviewers meet dozens of people each year who can talk to them about 20th century dictators, but will probably encounter only one who wants to talk about the Aztecs or Imperial China. 

Much the same goes for periods of the past. Remember that interview teams very frequently encounter students who seem to be interested in a nothing but the 20th century. Since the history courses offered at Oxford and Cambridge require students to take papers in the mediaeval and early modern periods, it can help to show that you would enjoy and welcome chances of this sort, not take them grudgingly because you’re being forced to.

When it comes to applying to study biology at university, academic excellence is only part of the picture. With many highly qualified applicants competing for limited places, admissions tutors are looking for more than top grades — they want to see genuine enthusiasm, intellectual curiosity, and a sustained commitment to the subject. This is where super-curricular activities make all the difference. Whether it’s exploring popular science books, taking part in fieldwork, completing online courses, or undertaking work shadowing, these experiences allow you to engage with biology beyond the classroom, deepen your understanding, and stand out as a well-rounded and passionate applicant.

While chemistry is in large part a practical subject, there is much you can do to explore the subject matter further at home. The following recommendations allow you to deepen your understanding and follow a thread that might not be well covered in the A-Level syllabus. Supercurricular work will be helpful for you UCAS application, but that should not be the main motivation. It is more impressive when a student evidences genuine passion rather than merely goes through the motions of it. 

Theology is a potentially interdisciplinary subject with opportunities to learn more about the ideas, history, practices, sociology, literature and languages of belief. Its scope ranges well beyond what you cover on the A-Level Religious Studies syllabus. Follow your supercurricular interest and see where it leads!  

Achieving a grade 9 in GCSE Religious Studies takes more than last-minute revision, it requires a clear grasp of the entire syllabus and a deep understanding of each topic. Too often, students drop marks by overlooking topics, misreading the mark scheme, or neglecting to use key quotes and terminology. In this guide, one of Keystone’s experienced tutors shares his top tips to help you build knowledge, sharpen exam technique, and secure a top grade in Religious Studies GCSE.

If you’re aiming for a place on a competitive Engineering course, strong grades alone are not always enough. Admissions tutors want to see that your interest in the subject goes beyond the curriculum. That’s where super-curricular activities come in. Whether you’re discussing ideas from a book or lecture that inspired you, testing your skills in a competition, or carrying out an independent project, these experiences demonstrate that you are passionate about studying Engineering. They show you can apply concepts in the real world, develop practical skills, and tackle problems with creativity and resilience, exactly the qualities top universities are looking for. Here is our list of super curricular activities for Engineering you might want to consider:

Relevant super curricular learning for Economics covers some surprising material. One Cambridge college helpfully advises that you should have ‘a working knowledge of British politics since 1945’ and should revise your existing maths and statistics skills. The resources below are a great start. Beyond that, Cambridge’s Faculty of Economics also has a useful advice video for potential applicants here: What advice would you give a student thinking of applying to study Economics ?

Applying to study Biochemistry at a top UK university is about more than achieving excellent exam results. In a competitive admissions landscape, universities are looking for candidates who can demonstrate a genuine passion for the subject and the ability to think critically beyond the school curriculum. Super curricular activities such as reading for wider understanding, engaging with research papers, participating in summer schools, or completing relevant online courses, allow applicants to deepen their understanding of biochemistry and demonstrate that they are intellectually curious and ready for the demands of the course. These activities not only strengthen personal statements but also help students explore the real-world applications of biochemistry.

Choosing the Right Biochemistry Course

There is a wealth of choice for Biochemistry courses with 710 courses available on UCAS. The main distinction is between three-year Bachelor of Science (BSc) degrees and four-year Master of Science (MSci) or Master of Biochemistry (MBiochem) degrees. Some institutions also offer a four-year BSc including an industrial placement year or a year abroad. Note that these are integrated degrees combining the bachelor’s and master’s level of study. Chemistry is normally a required A-Level, plus a second science or Mathematics.

Institutional reputation will likely feature highly in your decision-making process. Remember to look beyond this year’s league tables to judge whether the university is likely to have enduring respect long into your career. For example, Liverpool University has the UK’s oldest Biochemistry department, Imperial is well esteemed across the sciences, and Warwick has particularly strong research output. 

The specific focus of each programme will also be relevant. UCL’s final year emphasises immersion in research practice, while Manchester focuses on the applications of research. Imperial’s course has significant maths content. Spot these differences by making a manageable shortlist and then paying close attention to the course pages.  

Note that if you are applying to Cambridge, Biochemistry exists only as a track within their Natural Sciences course (which is a three-year BA or a four-year integrated MSci). Specialisation happens in year two, so you will also gain a broader science foundation with this degree. Applicants must take the Engineering and Science Admissions Test (ESAT) in October before the Oxbridge UCAS deadline. Oxford’s equivalent course is the four-year MBiochem in Biochemistry (Molecular and Cellular). There is no admissions test for that – but of course both Oxford and Cambridge conduct selective interviews before making an offer.

When it comes to applying to study medicine at university, academic excellence is only part of the picture. With thousands of highly qualified applicants competing for limited places each year, admissions tutors are looking for more than just top grades - they want to see genuine motivation, intellectual curiosity, and a clear commitment to the field. This is where super curricular activities come in. Whether it's reading books to broaden your medical perspective, completing online courses in biology or ethics, or undertaking work experience, these activities play a crucial role in helping aspiring medics stand out. 

Those who have been through the Oxford or Cambridge admissions processes report that the emphasis is largely on an applicant’s mathematical ability, so that should be the main focus of any utilitarian supercurricular work towards competitive university entry. The other suggestions below (after maths problems, puzzle books and YouTube channels) are therefore for developing your passion in the subject matter and to understand its academic field rather than to improve your skills.

What’s an Oxbridge English Interview Actually Like?

Oxbridge interviews were once shrouded in mystery. Mythical tales of the intellectual torture of candidates in the squashy sofas of dons’ book-lined offices used to abound. These days, the process is a lot more transparent. Both Oxford and Cambridge have had to modernise and adjust as application has become far more competitive and highly scrutinised.  

Interviews are generally an opportunity for academics to gauge how you might fare in the tutorial system. Teaching at Oxbridge is usually conducted in very small groups within colleges, and the workload can be quite high-pressure. Interviews are also an important chance for candidates to think carefully about whether the Oxbridge environment is right for them. Oxbridge is quite particular; you might find you are more likely to thrive in an alternative setting.  

The interview is also potentially very exciting. If you are very passionate about your subject, here is an opportunity to speak to a world expert in that field. In the case of English, you will be solving a literary ‘problem’ with your interviewer(s), i.e. trying to work out a poem or some other literary text.  

The following text is a compressed script for an Oxbridge mock interview in English with guiding comment in bold for the reader: 

Founded in 1553, Tonbridge School is one of the oldest schools in the world. Academic standards are extremely high with boys achieving exceptional results. Tonbridge offers both day and boarding options. The extra-curricular programme can be demanding but despite this fast pace, Tonbridge is characterised as much by individual needs as by collective endeavour.

Medicine is generally considered the most competitive course in the UK, thus applications require a great deal of commitment from both domestic and international students. Understanding exactly what medical school involves can really help you decide whether it’s right for you and give you the very best chance of securing a place at the school of your choice. 

HSPS (Human, Social and Political Sciences) is a course unique to Cambridge, combining the disciplines of Politics and International Relations, Social Anthropology and Sociology. Students may specialise in one of these after the first year, or can continue with a combination. The final award after three years is a Bachelor of Arts (BA). 

There are no required A-Level subjects, although obviously the content of Politics or Sociology would be helpful. Colleges generally require an A* in an essay-based subject. In practice, most successful applicants have studied English, History or a language.

Most applicants (around 80% across all subjects) are invited to interview at Cambridge. The interviewing college will ask you to send two pieces of written work in advance. It should have been completed and marked in the course of your normal schooling, and will most likely be an essay. Try to choose subject matter in a similar area to one of the HSPS components. Interviews will most likely be online, but a few colleges still hold them in person. Invitations are sent in November for interview in early to mid-December. Expect one or two of between 35-50 minutes, but potentially 3 or 4. Four colleges (Hughes Hall, King’s, Newnham and Peterhouse) also set a written assessment for HSPS, which will be peculiar to that college itself and may take place while you are on a video call. See the King’s page here for example information.

Cambridge operate a formal ‘Winter Pool’ system which runs in January and makes offers to strong but otherwise unsuccessful candidates – although some of them will be invited back for a further interview in January before that happens. This is a significant part of the Cambridge admissions process since across all courses around a fifth of offer holders receive their offer this way. If Cambridge make you an offer, it will be conditional upon achieving at least A*AA at A-Level (or equivalent). Colleges have the option to set the tariff higher, though. Most recent students achieved at least A*A*A in reality. Success rates for HSPS in recent years have been 14%, 12% and 13%. 

Rugby school is a historic, well-established, co-educational school that is steeped in tradition and is probably best known as the birthplace of the sports that shares its name. The school has been educating children since 1567 and went fully co-educational in 1992. Rugby has always been at the forefront of innovation in teaching methods. The popular Extended Project Qualification was developed here, and academic facilities are outstanding, in particular for Languages and Sciences. Rugby has recently started to offer the IB Diploma in the sixth form alongside A Levels. The school has two main entry points, at 13 plus and 16 plus.