HAA & History Admissions Tuition for
Oxford & Cambridge University
Keystone Tutors works with specialist History tutors who help students applying to read History at Oxford, Cambridge and other competitive universities. Our tutors know the Oxbridge process first-hand: they were successful applicants themselves and have since gone on to tutor it. They can support you at every stage, from source analysis and written work to College assessments, mock interviews and wider super-curricular reading.
University admissions tests
we offer tuition in
Here is a sample of the Oxbridge History tutors we represent:
We can guide your child through every step of the competitive application process to study History at Cambridge, Oxford and other leading UK universities, and introduce you to specialist tutors who can help with written work, HAA College assessments and History interviews, as well as broader application support and super-curricular reading recommendations.
The History admissions tutors we represent can help your child sharpen their skills in analysing historical sources and in building and communicating clear arguments about them. They can take your child through timed source analysis practice, of the kind used in many College interviews and assessments, so they become comfortable with the time pressure and the challenge. They can give detailed feedback on practice essays, super curricular learning recommendations and help them approach History at a higher level.
Alice is an Oxford-educated tutor who has taught over 11,600 hours through Keystone with more than 500 families. Her independent sector teaching experience enables her to provide a high level of support to her tutees.
Jessica is a published, professional historian and an engaging and dedicated tutor. She is patient and encouraging and equips her students with the confidence and skills to tackle their academic obstacles. She has taught over 3,800 hours with Keystone.
Hugh is a switched on 11+, History and Politics tutor. He gained invaluable experience in the classroom and now tutors on a full time basis. Hugh's teaching style is methodical and thorough.
Cyara is a highly intelligent and inspiring tutor who works across the age range. Her engaging style and goal orientated practice encourages students to invest more energy into their studies and gain more enjoyment from lessons.
Nicholas is a qualified History teacher, with over a decade of experience. He aims to assist students in developing their skills to establish a solid foundational knowledge. Nicholas is now completing a MA in Education and Technology at the UCL Institute of Education alongside his tutoring.
How our university entrance
tutoring works
Many of the tutors we work with studied at Oxford or Cambridge, giving them first-hand insight into the admissions process and what it takes to stand out. Our tutors are well-versed in the formats, strategies, and content of admissions tests. We match each student with a tutor who understands both the exam (where applicable) and the wider application context.
The tutors bring a wealth of experience in preparing students for all aspects of the application process, including:
Academic preparation and subject extension
Each student is matched with a dedicated subject specialist who will guide them through key themes and ideas relevant to their chosen course. Tutors recommend enriching reading materials and support students in developing deeper subject knowledge, strengthening personal statements and preparing them for rigorous academic interviews.
Admissions test preparation
Many university courses require applicants to sit an admissions test. We support students preparing for tests including the ESAT, TARA, TMUA, LNAT and UCAT, as well as relevant Cambridge and college-specific assessments.
Submitted work guidance & wider application support
Where written work is required, our tutors can provide guidance.
We also support students with the wider application process, including course selection, personal statements, academic references and preparation for the particular requirements of their chosen university.
Mock interviews
For those applying to Oxbridge, or for courses that require an interview, our expert tutors are familiar with the requirements of the interview process and able to provide mock interviews and detailed feedback.
Feedback on our
Oxbridge tutors
Interested in finding a tutor for your university entrance application?
Choosing the right support for an Oxford, Cambridge or other leading universities is an important decision.
Tell us about your child's chosen course and current academic position and our experienced Client Managers will discuss your requirements and recommend the tutor or combination of tutors best suited to your goals.
University Admissions Test Tutors
Finding the right tutor
for each child
Step 1: Detailed Consultation
Before we can help a student, we often need to spend a significant amount of time learning about the student's requirements. Most consultations are carried out over the phone or on a video call.
Step 2: Academic Assessment (optional)
Students sit our custom-made academic assessments to indicate their level in relation to their peers, and in order to identify suggested areas to work on. Parents also seek academic assessments for their children to determine their general strengths and weaknesses, and decide upon a set of objectives for the course of tuition.
Step 3: Tutor Selection Process
The selection of the tutor is an integral part of our process. Priding ourselves on how well we know the varying strengths of each tutor, we ensure that each decision is informed by the expectation of a successful match between the tutor and student.
Step 4: Regular Progress Monitoring
After the first lesson, one of our dedicated client managers will contact you to find out how the lesson went. Our client managers are always available at the end of the phone and they are frequently praised for their efficiency, dedication and responsiveness.
Step 5: Monthly Reporting & Feedback
Tutors submit a monthly report detailing the work done in the month; the successes and areas to work on; and the work for the coming month. Our regular, rigorous reporting is frequently praised by parents.
Request a tutor
Want to know more about our tutors? Contact us today to discuss your requirements.
FAQs
Popular tutoring requests include:
Yes. Our tutors are able to deliver in-person tuition in London. For those outside of central London we offer online tutoring.
The tutors we represent are well-versed in delivering online tuition, using videoconferencing and an interactive whiteboard. This gives students, wherever they are in the world, access to experienced, high-quality tutors who are familiar with the requirements of the Oxbridge admissions tests and interviews.
Yes, we offer a trial lesson. With Keystone, you are not required to sign up for any minimum number of lessons, and we offer one-off paid trial lessons so that your child can determine if the fit is right for them. This allows students and parents tutoring through Keystone before committing to regular sessions. The trial lesson is charged at the tutor’s full hourly rate and there is no obligation to continue if you feel it's not the right match.
Articles on university entrance
tuition
A Guide to the TARA (Test of Academic Reasoning for Admissions)
What is the TARA?
TARA stands for Test of Academic Reasoning for Admissions. It is a computer-based admissions test delievered by UAT-UK and is used by select UK universities (including UCL and Oxford) as part of their admissions process for certain courses (a full list is provided below).
UCL began using the TARA in 2025 for candidates applying for 2026-entry (primarily for Computer Science, Management Science and Social Sciences). Oxford University will be using the TARA this year for 2027-entry onwards. This means that Oxford will no longer use the TSA (Thinking Skills Assessment) as part of its admissions process.
This represents a significant change for Oxford (it has used the TSA since 2008 as a key part of its admissions process). However, the good news for students is that the TARA is very similar to the TSA, so students can continue to take advantage of the wealth of TSA past paper questions available online while the TARA continues to be developed.
Written by Keystone Tutors
HSPS Super Curricular Activities
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%.
Written by Keystone Tutors
How to Choose an Oxbridge College?
Oxford has 39 colleges, Cambridge 31. You can leave it to chance and make an open application, but most people expect to direct their application to one of them. In some ways, it seems an unnecessary distraction. After all, no one presents Formula One drivers on the starting grid with a wine list expecting them to choose which champagne they want to be sprayed with on the podium. Not everyone gets an offer from the college they picked anyway: around 30% successful applicants receive offers via the pool. Nevertheless, your choice could affect where you spend the next three, maybe four years of your life. So how should you choose?
Written by Keystone Tutors
Applying to Oxbridge as a US Student
For ambitious American students, studying at University of Oxford or University of Cambridge (collectively known as “Oxbridge”) is an exciting and realistic goal. Each year, both universities admit talented students from across the globe, including the United States.
Written by Keystone Tutors
How to write a standout personal statement for Oxbridge
On average, only 18-20% of applicants are successful at Oxford and Cambridge but this varies course by course. Making your application stand out requires more than just exceptional grades—it demands a personal statement that demonstrates not only your academic achievements but also your passion for your subject and your readiness for the rigours of Oxbridge’s academic environment.
Crafting a standout personal statement for an Oxbridge application can be challenging. Admissions tutors at Oxford and Cambridge are looking for evidence of engagement with your chosen subject and an ability to reflect on your academic pursuit of your chosen subject.
This guide is designed to help you articulate your passion for your subject, align your experiences with the expectations of Oxbridge and present a compelling case for why you deserve a place at their institution.
Written by Keystone Tutors
Keystone supports students at every stage of their education, from early years to university entry. Areas of specialism include:
