Oxford and Cambridge Universities, collectively called Oxbridge, are the UK’s most prestigious universities. Being so prestigious also means they are two of the most sought-after universities in the UK and globally. This makes getting a place at Oxbridge a very competitive process.

Due to this high competition, the acceptance rates at these universities will be pretty low compared to other universities. According to the Oxford and Cambridge University websites, Oxford currently has an acceptance rate of only 17%. While Cambridge has a slightly higher acceptance rate of 21%. With roughly three applicants per place, Oxbridge will only consider applicants with the highest academic ability and potential. 

One of the ways that young people can show that they have the highest academic ability is by using a private tutor to help them excel in their A-Levels. However, that is not where it should end. It is just the beginning. 

Where to begin?

Before you start preparing your child for Oxbridge, you must discuss it with your child. You need to make sure that they understand what it takes to get into Oxbridge so that they can be prepared to work hard. You should also definitely get an understanding of their career aspirations and other passions. Having a clear understanding of this early on will be highly beneficial in shaping their goals and help them choose suitable subjects in school to achieve their goals. In addition, if you can gauge your child’s abilities early on, it will be easier to see what they need to focus on and what they need help with. GT Scholars can help with this through our workshops and enrichment days, which allow teens to choose a career and learn more about university. This is often the first step a parent should consider. It also helps the child to realise what subjects they need to achieve their goals.

Tutoring vs. Mentoring

Private tutoring focuses mainly on reinforcing what your child has learned at school and helping them to improve their understanding and keep track of their academic goals. But have you considered getting them a mentor as well? A mentor is more of a guide and advisor who can help your child with their personal development and career goals. Additionally, they can help with a variety of other topics beyond their schoolwork. They can also help them develop valuable skills like time management and interpersonal skills that they can apply to their daily lives. The GT Scholars mentoring programme has found that instilling these concepts in your child from an early age helps to build their confidence, increase self-belief and help them to feel more independent.

Examination preparation

Young people are under immense pressure during exam periods, especially if they are thinking about getting into Oxbridge. They must prepare themselves well in advance to avoid unnecessary stress and perform better. Beyond going over essential topics with their tutor, they should also learn to tackle exams effectively. They must manage their time effectively, handle and counteract stress, understand exam questions and answer intelligently. Over the years, we at GT Scholars have seen how different children cope with exams, and it does not depend only on their academic abilities. We run an annual Study Skills and Exam Preparation workshop that they should attend. The sooner you help your child prepare for exams properly, the greater the possibility of them succeeding in their exams throughout school and university life. 

Applications for Oxbridge

Unfortunately, a tutor will not have the time to help your child prepare for the application process when considering Oxbridge. The application process can be complicated, with various documents and assessments that must be completed. This can be further tricky depending on your child’s chosen career path. To make it easier, young people need to start their application process well in advance. They can even take a look at the application process when they first start thinking about studying at Oxbridge to get a better understanding of what is required. This will give them enough time to develop their statement, extracurricular activities and other ways to make their application stand out. Our mentoring programme and enrichment days can give them the help and guidance needed to complete their applications. 

Encouragement and support

Young people will feel more confident in accomplishing their goals if their parents believe in their abilities. As parents, you need to support your child in their decisions and help reinforce their skills and abilities. Strengthening their skills will allow them to be independent while away from home. It will help them to easily navigate time management, interact with others and understand their work. This will enable them to feel encouraged, and they will be able to move forward into university life, knowing that they will be more than prepared.   

These are just some of the action points you can take to help your child reach their aim of studying at Oxbridge. It’s not about tutoring. It’s about building all of their skills to proceed into university life, helping them be well-rounded individuals, and ensuring they feel supported every step.

GT Scholars is a not-for-profit social enterprise and registered charity. We run after-school and weekend programmes that help young people achieve their academic and career aspirations. Our programmes include tutoring, mentoring and enrichment sessions for young people aged 11-18. Contact us if you want to know more about our programmes and courses.