Making your application at Oxford Business College

Once you have started the online application and/or met our Admissions Officers and provided the information and documents requested in step one and two, it’s time to make your application.

There are two application routes to entry for study at Oxford Business College, these are:

  • Route A: Standard Entry (via Academic Achievement)
  • Route B: Non-standard Entry (via Work Experience)

A majority of our students in each intake will apply via route A (Academic Achievement), hence the term ‘standard’ entry.

However, the non-standard entry route accounts for large proportion of our student body overall and we give equal value and importance to both routes.

Our aim is to ensure that every prospective student that has the potential to succeed in higher education has the opportunity, regardless of background or previous academic performance.

When applying for our courses, in most cases, you will need to apply via UCAS, the Universities & Colleges Admissions Service. At the end of this document, you will find a Step by Step guide to applying through UCAS.

Making Your Application

  • Make sure you know which route you want to apply through (standard or non-standard)
  • Make sure you know which application method you need to use (UCAS / paper application).
  • Make sure you know what information and documents you need to provide see checklists
  • Make sure you have read all the available applicant information, guidance and notes
  • Make sure you create the time and space to think about and complete your application

We are here to help – come in and see us, email
admissionsuk@oxfordbusinesscollege.ac.uk or call 01865 791908.

Application Route A

Standard Entry (via Academic Achievement)

To apply through the standard entry route (via academic achievement), you will need to meet the entry requirements listed below for your chosen course and provide all the information and supporting documents outlined in step one and two.

You can work out your UCAS points with the UCAS calculator: www.ucas.com/ucas/tariff-calculator

If your qualifications are not from the UK we will use www.naric.org.uk to assess them for equivalency and will ask you to provide translations in English (in addition to the original copies).

Please check our course pages for entry requirements:

Foundation Year Degrees

BA (Hons) Business Management with Foundation

Do you have questions about your qualifications or our entry requirements? Contact us by email admissionsuk@oxfordbusinesscollege.ac.uk

Application Route B

Non-Standard Entry (via Work Experience)

If you do not have a traditional educational background or do not meet the required standard academic qualifications for entry via academic achievement, we may be able to consider your application on the grounds of your professional work experience.

You will usually be required to show that you have more than two years’ professional experience / continuous employment which is current and relevant to the course you wish to study when applying via the work experience route.

To be considered for entry via work experience the process is broadly the same as applying via the academic achievement route and you will need to follow each of the stages of our admission process (steps one to five) as outlined in this guide.

You will also need to provide the following documentation:

  • COPY OF YOUR LAST EDUCATIONAL CERTIFICATE
  • PROOF OF EMPLOYMENT (contract of employment or a recent pay slip for example)
  • EMPLOYER REFERENCE (on company letterhead / from an official company email address)
  • PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATES (professional development or training you have completed)
  • CV (including all work experience, especially the roles you are basing your application on)

When applying via this route, it is essential that you can demonstrate to both our Admissions and Academic teams how your experience is relevant to the course you wish to study and how the course will in turn support your careers goals and aspirations. They will evaluate whether your experience gives you the same level of knowledge and skills as those apply via the standard route.

The documents and information that you provide will be used at every stage of the process, and in particular during your academic interview, to confirm that your experience is relevant to the course and that you will be able to cope with the demands of your chosen course. Therefore, you must submit the information listed above BEFORE you can be invited for academic interview.

Applying via Work Experience

  • Do your research – this will help you decide which course you want to apply for and why
  • Understand the course – how does your experience link to key course themes and modules
  • Don’t assume anything – list all experience / knowledge gained through your employment
  • Keep it relevant – no link to the course content, don’t include it or describe how it’s relevant)
  • Take your time – provide your documents and include everything you want us to look at

Contact one of our Admissions Officers to get feedback on your experience and to ensure that you submit the strongest possible application.

Email admissionsuk@oxfordbusinesscollege.ac.uk or call them.

Submitting Your Application

Standard and Non-Standard Entry

For some of our courses you will need to apply online using the UCAS “apply” system. For 2020 entry, the application fee is £20 for a single course choice and £25 for more than one choice. The College or our partner institutions do not receive any part of this fee.

To use the UCAS system you will need to register for a UCAS account. This will enable you to use UCAS to complete your application, check your progress and view offers from the College.

You can apply online via UCAS, as well as reading more about using the system, at: www.ucas.com

You can also watch UCAS’s “How to Apply”

video: https://www.ucas.com/undergraduate/applying-university/filling-your-ucas-undergraduate-application

Applying Through UCAS

  • Read our Step by Step guide to Applying Through UCAS found at the end of this document
  • Read UCAS’s own applicant guide: www.ucas.com/file/232816/download?token=huUOdGfB
  • Read our notes on writing a personal statement (found in the Applying Through UCAS guide)
  • Draft your personal statement in word and then copy into UCAS (after spell checking it!)
  • Ask for help if you need it – our officers are happy to help you complete your application

As mentioned, at the end of this document, you will find a Step by Step guide to applying through UCAS, which includes information on writing your personal statement.

Personal Statements (All Applicants)Weather applying online via UCAS or on paper direct to the College, you will need to submit a personal statement. Many applicants find writing their personal statement the most difficult part of the application process. You should use all of the available guidance, such as the personal statement tips provided in our Applying Through UCAS guide or the “How to” videos produced by UCAS.

Writing Your Personal Statement

  • Read our tips for writing a personal statement (found in our Applying Through UCAS guide)
  • Watch this UCAS video: www.ucas.com/how-write-ucas-undergraduate-personal-statement
  • Draft your personal statement in Word, save it, then send it to our officers for feedback
  • Make sure you are well rested and not distracted when you draft your personal statement
  • Remember what you are writing – keep it relevant to your chosen course and career goals

If you are unsure or have questions about applying via UCAS, contact our Admissions officers or email admissionsuk@oxfordbusinesscollege.ac.uk