Oxford University Acceptance Rate 2026

The University of Oxford is one of the best universities in the world, consistently ranked 3 among the top 5 globally. Its undergraduate acceptance rate is highly competitive, generally ranging between 13-17%, meaning only a small fraction of applicants are admitted each year. In 2024, over 23,000 people applied for undergraduate study, while almost 38,000 applied for graduate study in 2023. Oxford offers around 3,300 undergraduate places and about 5,500 graduate places annually. Compared to similar schools in the U.S., like Harvard with a 3% acceptance rate, Oxford’s 17.5% rate seems positive but the application process remains challenging and often viewed as less inclusive, making it unclear why the number of applicants is so high.

Looking at recent years, Oxford’s acceptance rate has stayed approximately 13-17%, which is higher than many top American universities. For example, in 2021, there were 24,388 applications with 3,298 offers made, resulting in a 13.52% acceptance rate, while in 2020, the rate was 15.78% with 23,414 applications and 3,695 offers. The acceptance rates vary by course, with some competitive courses like computer science, economics & management, medicine, and law having fewer places per applicant. The number of applicants per place ranges from about 8 to 19, depending on the subject. Factors like nationality, domicile, and government restrictions also influence admissions, especially in medicine courses where domestic and international students face different criteria. Overall, Oxford’s selectivity remains fierce, and understanding these details can help applicants better prepare for the rigorous admission procedures