The lure of studying Medicine at Oxford or Cambridge can be a strong one.
However, given that you can only apply to one or the other, how do you decide which to apply for?
The two courses are very similar, so make sure to understand the differences as best as possible.
How Do I Know if Oxbridge Medicine is for Me?
Do not fall into the trap of applying to one purely for their reputation, without even looking into the courses themselves. Other factors such as location, the university itself, and even social life should be taken into consideration.
When looking at the courses themselves, both Oxford and Cambridge Medicine are classed as traditional teaching courses. Now the first question you should be asking is whether you are wanting to follow this teaching method.
Traditional courses have very limited patient contact for the first three years, and you will most likely be consuming academic material during this period. So, if early patient contact is what you are looking for, then a traditional course such as Oxford and Cambridge are not for you.
Looking at the universities themselves, they are both old and very traditional. Is this what you want, or would a more modern university be better for you? They both also have a collegiate system, which means students are organised into colleges instead of having one large central system.
If the college system does not appeal to you, then there is really no point in applying to Oxbridge.
Another consideration is that the courses at Oxbridge are very intensive, and it is recommended that you do not work during your studies, so having the funds to support yourself is essential.
Are you willing to do the extra work you otherwise may not have to do at a different Medical School? These are key questions to ask yourself before you decide between the two.
Some of the key considerations when deciding between Oxford and Cambridge are:
| Oxford | Cambridge |
|---|---|
| Lower A-Level entry requirements. | Lower average admissions test scores. |
| Bigger and livelier city. | Smaller, quieter, but more student orientated city. |
| Interviews around 26% of applicants. | Interviews around 70% of applicants. |
| Smaller cohort – 159 students. | Larger cohort – 309 students. |
| 28 colleges offer Medicine. | 31 colleges offer Medicine. |
| Older and more traditional (students are required to wear a uniform for exams). | Less traditional. |
| Offers only Science subjects for intercalation – less choice overall. | Offers Science and Humanities subjects for intercalation. |
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How Is Oxford and Cambridge Medicine different?
Understanding how Oxford and Cambridge differ in their Medicine programmes is an important way to help choose the right option for you.
The key differences are:
- Cambridge uses full-body dissection, but Oxford does not.
- For intercalation, Cambridge offers students a wider choice of subjects than Oxford. However, both have an excellent variety of subjects to choose from.
- They have slightly different admissions requirements.
Oxford vs Cambridge Medicine: Colleges
With Oxford and Cambridge both following a collegiate system, knowing which of their colleges actually offer Medicine is important.
Of Oxford’s 44 colleges, only 28 of them offer Medicine, with each college having approximately four to six places available per year.
Cambridge, on the other hand, has 31 colleges, with only Hughes Hall not offering the ability to study undergraduate Medicine – this is because it is a college for postgraduate students.
With an intake almost double that of Oxford, Cambridge’s colleges also admit more students with Christs College, for example, admitting around 14 students each year, giving them 42 Medical students across the three pre-clinical years.
The main takeaway from this should be whether you wish to apply for Oxford and be in a smaller cohort – and have a lower chance of being accepted – or apply to Cambridge with a larger cohort but with a higher chance of being accepted to the college you’ve applied to.
Oxford vs Cambridge Medicine: Entry Requirements
Applicants to either Oxford or Cambridge will be required to have studied Chemistry at A-Level, having achieved at least grade A.
Additionally, applicants will be required to have at least one of Biology, Physics, Mathematics or Further Mathematics.
The main difference between the two is that Oxford requires students to achieve A*AA, whereas Cambridge has slightly higher entry requirements of A*A*A.
Both Oxford and Cambridge require applicants to sit the UCAT.
Neither of them operate a cut-off score, although Oxford has suggested in the past that a 6.0 in Sections 1 and 2 (when they used the BMAT) are recommended to be considered as a competitive applicant.
Furthermore, of the two Oxford requires a slightly higher average score. In 2020, for Section 1 the lowest score for an offer holder applying to Oxford was 3.9, whereas for Cambridge it was 3.5 (BMAT results).
With that in mind, and also the ways in which the two universities go through the selection process, with Cambridge interviewing over 70% of applicants, if you feel you might not do as well on the UCAT then you might consider applying to Cambridge.
Oxford vs Cambridge Medicine: Course Structure
On the whole the course structure of the two is very similar. The key similarities are:
- Both courses are for 6 years and are split into pre-clinical and clinical years (traditional teaching). In your third year, you must intercalate in a different subject, and you graduate the year with a bachelor’s degree.
- During the pre-clinical years, students learn the scientific fundamentals through lectures, practicals, tutorials/supervisions, and classes. During years 4-6, students undergo clinical training and subsequently graduate with a Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery. In Oxford this is a BM BCh degree, whilst at Cambridge it is an MB BChir, but they mean the same thing.
- Being heavily research-focussed essays are a huge component of both Medical Schools – something the majority of non-Oxbridge Medical Schools do not emphasis (this is something to consider when deciding if Oxbridge is suited for you).
What is possibly the biggest difference between the courses is that Cambridge offers full-body dissection to supplement learning, whereas Oxford does not. Although Oxford does allow students to learn from prosections*.
*What is a ‘prosection’?
In a prosection, students learn by either observing a dissection being performed by an experienced anatomist or examining a specimen that has already been dissected. A prosection may also refer to the dissected cadaver or cadaver part which is then reassembled and provided to students for review.
So, if you are after a more hands-on approach, then Cambridge would be the best option for you. Conversely, if you prefer being less hands-on then Oxford’s course will be the better choice for you.
Intercalation
As previously mentioned, Oxford and Cambridge differ when it comes to intercalation in the third year of the pre-clinical years.
Intercalation is where you take a year out of your Medicine studies to undertake an undergraduate degree, for which you will receive a BA degree for at the end. During this time, you’re officially ‘suspended’ from Medical School to undertake these studies.
Some of the benefits of intercalation are:
Broadening your horizons – you get to study a subject you are passionate about or helps you to decide where your passion lies.
Develop research and academic inquiry skills – not only are you showing your motivation to your studies and self-development, but also your ability to work at a much higher level, as you will develop useful research skills while working in an academic environment.
Helping the NHS – Health Education England (HEE) has noted that there are many benefits to students intercalating, including delivering more mature, well-rounded graduates into the NHS. In addition, the HEE mandate from the Department of Health requires HEE to develop a workforce that “embraces research and innovation and to explore opportunities for students to intercalate as part of their education.”
Where Oxford and Cambridge differ in their intercalation is what courses they offer to their students. Oxford’s are purely science-based with options including Neuroscience, Pharmacology and Signalling, Cardiovascular Science, Metabolism and Endocrinology, Molecular Pathology, Infection, and Immunity.
Cambridge offers more subjects than Oxford does and also offers courses outside of Science.
Some of the choices available are Part II Biological and Biomedical Sciences or a single Part II Natural Sciences subject. Pathology and, History and Philosophy of Science are some of the other courses available.
Looking at the non-Science subjects, students can choose Anthropology, Management Studies, History of Medicine, or Philosophy.
When deciding between Oxford and Cambridge, make sure to take the intercalation into consideration and whether you want to study a subject within science or humanities, as this is the difference between the two Medical Schools.
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Oxford vs Cambridge Medicine: Societies
Clubs and societies are a major part of integrating into university life and feeling part of a community, and there are plenty to choose from.
Oxford plays host to over 400 clubs and societies, whilst Cambridge has close to 1,000.
This means there will more than certainly be people who share the same interests and passions as you. If you cannot find one, then you can set one up.
Both universities also have a society for their Medicine students, referred to as MedSoc.
Due to the larger intake of students, Cambridge’s MedSoc has over 1700 members – however, there is no official figure as to how many members are in Oxford’s MedSoc.
Being a part of either means you are able to attend balls and other events as well as join various sports teams. The Oxford and Cambridge MedSoc sports teams compete against each other in May each year.
One significant difference is the pricing to join the MedSoc. For those studying at Oxford, it is £50 for a three-year membership or £37.50 for a 2nd-year membership.
In comparison, at Cambridge, it is £26 for a lifetime membership.
Though this should not sway any decision you make about which to apply for, it is helpful to know the differences if money is a factor for you.
Oxford vs Cambridge Medicine: The Cities Themselves
An important consideration for you should be the two cities themselves. With both Oxford and Cambridge being relatively small cities, it may seem like there is not a huge difference between them.
As already mentioned, Oxford is a bigger and livelier city than Cambridge. If you prefer having a city where the university makes up a large proportion of the city, then Cambridge is for you.
Being the larger city of the two, Oxford has more in terms of nightlife as a result of this. In comparison, Cambridge has a greater proportion of student-orientated events, as much of the population of Cambridge is students.
An interesting difference between the two cities is that Cambridge tends to be foggier and windier than Oxford. This is because, in some places, Cambridge is just 6m above sea level and is considerably flatter than Oxford is, so there are fewer barriers to the wind.
The weather likely is not a factor that will sway your decision as to where to apply, but it is an interesting one, nonetheless.
Both cities are close to London, though the travel time from Cambridge is marginally shorter – 45 minutes compared to 58 from Oxford. Other than this the places you can get to from each of them differ considerably – Oxford is more convenient if you want to visit Stratford-upon-Avon, for example.
In comparison, Cambridge is much closer to the beach than Oxford, which is about as far from the coast as it is possible to get in the UK.
Wales is easier to reach from Oxford, the East and North-East much easier from Cambridge.
Cambridgeshire boasts fewer National Trust properties than Oxfordshire but has an array of incredible cathedrals on its doorstep.
Whichever way you look at it, Oxford and Cambridge have a lot in common, and chances are you would be equally happy in either of these historic cities.
One of the best ways to get a feel for the atmosphere of each university, and city, is by visiting in person, whether that be for open days, subject masterclasses or summer schools.
All of these are fantastic opportunities for you to not only decide which university you would like to apply to but will also allow you to gauge what Medicine is like at that university.
Deciding Between Oxford and Cambridge Medicine
Ultimately, there is no correct way to decide whether to study Medicine at Oxford or Cambridge; it truly does come down to personal preference.
There is no right or wrong choice; regardless of where you decide, you’ll receive world-class teaching to the highest standards at world-renowned Medical Schools.
What matters is what you’re looking for out of a Medical School and your time at university.
If you’re wanting to be in a smaller cohort of students in a city which has a lively nightlife, then Oxford is perfect for you. Similarly, if you want to be part of a larger cohort but in a quieter city environment which has a greater student population, then Cambridge ticks these boxes.
There are many other factors that you will have to consider when making your decision, what these are only you know.
Applying for Medicine at Oxbridge?
6med’s Complete Bundle will support you throughout the whole application to ensure your application is Oxbridge quality. Discover our support today!
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Not sure where to start with your Medical School application?
Our Complete Bundle provides support for your Personal Statement, UCAT, BMAT and Interview and guides you to a successful application.
With our Complete Bundle, we guarantee that you will get at least one offer to study Medicine, or your money back.
