Oxbridge grad programs -- minimum GPA requirement

Graduate School
1

<p>Hello,</p>

<p>I have a quick question regarding the minimum GPA requirement for graduate programs at the University of Cambridge: </p>

<p>A program in which I am interested lists the minimum GPA needed as 3.85; however, I would be applying with a 3.82. Is this automatic grounds for rejection? I gained admittance to top US graduate programs last year (Harvard, Princeton, and others), and graduated at the top of my class at a highly selective US university (where the avg. GPA was a 3.1), so I am confident that I am a competitive candidate. However, as most of you know, US universities do not use minimum GPA requirements, so I'm not certain how absolute those minimums are at Cambridge. Any insight on whether it is still worth applying, or whether my GPA would be means for immediate rejection, would be appreciated, particularly if you've had experience applying to Oxbridge previously.</p>

<p>Thanks!</p>

2

<p>Sorry can’t help you with a definitive answer, but where are you seeing this GPA requirement? Searched Cambridge’s website (not Oxford) and nothing really came up. Also, it would be better to say which constituent Oxbridge college has the requirement since admission is granted by each college and not the university itself. Maybe I didn’t go to the right college’s website, but I didn’t see a GPA requirement of 3.85 anywhere. </p>

<p>People can probably answer your question better if you link to the specific program or college’s website.</p>

3

<p>Colleges are the central admission conduit for undergrads, not grads. </p>

<p>For grad programs, you apply to the Board of Graduate Studies (BoGS) and then a separate application (a copy in fact) is sent to a college on your behalf. The college does, though, have to accept you too - so it’s a dual process.</p>

<p>To find out more about Cambridge’s grad school requirements, go to the BoGS website. There you’ll notice that many PhD programs require a 3.85 at least but other factors are taken into account as well, such as faculty interest in your research topic, letters of reference, etc. My guess is that if the rest of your application is very, very good, then your borderline GPA would be overlooked.</p>

4

<p>Sorry I should have been more clear, I know about the BoGS, I just still don’t see the GPA requirements. I’ll assume they are there though - it must be my lack of knowledge about overseas graduate school programs.</p>

5

<p>Gold3n: The GPA requirements are quite prevalent throughout the website, if you look under the degree programs. For example, Economics lists a 3.6: [Faculty</a> of Economics: : Graduate Admissions](<a href=“Postgraduate Study | University of Cambridge”>Postgraduate Study | University of Cambridge) POLIS lists a 3.85: [Department</a> of Polis: HSPS Faculty, graduate students- MPhil in International Relations and Politics](<a href=“http://www.polis.cam.ac.uk/courses/graduates/prosmphilirpol.html]Department”>http://www.polis.cam.ac.uk/courses/graduates/prosmphilirpol.html), etc. Many state that they require an ‘upper 2i honors,’ and my understanding is that this is equivalent to a 3.7/3.8 GPA (I don’t think it directly translates, but someone can correct me if they know better), or a Latin honors designation of magna cum laude or higher. </p>

<p>Orange: Thanks for the helpful insight. You seem to have solid inside knowledge of the admissions process. Are you a student at Oxbridge? If so, I may PM you with a few questions if you don’t mind!</p>

6

<p>I’m a PhD student at Cambridge. If you’d like to PM that’s no problem.</p>