Top Schools for Getting Into Oxbridge: A Guide to the Best Feeder Schools
The Best Schools for Getting into Oxbridge
Securing a place at Oxford or Cambridge is a monumental achievement. These universities demand exceptional academic performance, intellectual curiosity, and a broad understanding of subjects. While many schools across the UK support students aiming for Oxbridge, some have a particularly strong track record in helping students succeed.
Below, we list the top-performing schools for Oxbridge admissions, including key admissions statistics and other essential information to help you compare them.
Top Independent Schools for Oxbridge Admissions
1. St Paul’s Girl’s School (London)
St Paul’s Girls’ School is one of the leading independent schools in the UK, renowned for its exceptional academic achievements and focus on cultivating intellectual curiosity. The school’s outstanding Oxbridge success rate is underpinned by a rigorous curriculum that encourages students to think critically and engage deeply with their chosen subjects at A Level and beyond. The school provides tailored support for Oxbridge applicants, including personalised guidance on personal statements, preparation for admissions tests, and practice interviews with experienced mentors. The school also emphasises co-curricular enrichment, offering students opportunities to participate in academic societies, debates, and research projects, all of which help to build the super-curricular profiles that Oxbridge admissions tutors seek.
Offers Received (2023): 46
Success Rate: 47%
Boarding/Day Options: Day
Entry Points: 11+ and 16+
Type: Single-sex (girls)
Number of Students: ~770
2. Westminster School (London)
Westminster School consistently tops Oxbridge admission tables. Located in the heart of London, the school benefits from exceptional academic resources and opportunities. Westminster places a strong focus on intellectual curiosity and independent learning, encouraging students to go beyond the syllabus and think critically — key skills for Oxbridge. As one of the top Oxbridge schools, students receive unparalleled preparation, including specialist guidance on admissions tests, personal statements, and mock interviews. The school’s small tutorial-style classes also mimic the Oxbridge teaching approach.
Offers Received (2023): 69
Success Rate: 42%
Boarding/Day Options: Both
Entry Points: 13+ and 16+
Type: Co-educational (mixed Sixth Form)
Number of Students: ~740
Here’s our helpful guide to Westminster 16+.
3. Magdalen College School (Oxford)
Magdalen College School’s location in Oxford provides students with unparalleled opportunities to engage with academics and scholars from the university. Its curriculum includes enrichment opportunities such as research projects and essay competitions all designed to encourage independent thinking and beyond the syllabus exploration, aligned with Oxbridge’s values.
Offers Received (2023): 41
Success Rate: 41%
Boarding/Day Options: Day
Entry Points: 7+, 11+, 13+, and 16+
Type: Co-educational (boys-only until Sixth Form)
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4. The Perse School (Cambridge)
Located in the same city as the University of Cambridge, The Perse School has strong academic ties to the university. Its emphasis on critical thinking, problem-solving, and intellectual exploration aligns closely with Oxbridge’s ethos. The school offers specialised support for Oxbridge candidates, including one-on-one interview coaching and admissions test workshops which have earned it a high success rate and a position as one of the best schools for getting into Oxbridge.
Offers Received (2023): 52
Success Rate: 38%
Boarding/Day Options: Day
Entry Points: 3+, 7+, 11+, 13+, and 16+
Type: Co-educational
Number of Students: ~1,700
5. St Paul’s School (London)
St Paul’s School also aims to foster a love for independent study as another of the top Oxbridge schools. St Paul’s is known for its rigorous academic environment which is complemented by comprehensive Oxbridge preparation programmes, including regular mock interviews, essay-writing workshops, and access to an alumni network of Oxbridge graduates. All of this leads to a high success rate of 33%, though notably slightly lower than its girls’ school counterpart.
Offers Received (2023): 53
Success Rate: 33%
Boarding/Day Options: Day with limited boarding
Entry Points: 7+, 8+, 11+, 13+, and 16+
Type: Single-sex (boys)
Number of Students: ~1,200
If you’re looking to apply for St Paul’s 11+, we’ve created a specialist guide. Read it here.
6. King’s College School (Wimbledon)
King’s College School combines academic rigor with a collaborative learning environment. The school’s Oxbridge preparation program includes mock interviews, super-curricular activities, and dedicated support for admissions tests. Its strong focus on nurturing intellectual curiosity ensures students are well-prepared for Oxbridge applications.
Offers Received (2023): 42
Success Rate: 32%
Boarding/Day Options: Day
Entry Points: 7+, 11+, 13+, and 16+
Type: Co-educational (boys-only until 16)
Number of Students: ~1,400
Here’s our in-depth guide to KCS Wimbledon 11+ applications.
7. Eton College (Windsor)
Eton’s reputation for academic excellence is matched by its extensive resources for Oxbridge applicants. The school runs a dedicated Oxbridge Society, providing students with targeted preparation through practice interviews, admissions test guidance, and super-curricular opportunities such as essay competitions and research projects. This has ensured it is consistently one of the top performing schools for Oxbridge.
Offers Received (2023): 48
Success Rate: 29%
Boarding/Day Options: Boarding
Entry Points: 13+ and 16+
Type: Single-sex (boys)
Number of Students: ~1,300
Find out more about the Eton admissions process with our comprehensive guide to the Eton List test.
Top State Schools for Oxbridge Admissions
Hills Road Sixth Form College (Cambridge)
Hills Road Sixth Form College stands out as one of the most successful state institutions for Oxbridge admissions, matching Westminster School in offers for 2023. Located in Cambridge, the college benefits from its close proximity to the University of Cambridge. It offers strong mentoring schemes where students can engage with university researchers and attend talks by leading academics.
The college offers a robust Oxbridge preparation program, focusing on super-curricular engagement, admissions test preparation, and interview coaching. Hills Road fosters an environment of academic excellence, with a strong emphasis on critical thinking, debate, and independent learning.
Offers received: 69
Boarding/Day Options: Day
Entry Points: 16+ (A-level only)
Type: Co-educational
Number of Students: ~2,500
Brighton, Hove & Sussex Sixth Form College
Brighton, Hove & Sussex Sixth Form College is a leading state sixth form college known for its impressive Oxbridge success rate. The college integrates Oxbridge-style learning methods into its curriculum, with a strong focus on fostering intellectual curiosity and academic rigor. The college provides students with personalised coaching for Oxbridge applications, including guidance on writing personal statements, preparing for admissions tests, and honing interview skills. The college also encourages students to get involved in academic societies, essay competitions, and subject-specific workshops in order to build their super-curricular profiles and help them stand out in Oxbridge admissions.
Offers Received (2023): 56
Boarding/Day Options: Day
Location: Brighton, East Sussex
Entry Points: 16+ (A-level only)
Type: Co-educational
Number of Students: ~3,000
While attending one of the best schools for getting into Oxbridge can obviously provide a significant advantage in admissions, it’s not the only way to improve your child’s chances of success. In order to excel in Oxbridge admissions, students must demonstrate intellectual curiosity, academic excellence, and a passion for their chosen subject. A key element of what makes these schools so successful is their emphasis on learning for learning’s sake which means encouraging students to develop their own interests and think critically about their subject. This is something that can be developed outside of school as well.
Developing a strong co-curricular profile is essential for Oxbridge admissions. On our co-curricular platform, Minds Underground, we offer a variety of ways students can develop their learning beyond the academic syllabus, whether through our online clubs, summer schools or independent research projects. Find out more about the ways students can explore their subject and boost their Oxbridge application, even without attending one of the top Oxbridge schools.
Looking for support with your application to one of these top Oxbridge Schools?
At U2 Tuition, we provide expert guidance to help students gain admission to the UK’s leading schools for Oxbridge success. We provide comprehensive support for 11+, 13+, and 16+ admissions, including entrance exams, interview preparation, and personalised academic mentoring.
We also offer support with:
Oxbridge Admissions: One-on-one mentoring from Oxbridge graduates, guiding students through the entire admissions process, from crafting a standout personal statement to excelling in admissions tests and mock interviews.
Building Co-Curricular Profiles: Develop and showcase your passions and intellectual curiosity with opportunities on our Minds Underground platform, including academic societies, essay competitions, and specialist workshops.
Book a free initial consultation to find out how we can support your child on their journey to Oxbridge.