So you know why you want to come to Magdalen. Now how do you go about applying?
Application
Graduates do not apply directly to College; applications are first assessed by the department or faculty you will be working in (known as the University Admitting Body), and then by the College. If you are admitted by your department, you are guaranteed a college place somewhere in the University, but it may not necessarily be the first choice college you chose when you applied. Whether you can be admitted to Magdalen will depend on whether there is a fellow who can provide academic support for your course, and of course, numbers. Magdalen always receives a high number of applications, so it’s not possible for everyone to get in. If you want to know more about the application procedure, have a look at the College’s information about the application process. (click to open link)
All international students (those not from the UK/EEA/Switzerland) coming to Oxford for more than six months will have to apply for a visa before arriving in the UK. The requirements for your visa may vary depending on the course of study you will be pursuing, so it is worth looking at the University’s information page. Most students apply for a Tier 4 (General) visa. Students need to have a letter confirming their acceptance for study, as well as documents proving that you have enough financial support to stay in the UK. Make sure to allow plenty of time (more than one month) when applying to come here to allow for any unexpected delays or complications!
Once you have arranged your visa and are travelling to the UK, make sure to have your passport, visa, acceptance letters, and letters specifying your financial support available to present to immigration officials at border control. It is important to make sure that you have these documents with you when you travel outside the UK as you may be asked for them when you re-enter the country.
If you are planning vacations, bear in mind that University regulations require students to be in residence by Thursday the week before Term starts, and you must remain in residence until Saturday of Eighth week, unless you get permission to leave. It is particularly important that if you are on a taught course that you check lecture and assessment dates, as graduate courses do not necessarily follow the eight week undergraduate terms.
The University has a number of support programmes in place for international students, and you can find out about them here.
When you arrive in Oxford, one of your priorities should be opening a bank account, as it can take some time before it is fully operational. A comparison of Oxford banks, produced by the Student Information and Advisory Service, is available to help you decide which bank you would like to use. Banks will require evidence of your status as a student, documents to prove your identity, and a correspondence address. You can ask the Academic Office in College to provide you with a letter confirming your status as a student at Magdalen after you arrive.