Admissions Criteria
admissions criteria for MSc in Clinical Embryology
Criteria
Within equal opportunities principles and legislation, applications will be assessed in the light of a candidate’s ability to meet the following criteria:
1. Academic ability:
Proven and potential academic excellence
Applicants are normally expected to be predicted or to have achieved a first-class or an upper second class undergraduate degree (or equivalent international qualifications) in a related field e.g. biology, biomedical science, cell biology, biochemistry or medicine.
For applicants with a degree from the USA, the minimum GPA we seek is 3.5 out of 4.0.
However, entrance is very competitive and most successful applicants have a first-class degree or international equivalent (e.g. a GPA of at least 3.7 out of 4.0).
We do not seek a Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or GMAT score.
Appropriate indicators will include:
- Academic references/letters of recommendation which support intellectual ability, academic achievement, motivation, and ability to work in a group.
- Personal statement: [500 words maximum] This must be in English, describing why the candidate wishes to pursue the MSc in Clinical Embryology, and how the course might influence the candidate’s future career prospects. This will be assessed for: career orientated approach; coherence of the statement; motivation for working in this area; evidence of basic understanding of assisted reproduction; and the ability to write succinctly in English within the confines of a strict word count.
- Performance at interview. Candidates who are shortlisted are normally interviewed as part of the admissions process. There will be a minimum of 2 academics on the interview panel. All short-listed candidates are interviewed, usually within two - three weeks of each application deadline. Interviews are either held in person (if the candidate can easily travel to Oxford), or carried out online using Skype video software (if the candidate cannot travel to Oxford). In cases where a candidate cannot travel to Oxford, and is unable to use Skype, for example if internet connectivity is poor, then interviews would ordinarily be held by telephone conferencing. Interviews normally last approximately 30 minutes and are carried out by the Departmental Selection Committee. At the end of the interview, candidates are offered the chance to ask questions about the course, or studying in Oxford.
2. Publications are not expected but would be an advantage to the application.
3. Availability of supervision, teaching, facilities and places:
The following factors will govern whether candidates can be offered places:
- The ability of the Nuffield Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology to provide the appropriate supervision, research opportunities, teaching and facilities for your chosen area of work.
- There are minimum and maximum limits to the numbers of students who may be admitted onto Oxford’s research and taught programmes.
4. English language requirement: Applicants whose first language is not English are usually required to provide evidence of proficiency in English at the higher level required by the University. We recommend taking the IELTS Academic Test in which you will need to obtain a grade of 7.5 overall and a minimum of 7.0 in each component (Listening, Reading, Writing & Speaking). Please click here for more information on the University’s English Language requirements.
5. Deadlines and required full set of application materials: Please refer to the Graduate Admissions website for information on the deadlines which must be met, and the full set of supporting materials required, in order for applications to be guaranteed to be considered.
6. Whether you have yet secured funding is not taken into consideration in the decision to offer you a place on the course. However your place will not be confirmed until the college which gives you an initial offer is satisfied that you have sufficient funding to cover your fees and living costs for the standard period of fee liability for your course.
7. Disability, health conditions and specific learning difficulties: Students are selected for admission without regard to gender, marital or civil partnership status, disability, race, nationality, ethnic origin, religion or belief, sexual orientation, age or social background. Decisions on admission are based solely on the individual academic merits of each candidate and the application of the selection criteria appropriate to the programme of study. Further information on how these matters are supported during the admissions process is available here.
8. Other information: We encourage prospective applicants to communicate with us prior to submitting an application to discuss the course content, teaching, assessment and to answer any questions.
9. Assessors: All applications will be assessed by at least 3 members of academic staff with relevant experience and expertise. In all cases the Director of Graduate Studies will give approval to a decision.