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Oxford or Cambridge Quiz
Most guides comparing the University of Oxford and University of Cambridge drown you in statistics, rankings, and vague stereotypes about “vibes" (we're guilty of that last one ourselves). But when you’re actually deciding where to apply, the choice is deeply personal: it’s about how you learn, what excites you academically, and where you’ll thrive for 3+ intense years. We thought we'd turns the decision into a quiz, written by an Oxford graduate and with direct opinion from
4 days ago3 min read


A Month-by-Month Timeline of Oxbridge Preparation: From Year 12 to Interview
Consider this blog your holy grail : it's our master hub linking out to nearly every relevant blog we've put out, plus a helpfully neat timeline of how to prepare for your Oxford or Cambridge application. We know not everyone comes to the journey at the start of Year 12. In fact, lots of people only decide they want to apply in the summer before Year 13... Which is late to the party, but we make it work, eh? For that reason, we've made this an evergreen Oxbridge timeline . We
Feb 93 min read


What is it Really Like to Study at Oxford: St Hilda's College Edition
Perhaps you're waiting on an acceptance letter after sitting a St Hilda's College interview. Perhaps you're doing some research into what it's like to study at each of the Oxford colleges (we have another blog you might like). Or perhaps you're just nosey. Either way, get stuck into what St Hilda’s is really like, told by a graduate who spent three years between the JCR bar, the college library, and dining hall. A college with women at its centre St Hilda’s was founded as a w
Jan 173 min read


What is it Really Like to Study at Cambridge?
A complete, honest guide to the question on everyone's lips this time of year: what's it really like? This guide breaks the glamorous bubble a little – in a good way – so you can picture the daily reality: the highs, the pressures, the quirks, and the genuinely lovely parts that make the hard work worth it. And if, along the way, you realise you’d like help with choosing a college, shaping your application, or preparing for interviews, we work with hundreds of aspiring Cambr
Nov 15, 20257 min read


The Mathematics Reading List That Gets You Into Oxbridge
Do more problem sheets. Do more problem sheets. Do more problem sheets. That's probably what you've heard a hundred times over when you're preparing for Oxford and Cambridge (or any highly respected) mathematics courses. But what if that's not the whole truth? Any Oxbridge maths tutor worth their salt will tell you that an offer letter is only partly based on grades – the interview plays a massive role, which probes your method of thinking. To stand out, you need to show tha
Nov 2, 20253 min read


The Oxford PPE Reading List
Ah, the infamous Oxford PPE degree. The launcher of prime ministers, economists and journalists alike. If you're drawn to this demanding (but rewarding) course, you're probably also drawn to the big questions: how societies work, why people make the choices they do, and what makes a fair world. If you're still debating whether or not to apply for PPE, have a read of our blog post, Why Study PPE? At Avalon Education, we’ve helped countless Oxford PPE hopefuls build the curiosi
Oct 13, 20254 min read


What you need to know about the 2026 UCAS personal statement changes
Changes are afoot... If you’re planning to start university in 2026, your application will look a little different. UCAS has redesigned...
Sep 21, 20255 min read


The Oxbridge Economics Reading List
Economics is arguably the most competitive course at both Oxford and Cambridge, which are themselves, of course, among the most...
Aug 22, 20253 min read


The Oxbridge Engineering Reading List
You might very well already be top of your class in Maths and Physics at school. Sadly, at Oxford and Cambridge, great grades are just...
Jul 22, 20253 min read


The Oxbridge Medicine Reading List
Planning to study Medicine at Oxford or Cambridge? Get ahead with these key books that stay on reading lists year after year. So you’ve...
Jun 25, 20253 min read


Straight to Uni or Gap Year? Pros and Cons Explained
Big decision. No pressure. Let's break it down. Weighing up your decisions after results day? You're not alone. In this week's blog,...
Apr 13, 20254 min read


Oxford or Cambridge: Key Differences in Application Processes
Should you apply to Oxford or Cambridge? Given you can only apply to one at undergraduate level, the first big decision you'll need to...
Mar 25, 20253 min read


How to Boost Your Predicted Grade
Your predicted grade is your key into your dream universities, so it's important to be working hard throughout Year 12 and 13 to be in...
Mar 7, 20253 min read


How to Deal with the Anxiety of an Oxbridge Offer
It's the dream, the end goal, the reason you put in all that work last autumn. And yet, if you received an offer letter last month, you...
Feb 20, 20254 min read


How to Improve Your Essay Writing
Essay writing is the foundational rock of most subjects, so it's essential to get your skills up to scratch, or you could be missing out...
Feb 10, 20253 min read


How to Create the Perfect Revision Timetable
Because the best revision timetable is the one that you can actually stick to. If you're sick of using your phone's notes app as a to-do...
Feb 6, 20254 min read


Handling Oxbridge Rejection
How to allow yourself to process your emotions and stay positive for the future. Now that both Oxford and Cambridge have released their...
Jan 31, 20254 min read


A Guide to the Road Ahead for Cambridge Offer Holders
Because this isn't the end of the road just yet! King's College in Spring Congratulations! If you've received your Cambridge offer today,...
Jan 30, 20255 min read


Types of Revision: Ranked
Spoiler, recall is king. In 2025, effective revision is going to be all the rage, because who wants to spend more time studying than they...
Jan 26, 20255 min read


Secured Your Oxford Offer? Here’s What to Do Next
Congratulations on the Oxford offer! This is a huge achievement, and something that people all around the world dream of. Well done for...
Jan 20, 20254 min read
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