Oxford History (Ancient and Modern) interview 2026: dates, questions, format and success rate

Oxford interviews 68% of History applicants, online, and offers a place to 37% of those interviewed.

Figures from ox.ac.uk, checked 18 October 2026.

At a glance

Before: No admissions test
Interviews: Standard 1 (some colleges give 2 x 15 min), 7-11 Dec 2026, online
Each one: 30 min (or 2 x 15 min at some colleges), with Two tutors
In the room: Short passage of historical writing to read just before the interview (some colleges)
They assess: "Motivation, enthusiasm and academic potential in history", in the university's own words

Applied: 120. Interviewed: 82. Offered: 30 (2026 entry (2025-26 cycle)).

Official sample question: What would a historian find interesting about the place where you live?
Official sample question: What can historians not find out about the past?
Official sample question: Imagine we had no records about the past at all, except everything to do with sport – how much of the past could we find out about?

Every question reported for this course is open with a free account.

7-11 Dec 2026.

Online, as a panel interview.

30 min (or 2 x 15 min at some colleges). Standard 1 (some colleges give 2 x 15 min).

68%, and 37% of those interviewed got an offer.

No admissions test.