Oxford History and English interview 2026: dates, questions, format and success rate

Oxford interviews 42% of History and English applicants, online, and offers a place to 22% of those interviewed.

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

At a glance

Before: No admissions test
Interviews: 2 (one for each side of the course), 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: 143. Interviewed: 60. Offered: 13 (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). 2 (one for each side of the course).

42%, and 22% of those interviewed got an offer.

No admissions test.