Admissions Criteria

GRADUATE ADMISSIONS CRITERIA FOR M.Sc. in Theoretical Chemistry FOR ENTRY IN 2013-14

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 a good upper second class undergraduate degree (or equivalent international qualifications) in a subject relevant to the proposed research. Normally this will be in Chemistry, Physics or Materials Science. The selection procedure will pay particular emphasis on the candidate’s background in mathematics, quantum mechanics and statistical mechanics.

For applicants with a degree from the USA, the minimum GPA we seek is 3.6 out of 4.0 but the average GPA of our successful applicants is 3.8. The minimum Graduate Record Examination (GRE) score we seek is 550 (verbal) and 750 (quantitative).

However, entrance is very competitive and most successful applicants have a first-class degree or equivalent. Appropriate indicators will include:

• Academic references/letters of recommendation, which support intellectual ability, academic achievement, motivation.
• CV and academic transcript.
• Statement of purpose  This will be assessed for evidence of motivation for and understanding of the proposed area of study, the ability to present a reasoned case in English, and commitment to the subject.
• Performance at interview(s)Interviews are normally held only for candidates whose native language is not English and whose primary medium of instruction in their first degree course is not English.  The criteria for shortlisting are academic merit, references and motivation. 

2. Availability of supervision, teaching, facilities and places
The following factors will govern whether candidates can be offered places:

• The ability of the Department of Chemistry to provide the appropriate supervision, research opportunities, and teaching.
• There is a maximum limit to the number of students who may be admitted onto this programme.

3.  English language requirement
Applicants whose first language is not English and whose primary medium of instruction in their undergraduate degree is not English are usually required to provide evidence of proficiency in English at the standard level required by the University, http://www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/postgraduate_courses/apply/internat_students.html.]

4. Deadlines and required full set of application materials
Applications may be received at any time during the year, although because of the limitation on the maximum number of places, candidates are encouraged to apply by the January deadline, see
http://www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/postgraduate_courses/apply/application_guide.html#awhen_to_apply

Candidates for a university scholarship such as a Clarendon Scholarship must meet the January deadline.

5. Whether you have yet secured funding
This is not taken into consideration in the decision to make an initial offer a place, but please note that the initial offer of a place will not be confirmed until the college which gives you an initial offer of a place is satisfied that you have sufficient funding to cover your fees and living costs for the standard period of fee liability for your course, which in this case is one year.

6. 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, subject to criteria of health and safety.  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.
http://www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/postgraduate_courses/about_the_university/graduate_welfare/e_d.html

7. Assessors
All applications will be assessed by more than one member of the academic staff with relevant experience and expertise. 

8. Course webpage
http://www.chem.ox.ac.uk/graduatestudies/msc.html
http://www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/postgraduate_courses/course_guide/chemistry_3.html

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