Getting into Oxford University is no easy feat; it takes exceptional grades, a stellar personal statement, and top interview performance. For Sophie, a Year 13 student from Manchester, Oxford felt like a distant dream… until she found our tutoring program.

Here’s her journey from uncertainty to an Oxford acceptance letter.

The Challenge

When Sophie first came to us:

· She was aiming to study PPE (Philosophy, Politics, and Economics).

· Her predicted grades were good, but not quite Oxford-competitive.

· She struggled with time management and wasn’t confident about the TSA (Thinking Skills Assessment).

· She had no idea how to approach the rigorous Oxford interview process.

Our Step-by-Step Tutoring Plan

1. Academic Boost

· Weekly online one-to-one sessions in Economics and Maths to push her from A to A*.

· Tailored problem sets designed to stretch her critical thinking.

· Regular timed essay practice for Philosophy and Politics.

2. TSA Preparation

· Broke down the TSA into question types and strategies.

· Conducted full timed mock tests with instant feedback.

· Focused on logic puzzles and data interpretation skills.

3. Personal Statement Support

· Helped Sophie find a unique angle based on her volunteering and debate club experience.

· Edited and refined drafts to ensure a strong narrative and clear passion for PPE.

4. Interview Coaching

· Conducted simulated Oxford interviews with real past questions.

· Practised “thinking out loud” to demonstrate reasoning under pressure.

· Trained her to handle unexpected philosophical and ethical challenges.

The Result

By December, Sophie had:

· Predicted grades of AAA.

· A TSA score in the top 10% of applicants.

· An interview performance she described as “confident, calm, and even fun.”

In January, the email arrived: “We are pleased to offer you a place to study PPE at Oxford University.”

Why This Worked

· Personalisation – Every session was tailored to Sophie’s needs.

· Accountability – Weekly check-ins kept her on track.

· Expert Guidance – Our tutors included Oxbridge graduates who knew the process inside out.

Conclusion

Sophie’s success wasn’t magic, it was the result of hard work, strategic preparation, and expert support. If you or your child has big university dreams, the right tutoring can make all the difference.Want to create your own success story? Book a free Oxbridge prep consultation.