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Undergraduate · Oxford Chemistry

Oxford Chemistry: entry, subject rules and interviews

Oxford's Chemistry course is a four-year integrated Masters in which the fourth year is spent in a research group. Its entry rules combine three things that are easy to misread: both Chemistry and Mathematics are required, the two A*s can come from a list of science and mathematics subjects, and the IB route depends on which Mathematics you take. There is no written test and no written work to submit, so the application and the interview carry the case. This guide is written for families planning 2028 entry. Everything cycle-specific in it was last verified for 2027 entry, because Oxford has not yet published its 2028-entry requirements.

Official information · last verified for 2027 entry

What Oxford asks for in Chemistry

Taken from Oxford's official Chemistry course page and last verified on 20 October 2026. For a normal 2028-entry application, made in 2027, every requirement and date below is last verified for the previous cycle and may change; Oxford's 2028-entry requirements and dates are awaiting publication.

A*A*A with Chemistry and Mathematics, or the IB routes

The A-level offer is A*A*A including Chemistry and Mathematics, with both A*s in science or mathematics subjects. At Advanced Higher it is AA or AAB including Chemistry and Mathematics. In the IB, with Higher Level Mathematics the route is 40 points including core with 766 at Higher Level, a 7 in Chemistry and a 6 in Mathematics; with Standard Level Mathematics it needs 776 at Higher Level, 7s in Chemistry and a second Higher Level science, and a 7 in Standard Level Analysis and Approaches.

Chemistry and Mathematics are required; more science is strongly recommended

Candidates must have Chemistry and Mathematics to A level, Advanced Higher or Higher Level in the IB, or an equivalent. An additional science subject or Further Mathematics is strongly recommended. If a practical component is part of a science A level used for your offer, Oxford expects you to pass it.

No written test

Oxford says you do not need to take a written test as part of an application for this course.

No written work

Oxford says you do not need to submit any written work as part of an application for this course.

At least one online interview, in December

Shortlisted candidates are invited to at least one online interview, expected in December. Tutors look for academic excellence and motivation, the potential for advanced study, a capacity to analyse, explain and apply current knowledge, and readiness to have a go at problems even when you cannot see how.

Official sources

Last verified on 20 October 2026 for 2027 entry, on Oxford's Chemistry course page. The admissions statistics quoted in the guide are a 2023-25 three-year average, not a requirement. Fees and college choice are on Oxford's other pages and were not read for this guide.

The programme

A four-year Masters with a research year

Chemistry at Oxford is a four-year integrated Masters leading to an MChem with honours, accredited by the Royal Society of Chemistry. The first year covers Inorganic, Organic and Physical Chemistry together with Mathematics for Chemistry. The fourth year is full-time work with an established research group, and Oxford says teaching and research are closely linked on the course.

Reading the offer

Which subjects can carry the two A*s

At A level Oxford expects A*A*A, and the A*s must come from two subjects on its list. That list is wider than Chemistry and Mathematics alone, which matters if you are weighing a third science or Further Mathematics.

The subjects that can carry an A*

Chemistry, Mathematics (with Statistics, Mechanics or Decision Mathematics modules), Biology, Computer Science, Further Mathematics, Geology, Human Biology, Physics, Pure Mathematics and Statistics.

Chemistry and Mathematics still have to be taken

Being able to carry an A* in another subject does not remove the requirement to hold Chemistry and Mathematics, so the A* list is about where the top grades come from, not which subjects to drop.

Practical components

If a practical component forms part of a science A level used to meet your offer, Oxford expects you to pass it.

IB students

The IB route depends on which Mathematics you take

Chemistry is the one Oxford course where the IB Mathematics course changes the route. This is the 2027-cycle wording and the details are on the course page.

Higher Level Mathematics

40 points including core with 766 at Higher Level, a 7 in Higher Level Chemistry and a 6 in Higher Level Mathematics. Oxford's page does not name a Mathematics syllabus for this route.

Standard Level Mathematics

776 at Higher Level, 7s in both Higher Level Chemistry and a second Higher Level science, and a 7 in Standard Level Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches. Oxford says a 7 at Standard Level is acceptable only where the student has taken Analysis and Approaches.

The application

No test and no written work: what carries the case

Because there is no written test and no written work, the case rests on the UCAS application, the predicted grades and the interview.

The interview

At least one online interview

Shortlisted candidates are invited to at least one online interview, expected in December. Oxford's tutors say they look for a capacity to analyse, explain and apply current knowledge, and a readiness to have a go at problems even when you cannot see how.

Practise working aloud

A problem you cannot immediately solve is part of the exercise. Practise saying what you would try first and why.

Revisit the first-year content

The first year combines Inorganic, Organic and Physical Chemistry with Mathematics for Chemistry, so be ready to discuss ideas from your school course in those areas and the mathematics behind them.

Use Oxford's own practice material

Oxford publishes interview advice, practice questions and demonstration interviews for shortlisted candidates. Use those rather than recalled questions.

Context

How competitive the course has been

Oxford's page shows that for the three-year average 2023-25, 63% of Chemistry applicants were interviewed, 17% were successful and the intake was 180. These are historical figures about past cohorts. They are not a requirement and they do not predict any individual result.

Planning for 2028 entry

Planning for 2028 entry: what carries over and what is awaiting publication

Applying for 2028 entry means applying in 2027, under rules Oxford has not yet published for that cycle. Each item below carries one of two labels. Last verified for 2027 entry means Oxford published it for the previous cycle and it may change. Awaiting publication for 2028 entry means Oxford has not yet published it.

Offers, subject rules, the IB routes and the no-test, no-written-work position: last verified for 2027 entry

These are the best guide to what to prepare. Oxford has not confirmed them for 2028 entry.

UCAS deadline and interview period: awaiting publication for 2028 entry

Check Oxford's Chemistry course page for the 2028-entry values when they appear.

What to do now

Secure Chemistry and Mathematics, decide on a third science or Further Mathematics, and if you are in the IB decide which Mathematics course to take with the Chemistry rules in view.

Support

Independent support with course strategy and preparation

Avandy provides independent academic and admissions support. It is not affiliated with the University of Oxford or any of its colleges or departments. Preparation sits within the Avandy Trinity Advisory Model: a Strategic Admissions Consultant, a PhD-level Academic Mentor and a Subject-specific Tutor working within one advisory plan. Support is tailored to the student, and no outcome is promised.

Questions

Questions applicants ask

Do I need Mathematics for Oxford Chemistry?

Yes. Oxford requires Chemistry and Mathematics to A level, Advanced Higher or Higher Level in the IB, or an equivalent. In the IB, a 7 in Standard Level Mathematics is acceptable only for Analysis and Approaches.

Which A levels can carry the A*s?

Oxford expects A*A*A with both A*s in science or mathematics subjects from its list, which includes Chemistry, Mathematics, Biology, Physics, Further Mathematics and others.

Is there an admissions test?

No. Oxford says you do not need to take a written test or submit written work for this course.

Is the interview online?

Oxford says shortlisted candidates will be invited to at least one online interview, expected in December.

Are these the rules for 2028 entry?

No. They are Oxford's wording for the 2027 application cycle. Check the course page again when Oxford publishes its 2028-entry requirements.

Students and families

Talk to us about Oxford Chemistry

Tell us about the student's curriculum, their Chemistry and Mathematics, whether a third science or Further Mathematics is possible, and the intended year of entry. A senior adviser will review the academic profile before recommending how to prepare.

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