Is It Harder to Get into Harvard or Oxford?

Harvard has low acceptance rates, making admissions highly competitive compared to Oxford. Harvard has a lower acceptance rate of 3.59%, making it slightly harder to get into while Oxford has an acceptance rate of 16.8%.

Do you need an English Proficiency Test to get into Harvard or Oxford University?

Yes. If you want to study at Harvard or Oxford English Proficiency Tests are required. The tests accepted by these universities are IELTS and TOEFL.

Can I Apply to Both Harvard and Oxford?

Yes, you can apply to both Harvard and Oxford. Each has its application process, and given their selectivity, it's crucial to submit strong applications to both.

Which University Is More Prestigious, Harvard or Oxford?

Harvard and Oxford are globally prestigious, and known for their academic excellence, influential alumni, and historical significance. Harvard often leads in global rankings and boasts a lower acceptance rate, while Oxford has a rich history and a unique collegiate system. The choice between them depends on individual academic goals and personal preferences.

Harvard vs Oxford: Which is Better for Study Abroad?

Get a personalized list of top universities and courses tailored just for you by our experts

Country you aspire to study in

Year you plan to start in

Harvard vs Oxford: Overview

Let us look at both universities before moving to which university to choose.

Harvard University

Source

Harvard University is amongst the top universities not only in the United States but also in the world. Harvard is known for its world-class faculty, state-of-the-art facilities, and high-quality research output. Over 20,000 degree candidates are enrolled in Harvard’s programs: undergraduate, graduate, and professional courses.

Harvard provides 3700+ courses, encompassing well-known undergraduate programs and graduate fields such as business, law, medicine, education, and the arts. The institution ensures high-quality education with a student-faculty ratio of 7:1. Spanning over 5,000 acres, the campus features a variety of libraries, laboratories, and research centers.

Oxford University

Source

The University of Oxford is a world-renowned institution in the Oxfordshire county of England. Founded in the 12th century, it is one of the oldest universities in the world, and its reputation for academic excellence is second to none. Oxford is a research-intensive university that offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs across various disciplines, including arts, humanities, social sciences, and sciences.

Oxford is committed to making its world-class education accessible to students from diverse backgrounds, and it remains one of the most popular choices for international students. The university's robust financial support packages and over £9.5 million scholarships feature numerous opportunities for international students. Outside the classroom, Oxford's extensive history and lively central setting offer chances to become part of a tight-knit college community and a dynamic local culture. Boasting 20 Nobel Prize laureates and 3 UK Prime Ministers among its graduates, Oxford continues its tradition of academic excellence and leadership.

Harvard vs Oxford: Factors to Consider

Deciding between Harvard and Oxford, two prestigious universities, involves considering several key factors. Here’s a breakdown to help you determine which institution better aligns with your goals and aspirations.

Harvard vs Oxford: Rankings

A reliable sign of a reputable college or university is its global reputation. Various organizations rank educational institutions worldwide, from best to worst. To find the top universities, you need to look into these rankings. Fortunately, we have already researched for you.

Ranking Agencies	Oxford University	Harvard University
THE - World University Rankings (2024)	#1	#4
QS - World University Rankings (2024)	#3	#4
US News & World Report - Global Rankings (2023)	#5	#1

Suggested: How to Get into Harvard From India

Harvard vs Oxford: Acceptance Rate

Let's examine the selectivity of Harvard and Oxford. We can understand how selective these universities are by analyzing the acceptance rate trends over the past five years.

Admission Years	Harvard University	Oxford University
2022-23	3.59%	16.8%
2021-22	3.4%	14.5%
2020-21	3.2%	13%
2019-20	3.4%	14.1%
2018-19	4.9%	14.1%

The data indicates that Harvard’s acceptance rate is consistently lower than Oxford’s. This means Harvard is more selective, while Oxford has a relatively higher acceptance rate. Therefore, international students are likely to have a better chance of being admitted to Oxford than Harvard.

Harvard vs Oxford: Popular Courses

Harvard offers 3,700 courses, while Oxford provides over 250 courses across its 18 constituent colleges. Both universities have a selection of highly sought-after programs. The MBA is the most popular course at both Harvard and Oxford. Here is a list of popular courses available at these prestigious institutions.

University	Popular Courses
Harvard	Accounting & Finance Engineering & Technology MBA Mechanical Aeronautical and Manufacturing Engineering Performing Arts Pharmacy and Pharmacology Physics and Astronomy Politics and International Studies Law Medicine Arts & Design Sociology
Oxford	African & Middle Eastern Studies Anthropology Art & Design Asian Studies Biomedical Sciences Business & Management Studies Classics English History Law Philosophy Politics

Also watch: MBA vs MS in the UK

Harvard vs Oxford: Eligibility Criteria

Let's take a look at the eligibility criteria for Harvard vs Oxford.

Harvard	Oxford
Bachelor’s Degree Transcript: Official transcripts from all colleges or universities attended Standardized Scores: GRE, GMAT, LSAT, or MCAT scores depending on the program. Submit TOEFL and IELTS scores to demonstrate English proficiency. Letters of Recommendation: Two to three letters of recommendation from academic or professional references. Resume or CV: Detailed resume or curriculum vitae highlighting relevant academic and work experience. Statement of Purpose: Essay outlining the student's academic and professional goals and how the program aligns with them. Application Fee: Non-refundable application fee.	Hold a first-class or strong upper-second-class undergraduate degree. A GPA of 3.5–3.8 (US) or a First Class/Division in India. IELTS score of 7.0 or 100 in TOEFL. Submit a statement of purpose or research proposal. Personal essays showcasing unique traits and diverse contributions Provide at least 2 professional or academic letters of recommendation (LORs). Strengthen your application with relevant extracurricular activities or achievements.

Harvard

Oxford

Bachelor’s Degree Transcript: Official transcripts from all colleges or universities attended
Standardized Scores: GRE, GMAT, LSAT, or MCAT scores depending on the program. Submit TOEFL and IELTS scores to demonstrate English proficiency.
Letters of Recommendation: Two to three letters of recommendation from academic or professional references.
Resume or CV: Detailed resume or curriculum vitae highlighting relevant academic and work experience.
Statement of Purpose: Essay outlining the student's academic and professional goals and how the program aligns with them.
Application Fee: Non-refundable application fee.

Hold a first-class or strong upper-second-class undergraduate degree.
A GPA of 3.5–3.8 (US) or a First Class/Division in India.
IELTS score of 7.0 or 100 in TOEFL.
Submit a statement of purpose or research proposal.
Personal essays showcasing unique traits and diverse contributions
Provide at least 2 professional or academic letters of recommendation (LORs).
Strengthen your application with relevant extracurricular activities or achievements.

Check out our YouTube video on Universities in the USA with No Application Fee!

Harvard vs Oxford: Admission Process

The admission process for both universities more or less remains the same. The admissions process at Harvard and Oxford involves the following steps:

Application Submission: Ensure you submit a complete application by the specified deadline for your chosen program. This includes all required documents, such as transcripts, SOPs, LORs, and test scores.
Review Process: Your application will be reviewed by the admissions committee. They will consider factors such as academic performance, test scores, essays, and letters of recommendation.
Interview Process: Some programs may require interviews as part of the selection process. Prepare for these interviews by familiarising yourself with the program and demonstrating suitability.
Admission Decision: After the review process, you will be notified of the admission decision. If accepted, you'll receive further instructions on enrollment and any additional requirements.
Confirmation of Admission: Upon acceptance, you may need to confirm your intention to enroll by a specified deadline and fulfill any remaining requirements, such as submitting financial documentation or visa applications.

Harvard vs Oxford: Tuition Fee

The average tuition fee for a graduate program at Harvard University is around USD 60,000 (INR 49,97,580).
The average tuition fee for a graduate program at Oxford University is around USD 39,000 (INR 32,00,000).

Harvard vs Oxford: Average Salary

Harvard	Oxford
USD 1,68,000 (INR 1,39,93,220)	GBP 59,000 (INR 62,60,050)

Harvard vs Oxford: Recruiters

Harvard	Oxford
Amazon Adobe Berkshire Partners Cisco Deloitte Altman Solon Emile Learning Enable Medicine Endeavor Figment Gravity McKinsey Innosight LLC L'Oreal Mastercard Netflix	Alvarez and Marsal Accenture Bain Dalberg EY-Parthenon McKinsey AMEX Bank of America CITI Inovia Capital JP Morgan UBS Amazon Google IBM Microsoft

Did you know that Sarah, a Yocket Premium student, received admission from Oxford University for a Master's in Genomic Medicine? With a bachelor's in biotechnology, Sarah made it to one of the most prestigious universities in the world! Watch this video to learn about her journey, interview process, and tips on how to make it to Oxford!

Explore Destinations

Choosing Between Harvard vs Oxford: How to Decide

Deciding to apply to either of these colleges is life-changing. It is influenced by their prestige and the significant costs involved. It's crucial to evaluate whether the investment in either institution is worthwhile.

The prestige, reputation, and respect these universities hold are unparalleled. However, considering the cost of education and return on investment, a Harvard degree may offer a better financial outcome. Ultimately, your decision should be based on available courses, alumni feedback, and other factors. When comparing Oxford and Harvard, consider their acceptance rates, the cost of education, and the programs offered to decide which investment is better for you.

From the Desk of Yocket

There's no universal answer when you have to decide between renowned academic institutions like Oxford and Harvard. Your decision depends on your interests, values, and preferred location. Consider whether you're drawn to Oxford's decentralized college system or Harvard's Ivy League campus. Despite the weight of tradition and fierce competition, both universities offer transformative experiences for those ready to embrace their challenges. Ultimately, your decision should reflect where you can fully engage in an enriching academic journey. So, choose between Oxford and Harvard wisely by aligning with your aspirations and passions.

If you’re overwhelmed with all the information and need help in your application process, Yocket is there for you! We will assist you from searching and shortlisting the university to the application process and applying for visas. With their end-to-end assistance, you will be on your way to pursue your academic goals! Schedule A FREE Video Consultation Call Today!