The Astrophoria Foundation Year application process
Applications for entry in 2026 have now closed.
- Late applications are not accepted.
- Foundation Year courses at the University of Oxford are not available through Clearing.
Find out more about each step by clicking the arrows
Before applying check you meet the eligibility criteria. If you do not meet the eligibility criteria, we will not be able to consider your application.
Please note: Applying for the Astrophoria Foundation Year is a competitive process. Meeting the eligibility requirements does not guarantee that your application will be successful. Final decisions will use the full range of evidence available, including past and predicted exam results, information from the FYAAQ, the UCAS teacher reference, the personal statement, and interviews (if shortlisted and invited to interview). This means that not all candidates who satisfy the admissions criteria will receive offers.
From 2027 onwards, some courses will also require you to take an Admissions test as part of your application.
You apply for the undergraduate course you would like to study with a foundation year. For example, 'English with Foundation Year', or 'Law with Foundation Year'.
Find out more about the available courses here.
You can also see all the subject pathways listed on the UCAS website.
From 2027 onwards, some courses will also require you to take an Admissions test as part of your application.
Check you meet the academic entry requirements for your chosen subject pathway. The requirements are listed on the following foundation year course pages:
Foundation Year in Chemistry, Engineering and Materials Science
Foundation Year in Humanities
Foundation Year in Law
Foundation Year in PPE
We accept a number of different qualifications including Advanced Highers, BTECs, IB and Access to HE Diplomas. If you are not sure whether your qualification will be accepted please contact us.
As with undergraduate admissions at Oxford, offers for the Astrophoria Foundation Year are based on A-level (or equivalent) grades, not on the UCAS Tariff. For example, AAC at A-level would not meet BBB entry requirements. Some Foundation Year courses also require a specific grade in the most relevant subject(s) to your course of study.
Please note: Applying for the Astrophoria Foundation Year is a competitive process. Meeting the eligibility requirements does not guarantee that your application will be successful. Final decisions will use the full range of evidence available, including past and predicted exam results, information from the FYAAQ, the UCAS teacher reference, the personal statement, and interviews (if shortlisted and invited to interview). This means that not all candidates who satisfy the admissions criteria will receive offers.
- Applications for 2026 entry closed on 14th January 2026. Late submissions are not accepted.
- Applications for 2027 need to be submitted before the UCAS equal consideration deadline of 13th January 2027.
- If the course you are applying for requires an admissions test, you must make sure you have taken it by the relevant deadline. This may be before the UCAS deadline.
Your UCAS application will include a Personal Statement. If you are applying to a foundation year course at Oxford as well as other courses at other universities, your Personal Statement can focus on the subject you are interested in and it does not have to mention your motivations for studying the foundation year specifically. You will get the chance to expand on this in the Foundation Year Additional Application Questionnaire (FYAAQ).
There is advice on the UCAS website on how to submit an application.
The University of Oxford provides guidance on several parts of this UCAS application. This is primarily aimed at undergraduate applications, but much of the advice is still useful. Some of this guidance refers to the undergraduate application deadline in October, however the deadline to apply for the foundation year is in January.
Personal Statement
Academic Reference
Education
Declaring Your Disability
The Astrophoria Foundation Year programme does not admit students for deferred entry. All applications received will be considered for admission at the next point of entry.
Applicants must provide information relating to the eligibility criteria they meet by filling in a Foundation Year Additional Application Questionnaire (FYAAQ). The FYAAQ is sent to eligible applicants shortly after the UCAS deadline in January, and you will be given two weeks to complete it. Applicants are provided with a written guide and an instructional video to help them complete this questionnaire.
When completing the FYAAQ, applicants will be asked to indicate which criteria they meet, and to upload evidence if required. If an FYAAQ is not submitted by the deadline, the application will be deemed as incomplete and therefore will not be considered any further.
Shortlisted applicants will be invited to interview. Interviews are held online in March.
Candidates invited to interview will be given guidance to help them prepare.
Please note: Applying for the Astrophoria Foundation Year is a competitive process. Meeting the eligibility requirements does not guarantee that your application will be successful. Final decisions will use the full range of evidence available, including past and predicted exam results, information from the FYAAQ, the UCAS teacher reference, the personal statement, and interviews (if shortlisted and invited to interview). This means that not all candidates who satisfy the admissions criteria will receive offers.
Successful applicants will receive their offer via UCAS in April.
Please note: Applying for the Astrophoria Foundation Year is a competitive process. Meeting the eligibility requirements does not guarantee that your application will be successful. Final decisions will use the full range of evidence available, including past and predicted exam results, information from the FYAAQ, the UCAS teacher reference, the personal statement, and interviews (if shortlisted and invited to interview). This means that not all candidates who satisfy the admissions criteria will receive offers.
Admissions tests for 2027 entry onwards
From 2027 entry onwards, some Astrophoria Foundation Year courses will require applicants to take an admissions test as part of the application process. These tests are used alongside the UCAS application, Foundation Year Additional Application Questionnaire (FYAAQ), and interviews (for shortlisted applicants) to help assess academic potential and readiness for study at undergraduate level.
The admissions tests used for Foundation Year courses are:
- LNAT for Law
- TARA for Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE), a UAT UK test
- ESAT for Engineering Science pathways within Chemistry, Engineering and Materials Science (CEMS), a UAT UK test
These tests are taken before submitting your UCAS application and require advance registration. This means you should begin preparing earlier than in previous admissions cycles, and even earlier if you would like to apply for a bursary to cover the cost of the test.
Further advice
Complaints and appeals
Oxford University welcomes applications from students from all backgrounds and is committed to a fair and transparent admissions process. Complaints and appeals are taken very seriously and will be dealt with appropriately and carefully.
If you are not shortlisted for interview, or not offered a place to study at Oxford, that is not in itself grounds for an appeal. Appeals are not upheld unless there is evidence of a serious procedural error or irregularity. There is no right of appeal or complaint over matters of academic judgement.
You must make your appeal, including submitting supporting evidence, within 28 calendar days of (a) for complaints, when the matters you are complaining about occurred, or (b), for appeals, the date you were notified of the relevant admissions decision. For further details, please visit the Astrophoria Foundation Year complaints and appeals page on the University website.