Oxford Malaysian Application Scheme (OxMAS)

The Oxford Malaysian Application Scheme (OxMAS) is an initiative we started to support potential applicants to the University of Oxford from socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds. We strive to level the playing field by supporting our applicants via financial assistance, mentorship, and relevant resources to maximise their chance at a successful application.

We Are Back!

We are happy to announce that we are bringing OxMAS back in 2023 for the fourth year in a row! In collaboration with MABECS, an expert UK education placement centre, we hope to continue providing the resources needed to prospective Malaysian applicants. Please direct any questions you have to oxmas@oumc.org.uk, and we will respond to you shortly.

Who Are We?

We represent the small and tight-knit community of Malaysian students studying at the University of Oxford. Being a student at this institution is an opportunity that many can only ever dream of, and we are mindful of the various obstacles that preclude students who would thrive at Oxford from ever applying in the first place. Therefore, we want to help by leveraging our platform to extend this fortuity to other young, talented Malaysians.

Outreach Initiative

For many years now, we have successfully conducted our annual Perspectives Summer School program, impacting and encouraging many Malaysian students to make an application. We offer aspiring applicants the unique opportunity to experience ‘Oxford-style’ classes taught by current students and give them access to our curated compilation of resources such as the application guide and our mentorship program.

Most invaluably, we have a team of student ambassadors who are ready to answer any queries, as well as debunk or demystify any ‘Oxford Myths’. Being able to connect with someone who has gone through the ups and downs of making an application, and successfully obtaining an offer, is by far the most effective and reassuring resource.

Our Purpose

We are looking to expand the demographic of our undergraduate cohort. One of the biggest hurdles in the application process is applying itself. For many, if not all of us, studying at Oxford was once just a pipe dream.

As an applicant, the odds are stacked against you – a quick Google search on the statistics of successful applicants is enough for you to reconsider if all this effort is worth it. Despite everything, we still made the life-changing decision to apply.

However, we do recognise that this is a privilege that not everyone can afford. Unlike applying to most UK universities, Oxford requires applicants to sit for admissions tests which could potentially rack up a total application fee of RM850 or higher. This includes UCAS fees, admissions test fees, and IELTS fees while discounting potential ancillary costs such as transportation fees which might further inflate this figure. This would immediately discourage students from low-income households from applying. Without any intervention, these students will be excluded from a chance to achieve their full potential.

As of writing, there has never been an undergraduate admitted to the University of Oxford with an STPM background. We believe this is in part due to discrepancies in socioeconomic backgrounds which leaves them at a disadvantage. We aim to increase our impact within this community and present them with a whole host of new opportunities and hopefully alleviate some financial difficulties surrounding the application process on the way.

Our Contribution

Financial
OxMAS will cover the cost of the UCAS and Admissions Test fees incurred during the application process.

• UCAS fees: £26.50 (approximately RM152)
• Admissions test fees: up to RM715
  Please note that the amount will vary between subjects and that your testing centre may charge an additional administration fee. More details can be found here.

Support
All successful applicants to the OxMas scheme will also receive specialised guidance based on the subject applied for, depending on mentor availability. If successful OxMAS applicants receive an interview offer, they will also have access to our mentorship program where they will be coached by a current student studying their course or a similar course. 

Funding and Partner Organisations

As stated above, we are a student organisation and have no direct source of income or revenue. We rely on sponsorship and crowdfunding initiatives from NGOs, NPOs, and the public to fund our cause. If you are interested in contributing, or curious to find out more, please kindly contact us at oxmas@oumc.org.uk.

This year, we will be partnering with MABECS to get OxMAS up and running! With their support and counsel, we are one step closer to securing the success of our initiative. MABECS will assist all successful candidates with their application to Oxford. This includes assistance with the UCAS application, personal statement, and interview preparation. If you’d like to contact MABECS, please send them an email at enquiries@mabecs.com or visit their website for more information at www.mabecs.com. Alternatively, you could also give them a ring at 03-79567655 or 017-3397453 (mobile).

Timeline

The timeline outlined here is provisional and is subject to change.

Selection Criteria

Oxford admissions tutors often select students who fulfil certain criteria, hence we will make our decision based on the same fundamental principles in line with what the university is looking for.

1. Academic Qualifications
   Applicants must have already or is strongly predicted to achieve the ‘entrance requirement’ of the subject they want to pursue at Oxford University. This information can be found at the university’s website on courses available here. We will consider actual academic transcripts, mock examination results, or predicted grades issued by the school.
2. Passion for the subject of interest
   Once the academic qualifications are met, admissions tutors are looking to enrol students who have a genuine passion for their subject. These students will benefit the most from the Oxford ‘tutorial’ system, where they are given the unique opportunity to consolidate and discuss their findings with a world-leading academic in the field.
   Candidates will be evaluated on this front by submitting a mini personal statement of 200 words or less. A guide on how to write a strong personal statement is available in the application guide mentioned above which may be helpful for applicants. This personal statement need not necessarily be the candidate’s final draft that will be submitted to UCAS. Candidates are advised to highlight anything that demonstrates their interest in their subject and/or their ability as a candidate.
3. Household Income
   Applicant’s household income should not exceed RM10,000 monthly.

Please find the link to the application form here

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can I apply for a postgraduate degree?
   No. OxMAS is only for undergraduate applications.
2. Will OxMAS cover my tuition fees if I receive an offer from the university?
   No. OxMAS is not a scholarship program, and will not cover any tuition or accommodation fees. Our goal is to assist bright students with the first steps to achieve their dreams and to alleviate the financial considerations regarding the application process.
   We are mindful that this is a larger issue that has yet to be solved, but we will support our candidates through their scholarship applications if need be. There are also many scholarships available to Malaysian students, including programs that prioritise students from low-income backgrounds. A list of scholarships can be found here, but do keep in mind that this list is not exhaustive.
3. Can I apply to other universities in the UK?
   UCAS charges a one-time fee (covered by OxMAS) for an applicant to apply to 5 UK universities. Besides applying to Oxford, candidates will be able to apply to 4 other UK universities of their choosing at no extra cost, with a caveat that candidates cannot apply to the University of Cambridge, due to restrictions imposed by UCAS.
   Candidates are also free to apply to any university, local or overseas. However, OxMAS or OUMC are not obliged to intervene or assist the candidate regarding any application that is not directly related to the University of Oxford.
4. Will applications with household income exceeding RM10,000 be considered?
   Applicants with household incomes much greater than RM10,000 will most likely not benefit financially from this scheme. However, we will still offer guidance and give them access to our mentorship program and online resources that are available to all Oxford applicants.
5. What pre-university programs should I pursue if I want to apply for OxMAS?
   All pre-university programs recognised by the university will be applicable. This includes, but is not limited to A-Levels, International Baccalaureate (IB), and STPM.
   Programs such as the Malaysian Matriculation Program (Matrikulasi Malaysia), Unified Examination Certificate (UEC), Foundation or ‘Asasi’ programs from other universities are not included.
   A full list of programs accepted by the university can be found here.
6. When can I apply for OxMAS?
   You can apply for OxMAS in the year of your application, which is more than one year before you intend to enrol into university.
   For example,
   You would apply for OxMAS in 2022, if you intend to start your degree at Oxford in October 2023, as your UCAS application must be submitted before 15th October 2022.