New data from the UCAS 2023 undergraduate application cycle show that Oxford degrees classified as historical, philosophical, and religious studies were the most popular for undergraduate study.
Degrees in this grouping received 3,480 applications, out of a total 24,230 applications made to the University – just over 2,000 more than the number to Cambridge.
Other highly popular subjects include physical sciences (2,610 applications), social sciences (2,575 applications), and law (2,465 applications). By contrast, the least popular were subjects involving medicine, with just 295 applications, and art/design, with 360 applications.
There were certain subjects where Oxford attracted more applications than Cambridge and vice versa. Oxford outnumbered Cambridge in applications significantly for maths, physical sciences, history, philosophy, and religious studies.
Conversely, subjects that were more popular at Cambridge were primarily science focused. Engineering received over double the number of applications at Cambridge compared to Oxford, with computing, geography, and psychology also all receiving more applicants.
The data, which go back to 2019, also show trends in the popularity of different subject areas. Law has seen the most growth in applications, with 580 more this year than in 2019. In contrast, the subject with the biggest drop is languages, with 275 fewer applications.
The full list of applications to Oxford is as follows:
1. Historical, philosophical, and religious studies (3,480 applications)
2. Physical sciences (2,610 applications)
3. Social sciences (2,575 applications)
4. Law (2,465 applications)
5. Mathematical sciences (2,330 applications)
6. Medicine and dentistry (1,950 applications)
7. Language and area studies (1,915 applications)
8. Biological and sports sciences (1,780 applications)
9. Engineering and technology (1,400 applications)
10. Computing (1,230 applications)
11. Business and management (770 applications)
12. Psychology (570 applications)
13. Geography, earth, and environmental studies (500 applications)
14. Design, and creative and performing arts (360 applications)
15. Subjects allied to medicine (295 applications)
