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Preparation for Oxbridge & University Admissions

For students who are already high achievers with a view to attending Oxbridge and other Russell Group universities, Lionheart Education provides full admissions preparation for Year 12 & 13 students. We cover UCAS personal statement writing, Oxbridge essays, interview practice, and extracurricular achievements, delivered in small group sessions in London.

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Who is this university admissions programme for?

The UK has some of the most prestigious universities in the world, where competition is fierce. That’s why our university admissions courses in London for Oxbridge universities are aimed at pupils preparing to apply to these highly selective universities.

Students who take our Oxbridge admissions course are usually in Year 12 as they are taking time to build a serious profile for application to these top institutions. In addition to learning more about the universities they are applying to with further reading, the courses can help students choose the right university for them, the university course they’d like to take, and advice on how to reach the necessary grades. Many families come to us just after GCSEs finish, so that subject choices at A-Level, written work, interview performance, and extra-curricular work are all pointing in the same direction well ahead of the application itself.

Beyond Oxbridge — US and Russell Group applications

We don’t just help students apply to Oxbridge, as we have specific services tailored to US university applications with the Common App, and Russell Group universities such as Imperial College London, King’s College London, the University of Sheffield, and the University of York.

Students in Year 13 can also use Lionheart courses to help with deadlines for applications such as UCAS, Oxbridge admissions tests, invitations to interview, and school references. We support both UK applicants from state and private schools, as well as homeschooled pupils.

Our Oxbridge admissions course is most suited to students who are already predicted the highest grades possible in their selected subjects, As or A*s, and need specific guidance on their university application to achieve a placement. We do provide one-on-one Oxbridge tuition with subject-specific advice, and many pupils combine multiple Lionheart services such as A-Level tuition and university admissions consultancy.

What our university application courses cover

With over 35 years of offering academic consultancy and personal Oxbridge tuition, Lionheart Education is well-placed to help you get the most out of your application to an Oxbridge or Russell Group university. We build our Oxbridge admissions courses around six main aspects to ensure you have full coverage that gives your application a distinct advantage over competitors. This complete package ensures you present a well-rounded application that stands out to admissions panels.

Course choice decisions

We begin by learning more about each student and their aims, testing the choice of course and explaining in detail what each course actually involves and demands from the student.
The written application

We provide assistance with UCAS statements as well as essays for the Common App in US applications.
University-specific admissions tests

We can also provide specific tuition for LNAT, MAT, TMUA, ESAT, ELAT and HAT.
Oxbridge interview preparation

Finally, we roll Oxbridge interview practice into every course as it’s a student’s best chance to make their impression.
Subject knowledge

We help students explore their subject further through wider reading, academic articles, and challenging discussion — building genuine subject mastery that comes through clearly in interviews and admissions tests.
Extra-curricular development

A well-rounded application goes beyond grades, so we help students build meaningful experience through relevant projects, societies, and independent research. Where helpful, our academic mentoring service also supports students in developing the wider skills, motivation, and sense of direction that admissions panels notice.

Admissions tests and extra-curricular preparation

Oxbridge, Russell Group, and Ivy League universities are famed for their admissions tests, and leaving them to the last minute can put an end to an otherwise perfect application. They rarely test subject knowledge, but focus more on precision and problem-solving to questions and problems there may be no right answer to. The task of admissions tests is to bring out certain characteristics in a student to see if they have the aptitude for learning at the highest levels.

Law (LNAT)

For law schools, the Law National Aptitude Test set by the LNAT consortium is a good example of this, and our Oxford LNAT preparation for 2027 entry already covers modules on how to build essay control and evaluate arguments rather than delivering specific legal knowledge.

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Maths (MAT & TMUA)

For students entering Maths courses, we help them with MAT past papers for Oxford and teach them how to prepare for the TMUA Cambridge maths test. Both of these require careful reasoning, speed, and disciplined responses, and with our tutors you can be sure you're getting the highest quality on your Oxbridge admissions course.
Engineering (ESAT)

This includes Cambridge ESAT preparation for engineering, and we'll always check the Admissions Testing (UAT-UK) resource before creating our courses as it changes from year to year.

We offer everything you could need as a single package for your university application, and will give you the best guidance on extra-curricular work such as MOOCs, Olympiads, essay competitions, research projects, and EPQs that demonstrate intellectual fortitude.

Our course includes Oxbridge interview practice

One of the most nerve-wracking parts of any university application is the interview, but with Lionheart tutors by your side, we’ll help you put your best self forward. We don’t provide generic interview advice and rehearsals for Oxbridge, and you’ll be pleased to know your interview practice will take place with someone who has already done it, or even past members of the Oxbridge interview panel.

Top universities, including Oxford and Cambridge, aren’t trying to catch students out, but they are trying to get a feel for the academic way of thinking that is required for studying there. Mock Oxbridge interviews slowly build confidence and are always delivered by subject-specific tutors who may be Oxbridge graduates themselves and can guide you in the right direction.

STEM

If you're applying for a STEM course, we'll work through unfamiliar problems and teach you how to think aloud in a considered way.
Literature

For applicants to a literature undergraduate degree, we can instruct you how to pull apart poems on the spot and give a detailed response that shows critical insight.
Humanities

For humanities subjects, working with sources or historical arguments for a legal scenario will all be covered so you're never left worrying at this crucial part of the application.

With Lionheart Oxbridge mock interview practice in London, we will conduct an initial interview which is purely diagnostic, and from that we can work with targeted preparation for two or more interviews that replicate the real-life scenario. Feedback is delivered immediately, and we won’t teach students how to rehearse answers, but instead think on their feet when challenged intellectually.

Complementary services for 16+ students

We offer a range of academic services that are complementary for 16+ students, including A-Level revision courses to bring up predicted grades, one-to-one A-Level tuition, and Careers & Futures advice from Year 9 onwards. This specialist support tailored to each student gives them the best possible opportunity when it comes to Oxbridge applications as well as other universities around the UK.

A-Level Private Tuition

One-to-one A-Level tuition tailored to each student's subjects and goals, from targeted support to a fully bespoke ongoing programme.
A Level Revision Courses

Intensive, exam board-aligned revision courses in London and online, delivered by the same specialist teacher throughout to build knowledge and confidence.
Mentoring

Academic and pastoral mentoring that supports the whole student, building confidence, organisation and direction alongside their A-Level studies.
Careers & Futures

Guidance from Year 9 onwards on subject choices, career paths and next steps, helping students plan a clear route toward their ambitions.

"Very holistic and supportive agency with a high level of tutoring. Always keen to find bespoke solutions to very particular and sometimes complex needs. Lionheart provided an excellent, empathetic maths tutor to help my son pass an exam in a very short time. Highly recommended."

"I have had an extremely positive experience of Lionheart. The tutors are excellent - all of them that we have hired via Lionheart have been great teachers, reliable and pleasant. The opportunity to learn at the school is also valuable."

Frequently asked questions

When should Oxbridge preparation start?

Preparation for admission to Oxbridge and other universities usually begins in Year 12, so students can explore the subjects and become familiar with the admissions test. It’s also best to start the application early before deadlines approach, and it also gives students 2 full years to build up their personal academic profile.
What is the UCAS personal statement?

There are now three questions that students need to answer separately as part of UK university applications via UCAS. Our team of experts coaches students through the requirements, offering editorial advice to strengthen their application, with redrafting feedback while the statement remains the student’s own work.
Which university admissions tests do you cover?

Lionheart Education supports preparation for all of the major admissions tests for university, including LNAT, MAT, TMUA, ESAT, ELAT and HAT. For medicine admissions, students need a distinct profile handled through UCAT, and we make sure all course test choices are compared against the university a full year before preparation begins.
How does Oxbridge interview practice work?

Our mock interviews are delivered by subject experts, many of whom have already taken the entrance test and undergone interviews in the subject the student is taking. We can work through solving unfamiliar problems, how to handle source analysis, and take part in academic discussions. We run multiple interview cycles to improve clarity and precision.
How does this differ from Careers & Futures consultancy?

Lionheart’s Careers & Futures consultancy is based around long-term academic direction and can be given at any age from Year 9 onwards. It involves subject choices at GCSE and A-Level, as well as intended career direction advice. However, our Oxbridge & University Admission courses focus specifically on university entrance, including admissions tests, extra-curricular evidence, and interview practice.