Mistaken Admissions to Oxford and Cambridge: A Historical and Modern Perspective

The admission process to prestigious universities such as Oxford and Cambridge is inherently complex and fraught with various risks. Though occurrences of admissions errors are rare, they do provide insight into the intricate mechanisms involved in the application and selection process at these renowned institutions.

Rare Errors but Significant Impact

Throughout history, there have been instances where students were mistakenly admitted to Oxford or Cambridge. These errors can be attributed to a multitude of factors such as administrative mistakes, miscommunication, or inaccuracies in the application information. An actual case involving Toby Young, an author and advocate for free schools, highlights the potential for such errors to occur.

Toby Young's Misadventure

Toby Young offers a prime example of a candidate receiving an admission based on erroneous data. There is a rumor suggesting that Young was mistakenly admitted to Brasenose College, Oxford, to study Philosophy, Politics, and Economics (PPE) due to a clerical error. It is said that Young did not secure the necessary grades to fulfill the conditions of his initial offer. However, after his father's intervention, the error was rectified, and Young was granted admission as expected.

A Historical Perspective

When examining the admission practices of these universities, it is also important to consider the historical context. Historically, admissions to Oxford and Cambridge have not been as competitive as they are today. During the medieval era, the criteria for admission were less stringent, and decisions were often made by individual teaching masters rather than corporate university bodies.

Pre-Middle Ages Admissions

Before the Middle Ages and long before the modern competitive landscape, access to higher education was more open. As Alan Cobban explains in his book on "English University Life in the Middle Ages," decisions about admissions were often made at the individual level. Masters of faculties would assess the aptitude of students based on their Latin grammar proficiency and ability to afford the necessary costs. Critically, the university itself played a minimal role in the admission process; it merely granted degrees based on the satisfaction of the teaching masters.

Pre-Middle Ages Example: Oxford and Cambridge

For example, during the thirteenth century, the admission process at Oxford and Cambridge was more relaxed. Prospective students needed to have only minimal finances and a basic grasp of Latin grammar. The universities did not play a significant role in the admissions process. Instead, the admission was largely a matter of negotiation with teaching masters who assessed the candidate's aptitude for study.

Historical Flexibility

During the early days of these universities, it was not uncommon for students to study without being official members of the university. This flexible approach allowed individuals to sample the quality of teaching before fully committing to their studies and paying fees. The parallel system at the University of Bologna provided a 15-day trial period where new entrants could experience the teaching of lecturers without financial commitment. This system ensured that students could evaluate their options before making a formal commitment.

Conclusion

While the admission process to Oxford and Cambridge has evolved over time, the history of these prestigious institutions is a testament to their rich and varied admission practices. Whether through modern errors or historical flexibility, the path to these universities has always been subject to various factors and nuances.