How many Oxbridge graduates go on to do further study after graduating?

Roughly one in three Oxbridge graduates continues into postgraduate study within a few years of finishing their undergraduate degree.

Oxford publishes destination data showing that around 30 to 40 percent of its graduates proceed to further study. Many stay at Oxford itself, enrolling in Oxford DPhil programmes or taught master's degrees. Cambridge figures are broadly similar.

This is notably higher than the UK university average, where around 15 to 20 percent of graduates go on to postgraduate study shortly after completing their first degree.

Several factors drive this. The tutorial and supervision model at Oxbridge builds strong research habits early. Students write essays, defend arguments one-to-one, and manage independent reading schedules from their first year. That kind of academic autonomy makes postgraduate research feel like a natural next step.

Subject also matters a lot. The sciences, humanities, and law all have different patterns. Medical and science graduates often continue into clinical training or funded PhD programmes. Humanities graduates frequently pursue master's or DPhil routes to support academic or research careers.

Common postgraduate routes taken by Oxbridge graduates include:

• DPhil or PhD (often at Oxford, Cambridge, or US research universities)
• Taught master's degrees (MSc, MPhil, MA)
• Postgraduate diplomas or conversion courses
• Professional training (medicine, law, education)

Funding shapes these choices significantly. Many Oxbridge graduates secure UKRI scholarships, college grants, or external fellowships. Without funding, the cost of a postgraduate degree can be a barrier even for high-achieving students.

For families thinking about the longer academic pipeline, the foundations start much earlier than university. Students who study the British curriculum at secondary level, including Cambridge IGCSE and A-Levels, build the subject depth and independent study habits that Oxbridge selectors look for. That preparation also positions students well for postgraduate applications later on.

If you have questions about how secondary study connects to university and beyond, our FAQ covers common questions about curriculum pathways, subject choices, and GCC locations where British curriculum schooling is available.