INFORMATION COMPLIANCE TEAM
University Offices, Wel ington Square, Oxford OX1 2JD
Ref: 202306/591
24 July 2023
Reply to request for information under the Freedom of Information Act
Your ref
Email of 23 June 2023
_
Request
See Annex
Dear Sophie,
I write in reply to your email requesting the information detailed above.
ITEMS 1 and 2
Please find the data for item 1 in the table below.
UCAS
Cycle
Applications Shortlisted
Offers
Final Accepts
2019
4
*
*
*
2020
5
*
*
*
2021
*
*
*
*
2022
3
*
*
*
2023
15
*
*
*
Denotes fewer than three
The data for item 2 has been withheld.
Your request is for detailed individual level data, some of which relating to the current applications cycle, which
has yet to be completed. We consider that disclosure of this information in the exact form requested might
enable those with access to other information or knowledge to identify individuals and learn new information
about those individuals e.g. those from the same school as the candidates or those on the same course. For
this reason, we have taken a number of measures to reduce the risk of identification, including aggregating
data wherever possible, redacting numbers less than 3, including zero, and withholding college level information.
In taking these measures, we are applying the exemption in section 40(2) of the Freedom of Information Act
(FOIA). Section 40(2) provides an exemption from disclosure for information that is the personal data of an
individual other than the requester, where disclosure would breach any of the data protection principles in Article
5 of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). We consider that disclosure of the information requested
in the exact form requested would breach the first data protection principle, which requires that personal data
is processed lawfully, fairly and in a transparent manner. Disclosure would be unfair to the individuals concerned,
2
as it would be contrary to their reasonable and legitimate expectations. They would not reasonably expect that
information relating to their application to Oxford would be made public under the FOIA without their consent.
For the disclosure of personal data to be lawful, it must have a lawful basis under Article 6 of the GDPR. There
are six possible lawful bases in Article 6; we do not consider that any of them would be satisfied in respect of
the disclosure.
The exemption in section 40(2) is an absolute exemption and is not subject to the public interest test provided
for in section 2(2)(b) of the FOIA. To the extent that the public interest is relevant in this case, the University
considers it is satisfied by the information provided.
ITEMS 3 and 4
Please refer to the subheading for ‘Access and Foundation Courses’ on the
Entry Requirements page on the
Medical Sciences Division’s website.
In the context of the Medical Sciences Division, answers are provided at the following link:
Pre-clinical medicine:
I have re-sat A-levels (or an equivalent) - am I eligible to apply?
Should you have any further queries about the A100 course in particular, please direct these to:
xxxxxxxxxx@xxxxxxxxx.xx.xx.xx
INTERNAL REVIEW
If you are dissatisfied with this reply, you may ask the University to review it by e-mailing
xxx@xxxxx.xx.xx.xx. A request for internal review should be submitted no later than 40 working days from the date of this letter.
THE INFORMATION COMMISSIONER
If, after the internal review, you are still dissatisfied, you have the right under FOIA to apply to the Information
Commissioner for a decision as to whether your request has been dealt with in accordance with the FOIA. You
can do this online using the
Information Commissioner’s complaints portal.
Yours sincerely
FOI Oxford
Information Compliance Team
3
ANNEX
I am writing to request the following information:
1a) The number of applicants to the A100 course who applied with Access to HE:Medicine as their level 3
qualification in the 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023 cycles.
1b) The number of applicants to the A100 course who applied with Access to HE:Medicine as their level 3
qualification in the 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023 cycles who received an invitation to interview.
1c) The number of applicants to the A100 course who applied with Access to HE:Medicine as their level 3
qualification in the 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023 cycles who received an offer.
1d) The number of applicants to the A100 course who applied with Access to HE:Medicine as their level 3
qualification in the 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023 cycles who received an offer and successful y gained a
place.
2a) Which colleges received applications to the A100 course from applicants who applied with Access to
HE:Medicine as their level 3 qualification in the 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023 cycles.
2b) Which colleges sent out interview invites to the A100 course from applicants who applied with Access to
HE:Medicine as their level 3 qualification in the 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023 cycles.
2c) Which colleges gave offers to the A100 course from applicants who applied with Access to HE:Medicine as
their level 3 qualification in the 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023 cycles.
2d) Which colleges have students on the A100 course from applicants who applied with Access to HE:Medicine
as their level 3 qualification in the 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023 cycles.
3) The University of Oxford’s official stance on whether Access to HE: Medicine is a suitable level 3
qualification for entry onto the A100 course.
4) The University of Oxford’s official stance on applicants who have retaken A levels or other level 3
qualifications.
