How hard is it to get into Oxford MFE?

Question

V Ritik · Accepted Answer

Most people don&rsquo;t realise how intense the competition is for Oxford&rsquo;s MFE. The class is small, and the global applicant pool is stacked with high achievers.
Those who usually make it in have: &bull; A strong academic record in quantitative subjects from a top school &bull; Internship or full-time experience in finance, consulting, or analytics &bull; GMAT scores around 710&ndash;750, though 760+ isn&rsquo;t rare &bull; A specific post-MFE goal that matches what the program offers
It also helps when the resume shows real progression &mdash; not just a list of brand names. Oxford cares about fit, so the motivation letter has to show genuine interest in the MFE itself.
Surprisingly, many solid applicants miss out just because their essays don&rsquo;t connect or feel vague.
For more details you can read this blog on "Oxford MSc Financial Economics "

B.K Sharma · Answer

Oxford&rsquo;s MFE is tough to get into &mdash; especially for those without a strong quantitative background. The admissions team looks for solid academic performance in math-heavy fields like economics, engineering, physics, or stats. Internships in equity research, investment banking, corporate finance, or roles involving financial modelling tend to carry more weight. Even research assistantships involving econometrics or data analysis can help if they show applied quant skills.
A GMAT above 720 is common among admitted students, but that alone won&rsquo;t guarantee anything. Certifications like CFA Level 1, FMVA, or Bloomberg Market Concepts aren&rsquo;t mandatory, but they can strengthen a profile &mdash; especially if your undergrad wasn't finance-heavy.
What really matters is showing how the MFE fits into clear, well-thought-out goals. Many applicants with great profiles get rejected because their essays feel generic or disconnected from their career plans.

T Mehta · Answer

Getting into Oxford MFE is tough because the program attracts far more qualified applicants than it has seats. Strong academics in math, economics, or finance are almost a given, and most admitted students have solid professional or internship experience too. The admissions team looks carefully at quantitative ability, so coursework in statistics, econometrics, or financial math helps a lot.
What makes it harder is that Oxford doesn&rsquo;t just want high grades and test scores. They expect applicants to show clear motivation for finance and how the MFE links to future goals. Essays and references are read closely, and the interview is known for being technical. One factor people underestimate is timing&mdash;early applicants often have better chances because fewer spots are filled.
So yes, it&rsquo;s very competitive, but with strong quant background and a well-planned application, it&rsquo;s not impossible.

V Gupta · Answer

Most people think the hardest part is the academic side, but that&rsquo;s only half the story. The admissions process is designed to filter for both technical skill and genuine fit for the finance industry.

A top GPA alone won&rsquo;t stand out unless it&rsquo;s paired with relevant internships, research, or work experience.
The GMAT or GRE score matters, especially the quant section, since the course is heavily math-driven.
The interview often includes problem-solving questions on the spot, so practicing mental math and financial reasoning helps.
The program also values international exposure, so exchange programs or global internships can be an advantage.

One underrated angle is recommendations&mdash;professors or supervisors who can speak about real analytical ability make a big difference. It&rsquo;s a tough admit rate, but applicants who bring both strong numbers and convincing career focus are the ones who usually make it through.