A tally of leading UK schools for Oxford and Cambridge acceptance rates shows institutions from London at the forefront.

Among the highest-performing 10 schools, six are located in the capital city.

Across a broader compilation of 80 educational institutions, 33 call London home.

Leading the rankings is Westminster School, which submitted 179 applications to Oxford or Cambridge and secured 96 acceptances.

This independent institution counts among its former students Sir Isaac Newton, former Prime Minister and former Witney MP Lord David Cameron, as well as acclaimed actress Helena Bonham Carter.

Lord David Cameron (Image: Ben Birchall/PA Wire)

The highest-placed state-funded institution on the list is Hills Road Sixth Form College, a co-educational state sixth form college in Cambridge.

Among its 245 applicants, 62 received Oxbridge offers in 2025.

Queen Elizabeth’s School in Barnet also performed strongly among state schools, with 127 students applying to Oxbridge and 62 gaining admission.

An examination of the leading 80 schools showed 25 were state schools or state sixth-form colleges, one was a further education college, 30 were private schools, and 24 were grammar schools.

This examination follows Oxford University’s decision to eliminate its own admissions assessments, indicating changes to the undergraduate application process.

These entrance examinations have traditionally been viewed as obstacles for applicants lacking support from private education or families able to assist with preparation.

In January, Oxford University was crowned Europe’s top institution in the QS world rankings for 2026.