In 2023, Univ was delighted to run a virtual teachers event series alongside Keble and Oriel Colleges (Oxford for West Midlands). This virtual conference was offered for teachers and other school staff involved in supporting university applications at state sector schools and colleges from anywhere in the UK.

The 2023 conference was split over three evenings (4-6pm) and run virtually in order to make the conference as accessible as possible to teachers and school staff.

The programme included a talk on Oxford’s Opportunity Oxford programme and Astrophoria Foundation Year, Admissions Test guidance sessions and demonstration interviews.

To express an interest in future teachers conferences and virtual teachers events, please contact the Undergraduate Admissions and Access Manager, Joshua Newman T: 01865276677 E: access@univ.ox.ac.uk

The University of Oxford has developed a programme to simplify communication between the University and all schools in the United Kingdom. This is so that each school in the UK has a first point of contact in the University and so we can more efficiently work with as many schools as possible.

University College is the “link college” for the regions of Reading, West Berkshire, Wokingham, Shropshire, Telford and the Wrekin, Staffordshire and Stoke on Trent. The Schools Liaison and Access Officer welcomes contact from teachers and students at any school in and beyond the UK, but particularly schools in these regions.

Please note the scheme does not have any bearing on the Oxford admissions process and does not influence whether a college offers a candidate a place. It is not intended to replace any existing contact a school may have with a particular college or department.

For more information please read the University’s Regional Outreach pages at ox.ac.uk

Univ runs a highly successful volunteering programme for our current students in which they assist with our schools liaison and access work.

Our ambassador team is made up of over 60 undergraduate students from many different backgrounds and subject areas. The Univ ambassadors work with young people to encourage, motivate and inspire them to continue and complete their studies successfully. They assist in providing students with advice, information and guidance on progression to higher education and applying to the University of Oxford. Univ ambassadors act as tour guides on Open Days, and help to run a wide variety of events and schemes such as school visits, taster days for primary school, secondary school and college students. They are also available to make visits to schools independently, to talk about their experiences of learning at and applying to Oxford.

The ambassadors have completed a comprehensive training scheme to ensure they are well prepared to visit schools and colleges. Each ambassador gives as much or as little of their time as they wish and many find the role a worthwhile and rewarding aspect of their university experience.

If you would like an ambassador to visit your school then please contact our Undergraduate Admissions and Access Manager, Joshua Newman T: 01865276677 E: access@univ.ox.ac.uk

Online Resources

There are rich online resources to support prospective applicants to the University of Oxford available on the central University of Oxford website ox.ac.uk

Events

See below details of events for school groups and individual students at University College.

For events across the University, check out the outreach events calendar on the University of Oxford website.

Teachers’ Email Mailing List

If you are a teacher interested in hearing about relevant events and opportunities you can sign up to receive email newsletters. Savannah, the Schools Liaison and Access Officer, occasionally emails round with details both about University College events and events from other Colleges/Departments across the University of Oxford. You can sign up using this form (and use the same link later to change your mailing preferences or unsubscribe).

Please note, the majority of our schools liaison communication will go to schools in Univ’s “link region”. This is because many of our events are prioritised for the schools for which we have particular responsibility. We are keen to form relationships with schools outside our link region, but if you are a UK school outside of our link region, you may also want to find out what might be specifically available from your “link college”. You may also want to check the University’s general resources for teachers: www.ox.ac.uk/teachers.

If you would like to request a visit to your school please complete this online form.

If you would like to request a visit to the College please complete this online form.

We are delighted to again be hosting in-person visits to the College and are currently planning our programme of visits for the Autumn Term and schools are welcome to be in touch to express an interest.

Each term Univ offers set days on which schools can book to bring small groups of students to. These aim to challenge myths surrounding the University of Oxford and its admissions process, provide students with insight into studying at university, and allow them to meet and ask questions of current undergraduates.

The days include activities such as:

• An “Introduction to Oxford” workshop
• A tour of the College with current undergraduates
• An opportunity for students to eat lunch in the College Dining Hall
• An afternoon taster session led by students or a facilitated session at one of the University’s museums

Please see our Standard Programme PDF for Year 10 and 11 visits.

For each day we expect one, two or three schools to attend with groups of up to 10-15 students each (usually a full mini-bus). Due to demand it is likely that priority will go to state-funded schools in University College’s “link regions”. More information about the regional link scheme is available here.

Please contact the Schools Liaison and Access Officer to express an interest in attending one of these days (T: 01865 286565 E: access@univ.ox.ac.uk).

About Study Days

A major part of Univ’s schools outreach is our programme of subject study days for Year 12s in the spring and summer terms. These are an excellent way to gain an insight into potential degree subjects. These will also give high-achieving students a taste of the university experience and ideas for how they can develop their academic interests and skills beyond the classroom. They are delivered by Univ’s subject tutors and post-graduate students, consist of classes and lectures, and include a tour of the college and lunch with current undergraduate students.

“I attended an English and History Study Day in February 2020 which allowed me to explore both subjects more deeply, and to get a feel for the college. It was on this day that I decided Univ, and History, was definitely for me. I felt so comfortable, and like I really could belong here.” – Elspeth (2021, History)

Study Days 2023 Programme

Typically, we host five study days across a range of subjects. These have previously included events such as:

• English and History Study Days
• Humanities Study Days
• Medical Sciences Study days
• Mathematical and Physical Sciences
• Social Sciences Study Days

How to Apply

The application processes for these study days run separately for each subject-based study day. Applications will generally open at least two months before the study day. There will be a short online application form to complete, including approval and details of academic achievement from a supporting teacher. There is no requirement to submit a personal statement.

Selection Criteria

We aim to choose students who have potential to make a competitive application to Oxford and who will most benefit from the workshops. The College will consider information such as GCSE results and predicted grades, and may consider educational and socio-economic background, using similar categories to the contextual data which is used in the Oxford admissions process. In case of over-subscription the College may also have to limit the number of attendees per school, and prioritise spaces for schools in our link regions (ox.ac.uk/linkcolls).

Students are welcome to apply for more than one study day. For some of the study days there may be a chance to do that within a single application form. However, if our study days prove popular we will only be able to offer students a place on one subject study day each. If you have questions about this, please contact the Undergraduate Admissions and Access Manager, Joshua Newman T: 01865276677 E: access@univ.ox.ac.uk

We know how important it is that Oxford is made as accessible as possible.

With that in mind, Univ aims to provide a programme of virtual outreach in addition to our in-person work. We offer virtual talks and workshops to schools in our link regions. Our virtual events include:

• Introduction to Oxford (Year 9)

• Exploring Oxford and Super-curricular Activities Talk (Year 10 and 11)

• Personal Statements and Admissions Workshop (Year 12)

If you would like to arrange for a virtual session with your school, please contact the Undergraduate Admissions and Access Manager, Joshua Newman T: 01865276677 E: access@univ.ox.ac.uk