Competitive universities and student life

This session focuses on what life is like practically at competitive universities with a particular focus on Oxford. It covers choosing your course, teaching, careers, university societies, accommodation, support and finance.

The application process and how to apply

This session focuses on the application process for competitive universities and how to prepare. It includes specific advice about the Oxbridge application process and how the college system fits into this.

Personal statements and getting started with your applications

This workshop, aimed at students applying to a broad range of universities, focuses more particularly on putting the first draft of a personal statement together, whilst also explaining how and why engaging in and reflecting on super-curricular activity supports a strong application.

What next?

This session gets students thinking about what it’s like to go to university. It highlights the benefits of higher education and asks students to think ahead to subject choices at age 16.

Introduction to HE

This session focuses on what university is like and why people go there. It prompts students to think about career paths, exploring what subjects they enjoy and where these might lead.

These are for state school students who have applied for Oxford or Cambridge and may be called for an interview. 

There are four live sessions (one per division) offered each year in November. Each session focuses on what to expect, what they are for and how to prepare. 

It is important for students to understand that Oxbridge interviews are not like normal job interviews, they are essentially an academic conversation, a bit like an Oxford tutorial. In the interview, students will be stretched and challenged, to explore how a student thinks. Tutors are less interested in the ‘correct’ answer. 

We hope that this workshop will provide the information needed for students to feel reassured about this part of the application process. 

Registrations for these workshops will open around three weeks before each session in November. 

Check back here for registration details at the end of October each year.

Each November and July the Access team offer live online talks for parents, carers and supporters* interested in finding out more about university in general and the University of Oxford

The team offers two talks that will be of interest to parents and carers of students in Years 10, 11 and 12. 

• Session 1 For Families - A guide to university will be particularly useful for those who did not attend university themselves or who feel they would appreciate updated general university information and guidance.
• Session 2 For Families - A guide to the University of Oxford will be of interest to parents and carers wanting to hear specifically about the University of Oxford and the application process.

In both sessions, we will also focus on effective ways parents and carers can support their child, should they decide to apply to University and/or the University of Oxford in the future. We aim to build confidence and knowledge about what a parent and carer's role is in the process of a university application and to clarify the benefits and costs of going to university and/or the University of Oxford. Includes live Q&A with current undergraduates at Oxford.

Next Sessions

Monday 2 November at 6pm - 7:30pm: Session 1 For Families - A guide to university  (general)

Thursday 5 November at 6pm - 7:30pm: Session 2 For Families - A guide to the University of Oxford and the application process on 

Booking

Parents book both or their preferred option directly via our Registration Form.

Please note: the registration form will open here, on this page, four weeks prior to each session and will remain open until 48 hrs prior to each session.

*Parents, carers and supporters of young people in a state secondary schools considering university