Events and activities

We believe that a degree opens doors and is life changing for many people, but we also know that deciding where or whether to go to university is not always easy, particularly if you don't know people who have been, or who can tell you what it's like.

Oxford for South West can provide you with the information and support you need to make informed decisions about your future. Our programmes are designed to support you at whatever stage you are in school:

• For students aged 11 to 16, we focus on providing the information you need to make informed decisions about GCSE and A-Level choices.
• For students aged 16 to 18, we shift the focus to providing information about university admissions, helping you to explore what Oxford has to offer and developing the skills necessary to make successful applications to Oxford.

Please note that in response to the Covid-19 pandemic, the University has suspended face-to-face outreach activities. As a result we have been developing digital outreach experiences, including our digital resource hub and our Virtual Open Days - for more see our online resources page. The information below explains what face to face outreach programmes Oxford usually offers students. See our teachers section for information on Oxford outreach organised via schools and colleges. 

Schools Access Programme - all year groups

Most years, the Oxford for South West team visit state schools throughout the academic year. We often bring student ambassadors who come from the South West with us, so you have the chance to speak with someone who knows your region and has up to date experience of what it is like to study at Oxford.  The programme includes a range of activities for students of different ages – from advice on choosing GCSEs and A levels through to university applications. The events are hosted by a school and are often open for students from other local schools to attend. Please ask your teacher about attending one of these events, once pandemic restrictions have been lifted. They can find more information and details of contact on the 'For Teachers' section of this website.

Oxbridge Student Conferences (Year 12)

These events are aimed at Year 12 students who are studying for their A Levels (or equivalent) and are beginning to consider their options for study beyond sixth form. The conferences are designed as Open Days on the road, and bring experienced admissions staff, subject specialists and current students from the universities of Oxford and Cambridge to venues around the UK. These full day events provide up to date information about our courses, clearly outline the admissions process and provide students with the opportunity to hear first-hand how our current undergraduates find life at Oxford and Cambridge. More details of these events are found on the Oxford and Cambridge students conference website. Please ask your teacher about attending one of these events.

Open Days (Years 11 - 13)

The University holds three Open Days, two in June or July and one in September, each year.

All colleges and departments will be open to prospective students on Oxford University Open Days. The 2021 Open Days are provisionally scheduled for Wednesday 30 June, Thursday 1 July and Friday 17 September. For more information on our Open Days see here.

Students do not need to apply in advance to attend an Open Day.  However if you are eligible to take part in an open day residential you will need to apply for this via your school.

UNIQ Oxford (Year 12) 

UNIQ is the largest University of Oxford access programme for students in their first year of further education, who are based at UK state schools or colleges. UNIQ has a successful record of helping students make successful applications to Oxford. Due to the pandemic, UNIQ 2020 ran as an online intensive summer school with a demanding academic component. UNIQ 2021 will build on the successes of previous years, by providing an extended access programme with activities running from April to November. For more information see the UNIQ website.

Target Oxbridge (Year 12) 

Target Oxbridge is a free programme that aims to help black African and Caribbean students and students of mixed race with black African and Caribbean heritage increase their chances of getting into the Universities of Oxford or Cambridge (known collectively as Oxbridge). The programme includes a residential in Oxford, student mentoring by black or minority ethnic Oxbridge graduates as well as many tailored sessions throughout the year. Since launching in 2012, Target Oxbridge has helped 200 students to secure Oxbridge offers. For more information see the Target Oxbridge website.

Oxford Pathways (Years 10 & 11)

Oxford Pathways is for students attending non-selective state schools across the UK, with little, if any, history of sending students to Oxford. 

Through Oxford Pathways students get the opportunity to visit Oxford, to explore the university and see what it is like to study here.  Taster Days give academically able year 10 students an introduction to higher education and student finance, interactive sessions with current students, lunch served in a college dining hall, and participation in an academic activity.

The same students are invited back to Oxford in year 11 for an Investigating Options Days which focusses the importance of GCSE results and post-16 choices.

Students coach travel costs are paid for by Oxford for South West Colleges. Applications are made by schools, rather than individuals, with each school welcome to bring up to 10 students.  So please ask your teacher about this opportunity. For more information see the Pathways website.  #OxPathways

Visit Oxford (All years)

Oxford for South West colleges warmly welcome all state Primary and Secondary pupils to visit during University term time. These visit days are designed to give pupils a taste of University life and can be adapted for all year groups. There is no charge for these days.

An example of a visit might include a talk about the University of Oxford, meeting current undergraduate students, and academic taster sessions at a museum or department (e.g. ‘Object Handling’ at the Ashmolean or a ‘Collections Up Close’ at the Bodleian).

Our colleges are very happy to adapt College visit days to meet the needs of any particular group of pupils. These visits are organised through schools, so if you are interested please ask your teacher to get in touch with us.

Choosing where to go to university can be a life-changing decision, and whilst this is exciting, it can also be daunting. We hugely value the supporting role that teachers and careers advisors can play in encouraging students to consider their options and make informed decisions.

Please note that in response to the Covid-19 pandemic, the University has suspended face-to-face outreach activities. As a result we have been developing digital outreach experiences, including our digital resource hub and our Virtual Open Days - for more see our online resources page. The information below explains the face to face outreach programmes Oxford usually offers teachers in the South West and in Oxford. See our students section for information on Oxford outreach that students can apply for directly. 

Schools Access Programme

Most years, we visit a large number of state schools and deliver sessions to different year groups on a range of topics. Some sessions are about university in general, whilst others focus on the University of Oxford, for example:

For Year 12 and 13

• Making a Competitive Application to University, Oxford and the Application Process
• Personal Statement Workshop
• Admissions Test Workshop
• Interview Workshop (suitable for Oxbridge applicants)
• Support for Oxford Offer Holders

For Years 9, 10 and 11

• University and Future Choices: GCSEs, A Levels and how they link to university courses
• Why University? Why Oxford? The purpose of university, myth-busting, the cost and a brief introduction to the Russell Group and the University of Oxford

For Years 7, 8, 9 and 10

• Higher Education Explained: Exploring university and what it might be like to study there
  Oxplore workshops
• Whilst the majority of our outreach is directed at older students, we are also able to provide some sessions for primary aged pupils to help them understand university education.

Oxford for South West can also share information on other topics related to widening access and Oxford admissions during access visits. If you have any particular interests that you would like us to address, please do get in touch either with your link college or via our contact form.

Once Covid restrictions are lifted we plan to visit selected schools in the following areas. In the meantime we will continue to provide outreach virtually.

• Exeter College support schools across Cornwall, Devon, North Somerset , Plymouth, Somerset, Torbay
• Lady Margaret Hall is linked with Gloucestershire and South Gloucestershire
• Merton College supports schools across Bath and North East Somerset, Bournemouth, Dorset , Poole, Swindon, WiltshireAll three colleges will be
• working together with students and schools from Bristol. 

Many of these events are open to students from different local schools to attend. Please contact the college listed for your region for details of school visits your students can join this year and to discuss hosting similar events for students in the future.

Contact:
Exeter College
Lady Margaret Hall
Merton College

If you are a school from Bristol, please email: [email protected]

Open Day Accommodation

It is possible to book free overnight accommodation for Open Days. Accompanied groups can receive one night of accommodation, plus dinner and breakfast in college.  During their stay, teachers will be given the opportunity to ask staff and current undergraduates questions about applying to Oxford and the Oxford university experience.

School groups must be escorted by a teacher/s who will remain responsible for all safeguarding arrangements. All accommodation bookings are made in advance by teachers.

For more information and to find out if we are able to offer this, please contact the colleges directly using the links listed above on this page.

Teacher Summer Schools

Oxford’s CPD accredited Teacher Summer School is a free two-day residential conference for teachers from state schools and colleges in the UK. During the summer school, teachers receive detailed support and guidance about the Oxford admissions process, experience taster sessions for different academic subjects, and learn from mock interviews. It aims to support teachers to stretch and challenge their most able students, and equip them with the best possible advice and guidance on selective university admissions.

Inspirational Teachers Award

Since 2010, the University of Oxford has run a scheme to recognise inspirational teachers from UK state schools and colleges. This award scheme recognises the crucial role teachers play in encouraging talented students in their schools or colleges. Each year, current first-year Oxford undergraduates from UK state schools or colleges with a limited history of sending students to Oxford are asked if they would like to nominate an inspirational teacher.

For details of University of Oxford’s webpages for teachers, Ignite - Oxford’s free careers education programme for schools and Teachers newsletters see our Online Resources.