Opportunity Oxford

Opportunity Oxford is an academic bridging programme designed to support UK offer holders from under-represented backgrounds in their transition from school or college to the University. It aims to prepare students for successful academic careers at Oxford by helping to bridge gaps in educational resources and support that some may have experienced prior to university.

The programme underlines Oxford’s long-standing commitment to ensuring that the very best students from all backgrounds have the means and resources to thrive. It is part of the University’s wider efforts to increase the number of high-achieving students admitted from backgrounds identified as priorities for widening access to higher education, and reflects Oxford’s determination to ensure that students with the highest academic potential can succeed, regardless of background.

Since 2020 the University has made more than 1,000 offers with a place on the Opportunity Oxford programme, and a further 1,500 offer holders have been invited to take part in the entirely online OppOx Digital programme.

Each year we expect there to be around 250 offer holders taking part in the Opportunity Oxford programme and 300 who participate exclusively online via OppOx Digital.
 

Opportunity Oxford is for students who have received an undergraduate offer from Oxford and show high academic potential but come from backgrounds that are under-represented at the University. 

To be eligible, students must be on track to meet the academic requirements of their chosen course and come from an area with low progression to higher education, an area of socio-economic disadvantage, or both. These measures are defined using national data and determined primarily by a student’s residential postcode. 

Priority is given to students with more than one marker of under-representation, and additional factors may be considered, such as the proportion of students at a candidate’s school eligible for free school meals, the average academic performance of their current and previous schools, and whether the student has experience of being in care.

All applicants to Oxford are assessed for eligibility for Opportunity Oxford. There is no separate application process — candidates apply to Oxford through UCAS in the usual way and are automatically considered for the programme during the admissions process. 

Each year, around 20% of offer holders are identified by tutors as having school or other circumstances that mean they would benefit from this academic transition programme. Decisions are made by Oxford tutors, and students selected for Opportunity Oxford are informed at the same time they receive their undergraduate offer in January. 

Eligible applicants may be offered a place on either the Opportunity Oxford programme (including the residential) or the exclusively online OppOx Digital course. Those chosen for OppOx Digital will receive further information from the OppOx team in February.
 

Opportunity Oxford is a structured academic transition programme combining online events, an academic course and a residential experience. Students begin with an online welcome event, led by current Oxford undergraduates who previously participated in the programme. Parents, guardians and supporters are encouraged to attend this introductory session.

The core elements of the programme include a six-week online academic course during the summer, followed by a two-week residential programme in Oxford just before the start of the academic year. Together, these components are designed to explore, develop and strengthen the core academic skills students will need for their degree, ensuring they are well prepared to thrive from day one. The programme also provides a supportive introduction to life as an Oxford student, helping participants build confidence and feel ready to embrace their university experience.

As an Oxford offer holder, you may be involved in one of two ways:

1. Your offer includes a place on the Opportunity Oxford programme (including the residential).
2. Your offer includes a place on Opportunity Oxford Digital.