Events and activities
Oxford for North East offers a range of free events, activities, and programmes throughout the year, designed to support students from the region. Whether you're just beginning to explore university options, preparing to apply, or holding an offer, we’re here to help. Many of our events can be arranged directly through schools, while others are open for students to sign up individually.
Middlesbrough transporter bridge (Credit: Steve Franks / Getty Images)
In your region
UCAS Discovery Exhibitions (Years 11-13)
The UCAS Discovery Exhibitions are a fantastic opportunity to learn more about university life, explore a range of institutions, and get expert advice. Oxford for North East representatives will be attending these events, and students will also have the chance to attend an applying to Oxbridge session.
Upcoming Events:
- 30th April 2025 – Middlesbrough
- 13th June 2025 – Newcastle
If you’re interested, ask your teacher about attending. More details can be found on the UCAS website.
Aim for Oxford (Year 12)
Aim for Oxford is Oxford for North East's flagship sustained contact programme designed for high-achieving state school students from the North East who may have experienced educational or personal disadvantage. The programme helps students develop confidence, refine academic skills, and prepare for a strong application to Oxford.
What does the programme include?
- Application skills workshops to guide you through the process
- Opportunities to engage with Oxford researchers and alumni
- A free summer residential at Oxford, where students complete an independent research task
- Tutorials, library visits, admissions test preparation, and mentoring from current students
Students who complete Year 12 in the programme and apply to Oxford will receive further application skills support and an Offer Holder event if they receive an offer.
Applications open in early September and close in early November.
OxNet Sunderland (Year 12)
The Southmoor Academy OxNet Hub, in collaboration with Durham University, runs an academic programme focused on medieval history, philosophy, and interdisciplinary research. Students explore the Ordered Universe project, which brings together different ways of studying the medieval world of Bishop Grosseteste.
Why join?
- Engage in high-level research with university academics
- Gain access to exclusive learning opportunities within your school and local area
- Take part in an Access Summer School at the University of Oxford
Most of the programme takes place within Sunderland schools, making it highly accessible. For more details, please email Amy Knott.
Oxford for North East Offer Holder Event (Year 13)
Each year, Oxford for North East hosts an Offer Holder Event for students from the region who have received an Oxford offer. This event is designed to help students prepare for university life, connect with their future peers, and hear directly from current Oxford students.
What to expect:
- Advice and insights from current students about Oxford life
- Meet other North East students heading to Oxford
- Q&A sessions to address any concerns before the transition to university
In 2024, the event was held in Newcastle, with a separate session for parents and carers. Whether online or in-person, this is a fantastic opportunity to feel more confident about the next stage of your journey.
In Oxford
There are a range of opportunities for students and teachers from the North East region to visit Oxford. Please see the event calendar for events in Oxford, or sign up to our mailing list for more updates.
Open Days (Years 11-13)
The next University-wide Open Days for undergraduates are held each year in July and September. These days offer an ideal opportunity for you to explore Oxford, find out more about our courses, tour colleges and quiz tutors and students.
It is not mandatory to register for an Oxford Open Day, although we strongly recommend that you do in order to receive our newsletters, full of top tips on how to make the most of your day. You may also need to book for some popular sessions in advance. Please see the Open days page for further information.
Free accommodation is offered by many colleges across the University, including those in Oxford for North East. Please check the Open Days website for more details, or get in contact.
North East Open Day Residential (Year 12)
This free residential visit gives students from the North East the opportunity to visit the University of Oxford during its Summer Open Days on a three-day, two-night programme. In addition to exploring Oxford on the Open Days, students will stay in College accommodation, attend academic information sessions and have opportunities to speak with current Oxford students from the North East and members of staff. It is completely free of charge for students, including coach travel to Oxford, all food and two nights of accommodation at Christ Church, St Anne's, Lincoln or Trinity Colleges.
To apply you should:
- be in Year 12 at a state school/college in North East of England
- be predicted at least three A grades at A Level (or equivalent)
- have at least 5 GCSE grades 6, 7, 8 or 9 (or equivalent)
- Further selection may be made based on contextual factors, depending on how many places are available (in 2019, we hosted 85 students, in 2022 this was increased to 120).
Applications for the North East Residential will open again in February 2025 and further information will be sent out to schools and our Year 12 mailing list. You can email for more information.
Christ Church Applicant Preparation Day
The day is designed to help students understand how to finalise their Oxford applications and prepare for the various stages of the application process beyond the UCAS form. The day will involve workshops on personal statements, admissions tests, and interviews, as well as plenty of opportunity to ask questions to admissions staff, current Oxford students, and academics.
Lunch will be provided, and participants can also then stay with us overnight at Christ Church, completely free of charge, for the 20 September University of Oxford Open Day.
Applicants should attend a state-maintained school. If the event is oversubscribed, we will prioritise applicants based on contextual factors such as Free School Meals eligibility, POLAR and ACORN quintiles, being the first in their family to attend university, other indicators of educational disadvantage or disruption, and prior engagement with Oxford access and outreach programmes and opportunities.
Prospective applicants are welcome to complete the Application Preparation Day application form by August 2025. Participants who would otherwise be unable to attend can arrange in advance for us to reimburse their travel costs after the event. We are able to cover reasonable public transport costs within the UK if these have been agreed with us a week in advance of the event. Contact us to discuss.
Any other questions about the Application Preparation Day can also be directed to the Access & Schools Liaison Officer.
Visit Oxford (all years)
We welcome school visits from across the region. Please ask your teachers to get in contact if you would like to arrange a visit for a group of students from your school.
UNIQ Oxford (Year 12)
UNIQ is open to students studying in their first year of further education, who are based at UK state schools or colleges. It is completely free to attend. The programme provides comprehensive information and guidance on the university admissions process, and aims to give you a realistic view of Oxford student life through videos, activities and quizzes through its online components, as well as 1000 places available on the academic summer residential. There is further support during Year 13 through the application process. Students can apply from December and applications close in January.
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. 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.
Further Opportunities
There may also be further opportunities through your school to visit Oxford, such as though the Universify programme (for students from Year 10-11), or through the Oxford for North East Brilliant Club Scholars Programme (for students in Year 9). Please ask your teachers whether your school participates in these programmes. They can also get in contact for more information.
