Oxbridge Applications

Oxbridge Can be a fantastic opportunity Different in many ways Not necessarily the best courses for you Not easy to get into Lots of other good universities Other opportunities I want to draw to your attention.

From 10 reasons to apply to Oxford Oxford University seeks to attract the best and brightest students, no matter where they are from. Here are some of the reasons why you might like to apply. It’s accessible to all students of talent and ability, irrespective of background The tutorial system provides highly personalised teaching and support Our tutors are international experts College life means that all students are based in a friendly community There’s a wealth of resources available to all students We have a commitment to equality and diversity There’s a vast range of extracurricular and social activities We offer excellent accommodation Oxford graduates have an outstanding employment record.

Oxbridge Coordinator Collect and disseminate information Acronyms, sources of support Subject teachers Preparation for tests Preparation for Interviews Personal tutors provide guidance.

What they are looking for ACADEMIC POTENTIAL Good GCSE results In context (CSAS /national contextual data) Outstanding A level performance Academic interest Outside interests Not for themselves.

How we can help No barrier Not just for public school people What have you heard about fees? Might be the cheapest Encourage Have a go Don’t worry: many superb students don’t get in Point in right direction.

What’s different? Colleges Tutorials and Supervisions Early application (No longer special forms) Interviews Tests: BMAT, TSA, ELAT, LNAT, STEP .....

Websites Used to be lots of special information Now it’s all online Search oxford or cambridge and you can find it all out yourself http://www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/undergraduate_courses/index.html http://www.cam.ac.uk/admissions/undergraduate/ http://www.oxbridgeapplications.com/ Further examples http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/public/gug/?CMP=KNBvccp2-cambridge%20university

New links from Oxfordfind out for yourselfnot all about Oxford http://politicsinspires.org/schools/ www.staircase12.org http://adventuresonthebookshelf.wordpress.com/

Sutton Trust (last year’s courses see brochure for this year) http://www.cam.ac.uk/admissions/undergraduate/year12summerschools/#courses Anglo-Saxon, Norse & Celtic Archaeology & Anthropology Biological Sciences Chemistry Classics Computer Science Education Engineering English Geography History Law Mathematics Architecture Modern & Medieval Languages Music Physics Psychology & Sociology Theology & Religious Studies, with Philosophy Veterinary Medicine Medicine (Nottingham and Bristol – last year guaranteed an interview at Bristol)

Summer School Booklet 2014PDF 8588kb Sutton Trust http://www.suttontrust.com/summer-schools/uk-summer-schools/ In 2014, the Sutton Trust is significantly expanding the number of summer school places available and will provide this fantastic opportunity to over 1900 students. The summer schools are taking place at the following universities: Bristol, Cambridge, Durham, Edinburgh, Imperial, King’s College London, Nottingham, St Andrews, UCL, and Royal Veterinary College If you are interested in applying for the new summer school at the Royal Veterinary College, please click here. For other courses, please click here. The 2014 Summer Schools will be running between the following dates: 6 July and 22 Aug 2014 Most are 5 days long Apply by 10 March 2014

Sutton Trust Applications to Cambridge, Bristol , Durham, Edinburgh, St Andrews, Imperial KCL, UCL and Nottingham The Sutton Trust summer schools are open to students (home UK only) currently studying in Year 12 or equivalent at maintained schools or colleges in the UK. Priority will be given to students who meet all or most of the following criteria: will be the first generation in their family to attend university have achieved at least 5 A/A*s at GCSE are taking relevant subjects in relation to the subject stream they are applying for attend schools or colleges with a low overall A-level (or equivalent) point score are under the age of 18 at the time of the summer school There may be other academic criteria depending on which course you are applying for - please check in the brochure or with the relevant uni The programme is not open to those who: are not in Year 12 attend private/ independent (fee-paying) schools - this includes those awarded bursaries/scholarships are international students

Oxford UNIQ Summer schools Applications for UNIQ 2014 open at on 7th January 2014 and close on 24thFebruary 2014. You can apply through our online systemby clicking on the link below. Please use INTERNET EXPLORER or SAFARI browsers to access the online application form, as these internet browsers most effectively support the application system. http://www.uniq.ox.ac.uk/ Criteria for entry ...Applications are welcome from students currently in their first year of A-Levels (or equivalent) at UK state schools/colleges. Preference is given to applicants who come from schools and areas with little or no history of successful application to Oxford. Therefore, an unsuccessful application to the UNIQ Summer School does not necessarily reflect on an applicant’s likelihood of being successful in an application for undergraduate study at the University of Oxford. In selecting participants we look at: The number of A* at GCSE compared with the average performance of the applicant’s GCSE school Academic attainment and history of progression to Oxford at the applicant’s A-level school Home postcode data Personal statement Need a personal statement: good practice for UCAS WHAT DO WE DO ON THE COURSES? The UNIQ courses are each very different from one another, not only in content, but also in the number of timetabled teaching hours and in the teaching methods used. Each one is designed to give you a sense of what undergraduate study would be like.One of the main differences between your school studies and the studies you’ll move on to at university is the way in which you’ll be expected to work independently. All of the courses give you a chance to do some research for yourself and to produce a piece of work by the end of the week. There are no tests. The work that you’ll do here is not assessed. It is for you to see what you might expect to do at university and how you might go about doing it. It’s for you to take a measure of Oxford and of yourself.

Oxford UNIQ Summer schools right one for you Classical Archaeology and Ancient HistoryClassics EnglishHistory of ArtMathematics B PPEBeginner LanguagesComputer Science FrenchHuman SciencesMedicine PsychologyBiochemistryEarth Sciences GeographyHumanitiesMME Languages SpanishBiologyEconomics GermanLawMusic TheologyBiomedical SciencesEgyptology History AMaterialsOncology ChemistryEngineeringHistory B Mathematics APhysics

Oxford UNIQ Summer schools LAST YEAR Oxford’s UNIQ Summer Schools for state school students are having a major impact on University entry, according to the latest undergraduate application and acceptance figures. Four out of every ten applicants who attended one of the summer schools last year have been offered a place at Oxford — twice the overall success rate for undergraduate entry. Aimed at students who are performing above the average for their own school or college, the UNIQ programme allows students to judge Oxford for themselves. We give preference to applicants who come from schools with little or no history of successful application to Oxford, and to applicants who live in postcode areas in which we would expect fewer young people to go on to higher education.

EVENTS FOR STUDENTS at Oxford 1.) Choral workshop at Merton College 2.) Music Study Day at University College 3.) Poetry Competition: Tower Poetry 4.) Study Days (Oxford Pathways Programme) 5.) Summer School (UNIQ) NB see newcollege website highflyers’ pages http://www.newcollege.ac.uk/content/high-flyers-additional-classes-and-courses

Year 12 Study Days FOR STUDENTS at Oxford Year 12 Study Days offer students the chance to experience their chosen subject through a day of academic sessions run by Oxford tutors. The next events are planned for 18, 19 and 20 March 2014. For information on the selection criteria and the subjects available please see the guidance notes (Guidance on study days.pdf (290 kb) ). Once you have read the guidance notes you can apply for a place at www.uniq.ox.ac.uk/PathwaysStudyDay. Students offered a place on the study days will also be offered application support and advice throughout the academic year.Year 12 students should apply for a place directly, rather than through their school, but must have the support of a teacher. The closing date for applications is 5pm on Friday 31 January.

Maths - Other Oxford Days Further Maths - What Next? Wednesday 19 March 2014 Are your students doing Further Maths A-level, but not sure what they want to do at University? Do they want to know a bit more about Maths-related degree subjects that don't appear on the school curriculum? Attendees will attend a range of short taster sessions on subjects which require a real aptitude for Maths Please note that if a student already knows which subject they wish to apply for at university this is not the event for them. For further information and bookings please see the website. What’s the Significance? Statistics Taster Day Thursday 27 March 2014Do you have students who are interested in studying Maths, and would like to know more about Statistics? Are your students interested in exploring the varied and cutting edge applications of Statistics? This event is for students currently in Year 12, who have a real aptitude for Maths. It will be a day of workshops looking at different areas where statistics are used, and what role they will play in the future. For more information, contact schools.liaison@stats.ox.ac.uk

COMPETITIONS Corpus Christi College annual science competition This competition is open to students who intend to apply to university later this year, or next year. A top prize of £250 will be available in two categories – Biochemistry and Chemistry – with the possibility of smaller prizes for second place and entries judged highly commended. All prize winners will be invited to Corpus Christi on our Open Day on Thursday 28 June to receive their prizes, have lunch, and receive a tour of the University science facilities. For more information please visit the Corpus Christi College website The deadline for entries is Friday 30 March. Calling all budding cinéastes! French film competition

COMPETITIONS

Cambridge opportunities Education at Cambridge Year 12 Taster Day, Friday 7th February 2014, 10 am – 3.30 pm A free event for academically able Year 12 students from state schools and colleges which aims to provide prospective students with a taste of what life as an Education student at the University of Cambridge would be like. Students will experience the teaching methods used by university academics and gain an insight into the facilities available at the Faculty of Education. Please see attached flyer for further details. The closing date for applications is Monday 27th January 2014. Please direct all enquiries to Jacqui Howard (Faculty of Education Schools Liaison Coordinator) on jh675@cam.ac.uk. VetCam 2014 – Introduction to Veterinary Medicine at Cambridge University, Monday 31st March-Tuesday 1st April 2014 VetCam is a two-day residential programme designed to give Year 12 students interested in applying to read Veterinary Medicine at Cambridge University starting in October 2015 a taste of the course. Attendees will have the opportunity to sample College life as well as visiting the pre-clinical departments and the facilities at the Veterinary School. They will also meet members of academic staff and current students. As part of Cambridge University's widening participation effort the department are offering a number of bursaries to students from underprivileged backgrounds or from families with no history of involvement in higher education to attend the VetCam course which will cover the course fee and travelling expenses. Please see attached document for more information. The deadline for receipt of bursary applications is Friday 31st January 2014. Please direct all enquiries to Katheryn Ayres on kma28@cam.ac.uk. 2014 Oxford and Cambridge Student Conferences Bookings for this year’s conferences are now open. Details of the venues, dates and how to book are available on the Student Conferences website, www.studentconferences.org.uk. All enquiries should be directed to Eva Dring (Schools and Colleges Liaison Officer, Cambridge Admissions Office) on conferences@cao.cam.ac.uk.

Cambridge opps closing dates moved to 31st Jan Year 12 Biological Sciences Taster Day, Monday 17th March 2014 This event will showcase some of the exciting biological research being carried out at St John's College, ranging from the biophysics of vision, through synthetic biology of artificial DNA molecules, to the evolution of butterflies. Students will have the opportunity to attend a series of short talks on different research areas as well as participate in small group workshops which go into more detail on specific biological problems, as well as touring of College and eating lunch with current students. Booking for this event closes on Thursday 27th February 2014. For more information and the booking form please see: http://ow.ly/sffiD. Year 12 English Study Day, Tuesday 18th March 2014 What is it like to study English at St John's College? What is the English course at Cambridge really like? Come and see for yourselves at this English Study Day. Run by the fellows who actually teach English here and the students who are currently studying English in the College, the day will include seminars and workshops just like those you would have as a Cambridge English student, plus a tour of the College, advice from the Admissions Team on making a competitive application, and lots of time for questions in a relaxed atmosphere. Booking for this event closes on Sunday 16th February 2014. For more information and the booking form please see: http://ow.ly/sffDZ. Year 12 Archaeology Study Day, Friday 28th March 2014 Everyone knows about fictional Archaeologists in popular culture – cracking whips, running through jungles, and sporting cool leather jackets. But none of these things, exhilarating though they may be, are essential parts of academic study or intellectual exploration. So what is it actually like to study Archaeology at University, and Cambridge in particular? In what directions would your mind develop and grow if you did? And what do Cambridge Archaeologists really do?The answer is: come and see! We’re organising this Archaeology Study Day precisely for you to find out. Run by a friendly mixture of Cambridge academics and current students, it will provide sample lectures, seminars and workshops just like those you would experience as a student at Cambridge. We hope to give you some sense of the variety, excitement and intellectual richness of Archaeology (which at Cambridge includes Assyriology and Egyptology), and of course there will be ample opportunities for you to ask questions. Booking for this event closes on Friday 28th February 2014. For more information and the booking form please see: http://ow.ly/sffJg. Maths Open Day, Saturday 26th April 2014 St John's College will be holding a Maths Open Day for prospective applicants on the morning of Saturday 26th April 2014, to coincide with the Faculty of Mathematics open day in the afternoon. The Faculty open day consists of short lectures intended to give sixth formers an idea of what it is like to study Mathematics at a high level. More information and a booking form will be posted closer to the event here: http://ow.ly/sfhiu.

The Road to Cambridge: Oxford and Cambridge Student Conferences 2014 Dates 24th February 2014 Ox Summer school apps close 10 March Sutton Trust Applications close April Cambridge FE Open Day (to be arranged) Cambridge FE summer school (?not running this year) 2, 3 July, 19Sep Oxford Open Days 3, 4 July Cambridge Open Days (+ see website booking required) **– Various Cambridge coll open days ** – Various Oxford coll open days 31st Jan Oxford pathways study day applications.

Series of Meetings March 19th Progression day Just to confirm I'm really looking forward to this event - I grew up in Swindon, was a student at New College and got into Oxford from New so hopefully I'll have a good insight into the student's experiences! - Jenny February of 1st year - introduction Anyone interested Invitations to those with best GCSE results Mar/Apr - application process and how to prepare outside speaker March 27th 12:00 BS04 with Cressida Ryan from Merton College Oxford June - open days, summer schools, choosing, starting application Sept – Applying, everything on track November - Interview workshop outside speaker.

What to do now On the look-out eg journalism College magazine Decide what you want to do Ask subject teachers Research on line List of questions Book open days, etc Go online and look CHECK newcollege website high flyers’pages regularly Give me your email address Think how you can make your application impressive Brilliant grade Reference – stand out to your teachers Personal statement – Independent work, interest.

Tell me Name Email address Mobile number Tutor Subject(s) interested in Number of As and A*s at GCSE

Oxbridge Applications