Schools and Outreach

Our Subject Tasters for Year 12 students from UK state schools take place during February Half Term. The programme offers an immersive experience of Oxford-style teaching from our tutors, admissions advice and information about life and learning at Oxford. Free meals are provided for all attendees, and travel bursaries are also available.

A typical programme will include a combination of:

• Taster lectures and small classes with tutors
• Object-handling sessions at Oxford museums, such as the Ashmolean Museum, The Natural History Museum and the History of Science Museum
• Sessions with current undergraduate students on the same course
• Tours around Oxford

Applications for Subject Tasters typically open in late November. 

In 2027, we will hold Subject Tasters for Mathematics and History. Further subjects to be confirmed.

Engineering Science Residential

Our Engineering Science Residential for Year 12 students from UK state schools is a three-day residential which takes place during the Easter vacation. The programme provides students with an immersive introduction to studying Engineering Science at Oxford. Free accommodation and meals are provided for all attendees, and travel bursaries are also available.

The programme typically includes:

• Tutorials and lectures with subject specialists
• Admissions information
• Time with current undergraduate students

Applications for the Engineering Science Residential will open in December.

Aspire Liverpool

Our Aspire Liverpool Residential for Year 12 participants of the Aspire Liverpool programme is a four-day residential which takes place during the Spring Term. The programme provides students with an immersive introduction to study and life at Oxford. This programme is administered in partnership with Aspire Liverpool. 

Admissions Support

We offer a combination of in-person and online support for students considering applying for Oxford. These sessions are most relevant to students in Years 9-13. Sessions will be advertised on our events page at regular points across the academic year.

Our supportive sessions typically include information on:

• The multi-stage application process
• How to prepare for admissions tests
• How to prepare for interviews
• Time for a Q&A supported by current undergraduates

Skills Workshops

We offer a variety of different in-person and online skills-based workshops for students which are delivered by our Access and Outreach Manager, undergraduates and our tutors. These sessions are intended to advance students’ academic skills, knowledge and confidence, and are most relevant to students in Years 8-13. Sessions will be advertised on our events page at regular points across the academic year.

Our skills-based workshops may include sessions on:

• Critical and adaptive thinking
• Approaching unseen material
• How to write an academic essay
• Approaching an academic conversation

We regularly offer opportunities for teachers and school leaders to develop their knowledge and skills relating to Oxford’s admission processes and Oxford-style teaching.

Our Teacher CPD sessions are advertised on our events page at regular points across the academic year and include online sessions and in-person twilights in our link areas.

Sessions may include information on:

• The multi-stage application process
• Writing an exemplary UCAS reference
• Writing an exemplary personal statement
• Tutorials and learning by discussion