Oxford colleges work together to encourage applicants
8 November 2012
An initiative by Oxford University’s colleges will see nearly 1,000 state school students from 90 schools across the country attend a series of outreach events across Oxford over three days next week.
On November 13, 15 and 16, nineteen of Oxford’s colleges will be hosting ‘Investigating Options’ events to provide students in Year 11 with advice and guidance on choosing the right A levels and courses at university – with a focus on the Oxford admissions process.
Across the three days students and their teachers will hear condensed academic lectures from Oxford academics and graduate students, and attend activity workshops for students and sessions for teachers with detailed information about the Oxford application process, A-level subject choice and how to prepare students for competitive universities.
The events are part of an ongoing collaboration between Oxford’s colleges called Pathways, which is targeted at encouraging applications from students in non-selective state schools with little history of successful applications to Oxford.
Ashley Walters, Schools Liaison Officer for Exeter and Lincoln Colleges, said: ‘The Pathways programme is a great example of how Oxford’s colleges can work together to support students as they make important decisions about their educational futures, from choosing A level subjects and thinking about careers to navigating the Oxford admissions process.
‘We’re incredibly pleased to have mobilised such a big event this year: hosting around 900 students from 90 schools and putting on events including 54 separate mini academic lectures – all across three days – is no small feat. It’s really important to give students from schools that don’t have much experience of Oxford to look beyond some of the myths, to see what it’s really like here and get a sense of what academic life and the admissions process is – and isn’t – about.’
Holly Quinlan is in her second year studying History at Exeter College and will be helping out with the events. She says: ‘The time I’ve spent at Oxford represents some of the best years of my life, and I think it's unfair that others who would enjoy it just as much could miss out because of misconceptions about what it’s like here. Oxford's outreach initiatives are all about showing students that the stereotypes aren’t true, and letting them make informed decisions about how suitable Oxford is for them. It's really important to get that information out there for students as early as possible so they can make the right academic choices for their future.’
The Pathways programme is in its second year of helping students make key decisions such as what A-level subjects to take, what courses they might want to study at university, and how to apply successfully to competitive universities such as Oxford. The focus of the events is on supporting students from schools with little history of sending students to Oxford. The programme includes events for students from years 10 to 13, as well as sessions for their teachers. Investigating Options academic lecture samplers, workshops on choosing courses and possible future careers, and information on life at Oxford and how to make a competitive application.
For more information, please contact Julia Paolitto in the Press Office, Oxford University on 01865 280 531 or press.office@admin.ox.ac.uk
On Tuesday 13, Thursday 15 and Friday 16 November 2012, 'Investigating Options’ days will provide year 11 students with advice and guidance on their post-16 options. The event will include academic taster sessions, and talks on A-level choice and post-university career options. Sessions will be run for teachers with detailed information on the Oxford application process, A-level subject choice and how to prepare students for research-intensive university entry. Around 900 students are set to attend over the three days.
The Pathways Programme is an initiative coordinated by the Colleges of the University of Oxford, with support from the Sutton Trust. The programme aims to provide information, advice and guidance on higher education and Oxford to academically able students, and staff members, in non-selective state schools with little history of student progression to Oxford. All events are run in Oxford, and are free to attend.
For more on the Pathways programme, see: http://www.ox.ac.uk/pathways
As part of the University of Oxford’s on-going commitment to engage with schools, each Oxford college is linked to a Local Authority to ensure that each school has a first point of contact within the University. For more information on the regional contacts between local authorities and colleges see: