Oxford targets Merseyside with access programme
14 January 2013
Thirty local students will start an ambitious year-long programme to help get more bright state school students from Merseyside into Oxford University this week.
The pupils from the Merseyside area were chosen from around 100 applicants to take part in the Merseyside Oxford Access Programme run by St Peter’s College, which is aimed at encouraging and supporting sixth form students in applying to Oxford. Over the course of a year, students will take part in a series of free events designed to help them make successful applications to Oxford – including a two-night residential stay in Oxford, interview practice sessions, and academic mentoring by current Oxford students.
The programme launches on Wednesday 16 January with an event for students and parents.
Alice Wilby, Schools Liaison Officer for St Peter’s College said: ‘We really want to give bright students from the Merseyside area as much information and support as possible to help them make a successful application to Oxford. There are lots of myths out there about what Oxford is looking for and what it takes to get in here, and we want students to know that what really matters is your talent and passion for your subject – not where you come from or where you went to school.
‘The Merseyside Access Programme will help students understand the Oxford admissions process and how to make the strongest application possible, from writing personal statements to thriving at the admissions interview. It’s also about showing students what being a student at Oxford is all about, and pushing them to think about how to make the most of their academic talents and passions.’
Rebecca Lea, a first year Biochemistry student at St Peter’s who attended Broughton Hall High School in Liverpool said: ‘During the interview process, and now during my first term at Oxford, it became obvious that where you're from and what schools you have attended has absolutely no impact on whether or not you're likely to be accepted. All that matters to the university is that you have an honest passion and aptitude for your chosen field of study and that they can see, within you, an ability to flourish in Oxford University's uniquely stimulating environment.’
Students selected for the Merseyside access scheme will have access to a year-long programme of academic and application support, including a two-night residential and academic challenge at St Peter’s College, online mentoring from current undergraduates, and an end-of-year event in Liverpool with academic presentations and awards. Throughout the following autumn students will have access to application and interview support in their local schools from outreach staff and Oxford undergraduates.
The programme has selected around 30 students from schools in the area, including Sefton, Crosby and the Wirral. The events are targeted at students with the grades and interest in applying to Oxford, and should be predicted AAA at A Level.
For more information, please contact Julia Paolitto in the Press Office, Oxford University on 01865 280 531 or press.office@admin.ox.ac.uk