10 Jul 09

Around 400 sixteen and seventeen year olds are taking part in the Sutton Trust summer schools at Oxford this year.

The students have travelled from across the UK to spend a week going to lectures, labs and tutorials in their chosen subject while staying in a college and sampling student life.

This week has seen those interested in English, Maths, French, German, Spanish, Law and Physics visit the University. Next week there will be the chance for students interested in Biochemistry, Chemistry, Classics, History, Law, Music, Medicine and Theology to find out about studying their chosen subject at university.

The summer schools are designed to give sixth form students a taste of university life, with lectures, tutorials and social activities.

Ashan Kibria, from Havering Sixth Form College, has been attending the physics strand of the Sutton Trust Summer School. He said: ‘Oxford is one of the most highly recognised universities in the world so I thought it would be really great to attend the summer school. Everyone knows the name Oxford, so I wanted to see what it was really all about. I've enjoyed the electronics activity and the salsa dancing! I will make an application to Oxford because I really like the atmosphere.’

The first Sutton Trust summer school was held at Oxford in 1997 and this is the final year of the scheme in Oxford. Today, five universities host the summer schools and research shows that at least half of attendees, across all participating universities, go on to study at Russell Group universities.

The University plans to build on the successes of the Sutton Trust scheme with its new, UNIQ summer school starting in summer 2010.

Oxford will expand the number of places available, so that by 2014 there will be 1,000 places and a summer school course for every undergraduate course offered by the University.

Matthew Parish, from Milford Haven School, is attending the physics strand of the Sutton Trust Summer School. He said: ‘I'm hoping to study physics at university. I'm enjoying the physics labs and the social activities. There are lots of different people to meet. It's good fun. 'This week has made me think 'Yes, I can come here'. People should definitely come along to the summer schools. It gives you a real feel for what it is like living at the University.'