In Oxford
The information below explains the in-person programmes we offer in the North West and highlights where digital alternatives are available.
For more information on the digital outreach that Oxford for North West provides, including virtual events and super-curricular resources, please see our Online section.
For students
Open Days - Years 11 - 13
The University holds three Open Days, two in June or July and one in September, each year.
All colleges and departments will be open to prospective students on Oxford University Open Days. The 2022 Open Days are provisionally scheduled on 29 and 30 June, and 16 September. For more information on our Open Days see here.
Students do not need to apply in advance to attend an Open Day. However if you are eligible to take part in an Open Day residential you will need to apply for this via your school.
Open Day Accommodation - Years 11-13
Pembroke, St Peter’s and Corpus Christi colleges are pleased to offer free overnight accommodation for groups of students from North West state schools attending the University of Oxford’s July Open Days.
All school groups must be accompanied by a teacher and all bookings are made in advance by schools, so please ask your teacher about whether students from your school will staying at Oxford this summer.
As part of the Queen's College's Open Days Plus Programme, accommodation is provided for two nights to Year 12 students and their teachers from schools and colleges in Blackburn with Darwen, Blackpool, Lancashire, and Cumbria, who wish to attend the Summer Open Days. Students will attend workshops and taster tutorials on one day in order to help them prepare to make a competitive application to Oxford later that academic year. On the other day, they are free to explore the University Colleges and Departments during the Open Day.
Study Residential Courses - Year 12
Oxford for North West colleges run a large number of residential courses for students. These courses are free of charge and are targeted at students who attend state schools. They give students the chance to develop their subject understanding and study skills whilst staying in college and meeting Oxford students and academics.
The courses are held during the Easter and Summer school holidays and have different application deadlines, so please click on the courses below to find out more.
- St Peter’s College Engineering Residential
- St Peter’s College English Residential
- The Queen’s College North-West Science Residential
- Corpus Christi Law Residential
- Corpus Christi Ancient World ‘Being Human’ Residential
In addition, Pembroke and Corpus Christi run summer residentials for Year 12 students who are taking part in the OxNet or North West Science Network programmes. For more details click on the links below.
UNIQ Oxford - Year 12
UNIQ is the largest University of Oxford residential access programme for students in their first year of further education, who are based at UK state schools or colleges. UNIQ has a successful record of helping students make successful applications to Oxford.
Students apply to UNIQ between December and January and can be selected for either UNIQ Digital or the UNIQ residential. UNIQ residentials take place in Spring and Summer and give students a taste of the Oxford undergraduate student experience. You will live in an Oxford college for a week, attend lectures and seminars in your chosen subject area, and receive expert advice on the Oxford application and interview process. UNIQ is free of charge and travel costs are also covered.
UNIQ Digital provides comprehensive information and guidance on the university admissions process, and aims to give a realistic view of Oxford student life through videos, activities and quizzes. The platform offers a range of forums where you can discuss both academic and social topics.
For the most up-to-date information on the UNIQ please visit the UNIQ website.
Target Oxbridge - Year 12
Target Oxbridge is a free programme that aims to help black African and Caribbean students and students of mixed race with black African and Caribbean heritage increase their chances of getting into the Universities of Oxford or Cambridge (known collectively as Oxbridge). The programme includes a residential in Oxford, student mentoring by black or minority ethnic Oxbridge graduates as well as many tailored sessions throughout the year. Since launching in 2012, Target Oxbridge has helped 200 students to secure Oxbridge offers. For more information see the Target Oxbridge website.
Visit Oxford - All Years Groups
Oxford for North West colleges warmly welcome all state Primary and Secondary pupils to visit during University term time. These visit days are designed to give pupils a taste of University life and can be adapted for all year groups. There is no charge for these days.
An example of a visit might include a talk about the University of Oxford, meeting current undergraduate students, and academic taster sessions at a museum or department (e.g. ‘Object Handling’ at the Ashmolean or a ‘Collections Up Close’ at the Bodleian).
Our colleges are very happy to adapt College visit days to meet the needs of any particular group of pupils. These visits are organised through schools, so if you are interested please ask your teacher to get in touch with us.
For teachers
Open Day Accommodation
Pembroke, St Peter’s and Corpus Christi colleges are pleased to offer free overnight accommodation to North West state schools attending the University of Oxford’s July Open Days.
Accompanied groups can receive one night of accommodation, plus dinner and breakfast in college. During their stay, teachers will be given the opportunity to ask staff and current undergraduates questions about applying to Oxford and the Oxford university experience.
School groups must be escorted by a teacher/s who will remain responsible for all safeguarding arrangements. All accommodation bookings are made in advance by teachers. For more information, please contact the colleges directly
Pembroke College Open Day accommodation
St Peter’s College Open Day accommodation
Corpus Christi College Open Day accommodation
Teacher Summer Schools
Oxford’s CPD accredited Teacher Summer School is a free two-day residential conference for teachers from state schools and colleges in the UK. During the summer school, teachers receive detailed support and guidance about the Oxford admissions process, experience taster sessions for different academic subjects, and learn from mock interviews. It aims to support teachers to stretch and challenge their most able students, and equip them with the best possible advice and guidance on selective university admissions.
Inspirational Teachers Award
Since 2010, the University of Oxford has run a scheme to recognise inspirational teachers from UK state schools and colleges. This award scheme recognises the crucial role teachers play in encouraging talented students in their schools or colleges. Each year, current first-year Oxford undergraduates from UK state schools or colleges with a limited history of sending students to Oxford are asked if they would like to nominate an inspirational teacher.
For families
Open Days - Years 11-13
You may wish to accompany your child on a visit to an Open Day. All colleges and departments will be open to prospective students on Oxford University Open Days. The 2022 Open Days are provisionally scheduled on 29 and 30 June, and 16 September. For more information on our Open days see here.
Visiting Oxford
If you can’t make an Open Day or outreach event in Oxford, you should feel free to come and see us to find out for yourself what Oxford is really like.
