Undergraduate student ambassadors

Student Ambassadors are fantastic role models for prospective applicants. They provide motivation and inspiration through their own experiences, and they are seen a trusted source of information about what studying at Oxford is like. We also rely on our Student Ambassadors to ensure that all activities are carried out safely, including following risk assessments, safeguarding policies and procedures, and reporting incidents appropriately.  

You might perform a variety of roles as a Student Ambassador, including:

• Giving online talks
• Hosting in-person or online Q&As
• Sharing your experiences
• Stewarding and signposting events
• Helping participants in small group activities in schools or at the University
• Supporting the delivery of outreach residentials
• Acting as a role model to prospective students.

UAO International Student Ambassador work is similar to what is described above, except with a greater focus on promoting the University with the aim of recruiting prospective students from around the world. To be an international ambassador, you must be an international student.

UAO ambassadors are paid for their work. Most of our ambassador work opportunities are paid at grade 3.4 on the University’s salary scale. Rates are revised annually, with a current standard rate of £14.51 per hour for most activities, but may vary depending on the role.

Many of our activities also offer free travel and accommodation to help you carry out your work.

UAO is Undergraduate Admissions and Outreach, a department of the University Administration and Services (UAS) division based at University Offices, Wellington Square.  

UAO develops and delivers a range of strategic outreach initiatives on behalf of the University. A key aim of UAO outreach is to encourage academically able participants from backgrounds currently underrepresented at Oxford to consider and to make successful applications.  

Some of the outreach programmes UAO runs or contributes to include:

• UNIQ
• BeUNIQ
• Opportunity Oxford
• Target Oxbridge
• IntoUniversity.

UAO also includes the International Student Recruitment team, whose work encourages schools, parents and prospective students across the world to consider undergraduate study at Oxford.  

UAO Student Ambassadors and UAO International Student Ambassadors may also see work opportunities posted in collaboration with other parts of the University, such as colleges or academic departments.  

UAO focusses on undergraduate-related outreach. Graduate outreach, including UNIQ+, is handled separately by the Graduate Admissions and Recruitment section of UAS.

• Current undergraduate student of the University of Oxford (UAO ambassadors and UAO International ambassadors) OR current graduate student with undergraduate experience at the University of Oxford (UAO ambassadors only)
• Interest in widening access and participation in higher education and Oxford specifically (UAO ambassadors only)
• Confident verbal communicator, with the ability to enthuse and engage audiences
• Well organised and punctual
• Ability to work consistently under pressure
• Excellent problem-solving skills in practical situations
• Demonstrable capacity to work effectively as part of a team

• Experience of working with young people aged 11–17
• Experience of working as a Student Ambassador for the University, one of its constituent colleges or departments, or at a similar university elsewhere
• Experience as a participant of one or more outreach programmes, especially those delivered by the University of Oxford (UAO Student Ambassadors only)

Successful applicants are invited to a candidate assessment centre, usually in early Hilary term.

Candidates who are selected to join the UAO Student Ambassador team following the assessment centres are required to:

• Agree to codes of conduct  
• Complete online training
• Provide a recent Enhanced DBS check with a Children's Barred List check
• Provide evidence of right to work and complete onboarding documentation as required.

We will send successful candidates information about what to do and provide.  

If you are an international student, you may need to complete additional documentation in respect to your visa status.  

We require Enhanced DBS check with a Children's Barred List check as you are likely to be doing work that classes as a regulated activity. The University does not discriminate unfairly against applicants who might have a criminal history. Employment of individuals with a criminal record will depend on the nature of the position for which they have applied and the circumstances of their offences. 

If you do not have a DBS, or if your previous DBS does not meet the type or recency we ask for, we will pay for you to get a new one.

Eligible UAO Student Ambassadors and UAO International Student Ambassadors who have completed all required steps will receive work opportunities throughout the year. This work is casual and you are not contracted to work any set hours, nor are you guaranteed to be selected for any work opportunity. If you accept a work opportunity, you will be expected to work the shift.