Teachers in Oxford.

International counsellors and teachers

Today one third of our students - 20% of our undergraduates - are international citizens and come from over 170 countries. We appreciate the hard work of counsellors and teachers who support students to make applications to Oxford. The International Student Recruitment team aim to provide you with the information that you need to carry out this work to the highest standard. Below you will find resources, events, and opportunities for engaging with our team to help you support your Oxford candidates.

Sustainable international student recruitment

The International Student Recruitment team is committed to reducing our environmental impact in line with the University's Environmental Sustainability Strategy, while continually improving our support to students, counsellors and parents. Here’s what we are doing to achieve these dual aims:

Reducing air miles: To reduce the carbon footprint of our international work we avoid international air travel where possible. This is the single biggest contribution we can make to reduce our impact on the environment.

We have saved 108 tonnes of CO₂e per annum since 2019 (the final year we travelled extensively) with 552,783km of travel avoided per annum (about 14 times around the world, or to the moon and halfway back) by switching to largely online provision.

Online engagement: We offer a rich array of online resources that give students, counsellors and parents opportunities to explore the journey to Oxford and ask questions of our international student recruitment team. Our thematic webinars connect participants with Oxford tutors, students and admissions staff to enrich their understanding of applying to and studying at Oxford, while our bookable 30-minute counsellor drop-ins give you the chance to discuss any questions you have with a member of the team. All these events allow prospective students and their counsellors to engage with Oxford from within their own country, lowering our carbon footprint.

Eco-friendly travel: When travel is necessary (eg for conferences), we aim to use low-carbon, public transportation where possible. Where air travel is essential we offset carbon emissions in line with the University’s Sustainability Strategy.

Reducing paper usage: We prioritise digital communications and materials over printed brochures and flyers. By utilising electronic applications, digital brochures, and online information sessions, we significantly cut down on paper consumption.

For more information on our sustainability initiatives, please visit our Sustainability at Oxford page.

Online webinar programme

The International Student Recruitment team offers three distinct webinar series specifically designed for the following audiences:

International school counsellors and teachers
Prospective international students
Parents & supporters of prospective international students

Using thematic webinars, each series runs from September to May and explores different aspects of the Oxford admissions process, designed specifically for the target audience.

What to expect

Comprehensive coverage: Our webinars cover a wide range of topics, from understanding the application process to preparing for interviews.
Expert guidance: Learn directly from Oxford admissions staff, faculty and students. Our experts will share their knowledge, answer your questions, and provide tips to help you support your students.
Interactive Q&A sessions: Engage with our speakers during live Q&A sessions. Get answers to your specific questions and gain a deeper understanding of Oxford.
Flexible access: Participate from anywhere in the world. Our webinars are held online and most are recorded, making them accessible to counsellors and students no matter where you are and when you want to view them.

Webinar and conference schedule 2024/25

We are pleased to announce our webinar schedule for 2024/25 as well as details of our attendance at various international conferences.

How to register

Details for each session are emailed directly to those who sign-up to our international counsellors and teacher's mailing list. You can either join us live by choosing the time-slot that suits you best, or watch a recording of the webinar on-demand. Please note that we can only accept bookings from counsellors employed directly by schools.

Webinar plus: bespoke content

The International Student Recruitment team offers bespoke training webinars tailored to the unique needs of your school. For a fee, you can access personalised support and detailed insights into application trends relevant to your school, country or region, as well as make requests for guest speakers (e.g. faculty staff, current students) where relevant.

Content and duration depend on your requirements, but previous webinars have covered:

Applying to competitive institutions in the UK
Preparing students for admissions tests and interviews
Examining the data around your school and how it compares nationally/regionally
What we look for in teachers' academic references
Demystifying the Oxford application process
Counsellor support and training

Why choose a bespoke webinar?

Customized content: Our bespoke sessions are designed to address your specific needs and interests. Whether you need in-depth guidance on the application process, interview preparation, or academic requirements, our experts will tailor the session to meet your goals.
Expert advice: Receive personalised advice from Oxford admissions staff and faculty. Our team has extensive experience and knowledge, providing you with invaluable insights and practical tips.
Interactive experience: Engage in one-to-one or small group sessions that allow for interactive discussions, detailed feedback, and answers to all your questions.

If you would like to receive a quote for this service please complete the bespoke webinar form. We will endeavour to get back to you within seven working days.

Counsellor drop-in

We offer all counsellors based in schools the opportunity to book 30-minute slots with their regional representative from the International Student Recruitment team. You can use these to ask any questions you have, raise issues that you think we should be aware of, or simply to introduce us to your school and say hello!

You can book drop-ins at the follow links:

James Brown (Asia)
James Riley (Africa, Europe, Middle East & Gulf)
Tom Trower (Americas, Oceania)

Resources

The University of Oxford offers lots of useful resources for you and your students. The following list is a useful starting point, though we encourage any student who is interested in studying at Oxford to explore departmental and college pages as well as those of the central university.

Application process

Our digital prospectus – help your students discover if Oxford is right for them
Guide for applicants – understanding the stages of the Oxford admissions process
Admissions timeline – important dates to know
Applying to Oxford – making a competitive application
Academic requirements for international students – ensure your students meet the specific requirements of each course
English language requirements – how to demonstrate English Language proficiency
Our courses – explore the subjects we offer
Admissions tests – guidance on our admissions tests
Interviews at Oxford – what to expect and how best to prepare your students
Oxford's colleges – in-depth information about Oxford colleges
Fees, funding and scholarships – find out what support is available to your students
Further advice for teachers and counsellors
Admissions statistics

Subject exploration

Suggested subject resources – how to prepare your students with useful course related material
Digital resource hub – our best resources to support student learning and exploration
Current research articles – read about the novel research taking place at Oxford
Oxplore – digital outreach portal engaging students of all ages with complex debates and ideas
University of Oxford podcasts – a selection of public lectures, teaching resources, interviews and more

Videos

Can't find what you're looking for? Visit our FAQs and 'Any Questions?' pages.

Meet the team

If you would like to get in touch with any of the team, we would be delighted to hear from you at [email protected].

James Brown, Head of International Student Recruitment

James Brown

Region: Asia

James leads the International Student Recruitment team and is also responsible for undergraduate recruitment across Asia. Prior to working at Oxford, James managed student recruitment across most regions of the world at the London School of Economics & Political Science, where he also gained his Master’s degree. He has previously held roles as a country researcher in the UK Civil Service and in educational NGO's and schools across the Americas and Asia.

Tom Trower, International Student Recruitment Officer

Photo of Tom Trower

Region: the Americas, Australia and New Zealand

Tom is responsible for undergraduate recruitment in the Americas, Australia and New Zealand. Tom studied at Loughborough University before moving to Zambia after graduating to work for an NGO in the country’s Western Province. Before joining Oxford’s Undergraduate Admissions and Outreach department, Tom worked as an outreach officer at the University of New South Wales in Sydney, Australia and then at City, University of London, meaning he brings a wealth of international and admissions experience to the team.

James Riley, International Student Recruitment Officer

Photo of James Riley

Region: Europe, the Middle East & Gulf regions, and Africa

James is responsible for undergraduate recruitment across Europe, the Middle East & Gulf regions, and Africa. James studied both his BA (Hons) and Master’s degrees at the University of Chichester. Having worked for the University of Oxford for over 5 years, predominantly in Widening Access and Participation, James brings a wealth of institutional knowledge, from both at Oxford and wider UK universities, as well as a focus on student engagement.

Stella Saunders, International Student Recruitment Assistant

Photo of Stella S

Stella is responsible for general administration and supports the other members of the international student recruitment team with their work around the world. Stella studied both her BSc (Hons) in Biology and MSc in Global Conservation at the University of Sussex. Before joining Oxford’s Undergraduate Admissions and Outreach department, Stella has worked as a scientific researcher and brings a variety of analytical, data processing and communications skills to this role.

International counsellors and teachers