Oxford’s Astrophoria Foundation Year Programme
Astrophoria Foundation Year Website
Please visit the Astrophoria Foundation Year website for more information and content relating to this programme.
About Oxford’s Astrophoria Foundation Year
Oxford University is committed to improving opportunities for talented students from all backgrounds to be able to access its exceptional education. Oxford's Astrophoria Foundation Year is one of our range of initiatives aimed at increasing access to Oxford for students from under-represented backgrounds.
Oxford’s Astrophoria Foundation Year is a one-year foundation programme for UK state school students. It is aimed at those with significant academic potential, who have experienced severe personal disadvantage or disrupted education which has resulted in them being unable to apply directly for an Oxford undergraduate degree programme.
It will enable motivated students to reach their academic potential through a supportive and challenging academic course aimed at developing their skills, self-belief and academic confidence.
The programme will support students financially. Just like undergraduate students, Oxford’s Foundation Year students will belong to an Oxford college, but their accommodation will be provided free of charge. Students will not have to pay course fees and will receive a non-repayable bursary to cover living costs. Up to 50 places will be offered on the programme each year.
Students will apply for their chosen degree course with a foundation year (for example Materials Science with Foundation Year). During the foundation year they will follow one of the following courses:
- Foundation Year: Chemistry, Engineering and Materials Science (CEMS)
- Foundation Year: Humanities (in Classics, English, History, Theology)
- Foundation Year: Law
- Foundation Year: Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE)
Successful applicants for Oxford's foundation year will be allocated to a college at the offer stage. They will be admitted to participating Oxford colleges and will be a fully integrated member of their college community with all of the benefits this includes.
All applicants for 2025 entry to our Astrophoria Foundation Year courses must apply via UCAS by 29 January 2025 6pm UK time.
By the end of the foundation year, students are expected to have developed the skills and confidence to meet the challenges of a demanding undergraduate degree. On condition that they have completed their foundation year at the required level, they will progress onto the undergraduate degree course at the University of Oxford, if they wish to, without the need to re-apply.
Alternatively, they will be awarded a nationally recognised Certificate in Higher Education (CertHE) and will be supported in their applications to undergraduate degrees elsewhere.
The programme is open to UK state school students who are eligible for Home Fees status and meet the eligibility criteria. International students are not eligible to apply.
Finding out more
To join the Astrophoria Foundation Year mailing list to hear more about the programme please complete the sign up form.
Questions
Please check out the FAQ page on the Astrophoria Foundation Year website. If you have any further questions about the foundation year, please get in touch at [email protected].
