Oxford welcomes students from Northern Ireland
At the University of Oxford we have a long history of working with schools and students from across Northern Ireland. In recent years we have made good progress in increasing the number of state educated students attending the University. However these students are not distributed evenly across the UK and we are keen to attract more Northern Irish students to study at Oxford.
Oxford for Northern Ireland brings together the University's Undergraduate Admissions and Outreach (UAO) Department and Brasenose College.
UAO and Brasenose work with prospective applicants from schools across Northern Ireland. Through a combination of online and in-person activities, we aim to connect with passionate and curious students and ensure that those considering Oxford feel confident in making strong applications. We work alongside our community of current student ambassadors who attended NI schools to make our approach friendly and personal.
Whether you are a student looking for guidance, or a teacher eager to learn how we could support your pupils, please contact Adam via [email protected] or Holly via [email protected].
Student profiles
Learn more about undergraduate life at Oxford from current Northern Irish students as they describe their on-course experience, managing the transition from home to university, and the things they enjoy doing outside of their degree.
Daisy
Subject: Biology
Oxford college: St Anne’s
Hometown / Region: Bangor
Former school: Strathearn School
A little bit about you: what do you like most about your course, and what do you enjoy doing when you’re not studying?
My name is Daisy, and I study Biology, which is clearly the best degree! Biology has the standard lectures and tutorials you’ll get at Oxford, but also labs, computer sessions, group discussions and fieldwork, so we really cover all the bases. The lecturers really make the course. They clearly love their work, and to be able to chat with experts about their specialist fields after lectures, in labs and in tutorials is an invaluable opportunity.
Outside of my degree, I play euphonium in the Oxford University Brass Band, which has allowed me the opportunity to travel to Newcastle and Warwick for various performances and competitions. I also attend Biology Society, where talks on research and various career avenues are held by both internal and external speakers. I love live music, and therefore visit different gigs and open mic nights, and if I need a break from studying, I’ll take a walk through University Parks or read. I’m one of the welfare reps on the St Anne’s Junior Common Room (JCR) committee, where I am responsible for supporting undergraduates who may be struggling or just need someone to talk to, and I volunteer at the Museum of Natural History where I am currently labelling a fly collection!
What’s your favourite part of life at Oxford?
My friends are a huge part of my life at Oxford. Having a strong support network has been brilliant, particularly when the work gets intense. We go to pubs, visit libraries together, watch movies, attend balls and parties, do karaoke, watch Uni sports matches, etc. Your network of friends doesn’t have to be confined to your college subject cohort – through societies and college accommodation, it’s easy to make friends across various colleges and subjects (giving you an excuse to visit other college bars!).
Is there anything that worried you before you arrived? What’s one thing you wish you’d known before coming to Oxford?
I was most worried about the heavy workload before I arrived at Oxford. However, as I’ve hopefully illustrated above, there is still time for you to do all the things you love alongside your work as long as you are well-organised. One thing I wish I’d known before I arrived was that the lecturers are super approachable and easy to talk to. They love the subject just as much as you do, and so are happy to discuss it with you if you have any questions or ideas.
What advice would you give to anyone from NI considering applying to Oxford?
My advice is that you should apply, as there is no harm in having a go! I would also advise that you research which college to apply to. Have a look at where the college is located (ie central, or slightly further out), what the general vibe of the college is (is it traditional or more modern?), whether the college has a library which is open 24/7, and how large or small the college is. However, even if you don’t end up at the college you applied to, don’t worry! It all works out for the best.
Victoria
Subject: Philosophy, Politics, and Economics (PPE)
Oxford college: Jesus College
Hometown / Region: Holywood
Former school: Sullivan Upper School
A little bit about you: what do you like most about your course, and what do you enjoy doing when you’re not studying?
It's a privilege to have such a great education, and it’s easy to forget that when you’re bogged down in essays and problem sheets. What I love most about my course and what keeps me engaged is how varied it is. When I get bored of writing philosophy, I can use a different part of my brain to do some economics. There are also a lot of different modules to choose from when you’re in second and third year, so now I can honestly say that I enjoy all of my modules.
Although my degree is obviously a significant part of my life at Oxford, it’s definitely not the only thing I do. When I’m not studying (which is too often…) I’m probably fencing, volunteering or going out. What I’ve found the hardest about settling in is balance. There always seems to be either a college event, fencing training, fencing social, volunteer opportunity or friends hang out going on. And, of course, there’s always an essay to write!
What’s your favourite part of life at Oxford?
A really entertaining and unique thing about Oxford is the different traditions that colleges and societies maintain. For example, fencing do carb loading the night before varsity (our annual match against Cambridge), where the whole team of about 30 gathers at someone’s college and makes a LOT of pasta! Another fun tradition is that every college bar has their own subsidised college cocktail – my college drink is called the ‘Bleed Green’!
Although balance is hard, the variety is definitely my favourite part of life at Oxford. I’m one of those people who always likes to be busy, and Oxford is full of people like me! It feels like almost every day at Oxford is different and exciting (except maybe during exam season…). One day I’ll be studying, going to a tutorial, and making a cosy dinner with friends, and the next I’ll be at a fencing competition in the morning and going out in the evening. Engaging with many different parts of Oxford life has the added benefit of getting to know a lot of people. Through fencing and volunteering, I have friends that are doctoral students, friends that are freshers, and a plethora of international friends. I feel really lucky to be able to experience conversations with so many different people and participate in so many different activities.
Is there anything that worried you before you arrived? What’s one thing you wish you’d known before coming to Oxford?
The thing that worried me the most about coming to Oxford was that I wouldn’t be smart enough. I was scared that I wouldn’t be able to keep up with the other students, and that people would think I was stupid. I think that part of this fear was based on a misconception of Oxford life – it’s not just a lot of smart people squaring up to one another intellectually. Oxford has so many opportunities – it can really be whatever you make it. I’ve also realised that a lot of people at Oxford feel like they’re not “smart enough” to be here, but this isn’t a very helpful way of thinking. They probably are, and if not (whatever that means), they’re here anyways! I’ve shifted my focus to just trying to learn as much as I can. Everyone can teach you something, especially when you’re willing to learn. I’d say that my friends have taught me just as much as my tutors have.
What advice would you give to anyone from NI considering applying to Oxford?
If you’re thinking of applying, I would say go for it. I’m so glad I did. Ask your teachers for help, ask anyone involved in outreach to help, ask anyone you know at Oxford to help. You can do it if you are really willing to try. We need more Northern Irish students here, I’m sick of hearing English accents all day! We deserve to be here, and we are definitely smart enough!
Ellen
Subject: History and Politics
Oxford college: Brasenose
Hometown / Region: Downpatrick
Former school: Down High School
A little bit about you: what do you like most about your course, and what do you enjoy doing when you’re not studying?
I love the flexibility of History and Politics – I have a lot of choice and freedom over what I specialise in, and I can do lots outside of my course due to limited contact hours! When I’m not studying I enjoy singing in my college choir, rowing and the Oxford drama scene (not forgetting socialising).
What’s your favourite part of life at Oxford?
The people – the communities that are formed through the college system are unrivalled! I have made friends for life here, and I am so grateful for all the opportunities I have had to meet people from so many different backgrounds.
Is there anything that worried you before you arrived? What’s one thing you wish you’d known before coming to Oxford?
I was worried that I wouldn’t make friends because everyone would be super posh and not welcoming (I had this idea that everyone would only converse in Latin). This is the opposite – everyone (regardless of whether they are posh or not) has been so friendly and welcoming. Also, there are so many people at Oxford that you are guaranteed to find people that are similar to you.
I also wish I’d known how challenging the work would be so I could mentally prepare myself – you are not here just to have a laugh, which is what I anticipated. It is challenging academically, mentally and physically but very worth it!
What advice would you give to anyone from NI considering applying to Oxford?
Just do it! Yes, it is competitive to get an offer, but your chances are zero if you don’t apply. The application rate in NI is the lowest of any region of the UK, yet we have the highest percentage of students achieving AAA or higher at A-level. If you apply, you will gain so much academically (by honing your skills in your subject during test preparation or at the interview stage) that it’s a no brainer to make use of that opportunity!
Lucia
Subject: English and Spanish
Oxford college: Merton College
Hometown / Region: Dungiven
Former school: Rainey Endowed School
A little bit about you: what do you like most about your course, and what do you enjoy doing when you’re not studying?
I love doing a joint honours degree for the variety it offers – if you are fed up with one piece of work, there’s always something different you could be doing! There is also so much choice in terms of modules from second year onwards – you can really tailor the degree to your interests and tutors really want to support you in that. The year abroad is also a massive perk – Oxford give you a lot of freedom to do what you want.
When I’m not studying, you can usually find me working at the Chapel in my college, hanging out with my housemates in our kitchen, swimming, dressing up (whether in a gown for formal dinner or a silly costume for a ‘BOP’) or at a OxNI Society event!
What’s your favourite part of life at Oxford?
It would have to be the community atmosphere of college life – from social events to studying, you’re living in a close-knit group of such wonderful, interesting people: it’s hard not to feel inspired, but also supported when things aren’t going so well! Showing friends and family around this otherworldly city has been one of my favourite things – viewing the city as a tourist reminds me how blessed I am to get the opportunity to study in a place like this!
Is there anything that worried you before you arrived? What’s one thing you wish you’d known before coming to Oxford?
Although I was very excited, I was also quite anxious before coming to Oxford – it’s a big thing to move away from home at 18! I think it was important to feel both of these emotions, and would say that the more you throw yourself into Oxford life, the more you’ll get out of it and the quicker you’ll feel at home. I definitely wish I had known a bit more about the city and all of the strange traditions before I came here – though perhaps not knowing added to the magic of it all!
What advice would you give to anyone from NI considering applying to Oxford?
Go for it! Almost every OxNI student I’ve met has said they just applied to “give it a go”, no one goes into it thinking they will definitely get in. What’s for you won’t go by you, and whether it’s meant to be or not you will learn so much from the application process that it is 100% worth it. Make as much use of the resources out there and don’t be afraid to reach out to Oxford tutors, admissions or outreach officers – everyone wants you to succeed and is here to help!
