At Oxford University

Visits to Oxford with your school

Trinity College visit days

During term, we run visit days on Wednesdays to enable primary and secondary school students to come and experience university life and Trinity College.

We welcome enquiries from teachers and individual students for a visit of any year group and time of year though generally, we prioritise Years 12 and 11 in Autumn Term, Years 12 and 10 in Spring Term, and Years 7-9 and Years 1-6 in Summer Term.

Visit days are designed to give pupils a taste of undergraduate life at the University of Oxford and can be adapted for all year groups. There is no charge for these days.

Suggested programme for school visit into College / University of Oxford

• 10:00 Welcome by Access Officer
• 10:15 General Higher Education / University of Oxford Talk
• 11:15  Meet current undergraduate students for a Q&A
• 11:45 Lunch with undergraduate students
• 12:30 College tour /scavenger hunt
• 13:00 Taught session at a museum or subject department e.g. ' Object Handling' at the Pitt Rivers Museum or 'Collections Up Close' at the Bodleian Library
• 14:30 End of the day

The Access team are very happy to adapt and or extend College visit days to meet the needs of any particular group of pupils, so please do get in touch to discuss in more detail. If distance or other significant barriers prevent bringing groups of pupils to the College, please get in touch to discuss what support we may be able to offer overcome these.

For the latest visit day dates and to request a booking, please complete this BOOKING REQUEST. For any further enquiries about a visit days  please email [email protected]

Residential events and activities

UNIQ Residential – Spring or Summer (Year 12)

In this programme for Year 12 students, participants come to Oxford for five days, stay in a college, attend an academic programme during the day and take part in social activities in the evenings. Students will get first-hand experience of life at university, meet like-minded people and gain deeper understanding of a subject that interests them.

Academic Programme: During UNIQ students will be taught by Oxford academics, attend lectures and labs, and use departmental facilities – just like a real undergraduate! In addition to lectures students might be asked to prepare some independent work for a tutorial at the end of the week where they will go through the topic in detail, either individually with a tutor or in a small group.

The UNIQ academic programmes are demanding, but they are also fun and students get to look at their favourite subject in new and engaging ways. The UNIQ courses give students an insight into what studying at degree level, and at Oxford, is really like.

We run courses on over 30 subjects, so there’s plenty to choose from and almost certainly something to suit a variety of interests. Have a look at the courses page for more information.

 Admissions advice: We understand that aiming high and applying to top universities like Oxford can seem a little daunting. There will be a range of dedicated sessions throughout the week providing information on every aspect of the application process.

 Social Programme: It’s not all hard work! Outside of the academic timetable there will be free time or opportunities to take part in a range of social activities. In the past there have been stand-up comedy evenings, sports and games in the park, college tours, city-wide scavenger hunts and epic parties.

For more information on the selection criteria for UNIQ and to make an application 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). Since launching in 2012, Target Oxbridge has helped 81 students to secure Oxbridge offers.

The programme is open to UK-based students in Year 12 (as well as, in certain circumstances Year 13). The students accepted onto the programme will be high attainers – they will ideally have achieved, 5 grades at A*, 9, 8 or 7 at GCSE. In the case of students hoping to study Medicine, they will ideally have achieved 8 grades at A*, 9 or 8 at GCSE.

The various strands of the programme focus on intellectual, cultural and social development irrespective of personal or economic barriers. These strands include:

• Regular contact with a black or minority ethnic Oxbridge graduate to pinpoint your strengths, discuss your aspirations and identify areas for development.
• A tailored series of critical theory discussions, seminars, Oxbridge-style tutorials, visits to both universities and guest speaker events.
• Advice on making the right degree subject, university and college selection.
• Personalised advice on your personal statement, UCAS form, SAQ statement and other submitted materials including essays, statements of purpose and portfolios.
• Structured Oxbridge interview practice, test preparation sessions with trained markers/assessors and revision workshops.
• One-on-one mentoring.

More information about how to apply can be found on the Target Oxbridge website.

Universify Education residential in Oxford (Year 10)

Universify's vision is for all students to reach their potential in education. To achieve this, they want to help more students from non-traditional backgrounds to feel empowered and excited about fulfilling their potential at top universities.

Through this year-long programme Universify aim to improve educational aspirations, school attainment and application prospects to highly selective universities for Year 10 students unsure about whether university is for them. By taking part in the programme students become a university student for a week in the summer, and gain a true experience of what it is like to study at a top university and how they can make it to a highly selective university, with the help of a Universify coach.

You can register your school’s interest in this programme on the Universify website. Or get in touch with [email protected] to explore the options for running and Oxfordshire schools & Universify programme at Trinity College.

Access opportunities for applicants and offer-holders to Oxford

Opportunity Oxford

Under this programme, selected Oxford offer-holders participate in an academic bridging programme which supports them in their transition from school or college to our university. The programme explores and develops high-level academic skills that support the success of participants in their further studies. Opportunity Oxford also gives an insight into what life as an Oxford student is like so, when participants arrive to start their degree course, they can feel confident and know exactly what is expected of them and what to expect from Oxford. 

There are up to 200 places on Opportunity Oxford. To be eligible, applicants will be on track to meet the academic requirements of their chosen Oxford course but will not have received lots of support with their studies and will come from a less advantaged background.

Opportunity Oxford aims to prepare academically-talented students for university - so that they can make the most of their abilities and enjoy their studies. All students have to do is apply to Oxford through UCAS in the normal way. If they are eligible, they will automatically be considered for a place on Opportunity Oxford. They will know if they are successful in receiving an offer from Oxford and a place on Opportunity Oxford in January, and at the same time as all our offers for undergraduate study are made every year. Find out more about this initiative.

Foundation Year at Lady Margaret Hall

The Foundation Year is a free and fully funded, year-long course designed to enable students from under-represented backgrounds to reach their potential. Students on the Foundation Year live and study at Lady Margaret Hall, a college of the University of Oxford. Over the academic year, students receive tuition in their chosen subject and you will also take a 'Preparation for Undergraduate Study' course. All of this teaching is aimed at preparing Foundation Year students to go on an excel either at Oxford University or at any other highly-selective university.

Lowered grade requirements:

LMH recognises that achievement at GCSE and A Level is not necessarily an indicator of academic potential, and so we accept students onto the Foundation Year with grades that are lower than the traditional Oxford offer (e.g. BBB instead of AAA). More information about this programme is available on the Foundation Year website.

Oxford announces Foundation Oxford

Oxford University is committed to improving opportunities for talented students from all backgrounds to be able to access its excellent education.

The University's foundation year course is for UK state school students who have high academic potential, but have experienced severe personal disadvantage or disrupted education. Those offered places take part in a free, fully-funded, yearlong bespoke subject-specific course at Oxford.

Foundation Oxford will offer up to 50 places per year. Foundation Oxford will admit its first students for entry in October 2023. All applicants for this course must apply via UCAS by the January deadline in 2023. Find out more on the Undergraduate Admissions website.

Open Days 

All colleges will be open for all prospective students on Oxford University Open Days. Open Days take place in late June or early July and again in September each year. You can access more information about these days online.
Additionally, subject departments will hold Open Days throughout 2020-21 and details of exact dates will be made available later in this year.

Targeted activities and visits

Women in Science (KS4, 5)

Trinity and Wadham colleges jointly run a special Women in Sciences programme annually for 100 young female scientists in Year 12. The programme aims to encourage and inspire those who have an interest in science to explore its varied and exciting potential at university. Participants join the programme from state schools in Oxford, London, the North East and Wales. For more information email [email protected]

OxLaT Extension Programme (KS4, 5)

This programme gives children in Years 12 to 13 a taste of the intellectual riches that the study of Greco-Roman antiquity has to offer through its languages, literature, philosophy, ancient history and archaeology. The programme is delivered through summer schools and day schools spread over two years and is open to those who have already completed Latin to GCSE through the Faculty-run OxLAT scheme for children within the wider Oxford catchment area. For more information email [email protected].

Accessing Oxford University collections

The Bodleian Library – for schools (KS3, 4, 5)

The education sessions on offer through this programme aim to inspire secondary school and college students to engage with the library’s outstanding collections of manuscripts, maps, rare books and archives.

The Libraries Education Officer is based in the Department of Special Collections at the Weston Library. Working with state secondary schools and colleges in Oxfordshire is prioritised and workshops are available for groups from KS3 to KS5. To find out more details about the schools programme and to access future opportunities visit the Bodleian website or contact the schools liaison officer here: [email protected]

Gardens, Libraries and Museums (KS 1-5)

The University of Oxford's Gardens, Libraries and Museums are open to the public, providing broad access to the internationally significant collections held by the University as well as to the research and academic activity happening across the University.

There are an enormous range of opportunities available to schools to take part in events, visits and programmes. Trinity College encourage teachers to look at the website to find out what is on offer for their pupils. The Access Team will work with teachers to help them build a whole visit day around activities taking place at one of the gardens, libraries or museums. This means pupils get to both experience learning in one of these world class facilities as well as visit Trinity College.

Supporting Teachers

Teacher Summer Schools

The University of Oxford’s CPD accredited Teacher Summer School is a FREE two-day residential conference in Oxford for teachers from state-funded 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. Details of the summer school can be found on the Oxford University website.

Events and activities in humanities subjects

OxLAT (Oxford Latin) Programme

Offers children in Years 9 and 10 (13–15 year olds) attending state schools in the Oxfordshire area that have no Latin provision free tuition in Latin language and literature ab initio through to GCSE.  More information is available on  the Classics Faculty website.

Medieval and Modern Languages Year 9 Day

A one-day programme of languages workshops which includes languages that are both part of the school curriculum as well as those unfamiliar to most state-school students. Contact [email protected] for more information.

Sixth form literary masterclass

These workshops focusing on literary texts which are part of the A-level modern languages syllabus are open to state school students in years 12 and 13. Contact [email protected] for more information.

English Faculty State Schools Open Day

This one-day Open Day introduces the English Faculty and course to state school students. For more information contact [email protected].

English Faculty summer open days

These open days offer all students an  to studying English at Oxford, taster lectures, admissions talk, Q&A with undergraduates. For more information contact [email protected].

Events and activities in Mathematical, Physical and Life Sciences subjects

Chemistry lecture-demonstrations

Be informed and entertained by chemistry with these assembly-style lecture-demonstrations delivered either in school or in a lecture theatre in Oxford. More information can be found on the Chemistry Department website.

Chemistry career & research talks

Hear chemistry researchers, staff and alumni share their stories and take questions about working in chemistry. More information can be found on the Chemistry Department website.

Chemistry workshops

Interact with outreach ambassadors and staff through these tailored workshops for students in school or in the Chemistry Teaching Laboratory in Oxford. Find out more on the Chemistry Department website.

Chemistry Schools Competitions

Join this chance to be challenged and curious with events like RSC Top of the Bench, Spelling Bee, and more. Find out more on the department website. 

Bebras computing challenge

The Bebras Computing Challenge introduces computational thinking to school students (year 2 to 13). Each participant answer questions (online in their own school) that focus on computational and logical thinking. Find out more on the Bebras website.

MPLS events

Activities and events involving a number of Oxford departments and faculties including a Primary Science Day, Guide Day and the programme Marie Curious. Find out more on the MPLS website.

HOPE for the future NLHF funded project

HOPE for the Future is a three-year project at Oxford University Museum of Natural History funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund. Through a programme of free activities for KS2 and 3 students the programme aims to nurture and enthuse children and young people about natural sciences generally and insects in particular. Find out more on the Museum's website.

IntoSTEM

These careers workshops are targeted at KS3 students/parents from BAME backgrounds, encouraging the study of STEM from a careers perspective and run by Hertford College. Contact [email protected] for more information.

Practical Nanoscience workshop

This STEM subject enrichment workshop is for Year 8/9 students.  Students rotate through six hands-on practical nano-science activities, exploring the fascinating properties of materials at the nanometre scale.  Find out more on the Begbroke Park science website.

Inspire Her!

This programme for year 7 (11-12 year old) female students at UK state schools in the Oxfordshire area aims to increase girls' interest and curiosity in Computer Science with plenty of hands-on activities and exciting coding challenges for mothers and their daughters. Organised by Oxford Women in Computer Science (OxWoCS), you can find out more on their website.

Royal Institution Masterclasses

These super-curricular subject enrichment sessions in Maths or Computer Science involve repeat engagement over the course of three years (year 9 pupils are invited back for a programme of year 10 sessions, then invited back again for year 11 sessions). To find out more email [email protected] or [email protected].

Innovation Showcase

STEM/ Innovation/ Business subject enrichment for Year 9/10 students run by the Begbroke Science Park team.  In one competition student teams translate scientific discoveries into business ideas, which they pitch to a Dragons' Den style jury, competing for Begbroke's Innovation Award. The workshop includes a tour of Engineering and Materials labs at Begbroke Science Park. Find out more on the Begbroke website.

Girl Guides Multi-Science Taster Day

This annual multi-science day is run in association with the Oxfordshire Girl Guides Association. Normally held during half-term, students undertake a range of science activities. Sign up is via your  Oxfordshire Girl Guide unit or for more information contact [email protected]. 

Unsung Heroes of Science

This video competition is run by Hertford College for 16-18-year-olds, challenging them to make a short video celebrating an unsung hero in a STEM field. Find out more on the competition website.

Philosophy+ Science taster day

This taster day provides an opportunity to find out more about how science and philosophy intertwine. More specifically, how Computer Science, Physics, and Mathematics all have one thing in common, Philosophy. This event is an opportunity for students who are considering applying for a joint degree in these subjects at University, and want to find out more. Students should be in the following year groups: Year 11 or 12 if at school in England or Wales, S5 or S6 if at school in Scotland, or Year 12 or 13 if at school in Northern Ireland. Find out more on the computer Science website.

Chemistry Schools Conference

Connect with researchers and professionals with research talks from a leading researcher, one from a graduate, and a lecture-demonstration. Find out more on the Chemistry Department website.

Events and activities in medical sciences subjects

Primary school visits

The Wellcome Centre for Integrative Neuroimaging invites local Year 6 classes to come to its Centre for an fMRI scanner demo. The children come up with a small experiment, see the scanner in action and have an interactive talk on a neuroscience topic with a researcher. Find out more on the department website.

Primary school programme

The Wellcome Centre for Integrative Neuroimaging's programme is created with teachers to use neuroscience to help them to deliver elements of the STEM curriculum across all stages of primary school. To find out more visit their website or email [email protected].

SHElock

SHElock is a workshop day designed to make 11-14 year old girls feel confident in the context of science. With hands-on workshops, an escape room, and many opportunities to talk to our female scientists, you too can unlock the secrets of the brain! Find out more on the Wellcome Centre for Integrative Neuroimaging website.

Resilience to stress

Building resilience to stress is an important skill to develop. This programme helps students understand what happens in their brain when they are stressed and gives practical tools to combat stress immediately and in the future. Find out more on the Wellcome Centre for Integrative Neuroimaging website.

Neuroscience Experience

This week-long programme for 24 Year 12 students lets them experience neuroscience and psychiatry research through interactive, in-depth workshops on everything from fMRI experimental design, data collection and analysis to medical genetics and experimental medicine. Find out more on their website.

Wellcome Centre for Integrative Neuroimaging A-Level Day

Join a morning of lectures about neuroscience, covering MRI scanning, visual neuroscience, language and stuttering and neurological conditions, usually followed by a visit to a relevant exhibition in the afternoon. Visit the Centre's website or email [email protected] for more information.

Work experience with the Nuffield Department of Population Health

This work experience programme for students in year 10 or above covers various aspects of population health research eg. clinical trial coordinator, laboratory scientist, data analyst, communications. For more information contact [email protected].

Events and Activities offered by Oxford's Gardens, Libraries and Museums

Ashmolean Museum primary school programme 

The Ashmolean offers a creative programme of gallery activities for KS1& KS2 classes inspired by collections and linked to national curriculum, for example Ancient Egypt, Ancient Greece, Prehistory, Anglo Saxons. Find out more on the Ashmolean website or email [email protected] for more information.   

Pitt Rivers Museum primary school sessions

These interactive sessions in the Pitt Rivers Museum are based on the museum collections and the National Curriculum and involve a wide range of hands on workshops including object handling. For more information visit the Pitt Rivers website or email [email protected].

Pitt Rivers Museum Primary School Bursary Scheme

Target Oxford-city primary schools can apply to participate in taught sessions from the primary programme at the Pitt Rivers Museum for free. For more information visit the Pitt Rivers website or email [email protected]. 

Natural History Museum primary school programme

These virtual and physical workshops are linked to the science and geography national curriculum, for example an evolution workshop for KS2. For more information visit the Natural History Museum website or email [email protected].

History of Science Museum primary schools programme

The History of Science Museum offers a wide range of science and cross-curricular facilitated workshops for all key stages physical and virtual. For more information visit the programme website or email [email protected].

Iffley Academy Partnership 

This is a partnership spanning the University's Gardens, Libraries and Museums (GLAM) that offers a secondary school SEN project designed in collaboration with teachers leading to Arts Award. For more information visit the GLAM website or email [email protected].

Ashmolean Museum secondary & FE schools schools programme

The Ashmolean offers a creative programme of taught gallery activities, workshops and study days for Years 7-13 and FE inspired by collections and supported the curriculum.  For more information visit the Ashmolean website or email [email protected] 

Ashmolean Museum access and widening participation (all years)

The Ashmolean provides ongoing support for the central University's Widening Participation programmes, mainly working with secondary schools but some work with target primary schools. For more information email [email protected]. 

Pitt Rivers Museum access sessions

The Pitt Rivers Museum provides interactive object handling sessions for pupils in years 7 to 13 from target schools aspiring to higher education. For more information visit the museum website or email [email protected].

Pitt Rivers Museum Secondary School and FE Sessions

The Pitt Rivers offers a wide range of hands-on taught workshops for pupils in years 7 to 13 based on the museum collections and the school curriculum. For more information visit the museum website or email [email protected].

Pitt Rivers Museum Kick Arts

This Arts Award intervention is run in partnership between the Pitt Rivers Museum and the arts charity OYAP for school refusers and vulnerable students aged 14-16 that aims to give students a positive, creative outlook outside the classroom through working with creative practitioners. For more information visit the museum website or email [email protected].

History of Science Museum academic study days

The History of Science Museum offers occasional academic study days in partnerships with other museums and departments across the University. For more information visit the museum website or email [email protected]. 

History of Science secondary and post-16 programme

The History of Science Museum offers a wide range of science and cross-curricular facilitated workshops for all key stages physical and virtual. For more information visit the museum website or email [email protected]. 

Natural History Museum Youth Programme

Oxford University Museum of Natural History is passionate about working with young people to help create the next generation of natural scientists and offers a varied programme of activties especially for young people in their own time. For more information visit the museum website or email [email protected].

Natural History Museum Secondary School Programme

The Oxford Museum of Natural History offers virtual and physical workshops linked to the science, geography and art curriculum, with topics including biodiversity and evolution. For more information visit the museum website or email [email protected].

Bodleian Library Collections Up Close

The Bodleian education team offers workshops exploring a topic through texts and objects from the collections. Topics include 'Moments in Medicine' (GCSE History), 'Civilisation and Barbarism', 'Civil War Oxford' and 'What have collections done for us?'. For more information consult the Bodleian website or email [email protected].

Bodleian Library taught exhibitions visit

The Bodleian offers a taught introduction to current exhibitions at the Weston Library, helping students explore the themes of the exhibition. Groups often combine this with a tour of the Weston Library. For more information consult the Bodleian website or email [email protected]

Bodleian Library OxLibris

OxLibris is a programme enabling sixth form students to access the Bodleian Libraries to carry out research for the Extended Project Qualification. For more information consult the Bodleian website or email [email protected].

Bodleian Library printing workshops

The Bodleian offers a practical printing workshop where students set type, proof, edit and print their final copy using the historic printing presses of the Bodleian's Bibliographic Press. For more information consult the Bodleian website or email [email protected].

Bodleian Library study days

Join a whole day of learning activities devoted to a particular topic, including lectures, seminars, and collections-based workshops. Topics include Chaucer's World (with the Ashmolean) and Frankenstein Revisited (with the History of Science Museum). For more information consult the Bodleian website or email [email protected]. 

Bodleian Library live virtual lessons

Some of the Bodleian's in-person workshops are also available to schools as remote online sessions. Topics include EPQ Study Skills and Moments in Medicine. For more information consult the Bodleian website or email [email protected].

Bodleian Library library tour

Take a guided tour of the Weston library including the history of the Bodleian Libraries and the the work of the modern academic library. Offered in combination with workshops and taught exhibition visits. For more information consult the Bodleian website or email [email protected].