Oxford Outreach
Every year the University of Oxford runs a number of general outreach events which are open to all students and teachers across the UK. Some of these are currently being run as online events due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Students and teachers from London are welcome to attend these events.
We also offer a wide variety of online resources which students, teachers and families can access from home.
Outreach events | Resources for students | Resources for teachers | Resources for families
Outreach events
- University of Oxford Open Days - Open Days offer an ideal opportunity to explore Oxford, find out more about our courses, tour colleges and quiz tutors and students. In 2020, the University provided Virtual Open days to maintain students access to the University during the pandemic. Our 2021 Open Days will also be virtual and will take place on 30 June, 1 July and 17 September.
- Oxford and Cambridge Student Conferences - These conferences provide up-to-date information about the courses and application process at both universities in a venue near you. Admissions tutors, academic staff and current undergraduates from both universities are on hand to answer questions. Advice is also available on student finance and careers. In 2020, these conferences ran as online webinars.
- UCAS Fairs - Oxford regularly participates in UCAS Exhibitions throughout the UK.
- Events for Teachers - The University of Oxford provides dedicated events for teachers that are designed to help teachers help your most able students. We host many different outreach events for our colleagues in secondary and further education.
- Outreach events calendar - The University offers a wide variety of other outreach events within Oxford and online.
Online Resources
Oxford offers a wide variety of online outreach resources which students can access free from home. These range from materials designed to help with developing academic skills to advice about applying to university. Resources are also available for teachers and career advisers to help them encourage students to consider their options and make informed decisions.
Resources for students
- Oxplore - A free innovative digital outreach portal from the University of Oxford, Oxplore engages you with debates and ideas that go far beyond the classroom. Big questions tackle complex ideas across a wide range of subjects and draw on the latest research undertaken at Oxford. Oxplore aims to realise aspirations, promote broader thinking and stimulate intellectual curiosity.
- Digital Resource Hub - The University of Oxford has collated the best of our digital resources to support learning and exploration. The digital resource hub provides resources for students under 12, 12 to 16 and over 16. These resources enable students to explore their passions and interests further and to discover more about Oxford.
- Resources for specific groups - Oxford University's undergraduate admissions website has advice and information for mature students, disabled students and care experienced students.
- YouTube - The University of Oxford's YouTube channel has lots of useful videos including ones providing details on most undergraduate Oxford courses. You might find these particularly useful when thinking about choosing your course and student life at Oxford –
- Oxford University website - Our undergraduate admissions website is the primary resource for all those thinking of applying to Oxford. It includes a comprehensive Guide for applicants as well as information on fees and funding and student life. There is lots of guidance about personal statements and admissions tests, including tips, past papers and mark schemes. If you are shortlisted for interview there are many ways you can prepare, including looking at past questions and watching guidance videos.
- Competitions for school students - Colleges and departments of the University of Oxford often run competitions, which are open to students from schools and colleges. Preparing an entry for one of these competitions can be a valuable experience and a big confidence boost, and there are also some exciting prizes to be won.
- Keep in touch with all our outreach news via our Instagram and Twitter. If you would like to receive tips, advice and the latest news on Oxford undergraduate admissions, please sign up to our Choosing Oxford newsletter.
Resources for Teachers
- Teacher’s webpages - The University of Oxford’s teacher’s webpages aim to give you all the information you need to help your students. We encourage teachers to explore our website widely, but hope that you’ll find the resources here particularly useful.
- College video presentations for schools - During the pandemic, some colleges have created videos of the presentations they would normally deliver in schools. These are available online in addition to live support for schools. For more details, please contact your link college.
- Oxplore - A free innovative digital outreach portal from the University of Oxford, Oxplore aims to engage those from 11 to 18 years old with debates and ideas that go far beyond the classroom. Big questions tackle complex ideas across a wide range of subjects and draw on the latest research undertaken at Oxford. Oxplore aims to realise aspirations, promote broader thinking and stimulate intellectual curiosity. This resource can be explored as an individual or used by a teacher to lead a class.
- Ignite: Oxford’s free careers education programme for schools - Ignite is a career confidence programme for schools and colleges from the Oxford University Careers Service. It aims to help develop pupils’ assertiveness and confidence in academic, extra-curricular, family, social and eventual career activities.
- Oxford Teachers’ Newsletter - Our teachers' newsletter features updates about our admissions process, events that teachers and students can attend, and updates regarding our access and widening participation programmes, including UNIQ.
Resources for Families
If your child is studying for their A-levels or equivalent qualifications, they are probably already thinking about their next steps. It’s not always easy for parents and family members to know how best to help them navigate their options. Families are welcome to look at all the resources outlined above.
- The University of Oxford has created webpages for families that want to find out more about studying at Oxford. These include guidance on choosing the right course and the application process, as well as information about student life. We also outline the support we can provide to students, including on welfare, careers and financial support.
- We also publish a Families’ Guide about supporting an Oxford applicant, which can be read on line or downloaded, and is available in Bengali, Hindi, Punjabi and Urdu as well as English.