In your Region
There are a range of events, activities and programmes run by Oxford in the North East region. Our event calendar lists all the events, activities and programmes run by the University of Oxford.
For Students
Schools Access Programme
We regularly run school workshops (either online or in-person) throughout the year for students in Year 7 to Year 13. These sessions are organised directly through your school, or a group of schools, so please ask your teacher about booking and attending one of these events. We will also run events throughout the year that students themselves can book onto. These are normally promoted through our schools mailing list.
UCAS Discovery Exhibitions (Year 11-13)
Representatives from Oxford for North East typically attend the UCAS Discovery Exhibitions in the North East. These events are generally aimed at Year 12s (although younger year groups may attend) and are a great way of meeting with a range of universities and getting your questions answered. There is also normally an applying to Oxbridge session at these events.
The next events are:
30th April 2025 Middlesbrough
13th June 2025 Newcastle
Please ask your teacher about attending one of these events. More information can be found here.
Aim for Oxford (Year 12)
Aim for Oxford is open to pupils entering Year 12 from state schools in the North East of England.
Taking place both in the region and in Oxford, this is a two-year sustained contact programme, which supports high-achieving state school students who may have experienced personal and educational disadvantage. We hope that they will ultimately feel confident in making a strong application for, and then arriving at, Oxford. Applications open at the start of September and close in early November each year. More information and application details can be found here.
The Year 12 programme includes application skills workshops, opportunities to engage with University researchers and alumni, and an independent research task completed during a summer residential in Oxford (or online). The 4-night summer school in Oxford includes free travel, accommodation and meals, as well as taster tutorials, library and departmental visits, application support and guidance, admissions test preparation and undergraduate student mentors. Students who complete the first year of the programme and who go on to make applications to Oxford will continue to receive application skills workshops and Offer Holder support.
OxNet Sunderland (Year 12)
The Southmoor Academy OxNet hub works in partnership with Durham University. The academy and other schools in Sunderland work on a research project called the “Ordered Universe”. It offers students the opportunity to engage with multiple ways of researching the medieval world of Bishop Grosseteste. The bulk of the scheme is delivered in the school and the local community, with a member of staff based in the school to administer the programme. Participants join other OxNet Hub Schools from the North West and from London for an annual Access Summer School at the University of Oxford. For more information please contact [email protected].
Oxford for North East Offer Holder Event (Year 13)
We hold an annual North East Offer Holder event (either online or in person). This is a great chance for Oxford offer holders from the region to hear from current students at the University of Oxford, as well as to meet each other! In 2024, this was held in Newcastle and was open to Offer Holders, as well as a separate session for their parents/carers.
ReadySetCode - A Computer Science/Christ Church Outreach Initiative
For Year 11 (15–16 year olds, Scottish S5 or NI Y12) students of black and mixed heritage who identify as female, from state-funded schools in the UK.
ReadySetCode is a sustained engagement programme of three online sessions, beginning in January 2024 and ending in March 2024 with an in-person graduation day at Christ Church, Oxford.
The online sessions, led by members of the Department of Computer Science and Christ Church, will offer students in-depth investigations of topic areas outside of the school curriculum, combining theory with interactive exploration. We aim to help students explore the world of Computer Science and hope to inspire them to continue their engagement with the subject. More information can be found here.
For teachers
School Access Programme
We visit the region during set weeks each year for in-person sessions, as well as offering online workshops throughout the year. Richard (Trinity College) is also based in the region, and may have more flexibility in visiting schools too. You can contact the Oxford for North East Team on [email protected]
We run a range of workshops for Year 7 through to Year 13 and you can view a full brochure of our activities here.
Some sessions are about university in general, whilst others focus on the University of Oxford specifically, for example:
- For Years 3, 4, 5 and 6 - What is University? Supporting primary aged pupils to understand university education.
- For Years 7, 8 and 9 - Higher Education Explained. Exploring university and what it might be like to study there.
- For Years 9, 10 and 11- University and Future Choices. GCSEs, A-Levels and how they link to university courses.
Why University? Why Oxford? The purpose of university, myth-busting, the cost, and an introduction to the Russell Group and the University of Oxford specifically. - For Year 12 and 13 - Making a Competitive Application to University, Oxford and the Application Process, Personal Statement Workshop, Super-Curricular Workshop, Admissions Test Workshop, Interview Skills Workshop (suitable for Oxbridge applicants).
We can also provide workshops on Oxplore (our digital outreach platform for students), student finance and can also offer more general topics, such as exploring beyond the school curriculum, essay writing, giving presentations and careers advice for all.
We also provide talks and workshops aimed at teachers, form tutors and careers advisors that cover the Oxford application process and how to support your students, as well as talks for parents and carers.
In 2024-25, we expect to be in the region in the following weeks specifically:
| Cleveland, Darlington, Durham, Hartlepool, Middlesbrough, Redcar and Stockton on Tees | Gateshead, Newcastle, Northumberland, North Tyneside, South Tyneside and Sunderland |
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We will continue to offer online workshops at any time.
Please contact us for more details.
Supporting Higher Education Applications (Teacher CPD)
Oxford for North East run Teacher CPD Sessions throughout the year providing up to date information and guidance relating to the Oxford application process, as well as applications to other competitive higher education institutions. We particularly welcome schools and teachers who have little experience of the University of Oxford or have low pupil progression to the Russell Group or Higher Education in general.
These sessions may include information about the Oxford application process, UCAS teacher references, personal statements, admission tests and relevant super-curricular activities, and we can be quite flexible on timing.
The team are very happy to adapt any sessions to meet your needs, so please get in touch to discuss this further.
Oxplore: The Home of Big Questions
Oxplore is a digital outreach portal from the University of Oxford. It aims to engage those from 11 to 18 years old with debates and ideas that go beyond what is covered in the classroom. We can provide teacher CPD sessions to support using this in the classroom, as well as workshops for students designed by our outreach staff that promote debate, discussion and critical thinking.
Regional Teacher Conferences
The University recognises the key role that teachers and careers advisers play in encouraging students to make informed decisions, so we run regional teacher conferences. During these conferences, we welcome the chance to talk with teachers and advisers about supporting your students through all aspects of considering and applying to Oxford. Sign up to attend the next conference in your region or email [email protected] .
