Oxford for South East

Agnes the Access Lamb, mascot of the St John's Access Office, in Canterbury Quad
Agnes the Access Lamb, mascot of the St John's Access Office, in Canterbury Quad

About us

Who are we?

Every year the University of Oxford receives many high-quality applications from students from the South East of England. However, when we look at these applications in more detail, it is clear that we attract more applications from some parts of the region than others. For example, students from coastal areas are underrepresented at Oxford, and we want this to change. It's time for a new approach!

Local Authorities in this region extend from those clustered around the South Coast - Brighton and Hove, East Sussex, West Sussex, Kent, Medway, Portsmouth, Isle of Wight, Southampton, Surrey, Hampshire - to those around the Thames Valley - Bracknell Forest, Buckinghamshire, Milton Keynes, Oxfordshire, Reading, Slough, West Berkshire, Windsor and Maidenhead, Wokingham.

St John's, St Hilda's, St Hugh's and Somerville colleges are combining forces to launch Oxford for South East, our new community outreach programme in your area. These colleges are focussing their support on state schools along the South Coast and have an ambitious programme that will provide better and more bespoke support for students of different ages, their teachers and their families.

St John's College
St Hilda's College crest
St Hugh's College
St Hugh's College
St John's CollegeSt Hilda's CollegeSt Hugh's CollegeSomerville College

Trinity, University and Brasenose colleges will continue to provide outreach support as required for state schools across the Thames Valley as well as working to tackle under-representation in other parts of England. Find out about this support here.

Aims

Our aims are ambitious and focus on supporting students from backgrounds that are underrepresented at Oxford, and their schools. OXSE will develop outreach programmes which:

  • Support raising primary level, GCSE and A level attainment of students
  • Offer educational opportunities to explore big ideas, current educational goals and ambitions,
  • Offer information and skills development to support studying in FE, HE and the University of Oxford
  • Encourage more students from underrepresented backgrounds  to aim for top universities and to achieve their goals
  • Support increasing the number of students from under-represented groups from 15% to 25% of Oxford's UK undergraduate intake.
  • Promote the University of Oxford as a realistic goal for anyone with academic talent and commitment.

 For more details on the research underpinning these commitments, please see the University of Oxford's Access and Participation Plan.

Working together

In 2020 we expect to work more closely with schools and colleges. with a particular focus on non selective state schools and colleges located in  the following areas:

Brighton and Hove, East Sussex, West Sussex, Kent, Medway, Portsmouth, Isle of Wight, Southampton, Surrey, Hampshire 

We are also developing partnerships with local authorities, multi academy trusts, community organisations, local universities and social mobility organisations. 

Please note that if you or your school do not fall into our access categories, there is still plenty of advice and support available for you here and on the University website.

Our colleges will also continue their outreach work targeting under-represented groups of students who live in London.

All schools, sixth form and further education colleges have a point of contact within University of Oxford who will be happy to provide information and advice on admissions and outreach. You are also welcome to contact Oxford for South East via the contact form.

Impact

We do not expect to make radical changes overnight, but hope to build lasting partnerships across the region which will benefit the whole school community as well as our University.

We will evaluate the impact of our outreach across the South East and publish an annual impact report on this website.

Find out more about outreach at the University of Oxford.

Oxford for South East Updates

Keep up to date with all the latest news about undergraduate admissions, open days and outreach events, or have your questions answered via our social media channels:

You can also contact Oxford for South East with any questions via our contact form.
The Oxford skyline on a cloudy day

Contact Us