Oxford for Scotland

Schools Access Programme -

We provide workshops on university applications for students attending state schools and their teachers. This support is currently being provided through live online events and where possible these events involve Oxford staff and students with links to Scotland.  Once pandemic restrictions are lifted, we expect to undertake some school visits in addition to online workshops.

 The student workshops are suitable for different age groups. Examples of workshops for older students (S5 & S6) include

• Making a Competitive Application to University
• Oxford and the Application Process
• Personal Statement Workshop
• Admissions Tests and Interview Workshops (suitable for Oxbridge applicants)
• Support for Oxford Offer Holders

Sessions for younger students (S3-S4) are more general and cover topics such as

• University and Future Choices: Nationals, Highers, Advanced Highers and how they link to university courses
• Why University? Why Oxford? The purpose of university, myth-busting, the cost and a brief introduction to the Russell Group and the University of Oxford
• Higher Education Explained: Exploring university and what it might be like to study there
• Oxplore workshops – that help students develop their thinking skills by engaging with our “Biq Questions”

Workshops for teachers focus on answering questions about Oxford and the admissions process and showcasing the resources available to help teachers support students  applying to Oxford.

Supporting Your Students Applying to Oxford - Teacher Workshops   

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Why should you consider Oxford? Student Workshops (S3-S5)

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If you would like to register your interest in future workshops,  please sign up for our mailing list or email us outlining your particular area of interest. 

UCAS Fairs - for all students

Members of the Oxford University Undergraduate Admissions and Outreach department regularly attend UCAS Exhibitions in Scotland. To find out more please see the UCAS website.

Balliol College Resources to Support Super-curricular Learning - for S5 students

Balliol college offers a number of access events for students considering applying to Oxford and welcomes applications from Scottish S5 students. These events are currently running online and include

• Subject taster days, delivered online during May-June 2021.
• Floreat: a year-long arts/humanities academic programme for academically able state school students who are keen to engage with academic ideas outside their school curriculum, ahead of applying to Oxbridge the following year.  For further information please visit the Floreat Programme.
• Science Sustained Contact Programme- this new opportunity will suit academically able students in S5 who are interested in studying science/maths and medicine at Oxbridge. A virtual information evening will be advertised during the Autumn Term 2021.

For more details of these activities see the Balliol outreach website

Clydeside project- undergraduate led project for S3-S6 students

The Clydeside Project offers free mentoring to Scottish students applying to Oxford and Cambridge. Anyone in S3 to S6 attending a state school or college is eligible. Mentoring is provided by a network of current Oxford and Cambridge students. Your mentor – who will usually be studying the subject you are applying for – works with you one-on-one through all aspects of your application. They can advise you on everything from the personal statement to the admissions test to interviews. All mentors have PVG certification through Volunteer Scotland and a secure online platform is used for enhanced safeguarding. For more information see The Clydeside Project website. 

UNIQ Oxford – for target students

Every year, Oxford’s flagship access programme, UNIQ, helps students from diverse backgrounds to make successful applications to Oxford. This year 230 UNIQ students were offered places at Oxford. This has been a difficult time for all students, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds, so Oxford has updated UNIQ to better meet the needs of this particular year group. UNIQ 2021 will offer free online support to 2500 UK state school students. The online programme starting in April and runs for several months, with UNIQ students being guided through academic exploration, admissions and social activities by current undergraduates. UNIQ gives students the opportunity to find out if Oxford is right for them. Applying online takes about ten minutes. Find out more at www.uniq.ox.ac.uk. #UNIQ2021.

University of Oxford Open Days- for all students 

Most years, students, parents and teachers are invited to spend a whole day in Oxford, attending events, talking to staff and students and getting answers to any questions which remain after examining the prospectus and website. 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 be taking place on 30 June, 1 July and 17 September. For further details about our Open Days please visit www.ox.ac.uk/opendays

Oxford and Cambridge Student Conference - for all students

Oxford and Cambridge hold a one-day Student Conference each year in Scotland. The Oxbridge Student Conferences are designed to bring up-to-date information about our courses, the application process, and admissions procedures at both universities to a venue near you. The events are aimed at students who have completed their Nationals and are now studying for their Highers and Advanced Highers, and equivalent qualifications. Advice is also available on students finance and careers. Admissions tutors, academic staff and current undergraduates from both universities will also be on hand to answer students' questions. A dedicated teachers' session will also take place so we encourage teachers and HE advisors to consider attending the conference alongside students.

In 2020 these conferences ran as online webinars and please visit the website for information about 2021 events.

Outreach events calendar – for students and teachers

The university offers a wide variety of other events within Oxford. These events provide an excellent opportunity to meet our tutors and students, visit colleges and academic departments and get to know the city. When pandemic restrictions apply, alternative versions of these events may be delivered online. For more details on what is coming up and how to apply see our outreach events calendar.

Teachers’ Conference

The University organises free Regional Teachers’ Conferences across the UK in summer each year. The aims of the conferences are to equip teachers with the best possible advice for their students on applying to Oxford and to break down any misconceptions that might deter students from applying to the University. The programme for the conferences covers all aspects of the admissions process from identifying candidates to writing references and preparing candidates for admissions tests and interviews. For more information about future conferences please visit the teachers conferences website.

Teacher Summer School

The Oxford Teacher Summer School is a two-day residential conference in Oxford for teachers at state-funded schools and colleges in the UK. The conference 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.

The conference is aimed at teachers with roles/responsibilities in university guidance. We particularly welcome applications from schools with a limited history of sending students to selective universities generally and Oxford specifically. Participation in the conference is free and includes two nights’ accommodation in an Oxford college and meals. We can also offer a contribution towards the travel and cover costs associated with attending. For further information please visit the teachers' summer school website.

School visits

If you work for a school in Scotland that would like to bring a group of students to visit Oxford, we are often able to provide admissions talks and college tours. Please email us to arrange a visit or get in touch via our contact page.

Independent visits by teachers, students and families

We encourage people to explore the University by visiting Oxford during one of our Open Days, but if this is not possible, you are still welcome to visit the University at any time. For details about visiting as an individual please see our Visiting Oxford page.

Please note, there is no charge for any of the activities listed above.  If you have any queries about Oxford outreach for Scotland, please email us directly or use our contact form.