Oxford for Scotland

Schools Access Programme

We provide workshops on university applications for students attending state schools and their teachers. These 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.

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 

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.

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. UNIQ gives students the opportunity to find out if Oxford is right for them. Applying online takes about ten minutes. 

University of Oxford Open Days- for all students 

Open Days offer an ideal opportunity to explore Oxford, find out more about our courses, tour colleges and quiz tutors and students.

For further details about our Open Days please visit www.ox.ac.uk/opendays

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.  For more details on what is coming up and how to apply see our outreach events calendar.

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.