Oxford Cymru

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There are a range of opportunities for students and teachers from the Wales region to visit Oxford. Please see the event calendar for events in Oxford. Please note that some of these events take place in school time and so need to be booked by your school. 

For Students

Open Days - Years 11-13

The University holds three Open Days, two in June or July and one in September, each year. All colleges and departments will be open to prospective students on Oxford University Open Days.

The University hosted its first Virtual Open Days in July and September 2020 and much of this information is still available through the Virtual Open Days webpages.

Students do not need to sign up in advance for either our virtual or face to face open days. Information on arrangements for 2022 Open Days will be provided closer to the time.

Open Day Travel support

In 2022, Jesus College expects to trial a small bursary scheme to help support students from the most disadvantaged backgrounds with the cost of travelling to Open Day. Further details will be added here if and when this becomes available.

Open Day Accommodation - Years 11-13

We can sometimes offer free overnight accommodation for groups of students from Welsh state schools attending the University of Oxford’s July Open Days. All school groups must be accompanied by a teacher. Conditions apply. Your teacher should contact us in the first instance to see if accommodation is available.

Schools Visits to Oxford - all year groups

We welcome visits from state schools within our Oxford Cymru regions and offer experiences such as Taster Days for all age groups. This includes an introduction to Oxford, meeting our current undergraduate students, tour of the City, an academic talk or museum visit and a skills development or admissions guidance workshop. Our colleges are very happy to adapt visits to meet the needs of any particular group of pupils. These visits are organised through schools, so if you are interested please ask your teacher to get in touch with us.

UNIQ Oxford - Year 12 (apply November-January)

UNIQ is the largest University of Oxford residential access programme for students in their first year of further education, who are based at UK state schools or colleges. UNIQ has a successful record of helping students make successful applications to Oxford - this year alone 250 UNIQ students were made offers by the University.

Students apply to UNIQ between December and January and can be selected for either UNIQ Digital or the UNIQ residential. UNIQ residentials take place in Spring and Summer and give students a taste of the Oxford undergraduate student experience. You will live in an Oxford college for a week, attend lectures and seminars in your chosen subject area, and receive expert advice on the Oxford application and interview process. UNIQ is free of charge and travel costs are also covered.

UNIQ Digital provides comprehensive information and guidance on the university admissions process, and aims to give a realistic view of Oxford student life through videos, activities and quizzes. The platform offers a range of forums where you can discuss both academic and social topics.
For more information (including the alternative digital provision for residentials) see the UNIQ website.

Target Oxbridge - Year 12 (apply October) 

Target Oxbridge is a free programme that aims to help black African and Caribbean students and students of mixed race with black African and Caribbean heritage increase their chances of getting into the Universities of Oxford or Cambridge (known collectively as Oxbridge). The programme includes a residential in Oxford, student mentoring by black or minority ethnic Oxbridge graduates as well as many tailored sessions throughout the year. Since launching in 2012, Target Oxbridge has helped 81 students to secure Oxbridge offers. For more information (including alternative digital provision) see the Target Oxbridge website.

Oxford Pathways - Years 10-11

We regularly work with other Oxford colleges to support the Pathways Programme. Oxford Pathways is for students attending non-selective state schools across the UK, with little, if any, history of sending students to Oxford.

Through Oxford Pathways students get the opportunity to visit Oxford, to explore the university and see what it is like to study here. Taster Days give academically able year 10 students an introduction to higher education and student finance, interactive sessions with current students, lunch served in a college dining hall, and participation in an academic activity. The same students are invited back to Oxford in year 11 for an Investigating Options Days which focusses the importance of GCSE results and post-16 choices. Students coach travel costs are paid for by Oxford for North West Colleges.

Applications are made by schools, rather than individuals, with each school welcome to bring up to 10 students. So please ask your teacher about this opportunity. For more information see the Pathways website. #OxPathways

Women in Sciences Programme - Year 12

The Oxford colleges of Jesus, Trinity and Wadham, host 100 young women scientists from state schools in Wales, London, the North East and Oxford. This part residential part day-event offers exploration of a variety of science topics: from life on other planets to bioengineering. Attendees may also attend skills and admissions workshops such as personal statement writing, how to reading an academic journal and admissions tests preparation. The event usually runs at some point from mid-March to late June and students may apply independently. Find out more here. 

Jesus College Seren Summer School – Year 12

Jesus College’s flagship event – the Jesus College Seren Summer School – is the highlight of the Jesus summer events programme and sees the College welcome 75 Year 12 Seren learners for a one-week residential in Oxford! See the Oxford Cymru and The Seren Network page for more information.

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For Teachers

Teacher Summer Schools

Oxford’s CPD accredited Teacher Summer School is a free two-day residential conference for teachers from state schools and colleges in the UK. During the summer school, teachers receive detailed support and guidance about the Oxford admissions process, experience taster sessions for different academic subjects, and learn from mock interviews. It 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.

You can find out about other guidance and events for teachers here.

Inspirational Teachers Award

Since 2010, the University of Oxford has run a scheme to recognise inspirational teachers from UK state schools and colleges. This award scheme recognises the crucial role teachers play in encouraging talented students in their schools or colleges. Each year, current first-year Oxford undergraduates from UK state schools or colleges with a limited history of sending students to Oxford are asked if they would like to nominate an inspirational teacher. You can find out more here.

See this wonderful film where students, including Abi from Neath Port Talbot and Laura from Pontypool, tell us why their teachers are truly inspirational.

Schools Visits to Oxford – all year groups

We welcome visits from schools within our Oxford Cymru regions and offer a Taster Day experience for all age groups. A typical timetable is shown below. 

*times may vary depending on the Host college and size of group.

Activities will depend on the age group and we will adapt the day accordingly. Whilst the majority of our outreach is directed at older students, a Taster Day is also appropriate for primary aged pupils. The aim is to help younger learners understand university education while building confidence and encouraging them to aim high whatever their future choices may be.

Oxford Cynmru can also provide or arrange workshops on Oxplore (the University’s digital outreach platform for students), student finance and more general topics, such as exploring beyond the school curriculum, essay writing and giving presentations as well as advice on university applications for parents and carers.

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For Families

Open Days - Years 11-13

You may wish to accompany your child on a visit to an Open Day. All colleges and departments will be open to prospective students on Oxford University Open Days. 2020 Open Days will be Wednesday 1 July, Thursday 2 July and Friday 18 September.

Visiting Oxford

If you can’t make an Open Day or outreach event in Oxford, you should feel free to come and see us to find out for yourself what Oxford is really like. Please do get in touch to arrange a convenient day and time for one of our Oxford Cymru colleges to offer you a college tour and answer any questions you might have. You are of course welcome to visit independently but we recommend you contact any colleges you wish to visit in advance to check opening times.

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