OXBRIDGE APPLICATIONS
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Oxbridge
 Can be a fantastic opportunity
 Different in many ways
 Not necessarily the best courses for you
 Not easy to get into
 Lots of other good universities
 Other opportunities I want to draw to your
attention.
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From 10 reasons to apply to Oxford
 Oxford University seeks to attract the best and brightest
students, no matter where they are from. Here are some of the
reasons why you might like to apply.
 It’s accessible to all students of talent and ability, irrespective
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of background
The tutorial system provides highly personalised teaching and
support
Our tutors are international experts
College life means that all students are based in a friendly
community
There’s a wealth of resources available to all students
We have a commitment to equality and diversity
There’s a vast range of extracurricular and social activities
We offer excellent accommodation
Oxford graduates have an outstanding employment record.
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Oxbridge Coordinator
• Collect and disseminate information
– Acronyms, sources of support
• Subject teachers
– Preparation for tests
– Preparation for Interviews
• Personal tutors
• provide guidance.
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What they are looking for
 ACADEMIC POTENTIAL
 Good GCSE results
 In context (CSAS /national contextual data)
 Outstanding A level performance
 Academic interest
 Outside interests
 Not for themselves.
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How we can help
 No barrier
 Not just for public school people
 What have you heard about fees?
 Might be the cheapest
 Encourage
 Have a go
 Don’t worry: many superb students don’t get in
 Point in right direction.
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What’s different?
 Colleges
 Tutorials and Supervisions
 Early application
 (No longer special forms)
 Interviews
 Tests: BMAT, TSA, ELAT, LNAT, STEP .....
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Websites
 Used to be lots of special information
 Now it’s all online
 Search oxford or cambridge and you can find it
all out yourself
http://www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/undergraduate_c
ourses/index.html
http://www.cam.ac.uk/admissions/undergraduate/
http://www.oxbridgeapplications.com/
Further examples
http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/public/gug/?CMP=KNBvccp2cambridge%20university
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New links from Oxford
find out for yourself
not all about Oxford
 http://politicsinspires.org/schools/
 www.staircase12.org
 http://adventuresonthebookshelf.wordpress.
com/
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Sutton Trust
(last year’s courses
see brochure for this year)
 http://www.cam.ac.uk/admissions/undergraduate/year12summerschool
s/#courses
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Anglo-Saxon, Norse & Celtic Archaeology & Anthropology
Biological Sciences
Chemistry
Classics
Computer Science
Education
Engineering
English
Geography
History
Law
Mathematics
Architecture
Modern & Medieval Languages
Music
Physics
Psychology & Sociology
Theology & Religious Studies, with
Philosophy
 Veterinary Medicine
 Medicine
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(Nottingham and Bristol – last year guaranteed an interview at Bristol)
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Sutton Trust
Summer School Booklet 2014
PDF 8588kb
 http://www.suttontrust.com/summer-schools/uk-summer
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schools/
In 2014, the Sutton Trust is significantly expanding the number
of summer school places available and will provide this fantastic
opportunity to over 1900 students. The summer schools are
taking place at the following universities:
Bristol, Cambridge, Durham, Edinburgh, Imperial, King’s College
London, Nottingham, St Andrews, UCL, and Royal Veterinary
College
If you are interested in applying for the new summer school at
the Royal Veterinary College, please click here. For other
courses, please click here.
The 2014 Summer Schools will be running between the following
dates:
6 July and 22 Aug 2014
Most are 5 days long
 Apply by 10 March 2014
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Sutton Trust
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Applications to Cambridge, Bristol , Durham, Edinburgh, St Andrews, Imperial KCL, UCL and Nottingham
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The Sutton Trust summer schools are open to students (home UK only) currently studying in Year 12
or equivalent at maintained schools or colleges in the UK. Priority will be given to students who
meet all or most of the following criteria:
 will be the first generation in their family to attend university
 have achieved at least 5 A/A*s at GCSE
 are taking relevant subjects in relation to the subject stream
they are applying for
 attend schools or colleges with a low overall A-level (or
equivalent) point score
 are under the age of 18 at the time of the summer school
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There may be other academic criteria depending on which course you are applying for - please check
in the brochure or with the relevant uni
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The programme is not open to those who:
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are not in Year 12
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attend private/ independent (fee-paying) schools - this includes those awarded bursaries/scholarships
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are international students
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Oxford UNIQ Summer schools
 Applications for UNIQ 2014 open at on 7th January 2014
and close on 24th February 2014.
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You can apply through our online system by clicking on the link below. Please use INTERNET
EXPLORER or SAFARI browsers to access the online application form, as these internet browsers most effectively support the
application system.
 http://www.uniq.ox.ac.uk/
 Criteria for entry ... Applications are welcome from students currently in their first year of
A-Levels (or equivalent) at UK state schools/colleges. Preference is given to applicants who come from
schools and areas with little or no history of successful application to Oxford. Therefore, an unsuccessful
application to the UNIQ Summer School does not necessarily reflect on an applicant’s likelihood of being successful in an application for
undergraduate study at the University of Oxford.
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In selecting participants we look at:
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The number of A* at GCSE compared with the average performance of the applicant’s GCSE school
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Academic attainment and history of progression to Oxford at the applicant’s A-level school
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Home postcode data
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Personal statement
 Need a personal statement: good practice for UCAS
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WHAT DO WE DO ON THE COURSES? The UNIQ courses are each very different from one another, not only in content, but also in the
number of timetabled teaching hours and in the teaching methods used. Each one is designed to give you a sense of what undergraduate study would be like.
One of the main differences between your school studies and the studies you’ll move on to at university is the way in which you’ll be expected to work
independently. All of the courses give you a chance to do some research for yourself and to produce a piece of work by the end of the week. There are no tests. The
work that you’ll do here is not assessed. It is for you to see what you might expect to do at university and how you might go about doing it. It’s for you to take a 13
measure of Oxford and of yourself.
Oxford UNIQ Summer schools
 right one for you
 Classical Archaeology and Ancient History
Classics
 English
History of Art
Mathematics B
 PPE
Beginner Languages
Computer Science
 French
Human Sciences
Medicine
 Psychology
Biochemistry
Earth Sciences
 Geography
Humanities
MME Languages
 Spanish
Biology
Economics
 German
Law
Music
 Theology
Biomedical Sciences
Egyptology
 History A
Materials
Oncology
 Chemistry
Engineering
History B
 Mathematics A
Physics
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Oxford UNIQ Summer schools LAST YEAR
 Oxford’s UNIQ Summer Schools for state school students are having a
major impact on University entry, according to the latest
undergraduate application and acceptance figures. Four out of every
ten applicants who attended one of the summer schools last year
have been offered a place at Oxford — twice the overall success rate
for undergraduate entry.
 Aimed at students who are performing above the average for their
own school or college, the UNIQ programme allows students to judge
Oxford for themselves. We give preference to applicants who come
from schools with little or no history of successful application to
Oxford, and to applicants who live in postcode areas in which we
would expect fewer young people to go on to higher education.
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EVENTS FOR STUDENTS AT OXFORD
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1.)
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Choral workshop at Merton College
Music Study Day at University College
Poetry Competition: Tower Poetry
Study Days (Oxford Pathways Programme)
Summer School (UNIQ)
 NB see newcollege website highflyers’ pages
 http://www.newcollege.ac.uk/content/high-flyersadditional-classes-and-courses
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Year 12 Study Days FOR STUDENTS AT OXFORD
 Year 12 Study Days offer students the chance to experience their
chosen subject through a day of academic sessions run by Oxford
tutors. The next events are planned for 18, 19 and 20
March 2014. For information on the selection criteria
and the subjects available please see the guidance
notes (Guidance on study days.pdf (290 kb) ). Once you
have read the guidance notes you can apply for a place
at www.uniq.ox.ac.uk/PathwaysStudyDay. Students
offered a place on the study days will also be offered
application support and advice throughout the
academic year.
Year 12 students should apply for a place directly, rather
than through their school, but must have the support of
a teacher. The closing date for applications is 5pm on
Friday 31 January.
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Maths -
Other Oxford Days
 Further Maths - What Next? Wednesday 19 March 2014
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Are your students doing Further Maths A-level, but not sure what they want to do at
University? Do they want to know a bit more about Maths-related degree subjects that
don't appear on the school curriculum? Attendees will attend a range of short taster
sessions on subjects which require a real aptitude for Maths
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Please note that if a student already knows which subject they wish to apply for at
university this is not the event for them. For further information and bookings please see
the website.
 What’s the Significance? Statistics Taster Day Thursday 27 March 2014
Do you have students who are interested in studying Maths, and would like to know more
about Statistics? Are your students interested in exploring the varied and cutting edge
applications of Statistics?
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This event is for students currently in Year 12, who have a real aptitude for Maths. It will be
a day of workshops looking at different areas where statistics are used, and what role they
will play in the future. For more information, contact schools.liaison@stats.ox.ac.uk
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COMPETITIONS
 Corpus Christi College annual science competition
 This competition is open to students who intend to apply to
university later this year, or next year. A top prize of £250 will be
available in two categories – Biochemistry and Chemistry – with
the possibility of smaller prizes for second place and entries
judged highly commended. All prize winners will be invited to
Corpus Christi on our Open Day on Thursday 28 June to receive
their prizes, have lunch, and receive a tour of the University
science facilities.
 For more information please visit the Corpus Christi College
website The deadline for entries is Friday 30 March.
 Calling all budding cinéastes! French film competition
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COMPETITIONS
French film essay competition
The Faculty of Medieval and Modern Languages at Oxford University is looking for budding film
enthusiasts in Years 7-11 and 12-13 to embrace the world of French cinema. To enter the competition,
students in each age group are asked to re-write the ending of a film in no more than 1500 words.
There’s a first prize of £100 for the winning student in each age group, with runner-up prizes of £25. The
teacher of each winning student will be offered free attendance at the Sir Robert Taylor Society
Conference, a forum for continuing professional development and exchange between practitioners of
modern foreign languages teaching in secondary and higher education.
For further details please see the faculty website. Entries must be received by noon on Monday 31 March
2014.
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Cambridge opportunities
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Education at Cambridge Year 12 Taster Day, Friday 7th February 2014, 10 am – 3.30 pm
A free event for academically able Year 12 students from state schools and colleges which aims to provide
prospective students with a taste of what life as an Education student at the University of Cambridge would be
like. Students will experience the teaching methods used by university academics and gain an insight into the
facilities available at the Faculty of Education. Please see attached flyer for further details.
The closing date for applications is Monday 27th January 2014. Please direct all enquiries to Jacqui Howard
(Faculty of Education Schools Liaison Coordinator) on jh675@cam.ac.uk.
VetCam 2014 – Introduction to Veterinary Medicine at Cambridge University, Monday 31st March-Tuesday
1st April 2014
VetCam is a two-day residential programme designed to give Year 12 students interested in applying to read
Veterinary Medicine at Cambridge University starting in October 2015 a taste of the course. Attendees will
have the opportunity to sample College life as well as visiting the pre-clinical departments and the facilities at
the Veterinary School. They will also meet members of academic staff and current students.
As part of Cambridge University's widening participation effort the department are offering a number of
bursaries to students from underprivileged backgrounds or from families with no history of involvement in
higher education to attend the VetCam course which will cover the course fee and travelling expenses. Please
see attached document for more information.
The deadline for receipt of bursary applications is Friday 31st January 2014. Please direct all enquiries to
Katheryn Ayres on kma28@cam.ac.uk.
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2014 Oxford and Cambridge Student Conferences
Bookings for this year’s conferences are now open. Details of the venues, dates and how to book are available
on the Student Conferences website, www.studentconferences.org.uk.
All enquiries should be directed to Eva Dring (Schools and Colleges Liaison Officer, Cambridge Admissions
Office) on conferences@cao.cam.ac.uk.
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Cambridge opps closing dates moved to 31st Jan
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Year 12 Biological Sciences Taster Day, Monday 17th March 2014
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This event will showcase some of the exciting biological research being carried out at St John's College, ranging from the biophysics of vision,
through synthetic biology of artificial DNA molecules, to the evolution of butterflies.
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Students will have the opportunity to attend a series of short talks on different research areas as well as participate in small group workshops
which go into more detail on specific biological problems, as well as touring of College and eating lunch with current students.
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Booking for this event closes on Thursday 27th February 2014. For more information and the booking form please see: http://ow.ly/sffiD.
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Year 12 English Study Day, Tuesday 18th March 2014
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What is it like to study English at St John's College? What is the English course at Cambridge really like? Come and see for yourselves at this
English Study Day. Run by the fellows who actually teach English here and the students who are currently studying English in the College, the
day will include seminars and workshops just like those you would have as a Cambridge English student, plus a tour of the College, advice from
the Admissions Team on making a competitive application, and lots of time for questions in a relaxed atmosphere.
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Booking for this event closes on Sunday 16th February 2014. For more information and the booking form please see: http://ow.ly/sffDZ.
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Year 12 Archaeology Study Day, Friday 28th March 2014
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Everyone knows about fictional Archaeologists in popular culture – cracking whips, running through jungles, and sporting cool leather jackets.
But none of these things, exhilarating though they may be, are essential parts of academic study or intellectual exploration. So what is it actually
like to study Archaeology at University, and Cambridge in particular? In what directions would your mind develop and grow if you did? And what
do Cambridge Archaeologists really do? The answer is: come and see! We’re organising this Archaeology Study Day precisely for you to find out. Run
by a friendly mixture of Cambridge academics and current students, it will provide sample lectures, seminars and workshops just like those you would
experience as a student at Cambridge. We hope to give you some sense of the variety, excitement and intellectual richness of Archaeology (which at
Cambridge includes Assyriology and Egyptology), and of course there will be ample opportunities for you to ask questions.
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Booking for this event closes on Friday 28th February 2014. For more information and the booking form please see: http://ow.ly/sffJg.
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Maths Open Day, Saturday 26th April 2014
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St John's College will be holding a Maths Open Day for prospective applicants on the morning of Saturday 26th April 2014, to coincide with the
Faculty of Mathematics open day in the afternoon. The Faculty open day consists of short lectures intended to give sixth formers an idea of what
it is like to study Mathematics at a high level.
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More information and a booking form will be posted closer to the event here: http://ow.ly/sfhiu.
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Dates
The Road to Cambridge: Oxford and
Cambridge Student Conferences 2014
 24th February 2014 Ox Summer school apps close
 10 March Sutton Trust Applications close
 April Cambridge FE Open Day (to be arranged)
 Cambridge FE summer school (?not running this year)
 2, 3 July, 19Sep Oxford Open Days
 3, 4 July Cambridge Open Days (+ see website
booking required)
 **– Various Cambridge coll open days
 ** – Various Oxford coll open days
 31st Jan Oxford pathways study day applications.
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Series of Meetings
• March 19th Progression day
• Just to confirm I'm really looking forward to this event - I grew up in
Swindon, was a student at New College and got into Oxford from New so
hopefully I'll have a good insight into the student's experiences! - Jenny
• February of 1st year - introduction
– Anyone interested
– Invitations to those with best GCSE results
• Mar/Apr - application process and how to prepare
– outside speaker
– March 27th 12:00 BS04 with Cressida Ryan from
Merton College Oxford
• June - open days, summer schools, choosing, starting application
• Sept – Applying, everything on track
• November - Interview workshop
– outside speaker.
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What to do now
 Decide what you want to do
 Ask subject teachers
 Research on line
On the look-out
eg journalism
College magazine
 List of questions
 Book open days, etc
 Go online and look
 CHECK newcollege website high flyers’pages regularly
 Give me your email address
 Think how you can make your application impressive
 Brilliant grade
 Reference – stand out to your teachers
 Personal statement – Independent work, interest.
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Tell me
Name
Email address
 Mobile number
 Tutor
 Subject(s) interested in
 Number of As and A*s at GCSE
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