Year 12 - Oxford Trip

This week a group of Year 12 students on our Potential High Achievers programme visited Oxford University to experience what life is like for undergraduates studying at one of their 39 colleges.

Read Henry's report of the trip below:

"It was a great experience to visit Oxford and see some of the colleges and other areas of the university. It was also helpful to speak to former charters students studying there about their experience at Oxford and their advice on the admissions process. Our talks about the college system were also useful in our understanding of study at Oxbridge, and how it differs from other universities.

The day began with a talk on the common misconceptions of Oxbridge including us being told  that 80% of the university was state school educated, which helped encourage some of us on the fence to apply. The talk also encompassed how the college system worked - the university is divided into 39 colleges of roughly 100 people per year group, which many of us liked due to the increased social opportunities and pastoral support.

We were also given a tour of Brasenose College, viewing a student room, the bar and social areas, and had a meal there as part of our understanding of the subsidies of food, drink and accommodation at the university. Lunch at high table was a particular highlight.

We were then given the opportunity to meet some Charters students currently studying in Oxford, and discuss potential advice and experiences with those who took similar subjects. For instance Lucas a former student, who took Physics, was able to pass on interview techniques and PAT advice for those of us who are looking to do the same next year."