Dear Teachers and Advisors,

Wishing you a continued wonderful start to the new term. We’re sharing with you opportunities from across the

Please see below for upcoming Oxford University events and opportunities for your students. Further opportunities can also be found on the University's Outreach Calendar:

www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/undergraduate/increasing-access/events-calendar

Hannah and Dom
St Anne's College, Oxford
[email protected]

Table of Contents

• Pre-Sixteen Opportunities

  • EM Power

  • Exeter College Study Days

• Post-Sixteen Opportunities

  • Virtual Y12 BAME Students Humanities Day

  • Somerville Y12 Virtual Study Days

  • Historia Lectures

  • Materials Science Open Days

  • St John’s College Study Days

  • Rex Nettleford Essay Prize

  • Lincoln College Study Days 2025

  • History Study Day

  • Beginners’ Languages Taster Day

  • Beyond the Classroom: Academic Enrichment Series

• For Teachers

  • History Faculty - History Teacher Workshop

  • Trinity College Teacher CPD

  • English Teachers Conference

Pre-Sixteen Opportunities

EM Power

The EM Power is a completely free programme for anyone who is in Year 10 or Year 11 at a state school in the UK, who identifies as being of Black African heritage, Black Caribbean heritage, mixed Black heritage or other Black heritage. We’re particularly keen to hear from you if you aren’t totally sure if sciences are right for you and want to try some of them out before you chose your A Levels.

EMPower has opportunities for students to try out Physics, Engineering, and Materials sciences - digging deeper into and exploring these subjects.

Exeter College Study Days

Each year Exeter College, Oxford hosts a series of subject days for year 11 and year 12 students attending UK state schools.

The subject days aim to provide tailored support for students interested in exploring a range of subjects at University level.

The subject days will take place on the following days this year:

Monday 7th April: Humanities and Modern Languages

Tuesday 8th April: Social Sciences

Thursday 10th April: STEM

Post-Sixteen Opportunities

Virtual Y12 BAME Students Humanities Day

Magdalen College Oxford are hosting a Humanities Study Day for Y12 BAME students. The event will take place on 15th April 2025 on Microsoft Teams, 09:00-15:00.

Explore the Humanities subjects; Take part in university-style academic sessions; Learn about applying to Oxford University; Hear from current undergraduates about student life.

Somerville Y12 Virtual Study Days

Somerville offers an annual series of four Virtual Study Days for Y12 students from UK state schools. These days feature taster lectures or workshops run by Oxford University academics, which will offer a challenging and entertaining introduction to university-level study of the subject.

There will also be opportunities to hear advice from admissions and outreach staff about applying to Oxford and Cambridge, and to ask the college tutors and current undergraduates questions about their subject of interest.

The 2025 study days will take place form the 17th to the 20th February, 15:00-17:30.

Historia Lectures

Aimed at students currently studying for A levels or equivalent these lectures are designed to introduce you to new and engaging historical topics and periods. Lecture subjects are drawn from current DPhil candidate research.

Live sessions include an introductory lecture, Q&A and suggested reading materials to help you explore the topic further.

Materials Science Open Days

18th and 19th February 2025

21st February 2025 - Online

18th and 19th March 2025

Day long Materials Science open days where students will experience lectures, tour the department, meet students and more! If you would like to bring a group of students accompanied by a teacher, please email [email protected] 

St John’s College Study Days

This year St John’s College are hosting the following study days (open to Y12 students from non-selective state schools):

Rex Nettleford Essay Prize

Open to all UK Year 12 students, the prize is intended to encourage students to engage with the legacies of colonialism in all its forms – historical, political, economic, social, cultural. Students can chose from four questions, and may approach their essay from the perspective of any academic discipline (e.g. History, English Literature, Economics, etc.). The only stipulation is that the topic they address is not directly related to their A Level course. There are two equal prizes of £250 awarded to the competition winners. At least one of these prizes will be awarded to a pupil from one of Oriel’s link schools, which are non-selective state schools in Walsall, Wolverhampton, Dudley, Herefordshire, Worcestershire, Kensington & Chelsea, and Richmond upon Thames. The prizes will be awarded at Oriel College, on the occasion of an annual lecture also on the topic of 'Colonialism and its Legacies', taking place on Thursday 22 May 2025

Lincoln College Study Days 2025

Lincoln College, Oxford, is offering in-person Study Days for Year 12 students from UK state schools interested in Humanities or Physics/Engineering. The programme includes academic skill development, admissions workshops, and mock interviews. Deadlines are March 3rd for History and the Ancient World, and May 22nd for other subjects. Study Days are scheduled in April and August, with free accommodation and travel support provided.

History Study Day

 Thursday 20th March 2025.

Mansfield College, The University of Oxford

In this study day, we will explore together how people in different times and places have worked together to change the world around them - from popular rebellions in the fourteenth century to the women's liberation movement in the twentieth century. We will analyse their concerns, strategies, and impact - as well as thinking about the sources and methods historians have used to understand and interpret these movements. You don't need to be studying protest in your existing curriculum and no previous knowledge of the specific topics are required - in fact, hopefully, you'll benefit from exploring moments in the past you're not already familiar with.

This event is open to pupils in Year 12 attending UK state schools who are interested in studying History at university. You must be studying History at A Level or equivalent and be on track to achieve AAA or above (or equivalent).

Beginners’ Languages Taster Day

Bookings are open for the University of Oxford’s annual Modern Languages Open Day! This year, we are delighted to be able to welcome prospective students to Oxford on Saturday 17th May, 10.30am-4pm. The event will be held at the Examination Schools, a large venue located on the High Street. 

This event is a fantastic opportunity for Year 12 students who are interested in learning more about our language courses, or who are still considering their options, as this Open Day will cover ALL of our languages: French, German*, Spanish, Italian*, Russian*, Portuguese*, Modern Greek*, Czech (with Slovak)*, and Polish*. Most of our Joint School degree subjects will also be represented at the event. 

Beyond the Classroom: Academic Enrichment Series

Our online after-school academic enrichment programme is back for 2025 and will feature a new series of mini lectures, Oxplore taster sessions, academic skills talks and advice about preparing for university study and submitting a competitive application to university and the University of Oxford.  

You will get a certificate of participation from Trinity College, Oxford, after attending 7 or more sessions! Plus an extension programme for students in year 12 considering applying to Oxford to study a subject that Trinity College teaches. The Extension Programme includes a FREE one night- two day residential taking place at Trinity College on the 10-11th April 2025, a mini tutorial in chosen subject area, access to the library, free time for revision and private study to explore the subject in more detail and meet other participants on the programme.  

 Any state school student in Year 7 to 12 interested in exploring learning across a broad range of themes and cross subject beyond the classroom and/or applying to Oxford. 

 Beginning 5 March until 9 July 2025.  

Online via Teams. 

For Teachers

History Faculty - History Teacher Workshop

Online Teacher Workshops designed to support the development of practical history skills and provide advice on making a competitive application to selective universities such as Oxford. There will also be the opportunity to ask questions and share information. Workshops start on 29 April 2025.

Trinity College Teacher CPD

Our CPD programme is made up of six sessions, between January and October each year, that each provide up to date practical information and guidance relating to the Oxford application process and the purpose of each stage, for example, the admissions tests and interviews. ​We also have the broader aim of providing teachers and colleagues with guidance that will help them to support their pupils in all higher education applications, as well as those who may have the potential to apply to Oxford. All sessions are online and run throughout 2025.

English Teachers Conference

The annual English Teachers' Conference, hosted by the English Faculty at the University of Oxford, will be held online on 8th February 2025 from 11am to 3pm. The free event requires booking and will feature lectures, information talks, a resource showcase, and a panel discussion. Questions can be directed to [email protected]