Outreach activities we currently run
(all are free of charge and currently available in online format)
Raising Aspirations: talks and activities designed to encourage students to aim higher at school and to consider pursuing university education. These interactive presentations offer guidance on post-16 subject choices and information on careers and graduate destinations. Using specific examples, we explain the ways in which course-choice may (and may not) affect career prospects. Age groups: Y7-Y11
Oxford Explained: talks that focus on the different courses available, University and College life, and entry requirements, as well as demystifying the Oxford application process. Age groups: Y11, Y12, and early Y13
Personal Statement Workshop: run by the Outreach Officer (with the help of undergraduate students), this workshop offers guidance on how to structure a strong personal statement and includes analysis and discussion of sample personal statements. Age groups: Y12 – Y13
Interview and Admissions Test Preparation Workshops: these sessions are aimed at students who are in the final stages of preparing for the Oxbridge application process. The aim is to provide applicants with knowledge of what these two stages entail, helping them familiarize themselves with the format. Some parts of the sessions are dedicated to looking at sample questions while others focus on confidence-building techniques. Age group: Y13
Higher Education and UCAS Fairs: we are happy to attend such events at your School or a regional centre to meet prospective applicants and their parents, answer questions and provide general information on applying to Oxford as well as to distribute prospectuses, parents’ guides, information on financial support, etc.
All ages
Museum Study/Object Handling Sessions: run by experts in the Education Departments of the Ashmolean (art and archaeology), the Pitt Rivers (anthropology and ethnography), and the Museum of Natural History, these sessions introduce students of all ages to museum artefacts. Age groups: all years
Subject Taster Sessions: delivered by our Tutors and PhD Researchers, our academic taster sessions are in a broad range of subjects across STEM, Humanities, Social Sciences, and Medical Sciences. Particularly popular are taster sessions in subjects or combinations not taught at school, which inspire students to explore their options. Age groups: all years
Meet Student Role-Models: opportunities for your pupils to meet our current undergraduate students and talk to them about their time at Oxford, their journey here, their chosen degree disciplines, etc. The opportunity to interact with our current students is usually incorporated into other activities and workshops. Age groups: all years
Visits to St Hugh’s: half-day trips or full-day trips to Oxford, which incorporate a talk or workshop and a tour of the College with current students. Depending on the timing of your visit, we can also arrange lunch and a trip to one of the University museums. Age groups: all years
Visits to your School: the Outreach Officer can visit your school to deliver a talk, workshop or other activity to students, teachers or parents. Age groups: all years
St Hugh’s College works closely with teachers and advisors to organise and run activities and events for their pupils. On this page you will find information about some of the activities and opportunities that we currently offer. This list, however, is not by any means exhaustive; if you have ideas about new events or would like to arrange tailor-made activities, please do get in touch.
We run a regular Teachers’ Webinar series and send regular updates to our link schools; if you’d like to be added to our mailing list, please email outreach@st-hughs.ox.ac.uk.
Sustained support programme for Year 10 students
Universify Education Programme & Residentials in Oxford: Universify is a charity committed to educational equality. St Hugh’s works in partnership with them to deliver a programme that is aimed at Year 10 students from non-selective state schools who are at risk of not fulfilling their academic potential, and who may be interested in pursuing higher education. The programme consists of:
- A week-long summer residential at the University of Oxford (in August)
- Monthly coaching with Universify volunteers, who are current students or recent undergraduates, with a view to setting and working towards academic goals
- A three-day residential focused on GCSE revision (at Easter).
