Initiatives to improve access to graduate study
A number of departments have pilot initiatives to improve postgraduate access for under-represented and socio-economically disadvantaged groups at the University of Oxford.
If activities are being undertaken, the How to apply section of the course page will provide details of the specific actions under an 'Improving access to graduate study' heading. You do not need to refer to this page if the course you are applying to is not participating in these initiatives.
The pilots aim specifically at better contextualising the admissions procedure for graduate applicants, in order to improve the fairness of the assessment and selection process, and minimise conscious and unconscious bias. The initiatives being undertaken are described on this page and vary between departments and in some cases between courses offered by the same department.
These initiatives apply only to the course selection procedure. The college selection procedure has not been amended and will be undertaken in the same way for all graduate courses.
Collection of socio-economic data
The action described below is not undertaken for all graduate courses. Please consult the How to apply section of the relevant course page to find out if this initiative is carried out for the course you are applying to, or consult the list of courses taking part (below).
The University currently collects a range of socio-economic data from candidates who apply for graduate study. Where provided by candidates, this information is used for research purposes, to understand the demographics of those applying and of those who are offered places.
It is also used by the courses taking part in this initiative to better understand the context of your achievements and the challenges that you might have faced in your education to date. This data may be used at several stages in the assessment and selection process.
Courses participating in this initiative
This list will continue to be updated as courses are opened to accept applications. Please check back regularly for updates.
Contextual statement form
The action described below is not undertaken for all graduate courses. Please consult the How to apply section of the relevant course page to find out if this initiative is carried out for the course you are applying to, or consult the list of courses taking part (below).
We recognise that the socio-economic data that we collect may not fully capture an individual student’s personal circumstances or educational trajectory, so if any of the criteria listed below apply, we encourage you to submit a statement providing additional details on your personal circumstances, using the contextual statement form.
A link to the form will be included in the How to apply section of the course page if the course is participating in this initiative.
Your contextual statement will be used to contextualise assessment and selection processes, and may be used in association with any socio-economic data provided.
You may wish to provide a contextual statement, particularly if you:
- are in the first generation of your family to go to university;
- have been in care for at least three months;
- have been a young carer;
- are from a low-income background;
- have received a means-tested scholarship;
- have needed to work to support yourself during your academic studies because of your socioeconomic circumstances;
- are a refugee;
- are neurodivergent;
- have or have had one or more disabilities or chronic illnesses that have affected you in education or at work; and/or
- wish to disclose other circumstances that have substantially affected you in education or at work.
Please note, this statement is in addition to completing the 'Extenuating circumstances’ section of the standard application form.
Courses participating in this initiative
This list will continue to be updated as courses are opened to accept applications. Please check back regularly for updates.
Shortlisting Black-British students for interview
The action described below is not undertaken for all graduate courses. Please consult the How to apply section of the relevant course page to find out if this initiative is carried out for the course you are applying to, or consult the list of courses taking part (below).
Once academic shortlisting has taken place, we will use information on ethnicity to ensure that if you identify as Black British, you will be invited to interview, provided that you:
- have clearly demonstrated that you are interested in undertaking research within the remit of the programme for which you are applying; and
- meet at least one of the following criteria:
- consistently high performance or a strong upward trajectory leading to a predicted or obtained high 2.1 or 1st class degree in a relevant STEM subject;
- high performance consistent with a distinction in a masters' degree; or
- substantive relevant work experience consistent with the academic criteria listed above.
The reason for taking this positive action initiative is to address the under-representation of Black British students in doctoral research in certain subjects by ensuring that if you are eligible, you are given the opportunity to demonstrate your potential for doctoral study at interview.
Courses participating in this initiative
This list will continue to be updated as courses are opened to accept applications. Please check back regularly for updates.
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