BeUNIQ
Overview
BeUNIQ is an ambitious programme for 14-16 year old students at UK state schools from groups who are currently underrepresented among Oxford undergraduates. Working with both schools and the wider local community, BeUNIQ offers bespoke engagement and support. Participants will be encouraged to consider themselves as strong candidates for our UNIQ access programme and potentially for study at Oxford. BeUNIQ is free of cost for all schools and participants involved. All resources and activities, including trips to Oxford, are covered by the University.
The BeUNIQ programme aims to:
- Contribute to the higher education goals and early aspirations of students participating in the programme
- Inspire students through a range of interactive and educational sessions with current Oxford students and academics
- Equip students with academic confidence, critical thinking skills and self-efficacy
- Provide essential resources and information for students thinking about the next step in their academic journey, as well as those supporting them
- Create long lasting partnerships with schools, families and the communities that surround them
- Provide support with the application process for our flagship outreach programme, UNIQ.
In 2024, we worked with students from Bangladeshi and Pakistani backgrounds in state schools across Birmingham, Bradford and Oldham. Introductory workshops with these schools began during the 2024 spring term and we're really excited to continue delivering the programme and to build strong relationships with the school community, and beyond.
If you have any questions or would like to find out more, you can email us via beuniq@admin.ox.ac.uk.
Programme content
BeUNIQ supports selected UK state schools with their higher education aspirations and includes:
- A variety of in-school super curricular workshops (Oxplore Big Question sessions)
- Talks, support and guidance from current students and researchers at Oxford ( BeUNIQ conversations)
- Sustained online academic support and engagement
- Information and guidance sessions for parents and teachers
- Support with applications to our Key Stage 5 programme, UNIQ.
Oxplore Big Question sessions:
- Oxplore sessions challenge students with debates and ideas that go beyond the classroom
- Students discuss and explore our Big Questions that tackle complex ideas across a wide range of subjects and introduce the kind of critical thinking students undertake at university
- These sessions are underpinned by the latest research from the University of Oxford
- Find out more: Oxplore Home of Big Questions.
BeUNIQ conversations include:
- Current Oxford students facilitating sessions about life at university, choosing a course and what it’s like to study at Oxford
- Drawing on their experience and own journeys to higher education, Oxford students act as mentors to support school students’ aspirations.
For the school community and families:
- Q&A sessions on university life
- Bespoke webinars for school staff and parents
- Digital guide for families and carers
- Visits to the University of Oxford
- Essential guidance on applications, funding and admissions
After BeUNIQ
BeUNIQ participants will be encouraged and supported to apply to UNIQ, Oxford's key stage 5 outreach programme for UK state school students. BeUNIQ aims to increase the number of successful applications made to UNIQ from the areas we work with: Birmingham, Bradford and Oldham, more specifically students from Bangladeshi and Pakistani heritage.
UNIQ prioritises places for students with good grades from backgrounds that are underrepresented at Oxford. This programme helps:
- Prepare students for university and explore subjects that interest them
- Students get to know our Oxford undergraduates and work with our academics through face-to-face lectures, laboratory work and tutorials
- Participants learn about Oxford's admissions process, and, for those who decide to apply to Oxford, there is more intensive support available to help with preparation for our admissions tests and interviews.
'Having graduated and gone full circle from my young self at UNIQ, I can say it’s been an experience and a half! Getting the chance to experience Oxford for a week made me realise I could genuinely see myself studying there, but also reaffirmed my subject choice. It gave me a glimpse into how the college system works and definitely made applying to Oxford less daunting, as I had technically studied there already!' Afiea (Biomedical Science) UNIQ and Oxford Alumni
FAQs
Who is BeUNIQ for?
BeUNIQ is the University of Oxford’s outreach programme for students who are currently underrepresented at Oxford. The programme currently works with students from UK state schools who are from Bangladeshi, Pakistani and mixed Bangladeshi and Pakistani heritage.
BeUNIQ begins engagement with students when they are in Year 10, and works with them through to the start of Year 11. We then encourage students to make an application to UNIQ, Oxford's outreach programme for students in Year 12 .
How does BeUNIQ select and work with schools?
BeUNIQ works with schools in selected regions where there is limited progression to higher education and applications to the University of Oxford.
Schools are selected based on proportion of students from FSM background and overall GCSE performance of the school.
BeUNIQ’s school engagement is grounded with a whole school approach, ensuring the programme meets the needs of all students, parents and carers, as well as providing essential tools and resources to teachers and school staff to support the higher education aspirations of students.
Is there an application process for BeUNIQ and how can I apply?
Unfortunately we do not currently have an open application process to take part in BeUNIQ. At the moment, the programme works with students from pre-selected state schools specifically in Birmingham, Bradford and Oldham.
If you are from a state school in one of the above areas and would like to know more about engaging with BeUNIQ please contact beuniq@admin.ox.ac.uk
My child is in Year 11 / Year 12, can they participate in BeUNIQ?
BeUNIQ is a programme for students in Year 10. If your child is in Year 11 or has just started A-levels we would encourage them to learn more about Oxford’s free outreach programme, UNIQ, which includes both online support and an in-person residential that gives students the opportunity to see if Oxford is for them, to work with current Oxford students and academic, and to receive support with the Oxford admissions process. You can find out more on the UNIQ website.
Do you have further questions? Please get in touch via beuniq@admin.ox.ac.uk
