Online
Oxford for South East colleges offer a wide variety of online materials, resources and other support to supplement our regional outreach programmes, which you can access free from home.
For students: Inspire Digital | Virtual Study Days and Subject Exploration Days | Oxford Remote Interview Workshops | Oxplore | Staircase 12 | Applying to Oxford | Keep in touch
For teachers: Inspire Digital | Teachers' webpages | Ignite | Newsletters
For families: Supporting university choices
For students
Inspire Digital
Inspire Digital is an interactive online resource platform from St John’s College full of articles, practice questions, interviews with current students and more.
- Year 10 & 11: Each year we run an online course for Year 10 & 11 pupils at non-selective state schools focussing on one central question which is approached from a variety of subject viewpoints; each class includes articles, quizzes, games and competitions.
- Year 12: Each year we run a Year 12 Inspire Programme for pupils at non-selective state schools, which offers academic taster sessions and skills development. Currently, this programme is run online and includes webinars, interactive sessions, competitions and prizes, as well as a chance to apply for a virtual summer school.
- We also have a range of material hosted on the site which is suitable for all age groups:
- Articles written by St John’s College tutors
- Tricky brainteasers and practice interview questions
- Super-curricular material to help you explore your favourite subjects in a deeper way
- Interviews with current undergraduates
- A Virtual Open Day at St John’s College, featuring an interactive virtual college tour
Virtual Study Days and Subject Exploration Days
St John's College offers a number of different online opportunities for high-achieving Year 12 students to spend a day experiencing higher level study in their chosen subject.
- Subject-specific virtual study days: full day virtual events for non-selective school or sixth form college pupils, including student-led sessions, academic lectures and discussions with tutors.
- Virtual subject exploration days: full day virtual events for joint selective, and non-selective school or sixth form college pupils, including student-led sessions, academic lectures and discussions with tutors.
Oxford Remote Interview Workshops
The subject workshops may include mock interviews, discussion of sample questions, and advice about what interviewing tutors are looking for. More information will be sent out nearer the time.
Oxplore: The Home of Big Questions
Oxplore is an innovative digital outreach portal from the University of Oxford. It aims to engage those from 11 to 18 years old with debates and ideas that go beyond what is covered in the classroom. Big questions tackle complex ideas across a wide range of subjects and draw on the latest research undertaken at Oxford. Oxplore aims to realise aspirations, promote broader thinking and stimulate intellectual curiosity.
Swiftstream
Swiftstream is an online course and residential run by Hertford College for Year 12 students at state schools in Medway. We'll help you to develop the skills and confidence you need to make successful applications to Oxford and other highly selective universities through a programme of online sessions and a free residential trip to Oxford. Find out more and apply online.
Staircase 12
Staircase 12 is an online hub of resources developed by University College, Oxford for students aiming high at school and thinking about applying to top universities. You'll find plenty of resources to help develop your interests, book reviews from current undergraduates to give ideas about where to start 'reading around' the subject and ideas for stretching yourself beyond the school syllabus.
Applying to Oxford
The main university website has a wealth of information and support if you choose to apply to Oxford. Here are links to some pages you might be interested in:
Keep in touch
Make sure to keep in touch with Oxford for South East via our social media channels below:
For teachers
Inspire Digital
Inspire Digital is an interactive online resource platform from St John’s College full of articles, practice questions, interviews with current students and more. You can use the material on this website to engage students of all ages.
- Year 10 & 11 online course: Each year we run an online course for Year 10 & 11 pupils at non-selective state schools focussing on one central question which is approached from a variety of subject viewpoints; each class includes articles, quizzes, games and competitions. You are welcome to use this course material in your own classroom as well.
- Teaching materials: Here you can find a summary of free teaching resources from St John’s College as well as from across the University of Oxford more widely, including ready-made lesson plans for all ages as well as subject-specific resources to share with students.
Teacher’s webpages
Choosing where to go to university can be a life-changing decision, and whilst this is exciting, it can also be daunting. We hugely value the supporting role that teachers and careers advisors can play in encouraging students to consider their options and make informed decisions.
The University of Oxford’s webpages for teachers aim to give you all the information you need to help your students. We encourage you to explore our website widely but hope that you will find the resources here particularly useful. We welcome the chance to talk with teachers and advisers about supporting your students through all aspects of considering, and applying to, Oxford.
Ignite: Oxford’s free careers education programme for schools
Ignite is a career confidence programme for schools and colleges from the Oxford University Careers Service. It aims to help develop pupils’ assertiveness and confidence in academic, extra-curricular, family, social and eventual career activities.
The programme is aimed at secondary school pupils (ages 11-18) and is to be delivered within the school by teachers / PSHE tutors. It is available in modules to be applied and used as appropriate.
Newsletters
There are a number of different e-newsletters to which you can subscribe to keep up-to-date with the events and programmes on offer.
- St John’s College: You can register for the St John’s College teachers’ mailing list here. On this mailing list we share information on a termly basis about access programmes specific to St John’s College and its link regions, as well as about our participation in University-wide programmes.
- St Hilda’s: To join the teachers’ mailing list, please email [email protected]. Members of the teachers’ mailing list are sent details of upcoming events from around the University and from St Hilda’s.
- Somerville: Please email [email protected] if you would like to be added to our mailing list. We send weekly emails during term-time about Somerville-run events, both for our link regions and the UK as a whole, as well as sending updates about the programmes offered by other colleges and departments in the University.
- St Hugh’s: To join our teachers’ mailing list, please get in touch with us on [email protected]. We send out regular updates about upcoming events and opportunities available through St Hugh’s and the University, to teachers and education professionals on this list.
- Oxford Teachers’ Newsletter: This University e-newsletter features updates about our admissions process, events that teachers and students can attend, and updates regarding our access and widening participation programmes, including UNIQ. Feedback from teachers has been very positive, with many reporting that they forward the email to students interested in applying to Oxford.
For parents and carers
Supporting university choices
If your child is studying for their A Levels, they are probably already thinking about their next steps. It’s not always easy for parents and family members to know how best to help them navigate their options. The University of Oxford publishes webpages directed at families that want to find out more about studying at Oxford. These pages include guidance on choosing the right course and the application process as well as information about student life. We also provide information on the support the University can provide students, including welfare and financial support, as well as how we support students after they have graduated.
We also publish a Families’ Guide: supporting an Oxford applicant which can be read on line or downloaded, now available in Bengali, Hindi, Punjabi and Urdu as well as English.
