Oxbridge Interviews

Service

Oxbridge Interviews provides interview practice for pupils applying for Oxford and Cambridge Universities, and other universities. Interviewers are highly trained Oxbridge graduates who specialise in the interviewee's subject. Interviews take place at offices in London, Oxford and also at partner schools.

Social enterprise

Interviewers are volunteers. Profits are divided between the charity of the interviewer's choice and a unique bursary programme. The latter means that for each fee-paying interview Oxbridge Interviews provides, a free interview is provided for a less-advantaged pupil, targeted in particular towards pupils on Education Maintenance Allowance or whose parents haven't been to university.

History

Oxbridge Interviews has over one hundred volunteer interviewers who have supported hundreds of pupils with their interview preparations. A comprehensive training programme has been developed in association with a recently retired Oxford University tutor, contributing towards the high quality of feedback Oxbridge Interviews has received from pupils, parents and schools.

In order to keep costs low, pro bono venues have been sourced from prestigious schools in London and Oxford, in recognition of the public benefit aims of Oxbridge Interviews. Substantial sums have been generated for charities chosen by our volunteer interviewers, while the bursary programme has supported hundreds of less advantaged pupils with their university applications. The bursary programme works in partnership with educational charities such as Villiers Park Scholars Programme and Teach First's Higher Education Access Programme for Schools, aimed at pupils on Education Maintenance Allowance and whose parents haven't been to university.

Teach First are absolutely delighted to support Oxbridge Interviews and are really grateful for their specialised support. (Click here to read more about what Teach First say)

Helen Drummond  - Teach First's Higher Education Access Programme for Schools

Teach First are absolutely delighted to support Oxbridge Interviews and are really grateful for their specialised support.

For students in Teach First schools aspiring to apply to Oxbridge, or for interviewing subjects like medicine, there is often very little formal support.

Teach First's Higher Education Access Programme for Schools seeks to help by providing mentors for bright sixth formers but Oxbridge Interviews are able to provide real expertise in interview practice and manage the student's expectations as to what the process entails.

None of our students come from families where anyone has been to university before and for many of our students it the first time they have thought so thoroughly about their application and had a chance to be interviewed. They visibly grow in confidence, the feedback speaks for itself!

Villiers Park Educational Trust is delighted to introduce OxFizz as an important partner within our Scholars Programme. (Click here to read more about what Villiers Park say)

Richard Gould  - Chief Executive, Villiers Park Educational Trust

Villiers Park Educational Trust is delighted to introduce OxFizz as an important partner within our Scholars Programme.

We are working with 14-19 year old disadvantaged Gifted and Talented students in two pilot areas, Hastings & Bexhill and Swindon. Our aim is to enable Scholars to gain a place at a leading university or centre of excellence.

Many of the Scholars come from a background with no experience of higher education and their schools tend not to have the specialised support needed to provide interview practice.

OxFizz fulfil that role and our first cohort of potential Oxbridge Year 13 Scholars have greatly valued the subject-specific and general interviews followed by the all-important feedback sessions. The enthusiasm, commitment and skill of the OxFizz team is highly appreciated, many thanks.

Volunteering opportunities

OxFizz is keen to hear from any Oxbridge graduates interested in becoming a volunteer interviewer with Oxbridge Interviews. Training and support are provided, and travel expenses are paid.

Oxbridge Interviews is looking for interviewers interested in playing a real part in the development of the enterprise, acting as ambassadors and feeding back thoughts and ideas on progression. Here are some of the benefits:

  • Raise money for a charity of your choice
  • Fund a free practice interview for pupils on the bursary scheme
  • Receive excellent training and support, and develop your interviewing skills
  • Be part of our OxFizz social network of new philanthropists
  • Contribute to a pioneering social enterprise

If you are interested in joining our team of volunteer interviewers, please click here.