Our University Access Programme

OxFizz exists to bridge gaps in the UK’s education system, ensuring all students have fair access to top universities. Our year long programme provides students from disadvantaged backgrounds with the help and support to win a place at a top university.

1. ‘CHOOSE YOUR SUBJECT’ EVENT - FEBRUARY

Our aim for this event is for students to experience taster sessions in a range of different university subjects they can apply for.

• Students rotate around four hour-long subject talks run by our volunteers

• During these sessions, volunteers will share their university experiences and work through some material with the students to give them a sense of Oxbridge seminar-style teaching.

• Students experience 4 - 5 subjects throughout the day

Our feedback shows that students left the event feeling more confident about the application process, more informed about what studying at a top university would be like, and clearer on the next steps of their application.

2. ‘PLAN YOUR APPLICATION’ EVENT - MARCH

Once students have a better idea of which subject they’re going to apply for, they’re ready to focus in on the skills they need for their chosen subject, and plan ahead for their application. This is the aim of our next event.

• Students start the day by building a timeline for the application process, helping them visualise the year ahead

• Students then have a subject-specific skills session run by our volunteers (e.g. for Law, they learn how to read statutes)

• At the end of the event, students use their timeline and skills sheets to create an action plan for their university application, setting SMART goals for the months ahead

3. ‘Prepare FOR YOUR ADMISSION TEST’ EVENT- JULY

By this point students will have practiced the skills needed for their subject, and will soon need to apply them in their university admissions tests. This event helps students better understand the format of their admissions test, refine their exam technique, and practice in timed conditions.

• Students start the day with an introductory workshop, helping them understand the format and function of their admissions test

• Students then practice some admission test questions in timed conditions

• At the end of the event, students have a recap workshop run by our volunteers, which helps them understand how to approach such questions in the future

• After the event, our volunteers provide feedback on the students exam scripts, with suggestions on how to improve and any further reading / source recommendations

Last year we delivered over 200 hours of admission test practice across 13 different test papers. This year we're planning on expanding the support we offer 

4. ‘Practice FOR YOUR ADMISSION TEST’ - August

We provide students with access to free TSA and BMAT online courses. This gives them the opportunity to practice for their admissions test during the summer before their final year of Sixth Form begins. Each course is designed by our Oxbridge graduate volunteers and structured to offer a mix of digital content and marked questions. These provide students with feedback on their performance, enabling them to identify areas for further revision and preparation.

5. ‘Prepare and pRACTICE FOR YOUR ADMISSIONS INTERVIEWS’ EVENTS - SEPTEMBER-NOVEMBER

We provide interview support for students, in the months and weeks prior to their admissions interviews at Oxford, Cambridge and other top universities.

• Students have an introductory workshop, helping them understand the format and function of admissions interviews, and the skills needed to do well

• Students are then matched with a volunteer in their subject area - this will be someone who has graduated from a top university themselves

• These 1-1 practice interviews will be based both on students’ application material e.g. their personal statements, and on unseen material e.g. texts or exercises the students have not encountered before.

• At the end of these interviews students walk away with detailed personalised feedback to help them improve