Kickstart Oxbridge Brochure

Kickstart Oxbridge PROGRAMMES FOR APPLICATION-YEAR STUDENTS

Unlock your potential at Kickstart Oxbridge Programmes

TABLE OF CONTENTS Welcome to Kickstart Oxbridge

02

A Week at Kickstart Oxbridge

07

The Universities of Oxford and Cambridge

03

A Day at Kickstart Oxbridge

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Teaching at Kickstart Oxbridge

09

Our Faculty

11

How to Apply

12

Contact Us

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Unique Features of Kickstart Oxbridge

Key Programme Dates

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Welcome to Kickstart Oxbridge

"I want to make sure today’s students get the best preparation to help them attain the amazing academic experience that first eluded me and then catalysed my own journey”

Dr Moira Donald When I was seventeen, my dream was to apply to Oxford to study French and History but my school did not support me. I was a bit of a rebel and did not fit their picture of a typical Oxford applicant. I never forgot this lack of support for my ambitions, but I went to the University of Leeds and was very happy there studying History and Russian, in which I achieved a joint first, going on to complete a PhD afterwards.

I was delighted when I was appointed some years later to a Darby Fellowship in History at Lincoln College, Oxford., which entitled me to an Oxford MA and all the benefits and responsibilities of being part of the amazing academic community of Oxford. I made up for not attending as a student by playing field hockey with the college student hockey team! I loved hurrying down Turl Street in my gown to dine at the high table in college in a tradition unchanged for centuries. I relished the architecture, the history and Oxford’s atmosphere of learning. I followed this with a post at Russell Group University, Exeter. In addition to lecturing and publishing books and articles in history, I was in charge of admissions for a large department there.

Eventually, the lure of Oxford was too much to resist, and I returned, this time as a student of experimental psychology. Taking up science was a challenge, but I relished the opportunity to extend my knowledge, attend lectures and take part in exciting lab practicals.

After completing the BA I moved with my family to Cambridge where I taught psychology IB and A level, publishing A-level textbooks in psychology.

I enjoyed Cambridge with its colourful market square, elegant colleges, and green spaces threaded by the River Cam, but Oxford drew me back and I returned to lead the UCAS team in a local school.

Recently I sought a new challenge and am delighted to hold the position of Acting Head of Oxbridge Summer Scholars. It is my goal to ensure that today’s students have the opportunity to enjoy the cherished academic experience that initially eluded me but then catalysed my journey. This year we are introducing ‘Kickstart Oxbridge’, an application “bootcamp” for students in their application year who are applying to Oxbridge or for medicine in the UK. As you apply to global universities, your experience at Oxbridge Summer Scholars or Kickstart Oxbridge can demonstrate your intellectual vitality and commitment to challenge yourself. In short, it enables you to stand out on the world stage. I can’t wait for you to experience the magic of Oxbridge and with the rest of the OSS team hope to welcome you to Oxford or Cambridge in the very near future!

Yours faithfully,

DR MOIRA DONALD Acting Head of OSS and Kickstart Oxbridge

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The Universities of Oxford and Cambridge THE UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD The University of Oxford, founded in the 11th Century, is the oldest university in the Englishspeaking world. It is located in the city of Oxford and is comprised of 44 colleges and halls. It is renowned for its strong programmes in a range of disciplines, from humanities and social sciences to STEM subjects, as well as its world-class research centres and libraries.

Oxford has a long tradition of producing successful alumni, including 30 UK Prime Ministers, and other notable figures in politics, literature, and the sciences.

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The University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge are the oldest and most prestigious universities in the United Kingdom and among the top in the world. Referred to collectively as ‘Oxbridge’, they have a long history of academic excellence and innovation.

THE UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE The University of Cambridge, founded in the 13th Century, is located in the city of Cambridge and is comprised of 31 colleges. It is particularly known for its strengths in the natural sciences, but also boasts exceptional programmes in the humanities, social sciences, and engineering. With its outstanding faculty, cutting-edge research opportunities, and centuries of academic tradition, Cambridge is a highly sought-after destination for highachieving students. Like Oxford, Cambridge has a long history of producing influential alumni, from scientists to writers, including many Nobel laureates.

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Unique Features of Kickstart Oxbridge EXPERIENCE WORLD-CLASS EDUCATION The Kickstart Oxbridge progamme is specifically designed as a bootcamp for students applying in 2024 for any discipline at Oxford or Cambridge or for medicine, veterinary science or dentistry at any UK university. You will be introduced in a series of lectures and an extensive programme of tutorials (1:1 to 1:5) to every element required to enable you to be the best possible Oxbridge candidate that you can be. You will gain advice on course choice and your understanding of your subject will be enhanced through academic enrichment sessions. There will also be opportunities to practise for assessment tests and interviews.

DISCUSSION AROUND UNIVERSITY LIST AND COLLEGE CHOICE AND INTRODUCTION TO ADMISSIONS TESTS Timbetabled early in the year, Kickstart Oxbridge will enable participants to discuss their subject choice, university list and college longlist on a 1:1 basis with knowledgeable tutors who can provide well-informed advice on these matters. Kickstart Oxbridge will also introduce participants to all relevant admissions tests, enabling them to judge whether they are well placed to apply to their chosen subject and allowing them to gain insight into the admissions test from others who themselves sat similar tests at the beginning of their university journey.

A COMPREHENSIVE INTRODUCTION TO THE UK ADMISSIONS PROCESS Kickstart Oxbridge offers a unique opportunity to attend lectures on the Oxbridge system and the application process by experienced Oxbridge tutors.

This is combined with an intensive tutorial-style approach which will enable students to judge whether an application to Oxbridge is right for them.

PREPARATION FOR THE ADMISSIONS EXPERIENCE Participating at Kickstart Oxbridge will enable students to gain insight into the level of preparation required to make a competitive application to Oxford or Cambridge, including brainstorming ideas for the written application (currently the personal statement) and the amount and type of reading required to impress at interview.

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Key Programme Dates This is a prestige programme only open to students applying to Oxford, Cambridge, G5 or for UK Medicine /Veterinary/Dentistry in 2024 for commencement in 2025.

This programme will provide participants with an intensive "bootcamp" experience to ensure that the application process gets off to the best possible start.

1ST INTAKE 2024

Move-in: 24th March Move-out: 31st March 2ND INTAKE 2024

Move-in: 31st March Move-out: 7th April 3RD INTAKE 2024

Move-in: 7th April Move-out: 14th April

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A Week at Kickstart Oxbridge

Day 1

Move in day.

Day 2

Introductory lectures on the Kickstart Oxbridge programme, the Oxbridge teaching style, the college system and the UK admissions process. Each participant will be allocated a tutor who has taken a degree in the subject they plan to apply for.

Days 3-5

Participants in small groups - from 1:1 to 1:5 - will have their subject knowledge extended and tested. There will be opportunities to discuss course choice, university list and college list. Preparation for admissions tests will also be provided. Each meal time will provide a chance for participants to discuss their plans with their peers and tutors and the day will end with an interdisciplinary lecture.

Day 6

The final teaching day will be devoted to mock interviews. Each candidate will be given the opportunity of a mock interview in their subject, and will be given feedback by a tutor and, if they wish, an audience of their peers.

Day 7

The last full day of the programme will be spent on visiting colleges on long lists drawn up with the aid of tutors. For those who can’t apply for a programme at the university of their choice due to school term limitations, transport will be arranged for them to spend day 7 at the other university in the company of tutors who will show them round the colleges there.

Day 8

Move out day.

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A Day at Kickstart Oxbridge

8am

Students start the day with breakfast in a residential college dining hall with other programme participants and faculty.

9am-12pm

Students enjoy in-depth tutoring in 1:1 or small group sessions focusing on their intended university major.

12pm

1pm-2pm

Lunch together in college dining hall.

Additional voluntary drop-in tutorial or exploration of city centre and colleges.

2-4pm

More small group sessions, focusing on selecting course, university and college list and admissions test preparation.

6pm

Faculty and students dine together in formal and casual dinners in a residential college dining hall.

7-8pm

Final session of the day - an interdisciplinary lecture for all students.

8-9pm

Free time and social activities.

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STREAM C TUTORIALS

Teaching at Kickstart Oxbridge

The course will be composed of lectures and an intensive timetable of 1:1 and small group teaching and preparation to include: A comprehensive introduction to the UK admissions process with an emphasis on early application (ie, Oxbridge/Medicine) Discussion around school list and college choice Academic enrichment in your chosen major Guidance on personal statement Introduction to Admissions Tests Interview guidance, including mock interview practice

ONLY open to applicationyear students - maximum of 20 students per Kickstart programme.

TUTORIAL EXAMPLES Law Economics; Economics & Management Engineering Medicine/biomedicine Politics, Philosophy & Economics Maths & Computer science Natural sciences (biology/biochem/chemistry) Natural sciences (physics) History/HSPS

If your subject is not on the list, tutorials will be arranged Visit all the colleges on your long list Narrow down your university list and college choices with guidance from experts Brainstorm the foundations of your statement and prepare for the admissions test Get guidance on the progress of your portfolio (architecture) Experience an in-person mock interview in your subject 09| KICKSTART OXBRIDGE

KICKSTART OXBRIDGE

Our exciting Kickstart Oxbridge programmes bring together high-achieving students from all over the world to help them become the best university applicants that they can be.

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Our Faculty The diverse and interactive courses at Kickstart Oxbridge are led by our world-class faculty, all of whom are Oxford/Cambridge alumni or tutors.

FACULTY MEMBERS

MOIRA DONALD BA PhD History Leeds BA Experimental Psychology, Oxford

EMANUELE PREZIOSO BA MA Ca’Foscari DPhil Cognitive Archaeology, Oxford

LUCY BAEHREN BA HSPS, Cambridge DPhil Human Sciences, Oxford

PATRICK BURLEY BA Bristol MSt English, Oxford PhD English, Oxford

ALEC SIANTONAS BA Theology & Philosophy BPhil Philosophy, Oxford PhD Philosophy, Leeds

ALISON NICOLL BA Natural Sciences, Cambridge, MSc UCL PhD candidate, UCL

PATRICK HAO BA History, Oxford MPhil History, Oxford DPhil candidate in History, Oxford

EDWARD LAMB BA MPhil Classics Cambridge DPhil candidate, Oxford

BRENNA SALKIN BA HSPS, Cambridge MPhil Politics, Cambridge

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How to Apply We can’t wait to see you at Kickstart Oxbridge Programmes and learn more about you!

HOW TO To apply, access our online application form here.

Alternatively, visit our website and go to ‘Application’ for more detailed application information.

APPLICATION DEADLINES Priority deadline for Kickstart programmes - 14 February.

Final deadline for Kickstart programmes - 1 March.

ADMISSION DECISIONS Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. Applicants may be interviewed, and will be notified of their admissions decision by email. There is a £500 non-refundable deposit for all programs.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA Age: application-year students in the age of 17-19 Academic potential and English proficincy will be tested at interview

REQUIRED APPLICATION MATERIALS Academic transcript from your latest high school Contact details for a parent or guardian Financial aid documents (if applicable)

NOTE FOR UK ACCESS STUDENTS Full fee remission is available to a very small number of UK students who meet accepted Access criteria*, provided they are applying to study subjects for which tutorial provision is available. Applicants must specify whether they are only interested in applying for one of the highly selective Access places on the Kickstart Oxbridge programme. *Any of the following (must be UK resident):- BAME background, eligible for free school meals, disabled, first-generation applicant to university, care experience or household income below £42,000.

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Contacts admissions@oxbridgesummerscholars.com

www.oxbridgesummerscholars.com

+44 (0) 7895759787

5 Merchant Sq, London W2 1AY, United Kingdom