Skip to Main Content
Home » Oxbridge

 

Aquinas Oxbridge Programme

 

At Aquinas College, we are committed to supporting our most ambitious and academically gifted students in making successful applications to the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge. Our bespoke Oxbridge Programme provides comprehensive guidance and enrichment opportunities designed to equip students with the skills, knowledge, and confidence needed to navigate the highly competitive admissions process. This programme is integrated into our High Prior Attainment (HPA) tutor group provision, ensuring that students with exceptional GCSE qualifications receive tailored support from the outset.

Key Features of our Oxbridge Support:

  • Expert Guidance from Oxbridge: Students will benefit from direct engagement with admissions and outreach officers from Oxford and Cambridge colleges through in-person and virtual talks and lectures. These sessions offer invaluable insights into the universities, the application process, and what admissions tutors are looking for.
  • Alumni Mentorship: To provide firsthand perspectives and advice, students will have the opportunity to connect with Aquinas College alumni currently studying at Oxbridge, both through on-site meetings and virtual interactions.
  • Super curricular Enrichment: Our college departments and careers team offer a wide array of subject-specific enrichment activities designed to broaden students’ academic horizons beyond the curriculum. Full engagement with these “super curricular” opportunities is strongly encouraged to demonstrate intellectual curiosity and passion for their chosen subjects.
  • Development of Research and Presentation Skills: The programme actively fosters crucial academic skills through encouragement to undertake the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) or an equivalent research-based project. This allows students to develop independent inquiry, critical analysis, and effective communication of their findings.
  • Engagement with Widening Participation Schemes: We actively promote and facilitate student involvement in outreach and widening participation initiatives run by North-West linked Oxbridge colleges, currently Corpus Christi College (Oxford) and Murray Edwards College (Cambridge).
  • Formal Applicant Triage: Following their Lower Sixth (L6th) mock examinations, potential applicants will undergo a formal review by Heads of Subject and senior staff. This process ensures that students possess the academic potential to meet the rigorous entry requirements and have a clear understanding of the demanding application timeline.
  • Organised Open Day Visits: To provide firsthand experience of the university environment, we organise trips to the Oxford and Cambridge Open Day events during the summer term of L6th, prioritising students who may face barriers to independent travel.
  • Comprehensive UCAS Application Support: Starting after Easter of L6th, students receive thorough support throughout the UCAS application process. This ensures they are well-prepared for the October application deadline, including guidance on personal statements and academic references.
  • Entry Test and Examination Preparation: Students will receive dedicated support from relevant subject teams in college to prepare for any required entry tests and examinations specific to their chosen course at Oxford or Cambridge.
  • Rigorous Interview Preparation: All potential applicants benefit from a comprehensive interview preparation programme. This includes in-class sessions, mock interviews conducted by college staff, and more intensive pre-interview sessions with senior college leaders and governors to hone their interview skills and build confidence.

Who is this programme for?

This programme is specifically designed for highly able Sixth Form students at Aquinas College who:

  • Aspire to study at the University of Oxford or the University of Cambridge.
  • Have demonstrated exceptional academic potential, typically evidenced by a strong GCSE grade average (G-score) well in excess of 7.
  • Are members of our High Prior Attainment (HPA) tutor groups.
  • Are motivated to engage actively with enrichment opportunities and take ownership of their application process.
  • Are prepared to dedicate the necessary time and effort to meet the demanding requirements of Oxbridge admissions.

I am currently studying German, Spanish and Catalan at Cambridge. At Aquinas I received lots of support from my Politics teacher who helped me achieve an A* and actively encouraged me to apply to Cambridge. My German teacher Heather was also very supportive of my application and was very helpful, I am very grateful to all of the staff at Aquinas for their support with my application, especially the Oxbridge and UCAS teams, without whom I feel I would not have made it to Cambridge.

Alice
Photograph of an ex Aquinas student at Cambridge University.

My time at Aquinas was amazing! The Triple A team is very supportive. In particular, I’d like to thank Angela and Patrick (my Triple A teachers) for being so supportive and helping me with perfecting my personal statement. My law teacher, Mike, was also incredibly helpful and was always willing to talk to me about areas of law that I was interested in outside of the A-Level spec.

Daheem