A valuable insight for our Oxbridge candidates

Students who are achieving the highest points on the IB at St. Clare's were invited to visit St. Hugh's College, Oxford, to learn about admissions and life in Oxford University.

Lizzy Emerson, the College's admissions tutor, hosted the visit which included tours with current students, a discussion of admissions practice and the life at St. Hugh's, and lunch.

What was very clear from the visit was how hard it is to get in to the university: they are looking for highly academic (not just bright) applicants who have a passion for the subject for which they are applying. If accepted to the university, students will have lectures and tutorials where they discuss their work and research in small groups with a leading academic. This is not everyone's preferred way of learning since many hours in the library are needed to prepare for the tutorials.

Liz Reece, the careers and higher education adviser at St. Clare's, Oxford, feels that this short visit gives a really valuable introduction to the reality of applications and life in an Oxford college.

May