Oxford’s postgraduate UNIQ experience finished this week with positive reviews.
The graduate access programme launched this year, following the success of the recently expanded undergraduate equivalent.
UNIQ+ was launched with 33 students from 23 different universities across the country, after receiving almost 200 applicants.
The graduate summer school helps potential students to experience what life is like as a research student at Oxford, with a focus on medical, biological, mathematical and physical sciences.
With applicants from areas that have a low advancement rate into postgraduate study, the six-week long programme includes research training and events with guidance from current DPhil students and Oxford academic staff.
The programme includes a £2,500 stipend and free accommodation in one of 14 participating colleges.
Haniah, a UNIQ+ participant studying paediatrics, said: “The support and encouragement given to us by UNIQ+ staff to pursue higher education, not just at Oxford but anywhere in the world has been wonderful, and the options for our future are limitless.”
In a separate sphere, the Nuffield Undergraduate Scholars Institute (NUSI) is hosting a social sciences summer school for six undergraduates which offers training in social science methods and the opportunity to gain research experience.
With a view to gauge whether research suits them, participants in both initiatives gain a behind the scenes look into life as a postgraduate at Oxford.
Miles Young, the Warden of New College, said: “Access and widening participation is often seen as an undergraduate issue. But we believe it is just as much a graduate one. The same barrier exists: the false perception that ‘Oxford is not for me’.”
“We hope to dispel that, but also to give some very tangible insights and skills which will help any graduate to apply or to get the most out of a programme.”
Currently limited to scientific subjects, the University announced that planning is underway to expand UNIQ+ in 2020.
