Supporting Oxbridge and University Applications: A Guide for Teachers and Parents
Learn how to support students in making strong applications to Oxford and other competitive UK universities
Duration
7 weeksWeekly study
1 hour100% online
How it worksDigital upgrade
Free
Supporting Oxbridge and University Applications: A Guide for Teachers and Parents
This course has been certified by the CPD Certification Service as conforming to continuing professional development principles. Find out more.
Help students succeed in Oxbridge and competitive university applications
What does it take for a student to make a successful application to Oxford, Cambridge, or another highly competitive university? And how can educators provide the right guidance at each stage of that journey?
On this online course, you’ll explore how to support learners to build strong, competitive applications, with practical guidance throughout.
Developed by Jesus College, University of Oxford, you’ll gain insight into how admissions decisions are made and how to help learners demonstrate their academic potential with confidence.
Across seven weeks, the course develops the knowledge and approaches needed to guide students through the full application journey, from early encouragement to transition into higher education.
Understand Oxbridge applications
Begin by exploring what makes Oxford and other competitive universities distinctive, and when it’s appropriate to encourage students to apply.
You’ll examine how admissions teams assess applications, what qualities they look for, and how contextual factors may shape decision-making.
Support students in building strong applications
The course then focuses on how students can demonstrate their academic interest and potential.
You’ll explore supercurricular learning and how it strengthens personal statements, alongside practical strategies to support subject-specific engagement within the education system.
Prepare students for selection and transition to university
The course also considers the transition to higher education, including academic, pastoral, and financial factors, helping educators support students in making a successful move to university life.
Syllabus
Week 1
Introduction to Oxbridge
Meet the Team
Meeting the course instructors. The power of teachers.
Why recommend Oxbridge?
This step outlines the reasons why a student might consider Oxford, and which students could benefit from encouragement to apply.
Who studies at Oxbridge?
Who studies at Oxbridge?
What Next?
What Next?
Week 2
Oxbridge Decisions
Recap
Review of what we covered in the first week, and the key learning outcomes we have addressed.
How does a student apply to Oxbridge?
Covering the steps of the Oxbridge admissions process.
How do we select students?
How do we select students?
How does a student choose a college?
What is an Oxford College? How are they similar? What is different? How did our students decide?
Week 3
Supercurricular Learning and the Personal Statement
Introduction to the Personal Statement
What does the personal statement require and what are the changes for 2025 UCAS cycle onwards?
How to Use Supercurriculars
In this activity, we will look at how students can effectively integrate supercurriculars into their applications.
How to Develop Supercurriculars from KS3-KS5
How can you support students to develop supercurriculars from KS3 onwards?
Supercurriculars in the personal statement
Evaluating how effectively supercurriculars have been used in examples of personal statements.
Week 4
Teacher References and Written Work
Introduction to the Teacher Reference
This section addresses what should be included within the teacher reference and what to avoid.
Comparing Best Practice for Teacher References
What does an effective teacher reference look like? How can you effectively convince universities of a student's potential?
Written Work
What are the expectations of written work?
How are written work and references used in admissions?
What is the purpose of the teacher reference and written work? How can objective decisions be made on the basis of this information?
Week 5
Admissions Tests
Introduction to Admissions Tests
What are the Oxford Admissions Tests? What is the point of them?
Getting Started
What is needed for students to be successful in admissions tests?
Strategies for Success
How can students be successful in admissions test? What did our current students do to help with their preparation?
Week 6
Interview Preparation
Introduction to Oxford Interviews
Why do we use interviews? How do we 'interview'?
Preparation for Interview
What is the role of an educator in helping students prepare? What are the best resources for preparation?
The Interview
What makes a 'good' interview response?
Week 7
Transitioning to Higher Education
What Challenges do Students Face?
An overview of what the main challenges students often feel like they are facing when they first start at university, including academic, financial and pastoral concerns. We highlight what sources of support across the university.
Academic Challenges
How do tutors and academic staff support students adjust to the workload?
Pastoral Challenges
What support is available at Oxford for students?
Financial Challenges
How do students finance their studies? What forms of support are available for students?
Wrap-Up
A review of all of the course modules to recap some of the core themes and ideas that this course has covered.
Who is this accredited by?
This course has been certified by the CPD Certification Service as conforming to continuing professional development principles.
When would you like to start?
Start straight away and join a global classroom of learners. If the course hasn’t started yet you’ll see the future date listed below.
Available now
Learning on this course
On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.
What will you achieve?
By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...
- Identify the needs of students who are interested in applying to competitive universities
- Assess students' applications to locate areas for improvement
- Engage students in supercurricular learning
- Create effective teacher references
- Explain the process of applying to competitive universities, including Oxbridge
- Explore the qualities of a successful university applicant
Who is the course for?
This course is for teachers, careers advisors, parents/guardians and educators who support students applying to competitive universities. It’s ideal for those involved in university guidance, UCAS applications, and student progression into higher education.
Who will you learn with?
Who developed the course?
Jesus College, Oxford University
Located in the heart of Oxford, just a few minutes’ walk from the University’s libraries, science campus and humanities buildings, Jesus College combines the highest standards of academic excellence in teaching and research with a vibrant, inclusive and supportive community.
What's included?
Jesus College, Oxford University are offering everyone who joins this course a free digital upgrade, so that you can experience the full benefits of studying online for free. This means that you get:
Learning on FutureLearn
Your learning, your rules
- Courses are split into weeks, activities, and steps to help you keep track of your learning
- Learn through a mix of bite-sized videos, long- and short-form articles, audio, and practical activities
- Stay motivated by using the Progress page to keep track of your step completion and assessment scores
Join a global classroom
- Experience the power of social learning, and get inspired by an international network of learners
- Share ideas with your peers and course educators on every step of the course
- Join the conversation by reading, @ing, liking, bookmarking, and replying to comments from others
Map your progress
- As you work through the course, use notifications and the Progress page to guide your learning
- Whenever you’re ready, mark each step as complete, you’re in control
- Complete 90% of course steps and all of the assessments to earn your certificate
Want to know more about learning on FutureLearn? Using FutureLearn
Do you know someone who'd love this course? Tell them about it...
More courses you might like
Learners who joined this course have also enjoyed these courses.
Browse more in Study Skills
