Skip to main content

Events for prospective students and schools groups

We hold a range of events throughout the year for prospective students, and for schools groups. Details can be found below. Those for which bookings are open are indicated in the contents list at the top of the page.

Teacher or prospective student? Sign up to receive email updates about our open days, and other events and activities for school-age pupils and prospective students.

If you would like to see science outreach for schools on offer from other departments at the University of Oxford please see the following link: science outreach for schools

Contents


 Open Days (for prospective students and their families)

Maths Open Days

Open days for prospective Mathematics, Maths & Statistics, Maths & Computer Science and Maths & Philosophy Undergraduate students

***Now closed***. We expect to rerun this programme in 2024.

Date of next event: April 2024 TBC

The days will involve the chance to find out more about the courses, meet current academics and students, attend sample lectures and find out more about the application process. There will be a number of sessions throughout each day such as what it is like to be a Maths (including joint honours) student at Oxford, to more specific topics, such as introducing students to the connections between Maths and Computer Science.

University-wide Open Days

held annually in June and September

The next Oxford University Open Days will be held on 28 and 29 June and 15 September 2023.

The Department of Computer Science participates in the annual Oxford University-wide open days in June (sometimes early July) and September.

Individuals and family groups do not need to book to visit us for the open days in June or September. The days will usually involve the chance to find out more about the courses, an opportuity to meet current academics and students, as well as attend sample lectures and find out more about the application process

You do not need to register to attend the open days; however you can sign up to our mailing list to be notified when further detail is availble.

Not sure where to start when it comes to colleges? See our guidance page on choosing a college , plus a list of colleges who regularly admit Computer Science students.

Throughout the day we will offer a variety of talks including those on the admissions process, sample lectures, 'day in the life of a student' and 'computer science at Oxford'.

Some colleges will also hold "meet the tutor" sessions over the lunch-time periods on these days. (Some are drop-in sessions, others more formal talks.) There is no need to book to visit the Department of Computer Science during the June or September open days. Booking is however required for some of the college-led sessions. Our priority is to allow prospective students to take part in the open day. So, we only normally accept one guest with each prospective student into the sessions, but where space allows other guests are welcome to join you.

Each of the Open Days will be in the same format. If you would like to see the provisional programme schedule, please click Open Day programme

 Computer Science Taster Days

We run a variety of Taster Days throughout the year. Our regular events are detailed below. These are one day events, designed to introduce young people to Computer Science. These are open to both school groups, and individuals (plus parents/guardians), but we do normally ask that each attendee books their own place, even if a teacher or guest is accompanying the interested student(s). (Students under the age of 16 must be accompanied by a parent/teacher/guardian.) Sign up to our mailing list to receive an alert about these, and other Computer Science-related events we offer, as new dates are added, and bookings open.

Royal Institution (Ri) Masterclasses
(Year 9 from UK schools)

***Now closed***. We expect to re-run this programme in 2023-24.

Dates of next event series: June/July 2023

The Royal Institution Masterclasses are a series of hands-on and interactive extracurricular activities that are designed to encourage, inspire and engage young people in the creativity and practice of computer science, helping to highlight the links between this wide-reaching discipline and other subjects. Each session is led by enthusiastic speakers from industry, academia and education. They offer students in-depth investigations of topics areas outside of the school curriculum, combining theory with interactive exploration. The series of six Saturday morning masterlcasses will each last around two and a half hours, and be led by different speakers on various computer science topics. The Ri Masterclass series is aimed at year 9 students, from state schools in Oxfordshire, Berkshire, Swindon, Gloucestershire and Buckinghamshire. Participants must be nominated by their school. Participants are expected to attend all six sessions.

Further information: www.cs.ox.ac.uk/CSRIMasterclasses

Oxford Women in Computer Science (OxWoCS) Challenge Club
(Women in Year 12 (16-17) from UK State schools)

***Now closed***. We expect to re-run this programme in 2023-24.

Date of next event: Nov 2022 - May 2023 Montly sessions 4:30-6:30pm.

The Oxford Women in Computer Science (OxWoCS) Challenge club is an annual event (usually with applications opening in September) created by the Oxford Women in Computer Science society alongside the Oxford Department of Computer Science. It aims to create a community of young women with a passion for mathematics and its applications. The club will consist of monthly mathematical and Computer Science related problem sheets which will be sent out for students to solve. These problems are designed to stretch and challenge students. At the end of each month, students will take part in an online discussion lead by an Oxford Computer Science student, to discuss the problems including solutions and techniques. We expect that students who are selected to join the programme to participate in each of the online sessions. We anticipate that the problem sheet to take about 6-8 hours of work, each month, in your free time, before the live session. Further information: www.cs.ox.ac.uk/ChallengeClub Please get in touch via challengeclub@cs.ox.ac.uk if you have any questions.

ReadySetCode
(students of black and mixed heritage who identify as female in Year 11 (15-16) from UK State schools)

***Now closed***. We expect to re-run this programme in 2023-24.

Date of next event: From January to March, after school, online, with an in-person graduation day at Christ Church, Oxford, in March.

A sustained engagement programme for Year 11 (15–16 year olds, Scottish S5 or NI Y12) students of black and mixed heritage who identify as female. Led by members of Oxford University’s Department of Computer Science and Christ Church, these sessions will explore topic areas outside of the school curriculum, combine theory with interactive exploration, and help students explore the world of Computer Science with the hope of inspiring them to continue their engagement with the subject. Further information: www.cs.ox.ac.uk/readysetcode . Please get in touch via chchcs@cs.ox.ac.uk if you have any questions.

Philosophy Plus Science Taster Day
(Year 11 & 12s from UK schools)

Date of next event: January 2024 TBC

***Now closed***. We expect to re-run this programme in 2023-24.

What is chaos? What is infinity? Can machines think? The links between Science and Philosophy are broad and deep, extending well beyond the obvious overlaps in logic, artificial intelligence, and ethics. Some of the greatest philosophers of the past - from Aristotle to Newton - are now known as scientists. Sir Isaac Newton's first book, Mathematical principles of Natural Philosophy, outlines this everlasting relationship between science and philosophy which can still be seen today.

This programme provides an opportunity to find out more about how science and philosophy intertwine. More specifically, how Computer Science, Physics, and Mathematics all have one thing in common, Philosophy. The pre-recorded digital element of the programme consists of lectures and college tours, as well as advice on the Oxford application process. Speakers will include University of Oxford lecturers. During the live element of the programme there will be the chance to meet current Oxford students and academics and ask questions.

This event is ideal for those interested in learning more about the Oxford undergraduate degrees in either Maths and Philosophy, Physics and Philosophy or Computer Science and Philosophy, and who are considering applying for an Autumn 2024 (or later) start. It is also aimed at those with a passion for Mathematics, but who are undecided about what to study at university; and those who already have an interest in any of the subjects mentioned, and would like to find out more. Open to high-performing students in years 11–12 at UK schools. Students should be taking (or planning on taking) A Level Maths or equivalent, and Further Maths is highly recommended.

Sign up to our mailing list to receive an alert about the 2020 event, and information about other events we offer, as details are released.

InspireHer!
(Year 7s from UK state schools)

Date of next event: TBC. Not running in 2023.

InspireHer! In partnership with Google, the University of Oxford's Department of Computer Science is hosting an exciting event with plenty of hands on activities and coding challenges for mothers and their daughters. This event is open to mother and daughter teams from the Oxfordshire area. Daughters need to be in Year 7 (age 11–12).

 Other Events for Young People & Schools Groups

Remote Interview Workshops
(Y12s, at UK state schools invitation only)

Date of event: Usually runs in December

UNIQ: Computer Science
(Year 12s, at UK State Schools.)

Date of next event: Running from April to December 2023.

***Now closed***. We expect to re-run this programme in 2023-24.

The programme is open to students in UK state schools and colleges, with 1350 places available this year across all subjects. Almost every Oxford undergraduate course is now represented on the UNIQ programme with students able to explore Oxford city, the University and colleges as well as find out more about their chosen course.

UNIQ summer school provides an opportunity for academically gifted students to prepare for university and explore subjects that interest them. The successful applicants will receive sustained support online over several months and undertake an in-person residential over the summer. Participants will work with undergraduate and academics at Oxford to discover whether Oxford is right for them. Students will be selected to participate relate to academic potential and information on students’ educational and socio economic background. For successful applicants, summer school is free to attend.

 Non-Computer Science Specific Events

Oxford Maths Festival

(Open to all)

Date of next event: 13-14 May 2023.

The Oxford Maths Festival (organised by Oxford Mathematics) is an extravaganza of all the wonderful curiosities mathematics holds. Over two days you can immerse yourself in a wide range of events, with something for everyone, no matter your age or prior mathematical experience. Suitable for families with children ages 5-13.

Main Locations:

Templar's Square Shopping Centre (OX4 3XH): This is the main centre of activities on Saturday. The shopping centre is located in East Oxford. There are some cycle racks around the square, and several bus stops within close reach. Parking is available in the multi-storey car park.

Mathematical Institute (OX2 6GG): All the activities on Sunday will take place here. There is plenty of cycle parking, and some buses stop outside. The Mathematical Institute is approximately 10 minutes walk from the centre of Oxford.

You can register to attend on the Sunday at the Mathematical Institute here.

(£3 registration fee). If you plan to attend on Saturday, this is a drop-in event and there is no need to register.

It All Adds Up: A Maths Conference for Girls
Female and non-binary students, Year 12s studying Maths A level, at UK State Schools.

Date of next event: January 2024 TBC (applications open in October 2023)

Each day involves a mix of plenaries, workshops and hands-on problem session, that take place at the Mathematical institute in Oxford. The day is free to attend.

More information is available here

Problem Solving MATters
(Year 12)

Date of next event: June 2023 (applications will open in March 2023).

This course is for year 12 students from state-funded schools, academies and colleges who are interested in applying for places at Oxford University, Imperial College, Durham University and Warwick University to study Mathematics. This course is designed to prepare students for the way they will have to think to achieve success in the MAT, TMUA and other problem-solving mathematics examinations by developing their mathematical thinking and problem solving skills.

The course usually consists of three face to face study days (at one of the University of Oxford, Imperial College London, Durham University and Warwick University), three summer assignments, and five online follow-up sessions.

Further information can be found here.

PROMYS Europe: Six-week intensive Maths summer programme
Pre-University Students aged 16+ (from UK & Europe)

Date of next event: applications will open in January 2024

PROMYS Europe is a mathematics summer programme to encourage mathematically ambitious students aged 16+ to explore the creative world of mathematics. Participants (who come from across Europe) tackle fundamental mathematical questions within a richly stimulating and supportive community of fellow first-year students, returning students, undergraduate counsellors, research mentors, faculty, and visiting mathematicians. Past guest lecturers have included Professors Sir Andrew Wiles, Sir Roger Penrose, Ben Green, and Simon Singh.

Lectures, discussions, and problem sets are in English. Applicants should possess English language skills which are strong enough to enable full participation

Further information and details about signing up to the mailing list to be information about future PROMYS Europe Programme is available here.

Oxford MAT livestreams

(Open to all)

Weekly (till early October), every Thursday at 17:00 UK time

Are you thinking of applying to study Mathematics at university? The Oxford Maths department are running a weekly livestream this term, talking about maths problems and discussing problem-solving strategies, with a particular focus on Oxford's Mathematics Admissions Test (MAT). The sessions are free and available for everyone; anyone is welcome to join us live at 17:00 on Thursdays, and the sessions will be recorded and available to watch back at any time afterwards. The first four sessions are on https://www.maths.ox.ac.uk/r/matlive now, but there's no need to catch up before joining us live on Thursday. More here: Oxford MAT Livestream

Oxford Online Maths Club

(Open to all)

Date of next event:(Catch-up available.)

Our friends over at the Oxford Maths Institute will be livestreaming one hour of maths problems, puzzles, mini-lectures, and Q&A. It’s free, interactive, casual, and relaxed, with an emphasis on solving problems, building fluency, and looking ahead at links to university. More here: Oxford Online Maths Club.

UCAS Fairs

(Open to all)

Date of next event: various

You can find out more about the UCAS events that Oxford University is taking part in (both in-person and online) here

Outreach Across the University

For more information about outreach events across other subjects and areas within the university, please visit the Outreach events webpage, found here.

 Ad hoc events

Schools and youth groups

If you want to bring a group of students to Oxford for a day, for example, to find out more about Oxford University (in a non-subject specific way), or introduce your students to higher education in general, or are looking for personal statement and interview workshops, please contact your link college. To ensure it is as easy as possible for schools and colleges to engage with the University, each Oxford College is now linked with a number of Local Authorities across the UK. You can find your link college here. If you would like to have a Computer Science academic session as part of your visit please let the college know this when you contact them. It doesn't matter if your link college doesn't offer Computer Science as a degree subject: we routinely work will colleges from across the University, offering short academic taster sessions as part of their events.

If the events on this page don't suit your school or youth group's needs, but you're interested in taking part in some kind of Computer Science-focussed taster event, please get in touch: opendays@cs.ox.ac.uk. Please include the likely size of your group, and what age group the students are, plus any dates you have in mind.

Prospective undergraduate students

If you are unable to come to one of the open days, but you are visiting Oxford on another occasion, please do get in touch with us and we'll try to arrange a visit to the Department for you. Please email opendays@cs.ox.ac.uk. It is helpful if you can include possible dates (and any time constraints). If you already know which course you wish to apply for, and/or at which college, please mention this. It is also helpful if you can tell us which A Levels (or equivalent) you are taking, which year you are in, and if you are bringing a family member(s) with you when you visit.

Want to talk to someone?

Enquiries regarding admissions should be sent to undergraduate.admissions@cs.ox.ac.uk. Our Outreach and Schools Liaison team can be contacted by e-mail at outreach@cs.ox.ac.uk.