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


Computer Science Taster events

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

***closed***

Date of next event: From January to March 2024 (online), with an in-person graduation day at Department of Computer Science/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/DiscoverComputerScience. Please get in touch via chchcs@cs.ox.ac.uk if you have any questions.

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

***closed***

Dates of next event series: March/May 2024

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

***closed***

Date of next event: Not running in 2023-24. Expected to run in 2024-25.

The Oxford Womxn in Computer Science (OxWoCS) Challenge club is an annual event created by the Oxford Womxn 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. Please get in touch via challengeclub@cs.ox.ac.uk if you have any questions.

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

Date of next event: TBC

***closed***

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.

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: April to December 2024

***closed***

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.

UNIQ is the University of Oxford’s access programme for UK state school students. It prioritises places for students with good grades from backgrounds that are under-represented at Oxford and other universities. Every year more students from diverse backgrounds get offered places at Oxford with help from UNIQ.

UNIQ offers:
  • online support through the application process
  • a residential at an Oxford college for most participants
  • a trip to an Oxford open day for another 250 participants
  • UNIQ is completely free: accommodation, meals, academic courses, social activities, and travel are all included.

    More information can be found: https://www.uniq.ox.ac.uk.

     Open Days

    University-wide Open Days

    26 June, 27 June and 20 September 2024

    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 days we will offer a variety of talk such as ones on the admissions process, sample lectures, what it is like to be a computer science student. There will also be tutors and students available to answer questions..

    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.

    Maths Open Days

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

    ***Now open***

    Date of next event: 20 April 2024 (in person) and 27 April (virtual)

    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.

    When:

    Saturday 20 April
    10:00 for those interested in the Maths & Maths and Statistics & Maths and Philosophy degrees ;
    10:00 for those interested in the Maths & Maths and Statistics & Maths and Computer Science degrees ;
    11:00 for those interested in Maths, Maths and Statistics, & Maths and Philosophy degrees.


    Saturday 29 April (VIRTUAL) (for those interested in the Maths, Maths and Computer Science, Maths and Philosophy & Maths and Statistics degrees)

    Oxford’s Maths Institute is hosting two open days for prospective undergraduate maths students, who are looking to apply in October 2024, for an October 2025 (or deferred entry for a 2026) course start. 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.

    Not sure which date or schedule would suit you best?

     Great for those interested in applying for a degree in:
    Date & TimeMathsMaths & StatsMaths & PhilosophyMaths & Computer ScienceComputer Science & Philosophy
    Saturday, April 22 2023, 10:00 book here YES YES YES NO NO
    Saturday, April 22 2023, 10:00 book here YES YES NO YES NO
    Saturday, April 22 2023, 11:00 book here YES YES YES NO NO
    [VIRTUAL] Saturday, April 29 2023, Links to appear here on the day (booking not required for the virtual event) YES YES YES YES NO

    There is no need to attend more than one of these two dates but please do make sure that you sign up for the date and schedule that suits your course choice. This event is not suitable for those who are primarily interested in the single honours Computer Science or joint honours Computer Science and Philosophy degree.

    These days are intended for those who are planning on applying by the October 2024 UCAS deadline for either an October 2025 or October 2026 course start.

    Please note that these are not part of the University-wide open days so other departments, libraries, etc will not be open in general.

    For further information, or if you have any questions please contact opendays@maths.ox.ac.uk

     Non-Computer Science Specific Events

    Oxford Maths Festival

    (Open to all)

    Date of next event: 11 - 12 May 2024.

    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.

    More information is available here

    Problem Solving Matters
    (Year 12)

    Date of next event: check website for update on applications. The deadline is usually March

    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 OPEN. Deadline March 1, 2024 at 11:59pm

    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)

    Date of next event: (catch-up available)

    Are you thinking of applying to study Mathematics at university? The Oxford Maths department run livestreams, 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. More here: Oxford MAT Livestream

    Oxford Online Maths Club

    (Open to all)

    Weekly, every Thursday at 17:00 UK time

    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: outreach@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.

    Want to talk to someone?

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