The Target Oxbridge Podcast

Hope Oloye, Founder of Thinking Black, joins Naomi to discuss studying Biomedical Sciences at Oxford.  Biomedical Sciences focuses on the science underpinning human biology, with the option to pursue Cells and Systems Biology or Neuroscience. Hope highlights that whilst the course overlaps with Medicine, it differs by focusing on the scientific fundamentals instead of on disease and treatment – it...

Francesca Richards joins Naomi to speak about studying Education at Cambridge. Francesca’s interest in English, social sciences and creativity attracted her to Education. She explains that it isn’t a teacher training course, but instead provides the opportunity to think critically about education as a social, cultural and political entity as well as how we construct and value knowledge. She also t...

Tobi Olaitan, a consultant, joins Naomi to speak about studying Biochemistry at Oxford. Tobi chose Biochemistry due his to interest in how cells and the human body works. The course combines Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Maths across a number of modules like Organic Chemistry and Biophysical Chemistry. Tobi shares that his course involved lab work and scientific essay writing, and that he used h...

Skai Campbell joins Naomi to discuss studying Biological Sciences at Oxford, a course he was drawn to because of his interest in animals with weird features, like the mantis shrimp. Skai speaks about the course’s lectures, essays and problem sheets, as well as the practical experiments in the lab and through field trips. He highlights the wide choice of module options and the optional fourth year...

Victoria Chris, a PhD research student, joins Naomi to discuss what it is like to study Natural Sciences at Cambridge. Victoria’s interest in the multidisciplinary nature of the sciences meant that Natural Sciences was a great fit for her. She was able to explore Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Maths and Physiology in her degree before deciding to specialise in Biochemistry for her optional integrate...

Naomi speaks with Maria Motunrayo Adebisi, author of Koku Akanbi and the Heart of Midnight, about studying English Literature and Language at Oxford.  Maria tells the story of how she almost applied for Medicine before realising that English was a much better fit for her and finding a way to convince her parents of this. She speaks through the content of what she describes as a broad course, touch...

Naomi speaks with Ashleigh Ainsley, Co-Founder of Colorintech and Black Tech Fest, about studying Geography at Oxford.   Ashleigh shares that Geography appealed to him as it bridged the gap between the physical sciences and social sciences, allowing him to explore topics related to migration, climate change, economics and geopolitics. He outlines what the course involved for him day-to-day, includ...

The Target Oxbridge podcast returns with a conversation between Naomi and Andi Marsh about studying Classics at Oxbridge.  Andi Marsh has recently taken on the role of running the Target Oxbridge programme, having previously studied Classics at Balliol College, Oxford. Andi shares the details of the Classics course, how it appealed to her interest in both History and Literature and how she navigat...

In this episode Naomi speaks with Leona Kouame who is studying Human, Social and Political Sciences (HSPS) at Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge. Leona shares the story of her journey to HSPS and how the breadth and multidisciplinary nature of the course appealed to her. She discusses how she researched the different topics related to the subject and how she developed her interests by using everyday e...

In this episode Naomi speaks with Taiye Lawal who is studying Engineering at St Anne’s College, Oxford. Taiye speaks about how she developed her interest in Engineering despite it not being taught at school. She shares the detail of her preparation for her application process, covering further reading, problem solving resources, personal statement writing, admissions assessment preparation and the...

In this episode Naomi speaks with Tolu Mustapha who is studying Law at Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge, and part of the team that runs the Black at Fitz YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPVUNAZklcyoAMTtHECqu7w Tolu speaks about her reasons for choosing Law over the other subjects she was considering, and what the academic study of Law is and isn’t. She shares the detail of her prep...

In this episode Naomi speaks with Chizute Ogbedeh, who is studying Medicine at Jesus College, Cambridge. Chizute speaks about the difference between Medicine at Oxbridge and other universities, and how to know if the academic focus of those courses is right for you. He also speaks about the requirements for making a competitive application, securing work experience, personal statement writing, pre...

In this series of episodes, Naomi speaks with Target Oxbridge alumni studying some of the most popular Oxbridge subjects to get their top tips on getting in. Naomi begins by speaking with Tariq Hammed, who has recently completed his Economics and Management degree at Wadham College, Oxford. Tariq shares the details of the world events and books that inspired him to study Economics, as well as his...

In the final episode of the series, Naomi speaks to Matthew Ryder QC, the barrister who represented the family of Stephen Lawrence, and former Deputy Mayor of London for Social Integration, Social Mobility and Community. Matthew Ryder studied Law at Emmanuel College, Cambridge, where he got involved with the Black Caucus and co-founded the Group to Encourage Ethnic Minority Access (GEEMA). On grad...

Naomi catches up with Priscilla Mensah, the first Black woman to be elected President of the Cambridge University Students’ Union (CUSU), and a UK representative at the WTO and the UN. Priscilla almost missed out on her school’s visit to Cambridge, as she wasn’t in the top set for both English and Maths. Her English teacher secured her a place on the trip however, and she fell in love with Cambrid...

In this episode Naomi speaks to Tom Ilube CBE, CEO of Crossword Cybersecurity, Advisory Fellow of St Anne’s College, Oxford, Honorary Fellow of Jesus College, Oxford, and a Director at both the BBC and WPP. Tom studied Physics at the University of Benin in Nigeria and discusses how he has applied those skills in his career in tech and entrepreneurship. He tells the tale of leaving his job to start...

For this episode, Naomi caught up with Dr Anne-Marie Imafidon MBE, the Founder of Stemettes, Presenter of the Woman Tech Charge podcast, and at 20, one of the youngest ever to receive a Master’s Degree in Mathematics and Computer Science from the University of Oxford. Anne-Marie was a child prodigy, taking her first GCSE exam at the age of ten and being accepted to Oxford at just 15. She explains...

In this episode, Hashi Mohamed joins Naomi to discuss his journey from arriving in the UK as a child refugee to becoming a barrister and author.  Hashi Mohamed arrived in the UK as an unaccompanied child refugee. With the support of a number of people, including a teacher who gave up her summer to provide a safe space for her students, Hashi was able to work towards his dreams in terms of his...

Femi Fadugba joins Naomi to speak about The Upper World, his recently announced book series that is being made into a Netflix film starring Daniel Kaluuya. The Upper World tells the story of a 16 year old boy from Peckham who discovers he has the power to see glimpses of the past and future. It combines time-travel physics with life on an estate, and explores the question of free will. Femi is a P...

In this episode Naomi speaks to Theophina Gabriel, a published poet, recent intern at #Merky Books and the Editor in Chief of Onyx Magazine, a magazine that showcases the talent of Black writers and authors.  Theophina studied Philosophy and Theology at Oxford, and explains in this episode that, despite popular opinion, this did not limit her to a career in a nunnery! She discusses the skills...

In this episode Naomi speaks to Daniel Stone, a Project Manager who uses his Economics and Management degree to inform his community focused work. Daniel grew up in Birmingham and got involved in community organising at a young age, founding a local football group. He served as JCR President for St Peter’s College, Oxford and spent a year running the Target Oxbridge Programme. He has recently writ...

Fopé Jegede joins Naomi to discuss poetry, finding her voice and reclaiming her name. Growing up, Fopé was often the quiet one in class, and although she loved poetry, she struggled to voice her opinions. In this episode we discuss Fopé’s journey from page to performance poet, including how her poetry ended up being featured in the London 2012 Olympics closing ceremony. Fopé, who recently publishe...

Malik Al Nasir joins Naomi to discuss his search for his ancestors and his journey from the care system to the University of Cambridge. Malik is a Liverpool born performance poet, film maker and social researcher of Guyanese extraction. In this episode he discusses the methodology he developed whilst tracing his family tree and how it is uncovering the way slave owners consolidated their wealth. H...

In this last episode of the series Naomi answers the question on everyone’s lips: ‘How do you make a strong Oxbridge application?’ She shares advice on personal statement writing, entrance assessment preparation, teacher references, and interviews, drawing on eight years of experience of helping students to navigate the process. Bez Adeosun, who studied Politics at Cambridge and is now a part of t...

How can students build the confidence and resilience they need to make it through the Oxbridge application process? How can parents help their younger children to the develop the intellectual curiosity needed to succeed academically? In this episode Naomi shares tips on how non-academic activities can be used to help students become well-rounded and resilient. Phoenix Guwa, currently studying Medi...