Oxford from the Inside

In this week's episode, Nikita (at Oriel), Grace (at Merton), and Georgia (at St. Catherine's or Catz) talk all things colleges, and give some advice on how to choose a college when applying to Oxford. Timestamps: 0:09 - Introductions 1:18 - Why did you apply to your college? 4:50 - Location of colleges 6:44 - 'Touristy' colleges 7:50 - Accommodation facilities 13:01 - Moving out b...

In today's episode, Siam talks to Nikita about her experiences on her year abroad. Timestamps: 0.09 - Introductions 0.40 - What is a year abroad and what does it involve? 3.36 - How much support do you get from the university? 6.28 - Is there a minimum length requirement for placements? 8.02 - Do students do academic work on their year abroad? 10.19 - What was your year abroad like day-to-day?...

In the first episode of the term, Grace talks to freshers Luke and Ashley about how they found their first term at Oxford. Timestamps: 0:09 - Introductions 0:41 - Freshers' Week 3:02 - Balance between college and university events 4:00 - Diversity and Inclusion at Oxford 6:40 - Getting to know other students and college marriages (a way to build a buddy system within your year) 9:18 - Fifth We...

In today's episode, Nikita talks to Arron O'Connor, the Outreach Officer at Oriel College, about his role, the application process, and how students can get involved in Outreach. Timestamps: 0:09 - Introductions 0:47 - What role does Outreach play at Oxford? 3:14 - What should prospective applicants be thinking about? 5:56 - What support is available online to help people make the choice a...

In today's episode, Georgia speaks to Declan and Lottie to hear about their experiences of submitting an open application to Oxford. Timestamps: 0:09 - Introductions 0:50 - What is an open application? 1:43 - Why did you decide to make an open application? 3:44 - Would you recommend making an open application? 4:37 - Any regrets? 6:12 - Myth about academics at different colleges 6:34 - What ad...

In today's episode, Georgia speaks to Dr Stephen Goddard, a tutor in French at St. Catherine's College, about how to best prepare for interviews. Timestamps: 0:09 - Introductions 0:58 - What the interview process entails 3:14 - Types of interview questions 4:53 - Do you need to learn your personal statement? 7:25 - How should you answer interview questions? 12:25 - Balancing supercurricula...

In this episode, Nikita (she/her) interviews Hannah (she/her) about writing a personal statement for an application to study Music. Hannah adds: "Don’t name or venue-drop more than once or twice! Likewise, don't just list skills/experiences. Whenever you do this, think about how the experiences you have had have changed, challenged, or affirmed your perspective on music. You can then back...

In this episode, Lucianna interviews Elena about writing a personal statement for a joint degree of History and English. Timestamps: 0:00 - introductions 0:35 - what is a joint (honours) degree? 0:52 - what should prospective students consider when thinking about applying for History and English as a joint degree? 3:16 - what can be gained from studying History and English alongside each other? (I...

In this episode, Hannah interviews Sophie about writing a personal statement for Engineering. Insight into University (Headstart) website: https://www.etrust.org.uk/insight-into-university The hard-to-say book Sophie used for super-curricular reading: Professor Povey's Perplexing Problems Timestamps: 0:00 - introductions 0:55 - advice for prospective students 1:45 - extra-curricular activities...

In our first podcast with the new OFTI team, Hannah interviews Sofia, one of the founders of The Oxford Period, a society aimed at tackling period poverty and raising awareness of period-related issues. Timestamps:0:10 - introductions0:48 - what is the Oxford Period?1:25 - what made you want to start the Oxford Period?3:06 - overcoming challenges5:44 - expanding the team?7:07 - response across the...

In this episode, Jurin(she/her) joined us to talk about her study experience from a student with low grades in high school to a masters at Oxford! The talk includes her experience of moving to different countries when growing up, how it influenced her study, her choice of learning Economics, and her suggestions for Economics applicants. Timestamps 00:11 Introduction 00:56 Family and education back...

In this episode, Juan (he/him) is joined by Rachel (she/her) to talk about her experience as a law student from a South Asian background. What does a typical day look like? Are Oxford’s stereotypes really true? Plus a few tips for law applicants!

It's the start of a new year and a new term at Oxford, and we're back welcoming new interviewers to our team! In the first part of our "Meet the Interviewers" episode this term, meet Rose (4th year Law student) and Juan (2nd year Geographer), interviewed by Junaid.

In the latest episode, Siam (he/him) is joined by Sam (he/him) and Abishek (he/him) to talk about the Maths Admissions Test (MAT). How can you prepare? How is it different for each subject? Tune in to find out! Timestamps: 0:45 - What is the MAT? 1:35 - What is the structure of the MAT? 6:15 - How similar are the questions to the Oxford course? 8:45 - How does the MAT compare to A-Level? 16:05 - H...

In this episode, Olviya (any pronouns) speaks to Clarissa (she/her) about tackling university with chronic illnesses. Tune in to listen to Clarissa speak on navigating university and new diagnoses, dealing with doctors and prescriptions in the middle of a pandemic, and missing her cat! [NB: Clarissa's experiences with her chronic illnesses are not meant to be assumptive of all chronic illnesses. T...

In todays episode Siam is joined with Alice to talk about how to tackle your personal statement if you're applying for Law? Stay tuned for some great tips and personal anecdotes if you're interested in applying to Law at Uni! 

In this episode, Aidan, Emily and Riya join us to talk about freshers' week. Find out about their work and role as JCR (Junior Common Room) reps during that week. As welfare, access and equalities and "enter" (entertainment) reps, they are in charge of many of the events taking place.  Introductions: 0:10 What events are you going to organise during freshers' week as JCR reps? 2:28 What are c...

On a specifically requested episode today, hear about a day in the life of a biochemist! Leah talks about the structure of the course, her workload, and extracurricular activities. 

In today's episode Siam discusses with Freya all about how to go about writing your personal statement for Classics. Stay tuned for some very interesting insights, potential topic choices and Freya's own story of how she wrote her Classics personal statement.

In today's episode, Olviya (any pronouns) is joined by Sam (he/him), the treasurer of the Doctor Who Society. Join us as they discuss the society field trips, Sam's favourite doctor, and the creepiness of the Weeping Angels! Link to the society website: https://users.ox.ac.uk/~whosoc/index.html Doctor Who Society Discord sign-up: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfBoz4t1uukUcCTlE-HEm0L5tpL...

In today's Quickfire Question Siam asks Megan what she found to be the most stressful part of her application process for Chemistry. 

In this episode, Siam (he/him) asks Ella (she/her) about writing a personal statement for maths. Tune in to find out more! In today's episode Siam discuss with Ella about all the different ways you can go about writing your maths personal statement. Stay tuned for some wise words and good further reading suggestions for those thinking of applying for Maths! Website mentioned in the podcast: https:...

In today's Quickfire Question, Hardeep gives us all her useful tips and tricks on how she deals with the stresses of studying a Maths degree at Oxford.

In today's Quickfire Question Siam asks Jo what her favourite thing about her college was? Stay tuned for some inside information that most students only get to find out once they're at Oxford! I do have to admit, if I had known this beforehand I would have applied to Exeter College too...

In this episode, Olviya (they/she) speaks to Grace (she/her) on her first year experience at uni while navigating student life with ASD. Join us as Grace gives an insight on being neurodivergent at university, her experiences with the application process (and whether it was any different to the process for neurotypicals) and starting her first year in the middle of a pandemic.  [Please keep i...