Aspiring STEM students experience life at Oriel

A group of Year 12 students interested in pursuing careers in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) were welcomed to Oriel College to experience what studying at an Oxford college is like.

Pupils from underrepresented backgrounds listened to lectures from academics and DPhil students from Oriel, were given a tour of the College and spoke to current students to gain an insight into life at Oxford.

“Days like this are really beneficial for the students,” explained Oriel College Outreach Manager Carys Owen.

“It might be the first time they’ve had access to high-level subject-specific knowledge for what they want to pursue at university, going into the depth that they can’t necessarily cover in a school syllabus.

“It’s really beneficial to see these students evolve and grow through the programme and get more confident in their subject knowledge. It is such a pleasure to watch.”

The programme runs through the summer in partnership with Generating Genius, a charity Oriel has worked with since 2020. 

“Oriel shares our commitment to widening access to top universities for students from low socioeconomic backgrounds,” said Generating Genius Senior Programme Officer Tilly Atkinson.

“Visiting Oriel College, meeting current students, taking part in an Oxford-style tutorial, and experiencing the academic environment firsthand gives them a much clearer picture of what to expect and how to strengthen their applications.

“It transforms what can feel like an unfamiliar or intimidating process into something tangible and achievable, leaving students better informed, more prepared, and motivated to take the next steps towards their goals.”

Kelechi was one of the day’s attendees and is targeting a career in aerospace engineering.

“The visit to Oriel today has been amazing because of the tour and learning more about accommodation and the lectures and tutorial system,” he said.

“The trip to Oriel has got me more excited for university and has given me more insight into what I want to do in the future,” said Lotenna who has an interest in robotics.

“Coming here, seeing all of the buildings and teachers it’s got me thinking that university life could be for me.”

“It’s a lot more exciting than I expected,” said attendee Edward.

“I thought going to Oxford would mean you’re revising for ten hours a day but coming to Oriel today has changed my perspective on that.

“I’ve found out there are so many extra-curricular clubs you can join and a lot of different people to socialise with.”