Year 11 Visit to Oxford University

Year 11 Visit to St Hugh’s College, Oxford University

A group of our Year 11 students recently had the fantastic opportunity to visit St Hugh’s College, Oxford University, where they gained valuable insight into university life and the Oxbridge application process.

The day began with an informative talk from Dr Francesca Lovell, the college’s Outreach Officer, who covered everything from applying to university and the Oxbridge admissions process to entrance tests, interviews, and student finance. Students then had the chance to meet current Oxford students, who shared their experiences, answered questions, and took us on a tour of the college—including the accommodation, library, dining hall, social areas, and stunning grounds.

After lunch in the college, students took part in two engaging taster sessions:

• Old English Riddles – Led by an English professor, students explored historical riddles and even tried crafting their own.
• Cryptography & Code Breaking – A STEM session focused on frequency analysis techniques, where students put their skills to the test by cracking a code.

Here’s what some of our students had to say about the experience:

💬 “The campus itself was beautiful, but I especially loved the old library—it felt like a scene from a movie!”
💬 “Hearing from current students was inspiring as they shared honest experiences and how they overcame challenges.”
💬 “The experience gave me a much better understanding of the application process and what’s required.”
💬 “Speaking with professors showed me how different university study is compared to school.”
💬 “I realised that I don’t need to have my whole future planned out just yet!”

This trip was an eye-opening and inspiring experience, helping students feel more informed and excited about their future in higher education. A huge thank you to St Hugh’s College for such a warm welcome!