Supporting Oxbridge and University Applications: A Guide for Teachers and Parents

Help students succeed in Oxbridge and competitive university applications

What does it take for a student to make a successful application to Oxford, Cambridge, or another highly competitive university? And how can educators provide the right guidance at each stage of that journey?

On this online course, you’ll explore how to support learners to build strong, competitive applications, with practical guidance throughout.

Developed by Jesus College, University of Oxford, you’ll gain insight into how admissions decisions are made and how to help learners demonstrate their academic potential with confidence.

Across seven weeks, the course develops the knowledge and approaches needed to guide students through the full application journey, from early encouragement to transition into higher education.

Understand Oxbridge applications

Begin by exploring what makes Oxford and other competitive universities distinctive, and when it’s appropriate to encourage students to apply.

You’ll examine how admissions teams assess applications, what qualities they look for, and how contextual factors may shape decision-making.

Support students in building strong applications

The course then focuses on how students can demonstrate their academic interest and potential.

You’ll explore supercurricular learning and how it strengthens personal statements, alongside practical strategies to support subject-specific engagement within the education system.

Prepare students for selection and transition to university

The course also considers the transition to higher education, including academic, pastoral, and financial factors, helping educators support students in making a successful move to university life.

This course is for teachers, careers advisors, parents/guardians and educators who support students applying to competitive universities. It’s ideal for those involved in university guidance, UCAS applications, and student progression into higher education.

This course is for teachers, careers advisors, parents/guardians and educators who support students applying to competitive universities. It’s ideal for those involved in university guidance, UCAS applications, and student progression into higher education.

• Identify the needs of students who are interested in applying to competitive universities
• Assess students' applications to locate areas for improvement
• Engage students in supercurricular learning
• Create effective teacher references
• Explain the process of applying to competitive universities, including Oxbridge
• Explore the qualities of a successful university applicant