Inspire Years 12 and 13
Inspire 12 & 13 is open to pupils from all non-selective state schools and sixth-form colleges in the following regions: Brighton and Hove - Buckinghamshire – Ealing – East Sussex – Forest of Dean – Hampshire – Harrow – Hounslow – Kent – Kington-upon-Thames – Medway – Portsmouth – Southampton – Surrey – The Isle of Wight – West Sussex.
If you are not sure whether your sixth form or college is in an eligible region, please email us at inspire@sjc.ox.ac.uk.
The Inspire Programme is a free, two-year course designed to inspire, encourage, and support Year 12 and 13 pupils during their final years of study before university. Our flexible programme offers pupils the opportunity to explore their favourite subjects in greater depth, receive up-to-date information about applying to university, and take part in opportunities that can be used in personal statements, interviews, and CVs! For more information, please see our Inspire 12 & 13 brochure here.
Pupils on Inspire 12 & 13 will have the opportunity take part in:
- Academic Taster Lectures
Our Academic Taster Lectures are specially developed by academics from the University of Oxford and are released once a month. They are then available for pupils to work through at their own pace. Every set of Academic Taster Lectures includes talks from a range of subjects so that pupils can delve deeper into their favourite subjects, and discover new interdisciplinary connections! Each set of lectures are also accompanied by extra resources for pupils to explore, including competitions, exhibitions and public lectures.
- Study and University Skills Sessions
The Inspire 12 & 13 Programme offers valuable skills workshops and resources to help pupils think about their future choices and their university applications.
- Inspire Research Project
Inspire 12 pupils have the opportunity to thoroughly investigate a topic of their choice as part of our Inspire Research Project. This project will develop pupils’ ability to think creatively, critically, and independently – skills which are important for university study.
- Study Days and Subject Exploration Days
Pupils enrolled on the Inspire 12 programme have priority booking on the Inspire Study Days and Subject Exploration Days. These are immersive, subject-specific events that take place at St John’s College, and which enable pupils to experience what it is like to study their chosen subject at university.
- Residential and Virtual Summer Schools
Our Residential Summer School is an exciting opportunity to experience student life at St John’s College. Students will have the opportunity to take part in academic taster sessions delivered by Oxford tutors, and visit some of the University of Oxford’s outstanding galleries, gardens, and museums. In addition, pupils will have the opportunity to experience a taste of student life at the University of Oxford whilst exploring the city.
For students who are unable to attend our in-person event, we offer our Virtual Summer School, which contains academic lectures, skills sessions and careers advice. This summer school is accessible online and is designed to fit around your busy summer schedules.
- Resources to help you transition for life at university
Applications for the Inspire 12 Programme have now closed for this academic year.
Pupils on the Inspire 12 Programme will automatically be enrolled on the Inspire 13 Programme!
Applications for the Inspire 13 Programme have now closed.
This course takes place on our website Inspire Digital, which you can explore by following this link.
Inspire 12 & 13 consists of a series of online Sessions throughout the year. Sessions include a combination of academic taster talks by scholars from Oxford or other leading universities, and expert guidance on skills development and how to make an effective and competitive application to university. All pupils on Inspire 12 & 13 are also invited to attend a virtual summer school, which offers academic lectures, skills sessions and careers advice.
Parents, carers and teachers of Inspire 12 & 13 pupils will be invited to attend online webinars designed to support their pupils. Topics will include ‘The University of Oxford’, ‘The Oxford Application Process’ and ‘Interviews’.
In addition, Inspire 12 & 13 pupils will also be invited to apply for competitive spaces to the following events which run independently of Inspire 12 & 13, including:
- Residential summer schools at St John’s College which offer pupils a taster of student life at the University of Oxford
- Study Days and Subject Exploration Days which offer pupils a more in depth look at their subject, with a chance to meet tutors, students, and visit St John’s College
- The Inspire Research Project, where pupils will be guided in how to prepare and submit a research project proposal. Winning entries will be awarded book vouchers, and pupils will be invited to a research day at St John’s College.
Do I need to meet particular criteria to join?
Inspire 12:
The Inspire 12 programme is open to pupils at all non-selective state schools and sixth-form colleges in the following regions: Brighton and Hove - Buckinghamshire – Ealing – East Sussex – Forest of Dean – Hampshire – Harrow – Hounslow – Kent – Kington-upon-Thames – Medway – Portsmouth – Southampton – Surrey – The Isle of Wight – West Sussex.
Selection is based on both academic merit (pupils should be predicted at least AAB at A-level*) and a number of contextual factors, including:
*Applications are considered on a case-by-case basis. If you feel you have experienced exceptional circumstances which mean you haven’t been predicted grades that reflect your true potential, please email us at Inspire@sjc.ox.ac.uk
Please note that our courses are often oversubscribed, and therefore an unsuccessful application to Inspire 12 & 13 is not necessarily a reflection of a pupil’s likelihood of being successful in an application for undergraduate study at the University of Oxford.
Pupils who are unsuccessful in their application to the Inspire 12 Programme are more than welcome to apply for the Inspire 13 Programme the following year.
You can sign up for this year's programme via this link https://oxford.onlinesurveys.ac.uk/year-12-inspire-programme-application-form-2023-24-2
Inspire 13:
The Inspire 13 programme is open to pupils in year 13 at all non-selective state schools and sixth-form colleges in the following regions: Brighton and Hove - Buckinghamshire – Ealing – East Sussex – Forest of Dean – Hampshire – Harrow – Hounslow – Kent – Kington-upon-Thames – Medway – Portsmouth – Southampton – Surrey – The Isle of Wight – West Sussex. To sign up for the Inspire 13 Programme, please follow this link.
Applications for Inspire 13 Programme have recently closed.
Do I have to pay?
No, all the events and resources are free! Inspire 12 & 13 pupils can also apply for financial assistance towards the cost of travel to events with Inspire Travel Awards and technology required for digital working with Inspire Digital Assistance Awards.
What did previous years' courses look like?
Follow this link to see what the Inspire 12 & 13 Programme looked like in 2021/22.
How do I contact you if I have further queries?
If you have any further questions, please email us at inspire@sjc.ox.ac.uk.
