We are committed to supporting all students in making informed decisions about studying at Merton, and within the University of Oxford. Our aim is to dispel myths and stereotypes about the College and University, in order to draw the best applicants regardless of background.
Merton College is particularly keen to work with state schools, colleges and local authorities to promote aspiration-raising, fair and informed choices about universities including Oxford.
Schools
Year 12 Visits to Merton
We welcome groups of students who are thinking of applying to Oxford or Cambridge in the near future and would like to find out more, or who have the potential to apply and need some encouragement.
Our programme for sixth form groups (usually limited to 20 students) includes a talk on Oxford life and applications, a tour of and lunch in College, and - during University term time - an opportunity to talk to current undergraduates about their experiences. Additional or alternative activities can be planned to suit the group’s particular interests and needs.
School visits to Merton usually take place on Wednesdays, though another day may be possible where necessary. Visits usually work best during term-time when undergraduates are around to meet students – and to give the College an authentic lived-in feeling! University term dates in the near future are:
Michaelmas 2011: Sunday, 9 October to Saturday, 3 December
Hilary 2012: Sunday, 15 January to Saturday, 10 March
Trinity 2012: Sunday, 22 April to Saturday, 16 June
Individual Year 12 students may also be interested in visiting Merton, for an open day or a guided tour.
Oxford Taster Days (KS4)
These are intended to raise the aspirations of KS4 students who have the potential to apply to Oxford but who are from a ‘non-traditional’ social or educational background. The aim is to explode the myths about Oxford and to give the students a sense of what student life is like, and what they can do now to prepare themselves for applications to competitive universities.
The standard programme is:
10.45 Arrive at Merton College
11.00 Talk about HE and Oxford
12.00 Tour of the College with current undergraduates
12.30 Lunch in Hall
13.15 Subject-based academic activity
14.00 An opportunity to explore the city of Oxford
15.00 Final Questions and Depart
2012’s Taster Days will take place on the following dates:
25 January
8 February
22 February
25 April
9 May
23 May
Two school groups will participate in each day, with each school being able to bring up to 12 students and 2 members of staff. Though designed for Year 10 students, gifted students in Year 9 may also benefit. If you are travelling far, you may wish to consider submitting a joint booking with other schools in your area and sharing transport costs. There is no charge for lunch or the academic sessions.
If you would like to book a Taster Day for your students, please fill in the Taster Day Booking Form and post or email it to the Schools Liaison Officer. The initial deadline is 30 September 2011. Priority will be given to non-selective state schools in our link regions of Dorset, Wiltshire, and Merton Borough. Any remaining places will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.
Merton also participates in the Oxford Taster Days, a collaborative project run by several Oxford colleges. They offer a similar programme, as well as a wider selection of dates. More information can be found on the Christ Church website.
Outward Visits
The Schools Liaison and Access Officer is very pleased to visit schools and colleges, to speak to groups from Years 10-13 about study at Oxford and about applications. This could be as a stand-alone talk or as part of a larger HE event.
Cultural Visits
The Schools Liaison Officer is not responsible for organising visits for tourist groups. Enquiries about these should be made to the College Lodge. Tours, including tours of the Old Library, may be arranged through the College Librarian.
Teachers
Merton College recognises that many of our applicants depend on the support of enthusiastic and well-informed staff in schools. We are therefore very pleased to meet teachers and advisers through our series of Teachers’ Forums. These provide an excellent two-way exchange between school and College staff:
"I now have a clearer sense of admissions processes for the departments involved. It was also good to be able to allow the staff an insight into some of the pressures that we face as advisors/teachers working with our students." – Teacher attending our last Forum
We look forward to hosting further Forums in the next academic year.
Forum for Teachers in the Mathematical and Physical Sciences, Wednesday 13 July 2011
This provides an opportunity for teachers and advisers to meet the Tutor for Admissions, Schools Liaison Officer and some of our subject Tutors informally, and to discuss admissions, the student experience and the sciences at Oxford more generally. The provisional programme is as follows:
12.00 Admissions presentations and Q&A with Chemistry, Physics and Mathematics tutors
13.00 Lunch in the Senior Common Room
13.30 Coffee – an opportunity to continue informal discussions with tutors or to chat to teaching colleagues
14.00 Visit to the Old Library, one of the world’s oldest academic libraries (optional)
We hope that this will allow guests the flexibility to make the most of their time in Oxford. To book a place, please email the Schools Liaison Officer, making sure to include any special dietary or mobility requirements.
Contact
For more information on Merton’s schools liaison work - or to arrange a visit - please contact the Schools Liaison and Access Officer, Cressida Ryan.
