Cymoedd learners to experience ‘life’ at Oxford University

Three learners from Coleg y Cymoedd will be given the opportunity to experience life at Oxford University after being offered a place on the UNIQ Summer course. The learners who received notification of their places on the course earlier this month will start an online programme in April, before attending the Summer School in person in July.

The week-long fully funded Summer School is the University of Oxford’s access programme for state school learners and even provides support for all travelling expenses. UNIQ prioritises places for students with good grades from backgrounds that are under-represented at Oxford and other universities. 

Throughout the week the learners will experience life at university, both social and academic, gaining a deeper understanding of their chosen subject; with staff and ambassadors at hand to offer support and answer any questions.

Isobel Jones, one of Cymoedd’s learners attending the course said “I was pleased to get accepted on the course, as there is a lot of competition to secure a place. I attended Blackwood Comprehensive School and decided to join Coleg y Cymoedd to study A-Level Law, Sociology, History and English Literature / Language. I applied for UNIQ because I acknowledge that coming from the South Wales Valleys it is difficult to be accepted and get chances to go to prestigious universities, so I decided to apply to push myself to try and grasp as many opportunities as possible, as there is no harm in ever applying for things. I’ve been accepted to study English on UNIQ, which I hope to study at University after leaving the college.

Joining Isobel will be Aydin Dagdeviren, who has been accepted onto the Oxford UNIQ Summer School to study Medicine. Aydin studied at Islwyn High School before enrolling at Cymoedd’s A level Centre, Nantgarw campus, where he is currently studying Biology, Chemistry, Maths and Physics AS levels. Aydin’s career plans are to study Medicine at University, complete a PhD in Medicine, and become a fully qualified Rheumatologist.

The third member of Cymoedd’s group to attend UNIQ is Jacob Jones, who attended Pontypridd High school, before joining Cymoedd’s A Level Centre to study Maths, Further Maths, Physics and Chemistry. Speaking about securing a place at UNIQ, Jacob said “I applied for the Physics course because I feel the experience will give me a valuable insight as to whether I would like to apply to study at Oxford University”.

Commenting on the success of the learners A Level Tutor, Holly Richards said “We are so proud of the learners, they have done well in securing places on UNIQ. It’s a very competitive process with thousands of learners applying for limited places. To have three A Level learners accepted on the course is excellent and highlights the calibre of the learners. I’m sure they will take every opportunity available to them during the week and leave with a deeper understanding of their subject and university life in general”.

Cymoedd’s Alumnus Jodie Neville attended the UNIQ Summer Course in 2019 when she was studying at Cymoedd’s A Level Centre. Speaking about her experience Jodie said “I’m sure the learners will have a great experience on the UNIQ Course at Oxford, the course is quite intense but it provides a good insight into university life. My advice to them would be enjoy the course and take every opportunity offered to you. It helped with my decision to apply to Oxford, where I am studying Law.

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