The Astrophoria Foundation Year

The Astrophoria Foundation Year

The University of Oxford has launched its new access programme, the ‘Astrophoria Foundation Year’, to prospective students, as part of its continuing drive to diversify its undergraduate student body. 

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About the Astrophoria Foundation Year

The University’s new foundation year gives motivated students the chance to reach their academic potential through a supportive and challenging academic course aimed at developing their skills, self-belief, and academic confidence.

The one-year programme is open to UK state school pupils with significant academic potential, but who have experienced severe personal disadvantage or disrupted education which has affected their ability to apply for an undergraduate place directly. It is fully funded, covering tuition fees and the cost of accommodation and living expenses for all participating students. The programme offers places for up to 50 students each year. 


If students complete the foundation year to the required level, they will progress onto an undergraduate degree at the University of Oxford without any need to re-apply. Alternatively, they will be awarded a nationally recognised Certificate in Higher Education (CertHE) and will be supported in their applications to other undergraduate degrees elsewhere. 

Undergraduate admissions statistics 

The launch of the foundation year coincides with the release of the University’s Annual Admissions Statistical Report 2022, demonstrating the University’s progress towards diversifying its student body and ensuring greater access for students from underrepresented backgrounds.

The percentage of UK undergraduate students coming from backgrounds which are underrepresented at Oxford reached 21% in 2021, having risen from 13% four years ago. The figures for the 2021 intake also show Oxford retained the large increase in the proportion of students (68%) from state schools achieved in the previous year. The University has continued its progress in the proportion of UK undergraduates identifying as Black and Minority Ethnic (BME), rising from 18% to 25% over the past five years. 


The report is available on the University website.

Applications 

Students are now able to apply via the UCAS website, to be admitted in October 2023, and full details are available on the University website .


Oxford’s foundation year builds on the model of a pioneering pilot foundation year programme developed at Lady Margaret Hall since 2016. 

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