Summer school enhances computer science prospects for state school students

State school students enjoyed a range of activities over three days to prepare them for applying to Computer Science at Oxford and other universities, as part of the annual UNIQ Summer School.

UNIQ is the University’s access programme for talented UK state school students from backgrounds that are under-represented at Oxford. It sees a growing number of young people from diverse backgrounds offered places at the University each year.

During the three-day event, around 30 ‘UNIQers’ got their first taste of undergraduate study at the department, while developing important problem-solving skills and gaining practical admissions support. They were introduced to the mathematical, scientific and engineering principles underlying computing systems, developing their curiosity and passion for the subject through workshops, talks and computer-based sessions.

Being at UNIQ has made me realise that I should challenge myself further and try to apply for the top universities. What is being taught at UNIQ is really unusual to me because it is outside what is normally taught in the A-level curriculum for Computer Science. Hence, it allows me to see further into the subject and deepen my interest. UNIQer Rames

The UNIQers enjoyed a lecture about the possibilities of AI, a talk on early computing pioneer Ada Lovelace, and a practical workshop based around 'Charles Babbage and the Invention of Computing' at Oxford’s History of Science Museum. They also found out more about the unique Oxford tutorial and received practical advice about the Maths Admissions Test, an essential part of the admissions process.

UNIQ has been really eye-opening for me, it has really broadened my horizons. I have learnt about a lot of different learning methods. For me, the UNIQ programme is really a way to appreciate Computer Science to a higher degree; I really broadened my appreciation of the subject. UNIQer Zain

It has been a very insightful experience, and it was quite lovely to have first-hand experience of what Oxford University students go through on a daily basis. UNIQer Ornella

Current Computer Science undergraduates were on hand as ambassadors, supporting the UNIQers and helping them acquire the understanding and practical skills they need for their futures. One of these, Hoa, had successfully applied for a degree in Computer Science and Philosophy at the department, following his own attendance at a previous UNIQ Summer School. He was uniquely placed to showcase the benefits of the scheme and to offer support and encouragement to the UNIQers. Hoa talked of his own experience of the Summer School and the benefits of the UNIQ scheme:

UNIQ exposed me to the Philosophy side of Computer Science. I didn’t know it existed as a course until doing UNIQ, and then I ended up applying for it, got in, and ended up as an ambassador myself. Talking to actual Oxford students is such a valuable thing, and UNIQ gives a great opportunity to do that. It is very much worth applying and just going for it. All the sessions are really useful. UNIQ ambassador Hoa

The UNIQ scheme enhances the prospects of under-represented students, providing a helping hand to young people who may otherwise not feel equipped for study at Oxford. This year’s Computer Science Summer School endows yet more of these talented students with the essential foundations to realise their potential in computer science. We wish them all the best of luck in their future study and hope to see them again!   

Find out more about UNIQ at https://www.uniq.ox.ac.uk/