Extra Support for Oxbridge and Medic Applications

Cardinal Newman College has been working with Oxbridge Interviews for the last four years, helping students to have the best possible chance of success when applying to competitive degree courses or prestigious universities.

Oxbridge Interviews offers a fantastic programme, which puts schools and colleges in touch with high achieving recent Oxbridge graduates, to provide a service aimed at fully preparing students for the process of applying to one of these highly competitive places.

During the first three years of the programme at Newman, 50 students took part each year, however in 2019, 100 students took up the opportunity. Heavily subsidised by the College, the programme allows students who are part of the College Medical Society, or who have registered an interest in applying for Oxbridge to gain targeted support for their university applications.

In September, the students take part in an interview skills workshop and practice day, with the Mini Mock Interviews (MMI) taking place in November. These are specifically designed for students wishing to pursue a career in Medicine, Dentistry or Vet Science, to prepare them for the rigorous process of applying for these degree courses. These students are also about to take part in BMAT/TSA online courses and practice assessments for the TSA and BMAT exams The practice interviews in September aim to ‘ensure that students with the academic potential, approach their applications to top universities with confidence, rigour and enthusiasm.’ They are not an attempt to ‘coach’ students for these interviews, simply a method of enabling them to develop the techniques and skills necessary to tackle difficult interview questions.

After the practice interviews, with subject specialists from a variety of back grounds, students are offered comprehensive feedback on their performance with areas for improvement identified.

Oxbridge Interviews is a social enterprise, running on a not-for-profit basis. All of the interviewers and workshop leaders volunteer their time to ensure that all students, regardless of background, can fulfil their academic potential. All profits raised by the programme are donated to educational programmes and other good causes.