Oxford Uniq Summer School

Last year I was on the equivalent course (Sutton Trust Summer School) and it really is a fantastic opportunity to take - you get a real chance to love your subject and experience the type of teaching and subjects you would do at Oxford or Cambridge. Your grades would be very helpful in applying, and another key factor is if you're from state schools in an area where not many people apply to Oxbridge in general.

However, last year I didn't have to write a statement to apply for the summer school so this is a newer element - I would think that the statement would sum up your enthusiasm for your course but not on the same degree that you would for a UCAS form.

The statement has to be 2,000 characters or less (half the side of the UCAS statement!) and on the official guide for UNIQ summer schools it says that the statement should tell the summer school why you want to go there over the summer. Lemme copy and paste a few lines from it -

"Concentrate on telling us why you are interested in this summer school and tell us about your subject choice. Tell us the things about yourself that you think make you a good candidate for a place on UNIQ. There is no formula for writing this statement, because it does need to be personal. It will contain what you think are the important points about the summer school and your subject choice(s). It might include, therefore, your thoughts, your experience, your motivations, perhaps your hopes and expectations."

Don't worry though if you don't get into the summer - it's no baring on whether you would get into the university, as there are hundreds of people every year who get into Oxford without the summer school. Similarly, there are plenty of people who get rejected from Oxford after attending a summer school there. The best way to see it is as an opportunity to go and do the subject you love, in an academic environment and to enjoy a week at Oxford.

If you have any other questions don't be afraid to leave them here or PM me. =)

So, definitely characters, not words, right?

can year 13 students apply?

Does anyone know of any equivalent sort of courses in Oxbridge/other good UK universities that are open to students from abroad (I'm British but I live in France)?
I understand that ones for non-UK students are probably paying, but that's fine. I'm interested in studying English literature, by the way.
Thanks!

can year 13 students apply?

The summer schools take place in Oxbridge but aren't endorsed by the universities themselves as far as I'm aware.