Insight into University
What is Insight into University?
Insight into University (previously known as Headstart) is a comprehensive course run by EDT allowing students to experience STEM studies at university and the career opportunities that these subjects lead to. It provides access to information on university and student life, STEM projects and activities set by leading UK universities and global STEM companies, first year undergraduate lectures, live interactive sessions with academics, admissions tutors, employers and current students.
In previous years, this course was known as 'Headstart' for which we hosted a week long residential course for Y12 students at Department of Materials at Oxford aiming to give an insight into the subject of Materials Science, or Materials Engineering.
For 2021, the Insight into University course was developed and ran completely online, taking place over a period of 8 weeks during the summer and included both pre-recorded content and live sessions for a variety of STEM subjects held by a range of university and industrial partners. This programme has continued to run in subsequent years.
As part of this digital programme, Oxford Materials host two live Q&A sessions with our students as well as a live admissions talk and Q&A with our Access & Outreach team for students to learn more about Materials Science here at Oxford. This year, we also ran a poster competition with the theme of 'Solar Cell Materials'. You can find the briefing for this competition here:
In 2023, we were pleased to be able to offer an in person residential course here at Oxford Materials for the first time since the pandemic.
For 2024, both an online programme and a residential course will run. Explore the tabs above for more information about both of these programmes.
Insight into University Online Course
What: A comprehensive on-line course allowing students to experience STEM studies at university
Who: Students in Year 11-12 / S5-S6
When: Summer 2024
Where: Online
"Insight into University (previously known as Headstart & Inspire) is a comprehensive on-line course allowing students to experience STEM studies at university and the career opportunities that these subjects lead to. It will provide access to information on university and student life, STEM projects and activities set by leading UK universities and global STEM companies, first year undergraduate lectures, live interactive sessions with academics, admissions tutors, employers and current students." - EDT
Students complete 30 hours of study flexibly over 8 weeks in the summer through a variety of sessions covering STEM subjects at university, career options, live Q&As and lectures, project work, and much more. On successful completion of the course students will receive a Silver Industrial Cadets award. The course is open to all students age 16+ and is suitable for all academic abilities, with activities that cover different levels of advanced study.
You can find out more information about this online course here.
Insight into University Residential Course
Y12 Headstart course practical
What: A week long residential course giving an insight into the subject of Materials Science at Oxford
Who: Students in Year 12 / S5-S6
When: Summer 2024 (Provisional dates 17th - 21st June 2024)
Where: Department of Materials, University of Oxford
"Insight into University residential courses are summer schools run over 4 or 5 days where students get a taster of university life and an insight into a specific STEM subject. Students will get the opportunity to experience university style lectures and work on activities and group projects with the support of academics and student mentors." - EDT
Materials Science is a vast interdisciplinary subject, which frequently unites researchers from different physical and engineering sciences but can also involve the Life and Medical Sciences. Essentially, Materials Scientists bring together and utilise the science developed by physicists, chemists and engineers, making it possible to improve and develop new materials for everything we use in our lives, from prosthetics to buildings, from transport to communications, from sport to defence.
During the course, you will get the chance to experience what it is like to study Materials Science at the University of Oxford through attending lectures, completing practical work, taking part in group projects, visiting colleges, and more.
You can find more information about the 2024 residential courses here.
