Swiftstream
Want to discover the real Oxford Uni? Take part in Swiftstream, our extended online programme of university guidance and academic enrichment for Year 12s in Medway from Hertford College at the University of Oxford.
Swiftstream is a sustained programme of online support offered free of charge to pupils currently in Year 12 at state schools and colleges in Medway. You’ll get to know current students and staff at Oxford, stretch your academic ideas, and get your questions answered. With our professional guidance and personal experiences, we’ll help you to develop the skills and confidence you need to make a competitive application to highly selective universities.
“I absolutely loved Swiftstream – it was so useful and has given me a lot to think about. In particular, I really enjoyed the subject taster sessions and loved how we always had a chance to ask questions that got honest answers.” –Â Becky, 2020
“I think that finding out about what the university looks for in its students gave me a lot more confidence as I now know what I should focus on in my personal statement and over the next few months.” – Sam, 2024
What does Swiftstream involve?
Swiftstream is made up of six online sessions taking place between November and February, and a residential in Oxford in late June or early July. Online sessions will be scheduled after school time and will combine stretching academic subject workshops led by Oxford academics with expert guidance on university skills and applications. The residential, which will be free of charge, will allow you to experience Oxford first hand and find out what makes it a great place to study. By participating in Swiftstream, we hope you’ll:
- be able to explore academic ideas beyond the classroom and build your thinking skills
- gain confidence in making decisions about university and what to study in the future
- discover what Oxford is really like by meeting our students, staff and tutors
2024-25 dates
This year, the online sessions will take place from 4:30pm to 6:00pm on the following Wednesdays:
- Wednesday 27 November 2024
- Wednesday 11 December 2024
- Wednesday 15 January 2025
- Wednesday 29 January 2025
- Wednesday 12 February 2025
- Wednesday 26 February 2025
It is anticipated that the residential in Oxford will take place from 2 – 4 July 2025. Please note that we expect participants to have a good attendance record at the online sessions in order to take part in the residential.
How do I apply to take part?
Applications for Swiftstream are open to students in Year 12 at state-funded schools and colleges in the Medway local authority (see drop-down below for more information). We’ll select participants on academic merit as well as educational and socio-economic background. To reflect Oxford’s admissions requirements, you should have a strong academic record demonstrated by a majority of 7, 8 and 9 grades at GCSE. Please see the drop-down below for more information about how we use contextual data.
Please complete an online application form below, in which we’ll ask you to provide information such as your home postcode, GCSE grades and a teachers’ contact details.
The deadline to apply is 12 noon on Friday 8 November 2024.
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Which schools and colleges are eligible?
To be eligible, you must be in Year 12 at a state school or college within the Medway local authority. This is a full list of eligible institutions:
- Brompton Academy (UKAT Sixth Form)
- Chatham Grammar School for Girls (UKAT Sixth Form)
- Fort Pitt Grammar School
- Greenacre Academy (PGW Sixth Form)
- Holcombe Grammar School
- MidKent College
- Rainham Mark Grammar School
- Rainham School for Girls
- Sir Joseph Williamson’s Mathematical School
- St John Fisher Catholic Comprehensive School
- Strood Academy
- The Howard School
- The Hundred of Hoo Academy
- The Robert Napier School
- The Rochester Grammar School
- The Thomas Aveling School
- The Victory Academy
- Walderslade Girls’ School (PGW Sixth Form)
- Waterfront UTC
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How does the selection process work?
Selection is based on academic merit as well as educational and socio-economic background. Applicants should have a strong academic record, demonstrated by a majority of 7, 8 and 9 grades at GCSE. Aside from this, places on the programme will be prioritised for students from the following
groups, in line with the University of Oxford’s Access & Participation Plan:- Students who live in areas where relatively few people progress to higher education (as defined by POLAR postcode data)
- Students who live in the least socio-economically advantaged neighbourhoods (as defined by ACORN postcode data)
- Students who are (or have been) in receipt of free school meals
- Students who are (or have been) in care or are young carers
Please note that this is an outreach programme and the selection process is therefore based on Oxford’s Access & Participation Plan – it is not a mirror of how students are selected in our admissions processes.
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Do I have to live in Medway?
You must attend a state-funded school or college within the Medway local authority (see first drop-down above). If you attend one of these schools but your home address is not in Medway then you are still eligible for the programme. If you live in Medway but attend a school in a different local authority, please email us at outreach@hertford.ox.ac.uk for more information.
How can I find out more?
You can find more details about our outreach programmes and undergraduate study on our website. For more information about Swiftstream or to ask any questions, please feel free to get in touch with the Outreach Team by emailing outreach@hertford.ox.ac.uk