University of Oxford
speciality: Education

Tutors make you question your assumptions, take you further, and leave you feeling ready for the world. The PGCE is supportive, and has been led by a great team for many years.
Would not have developed the skills I had without them

Oxford University is a well-known institution of higher learning with a systematic approach to teaching and a calm setting for tutorials. The institution is the greatest since it is easily accessible from anywhere in the world.

The lecturers are very focused and they give their best to the students, the library is very access-able and a very comfortable place for studying and making research. Oxford University has a great facilities.

I have studied a full-time Master’s program at the Department of Education and I must admit that the whole process was inspiring and methodical that unleashes the very best of students. The university environment has left a profound impact on me and my thinking, which transformed me to a great height. I highly recommend the university to anyone wishing to experience the depth of thoughts and the breadth of knowledge.

I’ve been departed for 6 years but it’s still my second home. The experience here opened my eyes to so much, gave me arguably the best three years of my life, and left me with the closest group of mates you could ask for.

The academics are constantly stimulating and challenging, and it’s only in hindsight you appreciate what a privilege it is to be discussing everything from Foucault to climate change to the economic liberalisation of western Africa with the genuine leading experts in each field. Don’t get me wrong, the courses are stretching and are tough, but by doing so they broaden your mind so quickly and constantly.

The city and the college infrastructure is a joy to be part of. It doesn’t feel stuffy, the colleges are a great support network, and there is so much fun to be had from rowing, rugby, football and the sports, to art, music and drama, to clubs (shout-out to Parked), bars, pubs and restaurants.

A word on access: I come from one of the poorest and most underrepresented parts of the country and absolutely adored my time there. It’s easy to think that the university isn’t for you but for some wealthier, more privileged ‘others’. But it’s just not true, it does welcome all and sundry as long as they’re willing to put the work in. If it can be my second home it can be anybody’s.

Quick disclaimer: it is a place that uses challenge to get the best out of people academically, and that won’t suit everybody’s preference. I do have close friends who are fellow alumni who would say the approach didn’t get the best out of them and they’d have preferred a less pressured approach. I can understand that as the interview process and final exams are two of the most demanding experiences I’ve been through. The interviews in fact were far harder than all my career application processes combined. But it is horses for courses so I recommend one thing for all – if you’re interested at all go and see it for yourself on an open day!