Together, we'll break down barriers
Inclusivity means taking the practical steps that will allow people who thought they would never belong here to know that they do.
Build pathways to opportunity
It means creating the access programmes and scholarships that recognise the fault lines in contemporary society, and building a bridge right across them.
And keep a very special promise
Together, we can honour our College’s founding promise to include the excluded as we create a community that truly reflects the world.
Our Priorities Are
Expand our Sanctuary Programme
In 2021, Somerville became one of the UK’s first Colleges of Sanctuary. Since then, we have increased our offering of Sanctuary Scholarships year on year as part of our commitment to being an environment that is welcoming to refugees. Now we want to continue building on this important work, which sees Somerville update its founding promise to include the excluded for a changing world.
Cost: £25,000 p.a.
Secure our partnership with Target Oxbridge
Target Oxbridge has been helping African and Caribbean students and students of mixed race with black African and Caribbean heritage increase their chances of getting into Oxford and Cambridge since 2012. Somerville has accepted exceptional students from this programme, and we would like to do more to support Target Oxbridge’s important work, such as accommodating residential visits and other initiatives.
Cost: £6,400 p.a.
Support the UNIQ Summer Schools programme
UNIQ Summer Schools offer first-year A Level students the chance to immerse themselves in undergraduate life. Somerville supports the programme by offering accommodation and teaching.
Cost: £2,310 p.a.
Safeguard our Outreach Programmes
Outreach Events allow us to work with schools and colleges in our designated link regions of Portsmouth, the Isle of Wight, Kingston on Thames, Hounslow, Buckinghamshire and the Forest of Dean to make visits and bring students to Somerville. We also join other colleges to build consortia that will reach even further.
Cost: £6,500 p.a.
Fund the Somerville College Outreach Team
The College’s two Access & Outreach officers (one full-time and one part-time) are the heart and driving force behind all of Somervile College’s outreach work. Each year they coordinate a diverse programme of outreach visits to schools in Somerville’s link areas across the UK, as well as organising audience-specific outreach events, Open Days and local community outreach programmes that enable Somerville students to tutor children in local Oxford schools.
Cost: £43,000 p.a.
Impact Stories
