University of Oxford UNIQ Summer Schools Experimental Psychology Residential Course

You arrive on Monday and leave on Friday, and the academic program runs during the day on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, led by the lecturers who teach Oxford's undergraduate course. The lectures look at different sides of human behavior, such as what shapes the way people interact, what influences infants' psychological development and how psychological disorders affect everyday life, and you discuss what you've covered with Oxford academics.

Evenings bring optional social activities with your college group, time to explore Oxford and other colleges, and a common room where current students working as UNIQ ambassadors answer your questions. The week ends with a mini conference for everyone on your residential. UNIQ describes the week as very intensive, with little time for other work and no facilities for music practice or sports training, so finish any school work that's due before you go.

You have to meet all four of UNIQ's minimum criteria before anything else counts, and the Experimental Psychology course adds nothing on top of UNIQ's general rules. UNIQ renews its criteria every year and hasn't yet confirmed the 2027 version, so check them again when applications open.

Beyond the minimum, UNIQ reads your grades and your background together, which is why it says the only way to know if you'll get in is to apply. It normally expects at least six GCSEs with one or more at grade 7 or A, or six National 5s with at least one A. It strongly prioritizes students who have been in care, and it also takes into account current or past free school meal eligibility and your socioeconomic background, which it may check against your home postcode. UNIQ verifies what you report and can withdraw a place it can't confirm. It works with over a thousand students a year across all its courses, but we couldn't find figures for how many apply or how many places Experimental Psychology has.

• School year

  Year 12 in England or Wales, Year 13 in Northern Ireland, S5 in Scotland, or the first year of the IB Diploma, which is the year before you apply to university.

• School

  A UK or Islands state school or college, grammar schools included. Home-educated students can apply, but students at independent or private schools can't, even with a bursary or scholarship.

• Residency

  You need to expect home fee status when you apply to university, and overseas residents can't apply.

• Age

  Under 18 at the time of the residential, normally 16 or 17, with exceptions for some Northern Ireland students and students in an offset year because of extenuating circumstances.

• No repeats

  You can't apply if you've already been on UNIQ or already hold more than one completed A level.

Applications go only through the UNIQ website, which needs JavaScript and can be blocked on school-managed devices such as Chromebooks.

1. 1

   Check the criteria and pick a first- and second-choice course, choosing subjects that run in weeks you can attend, since UNIQ may offer your second choice if the first is full.

2. 2

   From 15 December 2026, fill in the online form, which asks about your current studies, your GCSE or equivalent grades, your background and a teacher you nominate, plus any extenuating circumstances.

3. 3

   Submit the complete form by 13:00 on 19 January 2027, because unsubmitted drafts and late applications aren't considered, and look for the "application submitted" screen since no confirmation email follows.

4. 4

   If you spot a mistake, email uniq@admin.ox.ac.uk straight away, as there's only about three days after the deadline to make changes.

5. 5

   UNIQ emails every applicant a decision by early March, and you have one week to accept an offer.

6. 6

   Once you accept, UNIQ asks your school or college to confirm the details you gave.

Yes. UNIQ charges nothing to you or your school, and it covers your travel, accommodation, meals and tuition. There are a few limits, though. If you miss UNIQ's travel deadlines or lose your ticket, you may have to buy your own, and fuel for a car journey isn't reimbursed. Snacks, souvenirs and anything you forget to pack are also on you. UNIQ asks families who are worried about paying for anything during the visit to get in touch.

Current Oxford undergraduates, called ambassadors, take you to lectures and seminars and stay with you in college, and each college is run for the week by a Site Manager, a senior ambassador who organizes drop-ins, tours and evening activities. We couldn't find a staff-to-student ratio from UNIQ, so ask if that matters to your family.

You get your own lockable bedroom. Many rooms share bathrooms on gender-segregated corridors, while ensuite rooms may be on mixed corridors. Staying overnight is compulsory, even if you live in Oxford, and you won't know your college until you arrive. Every college offers a vegetarian option, but halal, kosher and other religious diets can't be guaranteed, so tell UNIQ what you need as soon as you accept a place. UNIQ also makes reasonable adjustments for disabilities and other needs, which you share after an offer.

Not directly. UNIQ says students who go on to apply to Oxford get no preferential treatment at the application stage, and it mentions no certificate or credit for the week. What you do leave with is a feel for how psychology is taught at Oxford, a clearer sense of whether it's the degree for you, and online help with your UCAS application, admissions tests and interviews from August to December. Not getting a place on UNIQ doesn't count against a later application to Oxford either.