UNIQ students gain hands-on engineering experience at Oxford

The Department of Engineering Science welcomed two groups of UK state school students with high academic potential in July, giving them an insight into both the breadth of engineering research and the Oxford undergraduate experience. During their stay the students took part in three days of practical activities, lectures and tutorials designed to inspire the next generation of engineers.

Students spent much of their time tackling practical engineering challenges in the department's laboratories. Working in small groups, they designed and built model beams before testing their strength, explored autonomous flight through drone workshops, and learnt how computer-aided design (CAD) and 3D printing are used to turn digital ideas into physical prototypes.

"The UNIQ programme is about giving talented students the chance to experience Oxford for themselves and see that studying engineering here is both achievable and exciting"

Alongside the hands-on sessions, participants attended an academic lecture, followed by small-group tutorials with Oxford tutors to experience the University's distinctive teaching style. They also heard from a current graduate researcher about their research journey and the exciting opportunities available within Engineering Science.

To help students understand the University admissions process, the programme included an Engineering admissions talk and a demonstration interview, providing practical advice on applying to Oxford and showing what candidates can expect during the interview process. Students on the first programme also enjoyed a visit from the Oxford Robotics Institute, where researchers demonstrated Spot, the agile quadruped robot. The session showcased how robotics research is tackling real-world challenges and highlighted some of the cutting-edge work taking place within the department.

The programme concluded with a group photograph in University Parks, marking three days of learning, collaboration and discovery. Jack Robinson, Access Manager in the Department of Engineering Science, said: "The UNIQ programme is about giving talented students the chance to experience Oxford for themselves and see that studying engineering here is both achievable and exciting. Through hands-on projects, academic teaching and conversations with our researchers and students, participants gain a real insight into what engineering at Oxford is like. We hope they leave feeling inspired, more confident in their abilities and excited about the opportunities that engineering can offer."

UNIQ is the University of Oxford's flagship access programme, helping support UK state school students with high academic potential to explore higher education and make informed choices about their future. By combining practical engineering challenges with academic sessions and admissions guidance, the Department aims to give participants the confidence to consider applying to Oxford and pursuing a career in engineering.