25th April 2023

Astrophoria Foundation Year: First offers made

The first offers for a place on the University of Oxford’s new access programme, the ‘Astrophoria Foundation Year’, have been made to UK students.

Last week, a total of 35 applicants received offers to study at Oxford on a one-year fully funded course that aims to give motivated students the chance to reach their academic potential. Of those applicants, 2 were offered a place here at LMH.

The University of Oxford’s Astrophoria Foundation Year was launched last year for UK state school students who have experienced disadvantage or disruption during their education. It seeks to help students bridge the gap between A-levels and Oxford’s challenging undergraduate degrees, developing their academic skills, self-belief and confidence. It follows in the footsteps of the successful Foundation Year programme launched by LMH in 2016, which welcomed 59 students, the majority of whom went on to successfully apply to an undergraduate degree at Oxford (see picture below, showing LMH Foundation Year students).

In total, there were 553 UK applications for places on the 2023/24 Astrophoria Foundation Year. Successful offer holders will study one of four foundation courses; Humanities (Classics, History, English and Theology); Chemistry, Engineering and Materials Science; Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE); or Law.  

Entry requirements for the courses are lower than those for an undergraduate course at Oxford. Students who pass their Foundation Year course at the required level will have the opportunity to progress onto the first year of their chosen undergraduate degree at Oxford without the need to reapply.

Astrophoria students will live and study at LMH and nine other colleges: Exeter, Jesus, Keble, Mansfield, Somerville, St Anne’s, St Hugh’s, Trinity, and Wadham. They will receive free tuition and accommodation, as well as a non-repayable bursary to cover living costs.

LMH wishes our offer-holders our warmest congratulations and good luck in their forthcoming examinations. We look forward to welcoming you in the autumn.

Foundation Year Students from 2016-2019 outside Talbot Hall