The publication of Target Oxbridge ten year impact report demonstrates the success of the programme which is aimed at helping more Black British students secure places at Oxford and Cambridge Universities.
The programme, created by diversity recruitment specialist Rare and run-in collaboration with both universities, has helped over 350 students of Black African and Caribbean heritage secure Oxbridge offers since launching in 2012, with 50 placements in 2022.
Over the past decade, Target Oxbridge students have had success rates above the national average, with 71% of its students securing Oxbridge interviews, and 41% securing Oxbridge offers.
Target Oxbridge has truly been life-changing for me, it gave me the permission to see myself in an institution that was otherwise shrouded in mystery Michael Baker, Target Oxbridge alumnus
Expanding to work with thousands of students across years 10 to 13 the programme has helped to increase the number of Black British students admitted to Oxbridge from 1% to 4% of the intake.
The programme provides pupils with personalised application support and advice, academic taster sessions and visits to the universities. It now includes a hybrid approach to virtual and in-person activities. It also offers support to graduates helping them into careers as lawyers, consultants, doctors as well as working in the technology, charity, social enterprise and public sector.
Michael Bakare, a Target Oxbridge alumnus and incoming analyst at McKinsey, said:
“Target Oxbridge has truly been life-changing for me, it gave me the permission to see myself in an institution that was otherwise shrouded in mystery. The people I met during Target Oxbridge are still some of my closest friends to this day, and the mentors I gained on the programme have continued to support me as I’ve questioned academic and professional decisions.”
Programme founder Naomi Kellman, Rare’s senior manager for schools and universities, said:
“We have achieved our main aim of transforming the intakes of Oxford and Cambridge and improving the representation of black students at these institutions. We look forward to continuing to support black students to pursue their academic and career ambitions and hope to broaden our impact through our Target Oxbridge Year 10 programme.”
Read more ‘Ten Years of Target Oxbridge – Impact Report 2022’
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