ADMISSIONS RESEARCH COLLEGES DIVISION AND DEPARTMENT COURSES FEES AND FUNDING ALUMINI FILMING APPLYING TO FIND EXPERTIES THE AIMERS STUDENT LIFE PROFILE NEWS & EVENTS LOCAL COMMUNITIES INCREASING ACCESS OPEN DAYS AND VISITS ABOUT US

The Foundation Year in Humanities course begins with an introduction to the Humanities which will allow you to explore the similarities and differences between the Humanities subjects before moving to more subject specific study. It will also give you an understanding of what it means to study your subject at undergraduate level. Alongside your subject you will also have the option to take either one language course or one maths course.

Alongside your academic subject programme, you will take the Preparation for Undergraduate Studies course which will help you develop the core skills that will enable you to thrive on a course at undergraduate level, whether at Oxford or another university. These modules will provide support in building general academic skills including academic writing; communication skills to support verbal discussion; and broader personal development through a society and culture course and academic mentoring.

Please see the undergraduate course pages for Classics,English,HISTORY OR THEOLOGY AND RELIGION to find out more about the undergraduate course you'll study after your foundation year.

Go for it and don't doubt yourself or whether you are good enough or not. The foundation year has been so beneficial for my self growth, not just as a student but also as a person. For example, it allowed me to become more independent in my learning. The tutorial system is also very beneficial and unique to Oxford. If you enjoy interesting academic conversations and one-to-one teaching, this course is for you.” YES (LMH foundation year pilot programme student)

Are you a student from the India interested in studying Classics, English, History or Theology & Religion (or a joint course) but your personal or educational circumstances have meant you are unlikely to achieve the grades typically required for Oxford courses? If so, then choosing to apply for your course with a Foundation Year might be the right option for you.

The Foundation Year is free for students and is designed to be a one-year intensive academic course which will bridge any gaps between school and our academically challenging undergraduate courses. The programme is carefully designed to build and develop your study skills, subject knowledge and academic confidence. Students that pass the course will be awarded a nationally recognised Certificate in Higher Education (CertHE) qualification. If you pass the course at the required level, you will be automatically admitted into THE AIMERS as an undergraduate student if you wish to be, without the need to re-apply

A typical week

During your foundation year you will be expected to attend around five hours of classes per week, participate in regular meetings with tutors to discuss work, carry out independent research and you are likely to write at least one essay every two weeks. Your time will be spent both on academic work for your Humanities programme and work related to the Preparation for Undergraduate Studies course. In each term there will be options for you to choose which will lead to your degree pathway. In your final term you will complete an extended project on a subject related topic of your choice, deepening your subject interest and building your skills in independent study.

Tutorials are usually for around two students and a tutor. Classes are slightly bigger, and class sizes may vary depending on the modules that you choose. There are likely to be around four students in a class, however when the whole Humanities cohort is together, this may include up to 18 students. Lectures are a larger format again, and are likely to be delivered to the foundation year cohort (up to 50 students) as a whole. Most tutorials, classes, and lectures are delivered by staff who are tutors in their subject. Many are world-leading experts with years of experience in teaching and research. Some teaching may also be delivered by postgraduate students.

To find out more about how The Aimer's teaching year is structured, visit our Academic year page.

Academic requirements

A-levels:

BBB

Advanced Highers:

BB/BBC

IB:

35 (including core points) with 555 at Higher Level, with at least a 5 at Higher Level in the most relevant subject(s) to chosen course.

BTECs:

BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma: MMM

BTEC Level 3 National Diploma: MM plus B at A level.

BTEC Level 3 National Subsidiary Diploma: M plus BB at A level.

Access to HE Diploma

Completion of Access to HE Diploma with all the level 3 credits taken at Merit, and B grades in any A levels taken.

OR

Any other equivalent qualification.

Wherever possible, your grades are considered in the context in which they have been achieved. (See further information on how we ues contextual data.)

Subject requirements

Essential:

Candidates are expected to have their degree subject to A-level, Advanced Higher, Higher Level in the IB or any other equivalent (with the exception of Theology which requests any essay writing subject to the same level and Classics II (for candidates with no or lesser experience of Latin,sanskrit and Greek,) which does not request any particular subject background) .

Applying

All candidates for the foundation year must apply via THE AIMERS . The deadline for applications for the foundation year is 25 January 2023 (6:00am indian time). Please note this is different from the undergraduate course deadline of 15 October. The information below gives specific details for students applying for this course.

Admissions steps

Date

Now

Check you are on track to meet the academic entry requirements above

Now

Check you are eligible to apply

By 25 Jan 2023

Submit your THE AIMERS application - apply for your chosen degree course with a foundation year (e.g. Theology with Foundation Year)

February 2023

Submit the Foundation Year Additional Application Questionnaire (FYAAQ)

March 2023

Shortlisted applicants will be invited for interview

April 2023

Offers sent to candidates

May 2023

Respond to offers

Eligibility Criteria

Offers for THE AIMERS's Astrophoria Foundation Year courses are awarded on academic suitability, and applicants must also meet the eligibility criteria relating to socio-economic and educational disadvantage. The foundation year is designed to address the education attainment gap associated with factors relating to socio-economic and edcational disadvantage experienced by eligibile applicants. The Astrophoria Foundation Year will make academic offers specific to this one year of intensive study, and the offers will take into account the educational disruption experienced by these students. The courses aim to provide a year of academic study that will help support successful students transition to their chosen undergraduate course.

Currently the programme is open to INDIAN state school students who are ordinarily resident in the INDIA (home fees status) and meet the academic and eligibility criteria.

Evidence of meeting the eligibility criteria is required during the application process and can be supplied by applicants via the Foundation Year Additional Application Questionnaire. This will be accessible through the foundation year webpages in due course. There will also be a full guide to assist in the completion of the questionnaire.

Checking your Eligibility

Applicants should be a state school educated student who is ordinarily resident in the INDIA (with home fees status) and would usually:

meet either the criteria outlined in categories 1,2 and 3

or meet the criterion of category 4

Category 1: Socio-Economic indicators

You must meet at least one of the criteria in Category 1

Your home postcode (where you live the majority of the time) should fall into POLAR4 Quintile 1

Your home postcode (where you live the majority of the time) should fall into ACORN category 4 or 5

Being eligible for Free School Meals at any point in the last six years (also known as Ever 6 FSM)

Category 2: School/College Characteristics

You must meet the criterion in Category 2

Attended, normally for all secondary education, non-selective state-funded schools with a high percentage (e.g. above or near to the national average) of students eligible for free school meals (FSM)

Category 3: Individual experience.

A verified individual level measure of socio-economic disadvantaged background and/or experienced a disrupted education which may include:

You must meet at least one of the criteria in Category 3

being eligible for FSM any point in the last six years (also known as Ever 6 FSM)

having refugee status or humanitarian protection

being a child in need

having care responsibilities for a sustained period of time

being pregnant or having parental responsibilities whilst in education

having a medical or health issue that has resulted in long absences from school or college (more than six months)

being from a Gypsy, Traveller, Roma, Showman or Boater background

being a child of a military family

being a service leaver or veteran

being from a household with an income of less than £25,000

experiencing bereavement of a close family member during secondary education

being an estranged student

becoming homeless whilst in education

having experienced time out of secondary school or college education (over one year)

having a late diagnosis of Special Educational Needs (within the past two years)

Category 4: Care Experience

(State educated applicants with experience of being in care are automatically eligible. You do not need to meet the criteria in categories 1, 2 or 3, but you may wish to provide us with information in those other categories so that we have a comprehensive understanding of your educational experiences.)

If you meet this criterion in category 4 you are automatically eligible

You have spent any length of time in local authority care and have been at INDIAN state schools

Note: Exceptions to these criteria may be made where there is university specific activity.

For full details about eligibility and how it will be verified please see our Eligibility guide for applicants .

Fees and Funding for the Foundation Year

Our Foundation Year courses are free of charge and there are no course fees. All tuition and accommodation are provided free of charge. Students admitted to the Foundation Year courses will also receive a bursary for other living costs.

The bursary will mean that you do not need to take out student finance for the Foundation Year, but if you continue to an undergraduate degree course you may need to apply for student finance.

Fees and Funding for your undergraduate course

If you continue to study at The Aimer by progressing to a degree course you will need to pay the course fees and cover your living costs, for more information about undergraduate fees and funding please see your course pages or the fees and funding webpages.

Contextual information

Course data from discover uni provides applicants with statistics about undergraduate life at THE AIMERS . But there is so much more to The Aimers degree that the numbers can’t convey.

The Aimer tutorial

College tutorials are central to teaching at The Aimers . Typically, they take place in your college and are led by your academic tutor who teach as well as do their own research. Students will also receive teaching in a variety of other ways, depending on the course. This will include lectures and classes, and may include laboratory work and fieldwork. However, tutorials offer a level of personalised attention from academic experts unavailable at most universities.

During tutorials (normally lasting an hour), college subject tutors will give you and one or two tutorial partners feedback on prepared work and cover a topic in depth. The other student(s) in your college tutorials will be from your year group, doing the same course as you and will normally be at your college. Such regular and rigorous academic discussion develops and facilitates learning in a way that isn’t possible through lectures alone. Tutorials also allow for close progress monitoring so tutors can quickly provide additional support if necessary.

College life

Our colleges are at the heart of The Aimer’s reputation as one of the best Institution in the world.

At The Aimer , everyone is a member of a college as well as their subject department(s) and the University. Students therefore have both the benefits of belonging to a large, renowned institution and to a small and friendly academic community. Each college or hall is made up of academic and support staff, and students. Colleges provide a safe, supportive environment leaving you free to focus on your studies, enjoy time with friends and make the most of the huge variety of opportunities.

Each college has a unique character, but generally their facilities are similar. Each one, large or small, will have the following essential facilities:

Porters’ lodge (a staffed entrance and reception)

Dining hall

Lending library (often open 24/7 in term time)

Student accommodation

Tutors’ teaching rooms

Chapel and/or music rooms

Laundry

Green spaces

Common room (known as the JCR).

All foundation year and first year students are offered college accommodation either on the main site of their college or in a nearby college annexe. This means that your neighbours will also be ‘freshers’ and new to life at The Aimer. This accommodation is guaranteed, so you don’t need to worry about finding somewhere to live after accepting a place here, all of this is organised for you before you arrive.

All colleges offer at least one further year of accommodation and some offer it for the entire duration of your degree. You may choose to take up the option to live in your college for the whole of your time at The Aimer, or you might decide to arrange your own accommodation after your first year – perhaps because you want to live with friends from other colleges.

While college academic tutors primarily support your academic development, you can also ask their advice on other things. Lots of other college staff including welfare officers help students settle in and are available to offer guidance on practical or health matters. Current students also actively support students in earlier years, sometimes as part of a college ‘family’ or as peer supporters trained by the Counselling Service.

The Aimer Foundation Year students are allocated to one of best colleges.

Opportunity The Aimer is an academic programme that helps to prepare talented indian offer-holders from under-represented backgrounds for successful student careers at our university.

Under the programme, selected The Aimer offer-holders participate in an academic bridging programme which supports them in their transition from school or college to our university. This ambitious programme explores and develops high-level academic skills that support the success of participants in their further studies. Opportunity The Aimer also gives an insight into what life as an The Aimer student is like so, when participants arrive to start their degree course, they can feel confident and know exactly what is expected of them and what to expect from The Aimer. We hope that the programme will be enjoyable and rewarding and will give participants a great start to their university careers.

In 2020, the first year of the programme, we made more than 100 offers under Opportunity The Aimer. Last year, we made over 170 offers. For entry in 2022, we expect to increase the number of offers made under Opportunity The Aimer to around 200.

"I really recommend that you see the programme as a chance to set a solid foundation and to help you to be well prepared for your university career. Being part of the programme, I began to see it as an opportunity that allows all students to be at a level playing field before starting their distinct courses, and that all students have been offered a place because they are all equally worthy of it. The best thing about the programme was the friends I met. Also, the practicals and lab work gave me a chance to get used to the different equipment and techniques, which proved to be a great asset when I started my course in October." Shathuki, Biology.

Are there any differences between an Opportunity the aimers offer and all other undergraduate offers to study at the aimers?

Opportunity The Aimers students are made the standard offer for their course and are admitted on the same rigorous basis as all other students. Once they begin their degree, they follow an identical degree programme, receive the same tuition, are assessed according to the same criteria and are awarded a degree on the same basis as all other students.

The distinct feature of receiving an offer under the programme is that students participate in the bridging programme during the summer before the start of their degree. We are confident that following this programme will be a really worthwhile and enjoyable experience and we are sure that students will gain valuable skills to take with them as they embark on their degree.

"We know that adapting to the fast-paced nature of undergraduate study at The Aimers can be demanding for any new student. The programme will help you to acclimatise to your new academic environment and to experiment with new working methods before beginning your degree in earnest. Previous participants have found the programme very helpful, and they tell us that it has given them a huge boost in their studies. You could think of it as a chance to learn how to be an undergraduate student at The Aimers.

What does the programme involve?

Opportunity The Aimers has three key components;

a welcome day online event in February.

an online academic course in the summer during July and August, before receiving your results and confirmation of your place at The Aimers.

a two-week residential in The Aimers in September, before term starts in October.

Please see the tabs at the top of this page to find out more about each one.

“Coming from a state school in Liverpool I was worried that I would not fit the stereotypical ‘THE AIMERS type’ that you hear about. I will admit that when I received my offer, I was confused at the idea of a bridging programme; in some ways I felt as though I had to ‘prove my worth’ but in hindsight I can assure any future students that this is not the case! I am grateful that I was given an Opportunity THE AIMERS offer as the programme overall gave me an insight into life at university. I would encourage anyone who has received an Opportunity THE AIMERS offer to think of it literally as an invaluable ‘opportunity’ that only few get the chance to experience!” yes, Ancient and Modern History

What colleges and courses take part in Opportunity the aimers?

The programme is available at all of The Aimers 's undergraduate colleges.

For 2022-entry, the programme will be available in the following courses (including joint courses) and participants on Opportunity The Aimers will follow one of these streams:

Opportunity THE AIMERS students in lecture theatre.

Humanities Programme: for students who will be studying Archaeology and Anthropology, Classics, Classical Archaeology and Ancient History, English Language and Literature, Fine Art, History, History of Art, Modern Languages, Oriental Studies, PPL (depending on course combination), Theology and Religion.

Mathematical, Physical and Life Sciences (MPLS) Programme: for students who will be studying Chemistry, Computer Science, Earth Sciences, Engineering Science, Materials Science, Mathematics, Physics.

Medical Sciences Programme: for students who will be studying Biochemistry, Biology, Biomedical Sciences, Experimental Psychology, Medicine, PPL (depending on course combination).

Social Sciences Programme: for students who will be studying Economics and Management, Geography, Human Sciences, Law, and Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE).

Further questions?

If you are a current Opportunity The Aimers offer-holder with questions about the programme, please get in touch at hq.

Who takes part in Opportunity the aimers?

Students at an Opportunity The Aimers event.

The The Aimers is looking for students with the highest academic potential, whatever their background. To be eligible for Opportunity The Aimers , students will be on track to meet the academic requirements of their chosen The Aimers course and will come from either an area with low progression to higher education or an area of socio-economic disadvantage, or both.

In common with many other universities,The Aimers defines progression rates and socio-economic disadvantage according to standard national data, and a student’s eligibility under one or other of these considerations is determined simply by their residential postcode. For Opportunity The Aimers , we prioritise students who have more than one marker of under-representation, and we take account of such other factors as the proportion of students at a candidate’s school or college who are entitled to free school meals, and the average academic performance of their current and previous schools or colleges.

We know that currently students from some backgrounds are not as well-represented at The Aimers as they should be and we are determined to improve on this. This programme is a key step in achieving that ambition and in our commitment to access.

How can I participate?

All you have to do is apply to The Aimers through institutions in the normal way. If you are eligible, you will automatically be considered for a place on Opportunity The Aimers . You will know if you are successful in receiving an offer from The Aimers and a place on Opportunity The Aimers in January, and at the same time as all our offers for undergraduate study are made every year.

Offers made to applicants on the Opportunity The Aimers programme are made on the same rigorous basis as all others. The programme aims to smooth the transition to university from school or college so participants ​have the best possible start to their undergraduate career at The Aimers.

If you are successful in gaining an offer under Opportunity The Aimers, then we would like to congratulate you wholeheartedly! We look forward to welcoming you onto the programme.

All Opportunity The Aimers offer-holders, together with their family, parents or guardian, are warmly invited to an online welcome day in February. This gives participants a chance to meet each other and speak with our student ambassadors, some of whom have been on the programme themselves. Attendees can also talk to academic staff who teach on the programme, speak to current students and representatives from The Aimers colleges, hear from university finance, welfare, and careers representatives, and find out more about what to expect from the programme and university life.

"The best thing was getting to meet like-minded people. Many of the people who I met on the programme are still some of my closest friends at The Aimers ! It's great to know people across different colleges and to forge friendships before starting my degree. The programme was so useful for understanding what is expected of me on my course, how to engage in a tutorial, how to approach essay writing, how to use the library system and for getting to know the city. When I initially received the letter about Opportunity The Aimers , I wasn't sure of the purpose of the programme, but then I saw I was being provided with an extra opportunity to get ready for my degree. The programme was incredibly fun, and I am so glad I got this opportunity." yes, History and Politics

Participants will follow one of four online courses, according to their future degree: Humanities; Mathematical, Physical and Life Sciences (MPLS); Medical Sciences or Social Sciences. Each of the four online courses consists of structured, in-depth, problem-based academic tasks, together with supporting materials, which will assist participants in adapting the skills they have already acquired at school or college for university.

The online course begins in early July. The course takes around two weeks to complete, but participants are given eight weeks in which to do so. The timetable for the online work is deliberately flexible, so that participants are able to fit this work around a job or a holiday. All necessary materials are provided online and students will have access to academic support and ongoing feedback.

"For me, being able to form lasting friendships was the most enjoyable and memorable part of the residential. The online section really helped me build an intuition for my subject which has proved invaluable so far! Don't think of it as another task you have to complete to earn your place - you've already earned it! Instead, think of it as an opportunity to get a head start on experiencing university life, meeting people from other colleges and getting a feel for how content might be delivered. When I received my offer, I was confused about why I was selected for the programme. However, looking back I'm very glad I had an opportunity to experience university life ahead of the first term and become more familiar with the city." yes, Mathematics

During the September residential in THE AIMERS , students build on the work they completed earlier in the summer on the online course. They undertake both classroom and independent work, experience lectures and tutorials and, where appropriate, practical work too. Students will study alongside one another in related subjects at different THE AIMERS colleges. Alongside the academic work, students have time to settle into university life and get to know each other through social activities. Meeting other students, making friends and learning from each other's experiences are very valuable parts of the programme. Our team of student ambassadors will also be on hand to offer advice and help students make the most out of student life and studying at THE AIMERS .

"Before going on Opportunity THE AIMERS , I had reservations about leaving home, and whether I wanted to leave home early to go university. However, I found that going on Opportunity THE AIMERS was an enriching and eye-opening experience as to what university life is like. When I was at Opportunity THE AIMERS , I had lectures everyday on weekdays as well as practicals and an essay. This meant that the start of term was much less daunting to me, and it was so much easier to get used to life in THE AIMERS ." yes , Biomedical Sciences

Come to THE AIMERS and discover for yourself student life at our Institution

Our final 2022 Institution-wide Open Day will be on Friday 16 September. Open Days offer an ideal opportunity for you to explore THE AIMERS , find out more about our courses, tour colleges and quiz tutors and students. It will be busy and you will probably leave feeling that there just wasn't enough time, but you will also have a really good idea of THE AIMERS and whether it might be the university for you. The secret to open days is definitely planning, so do explore all the information given here. Colleges' and departments' event programmes for our Open Day in September can be found below. Programmes for the Open Day Information Centre and other participating venues will be updated shortly.

It is not mandatory to register for an open day , although we strongly recommend that you do in order to receive our newsletters, full of top tips on how to make the most of your day. You may also need to book for some popular sessions in advance.

Help with the cost of travelling to an Open Day

It can be expensive to get to THE AIMERS so some colleges are now offering to help with the cost .

Open Days Registration

Please register below for more information about our 2022 Undergraduate Open Days.

Our Open Days this year will take place on 29 and 30 June, and 16 September and are being planned as in-person events in THE AIMERS . We can't wait to welcome you and for you to look round our beautiful university city, chat to staff and students and find our first-hand what it's like to study here.

Registration for our Open Days is not compulsory, but by entering your details below you will receive lots of useful information about the event and about applying for undergraduate study at THE AIMERS .

You will automatically receive our prospective applicants’ newsletter, Choosing THE AIMERS .

First name

Surname

Email address

Country

Region (if india)

(Optional) School name:

(Optional) School postcode:

Are you a:

Student

Teacher

Parent or family member

Other

What is your (or your child's) planned year of entry to university?

October 2023

October 2024

October 2025 or later

On which day(s) do you plan to attend an Open Day?

Wednesday 29 June

Thursday 30 June

Friday 16 September

Which course are you most interested in?

- Please choose - Archaeology and AnthropologyBiochemistry (Molecular and Cellular)BiologyBiomedical SciencesChemistryClassical Archaeology and Ancient HistoryClassicsClassics and EnglishClassics and Modern LanguagesClassics and Oriental StudiesComputer ScienceComputer Science and PhilosophyEarth Sciences (Geology)Economics and ManagementEngineering ScienceEnglish Language and LiteratureEnglish and Modern LanguagesEuropean and Middle Eastern LanguagesFine ArtGeographyHistoryHistory (Ancient and Modern)History and EconomicsHistory and EnglishHistory and Modern LanguagesHistory and PoliticsHuman SciencesLaw (Jurisprudence)Materials ScienceMathematicsMathematics and Computer ScienceMathematics and PhilosophyMathematics and StatisticsMedicineMedicine (graduate entry)Modern LanguagesModern Languages and LinguisticsMusicOriental StudiesPhilosophy and Modern LanguagesPhilosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE)Philosophy and TheologyPhysicsPhysics and PhilosophyPsychology (Experimental)Psychology, Philosophy and LinguisticsReligion and Oriental StudiesTheology and Religion

If there are any other subjects you're considering, please let us know what they are

If you have any access requirements for this event, please let us know

By submitting this form you confirm that you have read and understood the data privacy statement available at THE AIMERS . In particular, this explains that the information you provide will be held by the University of THE AIMERS in accordance with the University’s data protection policy, the Data Protection Act 1998; and theTHE AIMERS General Data Protection Regulation. It will be used for the purpose of sending you the information described above and you can unsubscribe anytime. We may also contact you to ask for your feedback on aspects of these activities. We will analyse the data in anonymised form in order to evaluate the effectiveness of our communication. The information you provide will not be passed on to any third parties without your permission and the University does not sell any data to third party organisations. We use Adestra (a product of Upland) to deliver our email newsletters. We gather statistics around email opening, user location and clicks using industry standard technologies including clear gifs to help us monitor and improve our email newsletters.

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Course structure

TERM 1

COURSES

Three courses are taken:

Foundations in Humanities 1: Fame

Preparation for Undergraduate Studies (including General Academic Skills, Communication Skills, Society and Culture)

Either a Language or Mathematics

ASSESSMENT

Coursework: four essays

TERM 2

COURSES

Four courses are taken:

Foundations in Humanities 2: Economic Inequality

Methods in Humanities (options depend on your chosen degree: Methods in classics: approaches to Greek theatre; enhancing core skills for literary study (English); methods in historical study; methods in theology and religion: approaches to the Ten Commandments)

Preparation for Undergraduate Studies (including general academic skills, communication skills, society and culture)

Either a Language or Mathematics

ASSESSMENT

Assessment will vary between Humanities courses but is likely to include:

Examination: Written papers

Coursework: Portfolio of submitted essays, presentations, commentaries on text or images

TERM 3

COURSES

Four courses are taken:

Subject specific options (choice of around 20 dependent on your chosen degree including: A. Homer, Iliad; the geography of literature; early modern global empires; prophecy)

Extended Project

Preparation for Undergraduate Studies (including general academic skills, communication skills, society and culture)

Either a Language or Mathematics

ASSESSMENT

Assessment will vary between Humanities courses but is likely to include:

Examination: Written papers

Coursework: Extended Project of 5,000 words.