A Visit to Balliol College, Oxford with Time2sh9ne

Recently, a group of our most able students, known as Time2sh9ne, had the opportunity to visit Balliol College, one of the most prestigious colleges in Oxford. The aim of the visit was to inspire the students to consider applying to Oxbridge and to give them a taste of what university life is like in Oxford.

The day began with an introduction to the college system in Oxford, which can be quite different from the universities that the students are familiar with. The students were shown around Balliol College, one of the oldest colleges in Oxford, which was founded in 1263. They had the opportunity to see the beautiful architecture and learn about the history of the college, including its notable alumni, such as Adam Smith and Aldous Huxley.

After the tour, the students were treated to an amazing lunch in Balliol Hall, which is steeped in history. The hall was used as the model for the Hogwarts dining hall in the Harry Potter films, and it’s not hard to see why. The students enjoyed their lunch surrounded by wood-panelled walls, stained-glass windows, and portraits of past college members, giving them a sense of what it would be like to dine at Oxford as a student.

Following lunch, the students attended a seminar on why and how to apply to Oxford. They were given practical advice on how to choose a course, write a personal statement, and prepare for interviews. They were also introduced to the concept of a Russell Group university, which is a group of 24 leading UK universities known for their research excellence.

The day ended with a trip to Oxford University’s Museum of Natural History, where the students had a personal tutorial. They learned about the advantages of studying at Oxford with resources like the museum at their fingertips. They also had the opportunity to see some of the museum’s most famous exhibits, including the Oxford Dodo and the dinosaur skeletons.

Overall, the visit to Balliol College was an inspiring and informative experience for our Time2sh9ne students. They gained a deeper understanding of what it’s like to study at a top university like Oxford and received valuable advice on how to apply. We hope that this trip will encourage them to pursue their dreams and consider applying to Oxbridge in the future.