The Target Oxbridge Podcast Target Oxbridge

Victoria Chris, a PhD research student, joins Naomi to discuss what it is like to study Natural Sciences at Cambridge. Victoria’s interest in the multidisciplinary nature of the sciences meant that Natural Sciences was a great fit for her. She was able to explore Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Maths and Physiology in her degree before deciding to specialise in Biochemistry for her optional integrated Master’s.

Victoria shares what the Natural Sciences course structure is like, including what it is like to work in a lab. She speaks about her research projects to date, which have explored the genetic drivers of antibacterial resistance and investigating new ways to treat urinary tract infections. She also discusses the application processes for both her Natural Sciences
undergraduate degree and her current PhD programme, providing tips on how to prepare.

Useful links referenced in this episode:

- Natural Sciences course: https://www.undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/courses/natural-sciences-ba-hons-msci

- Find a PhD: https://www.findaphd.com/

Naomi speaks with Maria Motunrayo Adebisi, author of Koku Akanbi and the Heart of Midnight, about studying English Literature and Language at Oxford. 

Maria tells the story of how she almost applied for Medicine before realising that English was a much better fit for her and finding a way to convince her parents of this. She speaks through the content of what she describes as a broad course, touching on her experiences of studying Old English and Middle English as well as Children’s Literature and Abolitionist literature.  

Maria shares how the translation and communication skills that she gained through her degree enabled her to build a career in tech at companies like Bumble and Tinder. She also talks about becoming a full-time author writing fantasy novels based on Nigerian mythology that focus on Black characters in South London. The episode ends with Maria speaking about her journey to getting her first novel published and sharing her tips for Oxbridge hopefuls. 

You can read more about Maria’s work here:  

Koku Akanbi Book 1: https://geni.us/KokuAkanbi  

Koku Akanbi Book 2: https://geni.us/KokuBook2 Author Website: https://mariamotunrayoadebisi.com/ 

Naomi speaks with Ashleigh Ainsley, Co-Founder of Colorintech and Black Tech Fest, about studying Geography at Oxford.  

Ashleigh shares that Geography appealed to him as it bridged the gap between the physical sciences and social sciences, allowing him to explore topics related to migration, climate change, economics and geopolitics. He outlines what the course involved for him day-to-day, including field work, and the range of careers that his peers have gone into since graduating.

In terms of his career, Ashleigh shares how the skills he gained through his Geography degree helped him move into a career in tech. He started in tech by working at Google, moved into a role as a consultant and then became an entrepreneur running a business focused on diversifying the tech world. Ashleigh also provides some of his tips on networking and how to prepare for the Oxbridge application process. 

You can read more about Ashleigh’s work here:  


www.colorintech.org 


www.joinbtf.com 

The Target Oxbridge podcast returns with a conversation between Naomi and Andi Marsh about studying Classics at Oxbridge. 

Andi Marsh has recently taken on the role of running the Target Oxbridge programme, having previously studied Classics at Balliol College, Oxford. Andi shares the details of the Classics course, how it appealed to her interest in both History and Literature and how she navigated the application process. She speaks about the range of careers that Classics graduates have gone onto after graduating and the value of the skills that she gained through her degree. Andi also tells the story of how she founded the Christian Cole Society, a society for Oxford Classicists of Colour named after the first Black student to graduate from Oxford, who was also a Classicist.  

Below is a list of resources that Andi recommends:  


Christian Cole Society: https://christiancolesocietyorg.wordpress.com/ 


Khameleon Classics Podcasts: https://khameleonproductions.squarespace.com/khameleon-classics 


Essay on Black Feminist Thought and Classics: https://pressbooks.claremont.edu/clas112pomonavalentine/chapter/haley-shelley-1993-black-feminist-thought-and-classics-re-membering-re-claiming-re-empowering-in-feminist-theory-and-the-classics-edited-by-nancy-rabinowitz-and-amy-richlin-2/ 

In this episode Naomi speaks with Leona Kouame who is studying Human, Social and Political Sciences (HSPS) at Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge.

Leona shares the story of her journey to HSPS and how the breadth and multidisciplinary nature of the course appealed to her. She discusses how she researched the different topics related to the subject and how she developed her interests by using everyday events as a starting point. She also shares how she wrote her personal statement and prepared for the admissions assessment an the interview.

Below is a list of the resources mentioned by Leona in this episode:

- Crash Course Sociology: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YnCJU6PaCio

- HE PLUS: https://myheplus.com/

- Talking Politics Podcast: https://www.talkingpoliticspodcast.com/

- Surviving Society Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/surviving-society/id1291679351

In this episode Naomi speaks with Taiye Lawal who is studying Engineering at St Anne’s College, Oxford.

Taiye speaks about how she developed her interest in Engineering despite it not being taught at school. She shares the detail of her preparation for her application process, covering further reading, problem solving resources, personal statement writing, admissions assessment preparation and the interview.

Below is a list of the resources mentioned by Taiye in this episode:

- Problem solving exercises via I want to Study Engineering: https://i-want-to-study-engineering.org/

- Problem solving via Isaac Physics: https://isaacphysics.org/

- STEP Practice Papers: https://www.admissionstesting.org/for-test-takers/step/preparing-for-step/