Job Description
We re an award-winning charity that runs local learning centres in the heart of communities where the young people we support live. Our centres provide an innovative education programme which includes practical learning support and motivational and confidence-building activities for children and young people aged 7-18. Our aim is to inspire students from the least advantaged neighbourhoods to broaden their horizons and achieve their full potential.
As the UK s leading university access organisation, our staff team is helping thousands of young people each year. We have forty-five centres and extension projects across England and Scotland, with ambitious plans to scale-up our provision further over the coming years.
We have an established centralised Student Opportunities team that manages the oversight of additional enrichment opportunities and programmes across the charity including arts-based programmes, career placements, and the development of IntoUniversity s Associate Network (alumni community). This team works closely with our local learning centres to promote, recruit, and deliver these diverse opportunities for students.
We are looking for an interim Oxbridge Programme Manager to join our Student Opportunities team on a fixed-term basis. You will lead on the delivery and development of our comprehensive programme of support for young people across our network who are interested in applying to Oxford, Cambridge or other highly-selective universities. You will provide expert advice and support to student cohorts in group workshops and on a one-to-one basis to help them make informed decisions about their future choices and submit competitive applications.
The role at a glance
Contract: Full-time, fixed-term until January 2027
Start date: January 2026
Location: Frequent travel around the UK is required for this role. Could be based in one of the following IntoUniversity centres: Birmingham, Bradford, Bristol, Coventry, Leeds, Leicester, London, Manchester, Nottingham
Salary: £39,100 per annum (including £2,700 London contribution) for candidates based in London; £36,400 per annum for candidates based outside of London
Job Purpose
The Oxbridge Programme Manager will be responsible for the development and delivery of the Explore Oxbridge programme. They will work closely with the Head of Student Opportunities to plan and develop the programme.
The role will involve the management and coordination of a comprehensive package of support for students from Year 9 / S2 upwards. This includes workshops, webinars, day trips and residentials designed to increase student knowledge about studying at selective universities, in particular The University of Oxford and The University of Cambridge.
The role will involve stewardship of various stakeholders, including Oxbridge colleges and IU school partners. The Programme Manager will work closely with the wider Student Opportunities team and IntoUniversity centre teams to ensure students are benefitting from the programme.
Explore Oxbridge
The Explore Oxbridge programme is open to students who are either currently being supported by IntoUniversity centres (typically students aged 14-18 years) or IntoUniversity Student Associates (IU alumni). The programme offered to students will include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Personal statement support
- Mock interview practice
- Student life workshops and webinars
- Subject choice advice
- Research project support
- Subject taster sessions
- Open days and residentials
Eligibility for the role
In order to be eligible for the role, applicants will:
- Have completed an undergraduate degree to a 2.2 or higher.
- Have achieved a grade C or higher in GCSE Maths and English/ achieved National 5s or Standard Grade at Credit level (grades 1-2) in Maths and English (or equivalent).
- Have EITHER a minimum of 18 months full-time paid experience working in a delivery role at IntoUniversity; OR a minimum of 2 years full-time paid or voluntary experience working with children and young people, either at IntoUniversity, or external organisations, or a combination of both. Please note that we will not take part-time, seasonal or ad-hoc work into account when calculating the length of full-time experience.
- Have the right to work in the UK (please note that as a charity we do not have the capacity to sponsor work visas).
- Be able to demonstrate extensive knowledge of the Oxbridge application and admissions process and how to translate this into engaging, differentiated and age-appropriate materials, programmes and content.
- Be able to apply knowledge of H.E. and the Oxbridge college system, to help young people decide about their futures; and have knowledge of national developments in H.E. and their impact on young people traditionally underrepresented in H.E.
- Have experience of confidently liaising with a variety of stakeholders, for example: head teachers, funders, universities
