Pupils from Bradford have been urged to apply to Oxford under a new scheme

This scheme targets teenagers from families in Bangladesh and Pakistan

By: Pramod Thomas

GIRLS at an Islamic school in Bradford are taking part in a new initiative to encourage students from under-represented backgrounds to apply to Oxford University.

Feversham Girls’ Academy in Undercliffe recently hosted the launch of the BeUNIQ programme, with Oxford’s Director of Undergraduate Admissions and Information, Samina Khan MBE, on hand to meet the students.

This scheme targets teenagers from British families in Bangladesh and Pakistan to increase their representation at Oxford, the BBC reported.

The BeUNIQ program involves state school students from Year 10, providing ongoing support through to Year 11. Participants work closely with Oxford’s admissions team and attend a residential summer school at the university during their A-level studies.

Khan highlighted the under-representation of South Asian students at Oxford, highlighting the programme’s focus on attracting students of Pakistani and Bangladeshi heritage in its initial launch at Bradford.

Feversham Girls’ Academy, a Muslim faith school with 800 pupils, has an Outstanding Ofsted rating. Outreach efforts include providing information about Oxford’s student finance and bursary schemes, addressing concerns about the cost of higher education and distance from home.

The Islamic Society of Oxford also contributed to the initiative by visiting the school to speak to the students. Academy Director Sajida Muneer noted BeUNIQ’s alignment with the school’s ongoing efforts to encourage university applications, particularly to institutions such as Oxford.

Muneer emphasized the importance of faith for students when choosing universities. She assured them that attending Oxford would not require compromising their Islamic values, as evidenced by the involvement of the Islamic Society.

The BeUNIQ program will provide Feversham Girls’ Academy with various workshops, talks by current Oxford students, online academic support, parent information sessions and debates to broaden pupils’ perspectives.

In addition, visits to Oxford colleges will be organized to further inspire and inform students.