The North West Science Residential is a residential event for Year 12s, hosted annually at The Queen’s College during the Easter holidays.
This event is a chance for students in our link areas of Cumbria, Lancashire, Blackpool and Blackburn with Darwen to get a taste of what it might be like to study a science-related course at Oxford University.
The North West Science Residential will take place from Monday 30 March to Thursday 2 April 2026. Applications are now open, and will close on Sunday 22 February 2026. Please see below for further information about how to apply.
You can find information below about what the residential involves, eligibility criteria and how to apply.
The North West Science Residential is an opportunity to stay in an Oxford college and meet current undergraduate STEM students to understand what being an Oxford student is really like. Participants will attend a range of academic sessions and a mini tutorial, to experience university-style learning and science facilities. Students will gain insight into a variety of different sciences available for study at Oxford. Whilst on the residential, students will receive advice and guidance about making a competitive university application. The residential is an opportunity to meet other students from the North West who are also passionate about science!
To apply for the North West Science Residential, you must be in Year 12 at a state (i.e. non-fee paying) school in Cumbria, Lancashire, Blackpool or Blackburn with Darwen. If you’re unsure if your school is in the right area, you can contact us at schools.liaison@queens.ox.ac.uk to check.
Applicants should be studying at least 2 science/maths subjects at A Level. As part of the selection process, we will consider whether you are on track to achieve at least AAA in your A Level subjects by the end of Year 13.
Applications for the 2026 residential are now open, and will close on Sunday 22 February. You can apply here: North West Science Residential 2026 – The Queen’s College, Oxford
As part of the application process, students will need to provide the name and email address of a current teacher who will act as a reference for them. Once the student has submitted their application, their teacher will be contacted by email and asked to write a brief reference in support of their application.
Applicants’ grades and teachers’ support statements are considered alongside other criteria, with priority given to those who will be the first in their families to go to university, who are receiving or have received Free School Meals within the last 6 years, or who are or have been in care. We will also consider whether students live in areas with high levels of socio-economic deprivation and/or in areas with low rates of progression to higher education.
If you have any further questions, please contact Molly at schools.liaison@queens.ox.ac.uk.
My favourite activity was the Materials tutorial. Preparing for it was enjoyable and gave an insight into how to go about private study. The tutorial was fun and very interesting.
– North West Science Residential participant, 2024
Thank you so much for the experience. This residential has helped me greatly in choosing what course to apply for and has made Oxford seem more achievable to me.
– North West Science Residential participant, 2025
Going on the North West Science Residential at Queen’s really helped me feel confident that Medicine at Oxford was the right path for me. Doing some research in the library and getting a taste of what a tutorial is like was a real eye-opener. It made me realise how much I wanted to study there.
– North West Science Residential participant, 2024, and current Oxford undergraduate
