Caroline Pendleton on the UNIQ Summer School programme at the University of Oxford.

The University of Oxford's new UNIQ Summer Schools are targeted at high performing year 12 students in state schools and colleges. Taking place in July 2010, 500 places will be available across 20 undergraduate degree
subjects. Applications opened on Monday 11 January and close on Friday 12 March 2010. Successful applicants will spend a week living in an Oxford college, attending lectures and labs in their chosen subject, being mentored by current undergraduate students and taught by Oxford academics.

Selection will take account of an applicant's GCSE performance within the context of the school they attended, and the overall academic performance of students at their current school or college where they are studying for A Levels. Elements of the Oxford application system will also be replicated, for example flagging-up candidates in care, or from less
affluent backgrounds.