Bright Matter is a programme for women and non-binary students in Year 11 and 12 who are interested in studying STEM subjects at university. Bright Matter is run jointly by St Anne’s, St Catherine’s, St Hilda’s, Magdalen, Mansfield, Oriel, and University Colleges, Oxford.
Bright Matter aims to broaden students’ interests in STEM fields, introduce them to STEM at Oxford, and provide a space for them to network and engage with others. Students will work with current academics, students, and professional services staff from Oxford.
In previous years this programme has been run with other colleges from both Oxford and Cambridge. Our 2026 programme has expanded to include participation from seven colleges from across the University of Oxford, reflecting the success and excellent feedback our programme has received year on year.
Structure
Our Women and Non-Binary People in STEM programme consists of a launch workshop covering ‘Applying to Oxford’ held at the beginning of each calendar year. The launch session will be followed by individual sessions on each STEM subject offered at the University of Oxford. Sessions will be led by a college tutor or faculty member and will cover subject insights, an introduction to the subject at undergraduate level, a short academic taster session, and Q&A with current students.
Later in the year each College will host their own visit day for Women and Non-Binary students, giving students the opportunity to visit the University of Oxford, and find out more about the University’s teaching style.
Each online session will run 16:30-17:30, on the following dates:
Applying to Oxford & Launch — Tuesday 7 January 2026
Biochemistry — Wednesday 8 January 2026
Biology — Tuesday 13 January 2026
Biomedical Sciences — Wednesday 14 January 2026
Chemistry — Thursday 15 January 2026
Computer Science — Tuesday 20 January 2026
Earth Sciences — Wednesday 21 January 2026
Engineering — Thursday 22 January 2026
Human Sciences — Tuesday 27 January 2026
Materials Science — Wednesday 28 January 2026
Mathematics — Thursday 29 January 2026
Medicine — Tuesday 3 February 2026
Physics — Wednesday 4 February 2026
Psychology — Thursday 5 February 2026
Philosophy of Science — Tuesday 10 February 2026
Sign Up
The first part of this programme is non-selective, and open to all Women and Non-Binary students in Years 11 and 12.
Sign up using this form: Bright Matter.
Students who wish to attend one of the taster days will be invited to do so following their attendance at one or more of the online sessions, and will be contacted by one of the colleges directly.
100% of Students
Felt this series connected them with more Women and Non-Binary People in STEM.
90% of Students
Felt more reassured that they would fit in with their student cohort.
90% of Students
Felt more confident about applying to University after this series.
