St Anne’s is the home of choice for the brightest and most ambitious students, including those from underrepresented groups.
St Anne’s is one of Oxford’s largest colleges, with over 800 students. Our Fellows’ world leading research ranges across the arts, humanities, social sciences, mathematics, and physical, life and medical sciences.
Our diverse, inclusive community extends around the globe through our alumnae, who build on their experiences here to change the world for the better.
Situated within 5 acres of tranquil leafy grounds, St Anne’s enjoys a unique atmosphere in which to hold any conference, dinner or special event.
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.
Our Women and Non-Binary People in STEM programme consists of a launch workshop covering ‘Applying to Oxford’, held in January . 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 selected 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 — Wednesday 7 January 2026Biochemistry — Thursday 8 January 2026Biology — Tuesday 13 January 2026Biomedical Sciences — Wednesday 14 January 2026Chemistry — Thursday 15 January 2026Computer Science — Tuesday 20 January 2026Earth Sciences — Wednesday 21 January 2026Engineering — Thursday 22 January 2026Human Sciences — Tuesday 27 January 2026Materials Science — Wednesday 28 January 2026Mathematics — Thursday 29 January 2026Medicine — Tuesday 3 February 2026Physics — Wednesday 4 February 2026Psychology — Thursday 5 February 2026Philosophy of Science — Tuesday 10 February 2026
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.
Felt this series connected them with more Women and Non-Binary People in STEM.
Felt more reassured that they would fit in with their student cohort.
Felt more confident about applying to University after this series.