Students given Oxbridge insight

St James' Park is the venue for the Oxbridge conference

Hundreds of school and college students will attend an event on Tyneside aimed at encouraging them to apply to Oxford and Cambridge universities.

The annual conference is taking place at the Newcastle United ground at St James' Park on Friday.

Undergraduates and admissions tutors will give students the chance to find out about applying to the universities.

Organisers hope the event will help dispel many of the myths and misconceptions students may have.

Lesley Gannon, from the University of Cambridge, said: 'We want to get the message across that we welcome applications from the best students, whatever their background."

Worthwhile event

Louise Horsfall, from University of Oxford said it is important for potential applicants to find out for themselves what Oxford and Cambridge have to offer.

She said: "The conferences provide students with an opportunity to meet tutors across the range of subjects, as well as admissions staff and students all in one place."

Similar events were held at Manchester United, Leicester City, Sandown Park Racecourse and Cheltenham Racecourse last month, attracting a total of 11,000 students.

Linsey Cole, an Oxford University student who attended a regional conference when she was still at school, said the event was worthwhile.

She said: "The day gave me the push I needed to apply to Oxford.

"I had the opportunity to ask any questions that I had to admissions staff, Oxbridge tutors and perhaps most importantly of all, current students."