Being Human: Ancient and Modern Perspectives on Humanity
Is a robot a human? What happens after we die? Why do humans tell stories? Would you rather be free or safe? Would it be better if we all spoke the same language?
The Faculty of Classics, Corpus Christi College and Worcester College invite students in Year 12 at state schools in the North West, Yorkshire and the Humber to join Oxford academics in thinking through some of the modern world's biggest questions - by looking back to the ancient world.
Being Human is a university preparation programme for Year 12 students in the North West, Yorkshire and Humber who are thinking about studying the humanities subjects at university level. The programme consists of:
1. Five seminar discussions led by Oxford academics; all five are run both in Manchester AND in Huddersfield. Monthly, November 2020 to March 2021.
2. A Three Day Residential in Oxford. All costs covered, including travel.
3. Personal Statement and University Application Support.
Students cannot apply to attend individual events: students apply for the entire programme. There are 60 places available, 30 in Manchester and surrounding area and 30 in Huddersfield and the surrounding area.
Applications are open until 5pm on October 5th 2020. Before applying, please check with your school and parent(s)/guardian(s) that you would be able to travel to the seminars and attend a residential visit. If you are successful in gaining a place, you and your nominated teacher will be contacted with the full details of the programme.
To download the flyer, please click here.
To apply for a place on the programme, please fill in this form.
If you have any questions, please contact Claire Sims, the college's Admissions and Access Officer: admissions@worc.ox.ac.uk.
Is Being Human for me?
The Being Human programme will help you to develop the critical thinking and problem-solving skills you will need for your humanities degree. Each session will be led by an Oxford academic. The sessions will be discussion based and will involve tackling engaging big questions through a mixture of philosophy, linguistics, literature, history, art and archaeology.
Manchester Seminars will take place at Loreto College and Huddersfield Seminars will take place at Greenhead College. Parent(s)/guardian(s) and teachers are invited to the first seminar, which will include an overview of the programme and time for questions. The first seminar will run from 17:00 – 18:15; all subsequent seminars will run from 17:00 – 18:00.
Is a robot a human? November 9th (Manchester) // November 10th (Huddersfield)
What happens after we die? December 7th (Manchester) // November 8th (Huddersfield)
Why do humans tell stories? January 11th (Manchester) // January 12th (Huddersfield)
Would you rather be free or safe? February 8th (Manchester) // February 9th (Huddersfield)
Would it be better if we all spoke the same language? March 8th (Manchester) // March 9th (Huddersfield)
There will be a three-day residential stay in Oxford in April (full details to follow), where students can experience life as an Oxford student, staying at an Oxford college and being taught in the style of a university student. Develop your knowledge and skills working on a group project and gain insight into university and Oxford admissions. You’ll also get to know a like-minded group of students from across the North West and Yorkshire and the Humber through social activities.
Further support with university applications will be provided in July and August. Students on the Being Human programme will be offered priority booking for the night before the Oxford University summer Open Day (free; dinner and breakfast provided). On the day of arrival before the Open Day the Being Human staff (Oxford academic, admissions and outreach staff) are able to offer bespoke Personal Statement support, regardless of the subject/university the student is applying to. There will be a further event in August for applicants who are interested in applying for Classics specifically.
