Registration for the Department of Physics Comprehensive Oxford Mathematics and Physics Online School (COMPOS) 2025 programme is now open – and thanks to a generous philanthropic donation to the University, the number of spaces available to students has increased from 500 to 1000.
The programme has been running since 2021 and aims to fill a gap in high-quality extra-curricular opportunities for students with a passion for STEM and helps to prepare them for future study at university. 100% of students from the 2023 and 2024 programmes went on to do a STEM degree, with 46% getting into Oxbridge, and 94% going to a Russell Group university. Many COMPOS alumni also go on to apply to be tutors for the COMPOS programme, citing the benefits of coaching students to help develop their own learning and support their future careers.
‘As a student at a comprehensive state school, COMPOS was instrumental in shaping my understanding of and love for physics, and it led me to where I am today, studying physics at Oxford. Now, as a tutor, I'm so excited to help the next cohort of students bridge the gap from school to university and discover how exciting physics can be.’
Nick Lang, 1st Year MPhys, University of Oxford
‘COMPOS had an extremely positive impact on me and my studies when I was in y12 and was a very big part of my life during Sixth Form. It was a great way to channel my enthusiasm for maths and physics into structured assignments, learning the next level of material in a rigorous and engaging way, and before we covered it in school. I applied to be a tutor as I really enjoy teaching others content from physics, as much as I love learning it myself. I think it would be really rewarding and fulfilling to deliver weekly tutorials to students, and to make sure that the next classes of COMPOS students have the same great experience that I had in the programme!’
Sam Todd, 1st Year BSc Mathematics, University of Durham
COMPOS helps enthusiastic school students to systematically learn mathematics and physics at a deep level by offering them free tuition and mentoring. The COMPOS curriculum covers school topics at a higher and deeper level, concentrating on problem-solving skills. Students receive assignments throughout the year which include reading material, links to online webinars and problems to solve. Students' work is marked and returned by their tutor – typically an undergraduate from top UK physics and engineering departments – who also delivers weekly online tutorials in small groups of seven or eight students.
Registration to COMPOS is open until 28 September for students in Years 10-12 in a UK state school or sixth form who have a passion for physics and maths. The free programme is for those studying double or triple GCSE science or physics and maths A level. COMPOS is a nationwide, inclusive programme and encourages applications from pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds or from groups who are underrepresented in STEM as well as those at schools without specialist physics teachers. More information can be found on the COMPOS website.