• Nearly 36,000 people achieve 3 A grades at A-level, Oxford has 3,200 undergraduate places available each year and more than 17,000 people apply annually for an undergraduate place.
• The number of A grades at A-level has grown by around 73% in 10 years; applications for undergraduate study at Oxford have increased by 84% in the last 10 years.
• Oxford has been engaged in outreach activities for over 25 years. Last year Oxford spent more than £4m on more than 1,500 outreach events.
• Oxford will spend £6.6m centrally on bursaries this year, on top of scholarships and bursaries offered by individual colleges.
• Nearly 2,700 students (c.27% of UK undergraduates at the University) hold Oxford Opportunity Bursaries.
• The University reaches 78% of schools across the country through its outreach work. It runs summer schools and has a major focus on working with teachers.
• Applications to Oxford from the state sector have risen by 77% in 10 years (in contrast to a rise of 50.5% from the independent sector).
Please visit 'Behind the Scenes' for more information as it becomes available.

Tutor’s-eye view...
For the first time Oxford University tutors recorded video diaries of the admissions interview process. Click here to watch.

I know that many of you will also have queries about Oxford’s position on the student fees debate. Please note that we won’t be in a position to confirm anything until 17th March 2011, but the topic will be under discussion at the next Congregation meeting on 8th February and you will be able to access an audio version of the discussion after the event following this link.

Student bursary awards for local undergraduates are currently run by four branches in the UK: Dorset, East Kent, Hertfordshire and West Sussex, and others are interested in setting up their own scheme. Overseas branches such as the Oxford and Cambridge Society of India also offer student bursary awards.

Please contact the Alumni Office and let us know if you are currently running a scheme with your branch or if you would be interested in setting one up.

Edinburgh, UK - Chris Collins has taken over from Raul Rodriguez as Secretary of the recently-formed Edinburgh branch.

Madrid, Spain - Andrew Moore has taken over as branch Secretary for Madrid. Our thanks to Margit Arto who has stepped down after more than six years in the post.

Malaysia - The Oxford and Cambridge Society of Malaysia has appointed a new Secretary, Emma Davidson. Our thanks and best wishes to former Secretary, Sharon Saw.

Mexico - A new branch has been set up in Mexico thanks to the hard work and enthusiasm of the new Secretary, Mario Fuentes.

Ottawa, Canada - Hilary Clauson has taken over from Tabatha Soltay as Secretary of the Ottawa branch.

Poland – welcome to Stefan Kirk who has taken over as Chairman of the Poland branch.

Russia - Kate Smirnova has taken over as branch Secretary for OUS Moscow.

Swansea, UK - Geoff and Sue Mortimer have taken over the Swansea branch as joint Secretaries. Our thanks to former Secretary, Helen Fulton, who has moved away from the area, for all her hard work in setting up the branch last year.

Tayside, UK - The Tayside branch is looking to appoint a new Secretary as the current Hon. Secretary George O’Brien has had to stand down due to the illness following more than  eight years in the post. We wish George well and will support the branch in their search for a new representative.

This year we are pleased to be holding our first volunteer leadership training programme for branch representatives worldwide. Our inaugural Alumni Volunteers’ Leadership Conference will take place in Oxford from 1-3 July 2011. This will bring together alumni network volunteers (up to two places available for each branch) for presentations, workshops and social events to allow groups to learn from each other and foster new ideas. More information on how to book your places will follow.

Join other Oxonians and friends for the 2011 Oxford European Reunion which  is taking place in Paris on 6 – 8 May. Alumni are invited to meet the Chancellor of the University, Lord Patten of Barnes, and Vice-Chancellor, Professor Andrew Hamilton, at exclusive events arranged across the city. Events will include drinks receptions in stunning venues, talks and discussions from leading Oxford academics, and a chance to catch up with alumni and staff from colleges and departments. As part of the lunch on Saturday 7th May, there will also be a special opportunity for branch officers to get together. Online booking is now open. To see the full programme and book your place, click here.

Our first  Careers Day exclusively for alumni will take place in London on 12th February 2011 and is aimed at mid-career professionals. It will feature workshops on a range of topics, such as starting your own business and the benefits of gaining further qualifications, presented by fellow alumni and representatives from across the University. View the full programme and book your place here.

Alumni Card-holders are entitled to a 10% discount on all tickets to this year’s festival (excluding lunches and dinners). To receive your discount please call the box office (+44 (0)870 343 1001) and give the code ‘Oxford Alumni’. For full details of the programme visit the Oxford Literary Festival website.

This year’s festival runs from 21 May-28 August. From Britten to Handel, the stage is set for a memorable Festival and as a special benefit for Alumni Card-holders, tickets will be available for purchase ahead of opening to the general public, from 4 February -21 March. For further information, click here.

To send in news and stories to feature in this newsletter, please email zoe.washford@alumni.ox.ac.uk I look forward to hearing from you soon!