Free Resource Library

We have collated some great educational materials for all age levels and abilities. These range from 11 plus interview questions, to tried-and-tested revision tips for GCSE and A Level students, to blogs on extracurricular learning & Oxbridge entry. Explore the titles most relevant to you by searching by subject (e.g. Geography, Engineering, History of Art) or level (e.g. 11 Plus, GCSE, IB, Oxbridge, Degree) below.

16 Plus Camille Goodman 16 Plus Camille Goodman

16 Plus Interview Crib Sheet: Our Ultimate Guide to Acing the 16 Plus in 2024

Interviews are central to the 16+ entrance process for the majority of top UK schools, used by admissions teams to learn more about the student applying: Why they are interested in their school in particular, what interests them outside of academics, what their personality is like, their ability to communicate/ debate, and their academic acumen. Find out how to answer and prepare for each question type including critical thinking, problem-solving and abstract reasoning questions, theoretical discussions, and analysis of unseen material.

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University Interviews, Oxbridge Camille Goodman University Interviews, Oxbridge Camille Goodman

Tips For Economics and Management Interviews and Essays

Applicants for Economics & Management (E&M) need to demonstrate that they can argue a case logically and consider a problem with a critical eye (for written work i.e. essays, and at interview). The key is to break a complex Management problem down into its component parts and structure and group your points as much as possible. U2 Tuition's E&M mentors have compiled a list of five frameworks that can help you to structure your argument when presented with a Management question on a particular company or market / industry.

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Oxbridge Camille Goodman Oxbridge Camille Goodman

Looking to Study Economics at Oxbridge in 2024?

Economics is a highly rewarding, but challenging course which tests a broad range of inter-disciplinary skills: it crosses the fields of politics, philosophy, sociology, business management, history, mathematics and statistics to name a few. Not everyone will be high-flyers at all of these aspects of Economics. So how can you use this to your advantage when choosing whether to apply for an Economics course at Oxford vs. Cambridge?

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University Interviews, Oxbridge Camille Goodman University Interviews, Oxbridge Camille Goodman

Oxford and Cambridge Economics Interview Questions: Approaching an Open Question

Thinking of Oxford/Cambridge Economics-related courses? Find out how to answer an open question with a Cambridge Economics graduate! In this blog, you will be taken through a worked answer for the question, “What are some of the economic reasons behind the development of the modern capitalist corporation? Do you expect such a form of economic organisation to continue to persist into the future?”

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University Interviews, Personal Statement, Oxbridge Camille Goodman University Interviews, Personal Statement, Oxbridge Camille Goodman

Preparing for History of Art at University in 2024

Art history is a truly fascinating subject that investigates artworks and their makers throughout history. In this blog, 1st Class History of Art Oxford graduate, Issy, leads you through her key recommendations for those thinking of applying for a History of Art degree, approaching personal statement writing, Oxbridge interviews.

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University Interviews Camille Goodman University Interviews Camille Goodman

Our Guide for How to Tackle a Technical Question in Your Chemistry / Natural Sciences Oxbridge Interview 2024

Science interviews often require far more rigorous testing of the candidate's technical knowledge than an Arts student can expect. This is because courses such as Natural Sciences, Chemistry, Mathematics etc. are all evident extensions of the A-Level syllabus. You need to prove that you are of the right academic standard, and can apply your existing knowledge to new intellectual arenas. This blog leads you through a worked answer for a question asked to a former Natural Sciences candidate at Cambridge.

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University Interviews, Oxbridge Camille Goodman University Interviews, Oxbridge Camille Goodman

Getting into Oxbridge: 7 Ways to Boost your Chances

Competition for top university places seems to increase year on year. Yet, students are still scrabbling to write their personal statements, prepare for admissions tests and interviews in the summer immediately preceding application. The truth is, gaining acceptance to the best universities in the world, such as Oxford and Cambridge or Ivy League Schools, should be a long term endeavour. Find out how you can prepare early for Oxbridge entrance and develop skills that are integral to a successful application.

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University Interviews, Oxbridge Camille Goodman University Interviews, Oxbridge Camille Goodman

Our History at University Guide: Personal Statement, Reading and Oxbridge Interview Questions (2024)

In this article, U2 mentor, Blanca (1st Class History & Politics graduate, University of Oxford), leads you through her top recommendations for successful preparation for a history degree at a top Russell Group UK university or Oxbridge. If you want to know about extracurricular activities to make your application stand-out, current trends and ‘must-knows’ in history, history book recommendations, an overview of the Oxbridge history interview structure, and examples of past history interview questions, this blog is for you!

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University Interviews, Oxbridge Camille Goodman University Interviews, Oxbridge Camille Goodman

Preparing for Politics at University: Reading, Oxbridge Interview Questions 2024

In this blog, 1st Class History & Politics Oxford graduate, Blanca, leads you through her key recommendations for those thinking of applying for a Politics degree, as well as prospective applicants approaching personal statement writing, Oxbridge admissions test and interviews. Read on for past Oxbridge Politics interview questions, reading suggestions for a Politics personal statement, and important debate topics

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University Interviews, Personal Statement, A-Level Camille Goodman University Interviews, Personal Statement, A-Level Camille Goodman

The Ultimate 2024 Guide to Reading Unseen Texts for English Examinations and Interviews

At some point, all English students will be given a passage of literature and asked to ‘analyse’ or ‘respond’ to it. You answer will illustrate to an examiner or interviewer, what techniques you have learnt throughout your studies, and how you can apply your knowledge to new materials. Useful for: GCSE & A-Level English candidates and Oxbridge Humanities applicants.

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Camille Goodman Camille Goodman

NEWS DIGEST: Pandemic, Populism & Power—An Oxbridge Students Guide to Current Affairs

In an age of pandemic, right-wing populism, fake news and environmental chaos, it is imperative that we keep abreast of what is going on in this volatile world we live in. In this news digest, journalist, Georgia, distills key happenings in the UK and the world at large, and provides suggestions of points of analysis in reaction to those events for you to consider and digest.

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Oxbridge Camille Goodman Oxbridge Camille Goodman

A Day in the Life of an Oxford Student in 2024

Places at Oxford are some of the most sought-after in the world, but what is it really like to go there? Here, English undergraduate, Sarah, discusses what she does in a day at Oxford, to give you a sense of what a student’s daily routine is like. Hopefully it’ll inspire you to apply; Oxford is a wonderful place, and all the hard work it takes to get there is worth it!

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Camille Goodman Camille Goodman

Our Guide for How to Best Prepare for University Life in 2024

Going to university is a huge leap; it may well be the first time you’ve lived away from home, and you’ll be learning to manage not just your studies but your accommodation, finances and food. Spending some time preparing for all aspects of university life before you start will ease the transition greatly, so that you can fully enjoy the excitements of your first term. So, whether you’re waiting for university offers, preparing to meet the conditions of your offer, or already have a secured place, make sure to follow the following suggestions.

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Camille Goodman Camille Goodman

How to Best Manage Stress and Anxiety at School in 2024

T.S. Eliot once said that ‘this is one moment,/ But know that another/ Shall pierce you with a sudden painful joy’. Stress and worry are feelings which are commonly experienced by us all, now more than ever. But it is important to remember stress is just one out of many feelings which we experience in our daily lives and if we recognise it, acknowledge it and harness it for good, it can help keep our thoughts in perspective and not let us become overwhelmed. Don’t feel like everything has to be perfect all the time; it’s a bumpy road, whether in our academic work or our personal lives, so we have to learn to acknowledge our feelings and recognise what they are for. Find out some of the ways Sarah suggests managing stress, from connecting with other people and being active, to planning your day and taking up new hobbies.

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Extra Curricular Exploration Camille Goodman Extra Curricular Exploration Camille Goodman

La Peste (The Plague) by Albert Camus: An Oxbridge Student’s Guide

Sales of The Plague, a French novel written in 1947 by Albert Camus, rocketed up by 1000% in the UK during the first few weeks of lockdown. Set in Oran, a city on the coast of Algeria, in the 1940s, it tells of a fictional plague that sweeps through the population at astonishing speed. ‘What does it mean, the plague? It’s life, that’s all.” Discover how Camus questions the meaning of existence, giving voice to the new strain of existential philosophy which reached its peak popularity in the decades after the Second World War in a review of the uncannily similar French tale.

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Personal Statement, University Interviews, Oxbridge Camille Goodman Personal Statement, University Interviews, Oxbridge Camille Goodman

Preparing for German at University?

Learning German is hard. Reading books in German is even harder. But reading literature in the original language is not only wonderful for learning grammar, vocabulary and increasing your fluency, but it will also expand your literary horizons, especially in preparation for university applications. German literature, just like English literature, is a vast and multi-faceted corpus and it can be hard to know where to start. So if you want to branch out from re-watching ‘Goodbye, Lenin!’ for the fiftieth time and make sure you stand out as a German linguist and literature student, here are some books to start with and ideas for your personal statement and interview preparation if applying for German at university/ Oxbridge.

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KS2, Extra Curricular Exploration Camille Goodman KS2, Extra Curricular Exploration Camille Goodman

Literature from Around the World:

The pandemic has led many of us to cancel our holidays. For younger children, this can be especially disappointing, as it takes away their opportunity to see new places, learn about other cultures and experience the thrill of travel. So here is a compilation of five books or series by female writers, which will help younger readers go on adventures and journeys from their own room.

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Extra Curricular Exploration Camille Goodman Extra Curricular Exploration Camille Goodman

7 Best Books To Read Before You Turn 18: Our Updated 2024 Reading List

Having strong writing skills becomes more and more crucial as you approach the age of eighteen, since you’ll be preparing a personal statement and honing your essay writing skills in your A-Level courses. For this reason, no matter what you’re planning on studying at university, make sure to make reading a part of your routine. Reading, especially more challenging texts, will allow your written expression to develop in exciting ways. Fluency in constructing your own arguments stems from reading others’ work. Look no further for some examples of exemplary written expression.

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GCSE, Extra Curricular Exploration Camille Goodman GCSE, Extra Curricular Exploration Camille Goodman

3 Must-Read Books to Finish Before You Turn 16: Our Updated 2024 List

Time and again studies have shown that children who read more perform better in examinations in all subjects: reading improves your comprehension and analytical skills, your vocabulary, your written expression and your ability to connect ideas.  These skills are invaluable across the board. With this in mind, have a look at this list of books to read before you turn sixteen; they are challenging, so don’t rush. However, enjoy them! Fiction promises to transport you to another time and place. It can provide solace, intrigue and wonder.

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