Madeleine aims to share UNIQ success
AGRADUATE who has proved a student’s background is no barrier to academic success is hoping to help others follow the same path.
Madeleine O’Connor, 21, from Hurdsfield, graduated from New College, Oxford, this summer with a first in biological sciences. She grew up in a former council house on Nicholson Avenue and as a 17-year-old applicant was daunted by the prospect of attending an Oxbridge university.
But after taking part in the UNIQ summer school project, her fears were allayed and Madeleine never looked back.
Now she has become an ambassador for UNIQ tasked with helping make an Oxford and
Cambridge education accessible for all.
Madeleine said: “The universities invest in outreach work to students from underrepresented backgrounds to show what is achievable and Oxford life is not just full of geniuses.
”It is like any other university in many ways, I didn’t have confidence in myself but speaking to people at the university made a big difference.
”As someone who has had that help, I feel why would I not want to do the same for others and help them realise if Oxford and Cambridge is for them.”
Madeleine received financial support during her degree and part of her role will be to advise and signpost what is there for others who may need it.
She is also living proof that - contrary to the stereotype - large numbers of students are not from public school backgrounds.
Her thesis studied how fledgling sea birds navigate and was done after research at Skomer Island in Wales.
Prior to going to Oxford, Madeleine attended St Alban’s primary and All Hallows College.
She said: “Everyone who wants to apply to Oxford or Cambridge deserves similar support, it’s about levelling the playing field.
“The universities are making a big effort to do that so everyone has a chance.”