Student profile

Name: Ellen
Subject: Experimental psychology
Hometown and region: Portsmouth, Hampshire
Qualifications before university (A Levels, IB or equivalent): Biology, Psychology and History A level & core maths AS level

When I’m not working, I enjoy…

• Coming up with fun costumes for bops, such as making bin bag skirts and tops for the anything but clothes bop.
• Going to see student plays that my friends are in. It’s such a nice break from studying and the acting is always surprisingly good for the price.
• Getting tea with friends and exploring Oxford

What’s the best part of studying at Brasenose?

• Brasenose is such a close community- everyone knows everyone, and we all look out for each other. It’s almost impossible to walk across the college without saying hi to someone on the way.

Favourite spot in college?

• At the start of Hilary term, it would’ve been BNC library top floor but now that the suns out, it’s the benches on new quad, where you can chase the sunny spots to study in.

What’s your favourite aspect of your course?

• The best part of psychology is that there is a lot of variety in what we study in first year so when you get tired of studying one subject you can switch to a different one. It almost feels like your still doing 3 a-levels (but in a good way).

What would you tell someone thinking about applying?

• There is no such thing as a “typical Oxford student”. There is such a wide range of people with different backgrounds, personalities and interests that you will be able to find your place so don’t let any stereotypes scare you away.

A quality you think is important for someone looking to study at Oxford?

• Passion. A key ingredient to enjoying completing an Oxford degree is enthusiasm and being interested in learning more about your subject.