The University of Oxford Visiting Student Programme (VSP), widely regarded as one of the most competitive academic schemes in the world, has announced its admissions results for the 2026–2027 academic year. Three second-year undergraduates from the University of Nottingham Ningbo China (UNNC) have distinguished themselves among a highly competitive global applicant pool to receive offers.
As a flagship exchange initiative open only to a select group of leading partner institutions, the VSP is known for its exceptionally rigorous academic selection. This year, only around 20 offers were made across Chinese mainland, with successful candidates also drawn from top-tier universities including Tsinghua University, Zhejiang University and Nanjing University.
Under a partnership agreement between UNNC and the Oxford Prospects and Global Development Institute at Regent’s Park College, the three students will spend the forthcoming academic year fully immersed in Oxford’s academic environment. They will enjoy the same academic privileges as enrolled Oxford students, including participation in the University’s renowned tutorial system—small-group or one-to-one teaching led by senior academics—alongside lectures, and full access to Oxford’s academic and collegiate facilities.
Significantly, upon completion of the programme, they will be granted lifelong alumni status at their host Oxford college. This provides continued access to the University’s academic resources and global networks, offering a strong foundation for future academic progression and career development.
“The all-English teaching environment at UNNC has been my greatest strength,” said Peng Yuwen, an Economics student. Reflecting on the programme’s demanding language requirements (an overall band score of 7.5, with no component score below 7.0 in IELTS), she added: “The University offers a wide range of international activities, and daily interaction with peers from across the world has greatly strengthened my confidence in both language and intercultural communication.”
Zhong Yi, from the International Business Economics programme, emphasised the value of UNNC’s practice-oriented learning opportunities: “Experiences such as business case analysis competitions and academic forums led by leading scholars have helped me develop the ‘applied thinking’ that Oxford places such importance on. They also broadened my academic perspective and strengthened my application.”
International student Daniel Mukatov highlighted the role of UNNC’s academic training: “It is difficult to find academic support as strong as this elsewhere. The University’s extensive academic resources—particularly in engaging with English-language literature—has significantly enhanced my academic writing and presentation skills, which were crucial in securing a place on the programme.”
The success of UNNC students in gaining entry to Oxford reflects the University’s long-standing commitment to building a globally connected education network. To date, UNNC has established partnerships with nearly 170 institutions across more than 40 countries and regions, including University of California, Berkeley, National University of Singapore, University of Melbourne, University of Sydney and University of Edinburgh.
Through a wide range of opportunities—including “2+2” degree programmes, student exchanges, short-term international study, internships with global organisations, volunteering, research workshops, and international competitions—UNNC enables students to shape their own global learning journeys, preparing them to become innovative graduates with both a strong sense of cultural identity and a truly international outlook.