Please register for an Open Event before applying for this course. About the programme The City of Oxford College Girls’ Rugby Programme is designed to support young female players who want to develop their rugby alongside their education, creating a pathway that prepares them for the next stage of their sporting and academic journey. The programme has 2 teams. Our 1XV compete in the RFU ACE League, the highest level of girls’ college rugby & our 2XV compete in the AoC Performance League, the tier below. The rugby programme, based at our Harcourt Hill Campus in Oxford, provides a high-performance environment where players can develop their skills, understanding and confidence while studying an academic programme at our Main Site Oxpens Campus that supports their future ambitions. Players will have the opportunity to continue representing their school, club and county, while benefiting from a structured programme delivered by experienced rugby, Strength & Conditioning and sports support staff. What the programme provides
We are a partner of Ealing Trailfinders and a number of players are part of their player development group.
Please use the Apply Now function to register your interest. This programme is highly competitive, and you must attend an assessment day as part of the application process. Once you have applied for the course, we will be in touch with you to provide further information regarding the assessment days.
PLEASE NOTE: Students must be aged between 16–18 at the time of studying.
Players will be asked to attend both assessment days, where possible.
What you'll learn
The programme combines academic education, rugby development and personal development to help every player maximise their potential.
Players can study a BTEC National Diploma or a selection of A Levels at City of Oxford College, depending on their academic pathway and entry requirements.
Our aim is to develop more than just rugby players. We want to help young women become confident, resilient and independent student-athletes, equipped with the skills to succeed both on and off the pitch.
ACADEMIC PROGRAMME
Players can choose from a range of academic pathways at City of Oxford College, including:
- BTEC National Diploma in Sport Coaching
- BTEC National Diploma Sport and Exercise Science
- Selected A level options
Selected players may have the opportunity to study towards a Diploma in Sporting Excellence (DiSE) alongside their main qualification.
RUGBY PROGRAMME
The rugby programme is built around the individual needs of each player.
Players will develop the technical, tactical, physical and psychological skills required to perform effectively in the modern women’s game.
Training will include:
- Individual skills development
- Position-specific coaching
- Attack and defence
- Unit and team development
- Game understanding and decision-making
- Video and performance analysis
- Strength & Conditioning
- Speed, agility and athletic development
- Injury prevention and prehabilitation
- Recovery and preparation
- Leadership and communication
- Individual Development Plans (IDPs)
The programme is designed to complement club rugby rather than replace it. Players will be encouraged to continue playing for their club and county at weekends, subject to appropriate fixtures and player welfare considerations. Players will be encouraged to take ownership of their development, understand their own performance and develop the habits required to progress to the next level.
Academic studies remain a key priority alongside rugby development and is a requirement to be on an Academic course at the college to access the rugby academy.
How you'll learn and be assessed
BE PART OF THE NEXT GENERATION
The City of Oxford College Girls Rugby Programme is an opportunity to combine education, rugby and personal development in a supportive high-performance environment.
Whether your ambition is to play representative or senior rugby, progress into university sport, or simply become the best player you can be, our programme will help you build the skills, confidence and understanding to take your next step.
We Are Activate Rugby Academy
One Family. Seen. Supported. Challenged.
OXPENS CAMPUS
Oxpens Campus provides a modern learning environment in the heart of Oxford, giving students access to high-quality teaching, learning and student support facilities.
For Girls Rugby Programme players, Oxpens provides an excellent academic environment alongside the high-performance rugby programme at Harcourt Hill.
Students can benefit from:
- Modern teaching and learning spaces
- Dedicated student support and pastoral services
- Access to a wide range of academic opportunities
- A vibrant student community in the heart of Oxford
- Easy access to the wider opportunities and facilities across City of Oxford College
Together, Oxpens and Harcourt Hill provide students with the opportunity to combine a strong academic experience with a structured, high-performance rugby programme.
HARCOURT HILL CAMPUS
Our Girls Rugby Programme is based at the Harcourt Hill Campus, providing players with an ideal environment in which to study (within accommodation), train and develop.
The campus provides access to:
- Rugby pitches
- Strength & Conditioning facilities
- Sports and fitness facilities
- Student support services
- On-site en-suite accommodation (subject to interview) Sun-Fri
- The Club House (Social Space)
Being based at Harcourt Hill allows players to bring together their rugby training and wider personal development within a supportive environment.
ACCOMMODATION
Our Accommodation at Harcourt Hill is primarily for our rugby students. Students need to have applied for our academic pathway (Oxpens Campus) and to be invited onto the rugby pathway before they will be invited to interview for accommodation.
Our students at Harcourt Hill are aged 16-18 years. We accommodate students in individual bedrooms, each with en-suite. The bedrooms are within a flat with a shared communal kitchen/ lounge/ diner. The flats are single sex.
Accommodation staff are on site 24hrs per day and available for students and parents to contact. Our goal is to ensure that all students feel safe, respected, and supported during their time in college accommodation.
Progression
OUR PERFORMANCE PATHWAY
A key part of the City of Oxford College Girls Rugby Programme is our connection with Brunel University and Ealing Trailfinders Women, providing players with a clear pathway to continue their development beyond college.
Players may progress into:
- University rugby
- BUCS rugby
- Regional and representative rugby
- Senior club rugby
- Professional and semi-professional environments
- Coaching, Strength & Conditioning, sports therapy or other careers paths
Our programme is designed to help players progress from 16–18 rugby into university and senior women’s rugby, with opportunities to experience and understand the demands of higher-level performance environments.
City of Oxford College -to- Brunel University -to- Ealing Trailfinders Women
Through our links with Brunel University, players can explore opportunities to continue their education while progressing their rugby within a university performance environment.
Our relationship with Ealing Trailfinders Women also provides a connection to the senior game and the PWR pathway, helping players understand what is required to progress towards higher levels of women’s rugby.
The pathway gives players the opportunity to develop:
- Technical and tactical rugby skills
- Physical preparation and athletic development
- Performance analysis and game understanding
- Professional training habits
- Leadership and communication
- Independence and personal responsibility
- An understanding of the demands of senior women’s rugby
The aim is to create a clear and supported pathway for ambitious female players, while recognising that every player’s journey will be different.
Whether a player progresses into university rugby, senior club rugby, representative rugby or a professional environment, we will work with them to identify the right next step for their individual development.
Entry requirements
This programme is for students aged 16–18 only.
We will judge your application on your abilities as a rugby player, as well as your academic merits.
- BTEC National Diploma in Sport Coaching: 4 GCSEs at grade 4 including English and Maths
- BTEC National Diploma Sport and Exercise Science: 5 GCSEs at grade 5 including English, Maths and Science
- A Levels: a minimum of 5 GCSEs at grade 5, plus individual subject criteria
Rugby
We will consider:
- Your rugby experience
- Current club and county involvement
- Playing position and development potential
- Rugby CV and playing history
- Performance at trial
- Attitude, commitment and willingness to learn
How to apply
Please use the Apply Now function to register your interest in: Activate Rugby Academy (Girls): Sport and Exercise Science
- Attend Academic Open Event and/or Rugby Open Event (apply through website
- Select a course connected to the rugby programme and apply
- Ensure you have attended a Rugby Open Event or Trial Day
- Await Confirmation of place
This programme is highly competitive, and you must attend an assessment day as part of the application process. Once you have applied for the course, we will be in touch with further information regarding the assessment days.
