Astrophoria Foundation Year Celebrates Second Cohort at Somerville College

The Astrophoria Foundation Year celebrated its second cohort of students with a sunny event at Somerville College on Sunday, 22 June. The beautiful weather added to the atmosphere as students, supporters and teaching teams gathered to mark the end of an incredible year.  

The Astrophoria Foundation Year welcomed its first cohort of students in 2023 and continues to support students from underrepresented backgrounds in their transition to higher education. 

Baroness Jan Royall, Principal of Somerville College, delivered an inspiring plenary speech, praising the students for their hard work and dedication. She highlighted the importance of the Foundation Year in providing opportunities for talented individuals from diverse backgrounds. 

The event concluded with a reception on the college grounds, where everyone enjoyed the sunshine, shared stories, and took plenty of photos to capture the day. A special thank you was extended to the staff whose expertise and support has played a key role in delivering the Astrophoria Foundation Year Programme. From academic guidance to pastoral care, their contributions have helped to ensure a successful and enriching experience for this year’s cohort, and many of them were present to share in the students' successes. 

Congratulations, class of 2025, we can’t wait to see what you do next!