Foundation COMPOS
What is COMPOS?
Comprehensive Oxford Mathematics and Physics Online School (COMPOS) is an outreach program run by for the Department of Physics, University of Oxford.
COMPOS helps school students with a strong interest in STEM to systematically learn physics and maths through a mix of regular online tutorials, webinars and assignments. The COMPOS curriculum complements the national curriculum but explores problems at a higher and deeper level. COMPOS will greatly improve your problem-solving skills, preparing you for higher education and eventually a career in fields related to physics and mathematics.
The educational approach of COMPOS largely borrows from the tutorial system of Oxbridge. In addition to regular webinars and homework assignments, each participant is assigned a tutor, who will mark their homework and give them weekly 90-minute online tutorials in a group of 8 students your age.
What is the difference between COMPOS and Foundation COMPOS?
COMPOS is free and the enrolment is limited to state school students of Year 10-13, supported by a philanthropic donation. Foundation COMPOS delivers the COMPOS curriculum to those students who are not eligible to attend COMPOS, i.e. to private school students in the UK and students outside the UK.
COMPOS is administered by the Oxford Physics Department, whereas COMPOS Foundation is facilitated through us, We Solve Problems charity. There is no difference in terms of the curriculum, mode of operation, admission criteria and managing team.
Who is running the show?
The effort is led by Professor Alexander Lvovsky. The lead academic coordinator is Dr Rachael Hawkins, and she is supported by Vladlena Kazantseva (maths) and Vlad Chernov (physics).
Please proceed to the COMPOS web page to learn more and sign up!
FAQ
Is the Foundation COMPOS graduation certificate different from that of COMPOS?
Currently, the “graduation certificate” is in the form of a Letter of Completion from Professor Lvovsky, which lists all the assignments you complete and confirms your participation in the programme. Letters of Completion are awarded to students in the main programme and COMPOS Foundation if they complete at least 75% of the assignments.
What are your fees?
We work on a strictly non-profit basis. Your fees will be spent on remuneration for tutors and administrative costs to operate the programme only. They are currently set at £25 per week and this rate applies from the programme start in October when your admission is confirmed through to the end, a programme running the full year (Y10 and Y12) would cost £975 in total, invoiced in three amounts termly.
Who is eligible to join?
You should be in one of the four years at school prior to university admission which would be the equivalent of years 10-13 in England and Wales. We do not take students outside of this range and do not take adults. If you are an overseas student, you need to be able to understand lessons in English and be available for tutorials at times which fit into the UK time zone as our tutors work from morning to about 9pm GMT.
What is the admission process?
Similarly to COMPOS, you register your interest and will be sent the first assignment at the start of September. The first assignment has two parts, and you must complete both – the physics and the maths. You should do your own work without help from teachers or other students. We provide support via our weekly webinars through September. Submit your work by the mid-October deadline to our online learning platform. If you do well, we will assign you a tutor. Typically, students need to score over 50% of the marks to be offered a place.
I study at a private school, but I cannot afford Foundation COMPOS. Can I get a scholarship?
Yes, we do consider students for scholarship positions if they receive financial support to attend their fee-paying or international schools. Please send a letter describing your circumstances to compos[at]physics.ox.ac.uk. We will do our best to assist you.
I would like to get involved as a tutor. What should I do?
There is a sign-up form on the COMPOS web page.