Astrophoria | Bassam al-Meshal
Bassam speaking at an event in the Divinity School addressing the Vice-Chancellor, programme donor and numerous Heads of Colleges. Photo credit: Cyrus Mower
The Astrophoria Foundation Year at the University of Oxford is a programme designed to offer opportunities to talented students who have experienced severe personal disadvantage and/or disrupted education which has resulted in them being unable to apply directly for an Oxford undergraduate degree programme. It enables motivated students to reach their academic potential through a supportive and challenging academic course aimed at developing their skills, self-belief and academic confidence. Bassam Al-Meshal was accepted onto the inaugural year of the programme to study Law at Keble, one of ten participating Oxford colleges.
Bassam recounts his unexpected path to Oxford. During his gap year in 2022-2023, as he was navigating through university rankings for Law programmes, he came across the Astrophoria Foundation Year. "I had skipped the top five because I didn’t think they would take BTECs at such a level," Bassam recalls. However, upon finding the Astrophoria programme, he saw an opportunity he couldn't pass up. "I checked the requirements and decided it would be the best chance I would get at a top university in the country, even if my circumstances had put me at a disadvantage. I had worked hard in sixth form to give myself the best possible chance to succeed and applying for the Astrophoria Foundation Year meant I could take myself to the next level.”
“As a foundation year student, you have your main work from your course, but you also have work on the side from the Astrophoria programme that is made for your personal development”
The transition from secondary school to university studies at Oxford was not without its challenges. "The educational transition, especially at Oxford, is a challenge that took me a while to get used to," Bassam says. The intensity of the academic workload required swift adaptation, but he soon found his stride. "Once you adapt to the intensity, you see your progress skyrocket academically."
Balancing the rigorous demands of his Law course with additional work from the Astrophoria programme also posed a significant challenge. "As a foundation year student, you have your main work from your course, but you also have work on the side from the Astrophoria programme that is made for your personal development. Balancing these two workloads can lead to a lot of pressure but it is necessary to making sure your potential is reached.”
Reflecting on the highlights of his year, Bassam mentions a memorable event – his speech at the Divinity School in the Bodleian during Hilary term. "The event included the Vice-Chancellor and numerous Heads of Colleges, including Keble". This opportunity allowed him to connect with individuals who have played a crucial role in establishing and supporting the programme.
Another significant achievement was his role in establishing the Foundation Year Representative position on the Keble JCR. "Submitting a motion to create a Foundation Year Rep at Keble, having it pass with a two-thirds majority, then submitting my manifesto for the position is another highlight," says Bassam. This initiative ensures that future cohorts of Foundation Year students will have representation within the Junior Common Room.
Bassam encourages prospective students to seize the opportunity offered by the Astrophoria Foundation Year. "Take the chance and apply," he advises. "The potential to get an offer beats not having tried in the first place. It gives you an opportunity to enter a top university regardless of any disadvantages you may have experienced and will also set you up for further success once your undergraduate course begins.”
Bassam’s experience of the Foundation Year at Keble is just one account of the opportunities provided by programmes like Astrophoria. Through determination, hard work, and a willingness to embrace new challenges, Bassam will continue advocating for future cohorts of foundation year students to follow in his footsteps and achieve their academic dreams.
You can also read reflections on the programme’s first year from Astrophoria Director Dr Jo Begbie.
