Joshua Newman, Undergraduate Admissions and Access Manager (Maternity Cover)

Joshua Newman is Undergraduate Admissions and Access Manager at Univ while Eleanor Chamings-Manley is on maternity leave.

What did you do before you started working at Univ?
I worked at another college in Oxford before being at Univ. Other than that, I’ve been a teacher – teaching English as a foreign language in France and music at a school in Banbury. Immediately before working at Oxford, I was a professional singer in Dublin. I’ve also been working as a traditional Irish/English fiddle player for some years now outside of my regular job.

Why did you come to Univ?
I really wanted to focus on UG admissions and school outreach. Most admissions roles in Oxford blend UG with PG admissions or other kinds of administration and, having been a teacher, the sole focus on helping school students with the process was really appealing to me.

What is being Undergraduate Admissions and Access Manager like?
I’ve only been here a few months and it’s a high-pressure role at this time of year but I’m absolutely loving it. It’s been a fantastic environment and I couldn’t ask for a better team of colleagues over in the academic office. With the University being so decentralised into all the colleges and departments, coordinating that with the applicants is a lot of plates to keep spinning but I get a lot of satisfaction from it.

Do you have any myths about Oxford you’d like to dispel?  
I suppose that there won’t be anyone like you, whatever that means to you personally. The population of Oxford is pretty dynamic with a lot of people from all over the world and all walks of life coming through.

What is your proudest achievement (personal or professional)?
Professionally, any time I managed to engage students in my classes in France who wanted nothing to do with learning English at the start of my time working with them. Personally, a few years back I took up boxing to get myself moving, having basically not done any regular exercise since school. I only had one public bout but I still feel like compared to that most things feel more achievable for having done it.

Do you have any advice for prospective students?
Mainly that it’s all about the subject. Before considering colleges or even universities, home in on what subjects you’re passionate about and could see yourself studying intensely for three or four years. Then soak up as much as you can of that subject outside the school curriculum.

Describe Univ in three words.
Welcoming. Professional. (Really) long.

Published: 12 December 2022

Explore Univ on social media