Apply to a University Technical College (UTC) or Studio School
How to apply for a Year 10 transfer at a more science-focused and vocational curriculum school.
On this page
UTCs and Studio Schools in Oxfordshire
University Technical Colleges (UTCs) and Studio Schools are state-funded educational establishments that offer places to children from Year 10 to Year 13.
They offer a more science-focused and vocational curriculum than many other state-funded schools.
List of establishments
In Oxfordshire, there are two establishments available for Year 10 transfer.
- Banbury - Futures Institute
- Didcot - UTC Oxfordshire
How to apply for a place
Year 10 transfer for September 2025
The UTC and Studio Schools in Oxfordshire now process their own applications for Year 10 transfer. If you are interested in applying for Year 10 transfer you should visit the establishments’ websites (see above) where information can be found on how to apply, when to apply and when applicants will be notified about the outcome of applications.
Transfer during the school year
The UTC and Studio Schools in Oxfordshire process their own in-year transfers. See school websites for their in-year application processes.
If your child gets a place at a UTC or Studio School, they will not be eligible for free home-to-school transport.
When applying for a school place, you must consider how your child will travel to and from school daily. If you choose a school further away than your nearest suitable school, your child may not be eligible for free home-to-school travel support.
We encourage all families to think carefully about the practicalities of the journey, including travel time, costs, and arrangements, before making a final decision.
Year 10 to 11 school children are eligible for free home-to-school travel support where:
- they attend their nearest available school (not always their catchment school) and
- where that school is over three miles from their home address.
If your child attends their nearest suitable school and the walking distance is less than 3 miles, we may still provide travel assistance if we have determined that there is no available walking route.
Please Note
If you choose a school further from your home than your nearest suitable school, your child will not be eligible for free home-to-school travel, even if there is no available walking route.
Eligibility for travel assistance is based on the nature of the route to the nearest suitable school only, so it's essential to consider this when selecting a school place.
If you are considering free home-to-school travel as part of your school application, familiarising yourself with the schools nearest to your home address is very important.
Eligibility for travel assistance is based on distance and the nature of the route to the nearest suitable school, not the school of your choice. We strongly recommend reading our Policy when you apply, to ensure you understand the criteria and make informed decisions.
Offer day
The relevant UTC or Studio School will contact applicants directly on 2 March 2026 with the outcome of their applications. Check websites for precise details.
Responding to offers
Successful applicants will be advised how to accept or decline the offer of a place. Check websites for further details.
Waiting lists
If your child is refused admission to your preferred UTC or Studio School, they will advise you. They will also provide details on:
- how to appeal against their decision to refuse admission
- how to join their continued interest/waiting list.
Appeals
Any child refused admission to a state-funded school can appeal against the decision.
The Futures Institute has its own independent appeal arrangements in place. If your child is refused admission to this establishment, you should contact them directly about how to appeal against their decision.
UTC Oxfordshire has a contract with Oxfordshire County Council’s Appeals Team to run their independent admission appeals service. If your child is refused admission to this establishment, check our appeals information on how to lodge an appeal.
Please note that appeals are very costly for schools, and additional children joining schools through successful appeals will have a detrimental impact on the delivery of education and the efficient use of school resources. Please consider very carefully if you wish to proceed with an appeal.
Independent school
If your child is going to attend an independent school, you must contact us as soon as possible with the name of the school in writing.
Home educating
If you are going to educate your child at home contact us as soon as possible. Contact the Elective Home Education Team for further information and advice.
Leaving Oxfordshire
If you are leaving the area and no longer require a school place in Oxfordshire contact us as soon as possible.
Further guidance
See the Further Steps guide (pdf format, 700Kb) for further information on UTCs and Studio Schools