More than 70 students from inner city areas will get a taste of life at Oxford University next week, writes Madeleine Pennell.

The Oxford Access Scheme will host two summer schools for talented A-level students from London, Manchester, Leeds and Birmingham.

They will have the opportunity to meet undergraduates and tutors and take part in a week of classes, lectures, workshops and other activities designed to give them a better idea about university in general and Oxford in particular. A student-led organisation, the access scheme is staging an arts summer school, backed by Goldman Sachs for 38 students at Wadham College.

Another 40 students will attend a five-day science summer school, sponsored by BT and run at the company's training centre in Milton Keynes.

All 78 summer school students will spend a day together in Oxford doing activities such as a question and answer session with admissions tutors about the application procedure and university life.

To round off the events, the students will go to dinner at Wadham College. Jackie La Placa, joint co- ordinator of the access scheme said: "These summer schools not only give students a boost with their studies over the vacation, but also give them practical information about how to improve their chances of getting a place on their chosen course, and about careers open to them after graduation.

We hope they will have five great days of study, fun and meeting new people."