Frequently asked questions

Shajara supports secondary school students in Years 7 to 13 who are considering Oxford, Cambridge or other leading UK universities. Our programmes are built around the experiences of Muslim students and families, particularly those who may not have access to the same networks or guidance, and students of any background are welcome. You do not need to be top of your class already or have family experience of university. What matters is curiosity, commitment and a willingness to aim high.

No. Oxford and Cambridge are our specialism, but we support students applying to other leading UK universities too. Course choice, personal statements, admissions tests and interviews matter across many universities, and most students apply to a mix, so we support them with the whole picture.

It depends on the programme. Workshops are priced individually and can be booked online. Mentorship is offered in packages of 6 or 10 sessions, and we confirm the package and cost after a free initial conversation. The Access Programme has both paid and funded places. Instalments are available for larger programmes, and there are no automatic subscriptions. If more than one child in your family is interested, let us know.

The earlier, the better. Interest, reading and confidence built over several years make a much stronger application than a rush in Year 12 or 13. Workshops are open to Years 7 to 13, the Access Programme to Years 9 to 12 and mentorship to Years 10 to 13. Students can join at any stage and we will tailor support to where they are.

Yes. Shajara offers funded places on the Access Programme for students who meet widening-participation criteria, such as being the first in their family to go to university or being eligible for free school meals. The number of places depends on the funding available. You can ask to be considered on our enquiry form, and we may ask for supporting evidence.

Mentoring sessions and workshops take place online, on Zoom or Google Meet, so students can join from anywhere in the UK. The Access Programme is mainly online, and we are developing residential opportunities for Year 12 students with university partners. Workshops for schools and organisations can be arranged as bespoke sessions.

After you enquire, we arrange a free 15 to 30 minute conversation to understand the student’s goals and starting point. We then agree a package of 6 or 10 sessions and match the student with a mentor. Sessions usually take place weekly and last about 60 minutes, though frequency can vary with the student’s stage. They cover course and university choice, application planning, personal statements, admissions tests and interview practice, including mock interviews. Parents receive regular progress updates.

Our founder, Taslima, is an Oxford graduate, and Shajara has a growing network of Oxford and Cambridge students and alumni mentors. Every mentor agrees to Shajara’s safeguarding requirements and code of conduct, and works within our programme framework.

A broad range across the humanities, sciences and social sciences, subject to mentor availability. That includes support with admissions tests such as the LNAT, ESAT and TMUA. During the initial conversation we will talk through the student’s interests and explain how we can help with their chosen course.

Shajara operates under a clear safeguarding framework, with a written safeguarding policy and code of conduct. Sessions take place on Zoom or Google Meet, and any WhatsApp contact happens in a group that includes the student, a parent or guardian, the mentor and Shajara. Mentors never message students privately. Read more about our safeguarding approach.

Parents and guardians are an important part of the journey. For students under 18, we include parents in communication and ask them to join the initial conversation. During mentoring, parents receive regular progress updates, with extra contact if there is a concern or an important application milestone. Email is our main channel, and we also run information sessions for parents.

Fill in our short enquiry form. We aim to reply within 2 working days to arrange a free initial conversation and recommend the right programme. If you just want to attend a workshop, you can book it directly.

Our cancellation and refund terms are set out on our Terms & refunds page.

No one can honestly guarantee a place at Oxford, Cambridge or any other university. What we can do is help students understand the process, build genuine academic interest and put forward the strongest application they can, with confidence.