Athena Scholars Programme
POLITICAL LEADERSHIP · STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS
An exclusive, intensive two-week residential programme in Oxford or Cambridge for high-achieving young women aged 16+. Taught to undergraduate standard by Oxford academics.
“I am not afraid; I was born to do this.”
— Joan of Arc
ATHENA
Who Are the Athena Scholars?
The Athena Scholars Programme is designed for exceptional young women who are ready to think, argue, and lead at the highest level. Participants engage with Oxford-standard academic content across two mandatory tracks: Political Leadership and Strategic Communications.
Scholars live and study in Oxford or Cambridge, attending lectures, seminars, and 1:1 tutorials with Oxford academics. The programme culminates in a formal dinner, a public debate, and a personal essay submitted for academic assessment.
Past Athena Scholars have gone on to read PPE at Oxford, Law at Cambridge, and International Relations at LSE. Several have been awarded full scholarships to leading universities in the UK and United States.
Quod Obstat Viae Fit Via
What stands in the way becomes the way.
The Athena Scholars motto captures the programme's philosophy: obstacles are not barriers but invitations to think more clearly, argue more persuasively, and lead more courageously. Every challenge encountered in the programme is an opportunity to demonstrate the qualities that define a future leader.
The Programme
Two mandatory tracks, taught to undergraduate standard
Political Leadership
An intensive study of political theory, statecraft, and the history of leadership from Pericles to the present day. Scholars analyse case studies in crisis leadership, democratic governance, and international diplomacy.
- Political Theory
- Statecraft
- Crisis Leadership
- Democratic Governance
- International Diplomacy
Strategic Communications
A rigorous examination of rhetoric, persuasion, and the art of public argument. Scholars study classical oratory alongside modern media strategy, learning to construct and deliver compelling arguments under pressure.
- Classical Rhetoric
- Persuasion Theory
- Media Strategy
- Public Debate
- Written Argument
1:1 Tutorials
Each scholar receives two 1:1 tutorials with an Oxford academic during the programme. Tutorials follow the Oxford model: the scholar submits a written essay in advance, which forms the basis of a rigorous intellectual discussion. This is the most distinctive and demanding element of the Athena Scholars experience.
CO-FOUNDER & CO-DIRECTOR
Co-Founder & Co-Director
Professor Louise Formby, FRGS
BA/MA (Hons), MSc (Oxon) · DPhil Candidate, Oxford University · Member, St Catherine's College & Harris Manchester College, Oxford
Professor Formby is a Director of The Oxford Exchange and The Oxchange Ltd, which operates the Oxford IQ Academy and Oxford IQ Prep Academy brands. She is a Member of St Catherine's College and Harris Manchester College, Oxford, and is completing a DPhil (PhD) in Archaeology at Oxford University.
From 2018–2020, the US Department of Defense appointed her as a Visiting Academic to the Daniel K. Inouye Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies in Hawaii, where she lectured on cultural heritage management and airborne geophysics.
She is a skilled fundraiser and has served as Director of Philanthropy at the London Clinic and the Bishop Museum in Hawaii, raising millions of dollars for the Smithsonian Institution, Worcester College Oxford, and the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation.
In 2017, Oxford University awarded Professor Formby a Distinction for her master's dissertation on Afghanistan, utilising data from NASA and the US Naval Research Laboratory. She earned a BA/MA (Honours) in Archaeology and Anthropology and an Undergraduate Certificate in Computer Science from Oxford University.
Her commitment to higher education began in 1996 when she was appointed MBA Admissions Manager and MBA Course Coordinator for Oxford University's Said Business School, where she served for eight years.
Athena Scholars Succeed
Amara Osei-Bonsu
Ghana / United Kingdom
Awarded full scholarship to read PPE at Balliol College, Oxford.
Sofia Marchetti
Italy
Accepted to read Law at Pembroke College, Cambridge.
Priya Nair
India / United States
Full scholarship to Georgetown University School of Foreign Service.
2027 Summer Session — Athena Scholars
Essay Questions
Is democracy the best system of government, or merely the least bad? Defend your position with reference to at least two historical case studies.
Analyse the role of rhetoric in shaping political outcomes. To what extent is persuasion a legitimate tool of leadership?
Choose a female political leader from history. What does her career reveal about the relationship between gender and power?
Transform Your Future
- ✓Female students aged 16–19 at time of programme
- ✓Predicted or achieved A/A* grades (or international equivalent)
- ✓Strong written English; non-native speakers welcome
- ✓Genuine intellectual curiosity and ambition to lead
Places are strictly limited to ensure the quality of the tutorial experience. Early application is strongly advised. Financial assistance is available for exceptional candidates.
School & Institutional Partnerships
We welcome partnerships with schools, sixth-form colleges, and educational organisations who wish to nominate candidates for the Athena Scholars Programme. Partner institutions receive priority allocation of places and dedicated liaison support throughout the application process.
Contact: partnerships@oxford-iq.academy