Frequently asked questions

Answers to your questions

Everything you might want to know before getting in touch.

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Common questions

When should my child start working with Telos Pathways?

Most applicants begin 12–18 months ahead of their UCAS deadline. Earlier engagement lets us build a substantive foundational pathway alongside admissions work, rather than racing to deadlines.

Do you only advise on Oxford and Cambridge applications?

No. We advise on UCAS applications across all subjects. Oxbridge is a core strength because of our team’s background, but our frameworks apply across competitive admissions.

How does admissions consulting combine with tutoring?

We strongly recommend pairing the admissions track with a foundational pathway in your target subject. Real engagement with a field cultivates the kind of genuine curiosity, passion, and critical thinking that will let you shine in an Oxbridge interview.

Who will my child work with?

Students are matched with a PhD-level tutor whose subject expertise fits their target course. Meet the team here.

Can we see a sample of your interview feedback?

View our sample interview feedback here.

What does a 1:1 Oxford-style tutorial actually look like?

This is a weekly hour-long conversation between tutor and student, built around a piece of written work the student has prepared in advance.

Which subjects do you tutor?

We offer coaching in almost all Oxbridge subject areas. Tell us about your interests and we’ll match you with the right tutor.

What age groups do you work with?

Our bespoke tutoring pathways are available to K–12 students, while our admissions and foundational pathways are designed for students in Grades 9–12.

What services are included in my pathway?

We are committed to high-quality, consistent, and attentive engagement with our students, both in and outside of our pathway sessions. Tutors will provide full summaries of each session, comprehensive feedback on students’ writing assignments and general learning progress, and weekly notes on past challenges, successes, and future learning goals via e-mail. Tutors will respond promptly to any general or specific questions from parents or students.

How are the bespoke pathways designed?

Our initial complimentary diagnostic call with families provides us with the necessary information to curate customised syllabus plans. We consider students’ interests, skill sets, learning needs, character, and higher education goals when writing our syllabi proposals. We send an outline of our syllabi to families within three days of our initial call and accommodate any requests for syllabus modification before and during our pathway journey together.

Beyond learning for its intrinsic value, what concrete outcomes can I pursue through Telos Pathways?

Our pathways develop intellectual skills — critical thinking, analytical reading, persuasive writing, public speaking, and others — that transfer to academic and professional settings. We coach our students to apply these skills through entering essay competitions, conducting academic research, publishing creative writing pieces, and other avenues. These pursuits are both inherently rewarding and enhance our students’ academic and professional profiles when the time comes for higher education and career applications.

What if I am dissatisfied with my pathway or tutor?

If your tutor is not the right fit, we will reassign you to an alternative candidate. We can also accommodate any requests to modify the structure or content of your pathway. If you remain dissatisfied with our services after your third session, you may opt out of your pathway package and receive a refund for all remaining sessions. Any cancellations beyond this point will incur a 50% fee of the total agreed-upon price.

Do you offer group classes?

Yes, upon request and provided the group of students’ learning goals and requirements are aligned.

How are Telos tutors selected and trained?

Our tutors are drawn from a pool of Oxford’s brightest and most accomplished Master’s and PhD researchers. We select candidates with deep academic expertise, teaching experience (often to Oxford undergraduates), and strong interpersonal skills.

What formats do school workshops come in?

We offer half-day, full-day, and multi-session programmes for students and/or teachers and staff. We tailor every workshop to each school’s context, curriculum, and student cohort.

Do you run AI workshops for teachers as well as students?

Yes. Our AI workshops cover staff training, student sessions, and whole-school programmes — from prompting and assessment design to building lasting frameworks for the AI age.

Can workshops be delivered remotely?

Yes — we deliver workshops both in person and online.

What does “telos” mean?

Telos is the ancient Greek word for purpose or end-goal. We help students find their telos: the questions that intrigue them, the ideas that energise them, and a sense of direction in their learning.

How do I book an introductory call?

Use our contact form to request a free 20-minute introductory call. We’ll talk through your goals and recommend the pathway that fits.

How is pricing structured?

Our pricing model is customised and determined by the scope of your request and the duration of your package. We will send you a quote based on our initial complimentary diagnostic call.

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