OXFORD University is targeting schools in the Huddersfield area to find talented students.

And it wants to make it clear you don't have to be from a privileged background to win a place at the famous university.

The university has launched its first ever national advertising campaign to tell students considering applying next year that they could qualify for an Oxford Opportunity Bursary.

Spen Valley Sports College, in Roberttown Lane, Liversedge, Shelley High School, in Huddersfield Road, Shelley, and All Saints High, in Bradley Bar, have been identified as schools where talented students maybe missing out because of their backgrounds.

The awards are worth £10,000 over three years or £13,000 over four and are designed to ensure students from low income families - who would also be able to get Government grants - can meet the cost of living.

University chancellor Lord Patten said: "This major advertising drive shows just how committed we are to taking our message that Oxford wants the very best students to apply - no matter where they come from or what their background is - directly to young people, their teachers and families.

"We know that there are many talented students across the UK who are put off applying because they think they can't afford to study at Oxford or that the university is not for people from their school or town.

"As our `Mind Over Matter' advert makes clear a student's mind is what we are really interested in and we hope that more students contact us."

* Oxford University's total student population numbers more than 17,600 (students in residence, 2003-2004)

* Almost a quarter of these students are from overseas and more than 130 nationalities are represented.

* Oxford's current academic community includes over 70 Fellows of the Royal Society and around 100 Fellows of the British Academy.

* In the most recent Teaching Quality Assessment exercises Oxford was awarded top marks in six out of nine subjects assessed.

* Oxford University has more academic staff working in world-class research departments than any other UK university.

* In 2004, Oxford University came first in the annual Times Good University Guide for the third successive year. The guide ranks universities according to the quality of teaching and research, as well as factors such as staffing levels and where students move on to after they graduate.