About us
Brilliant students exist. We help build the support around them.
Who we are
Shajara Pathways supports students applying to Oxford, Cambridge and other leading UK universities. We are Muslim-centred and access-focused: our programmes are built around the experiences of Muslim students and families, and are open to students of any background.
Many young people, including many young Muslims, face barriers that put them off aspiring to, or successfully applying to, leading universities. These include misconceptions about who these universities are for, a lack of mentorship, and limited access to clear information about the application process.
We reach students early in secondary school and support them through to application and beyond, with guidance, mentoring and a community that affirms both their identity and their ambitions.
Our founder
Taslima
Taslima graduated from the University of Oxford in 2024. She began by studying Classics (2020 to 2022) before moving to Philosophy and Theology (2022 to 2024). She now works in education, supporting students with the move from education into employment.
Shajara grew out of her own application journey and her time at Oxford, and from seeing how much difference the right encouragement, guidance and community can make. Having faced challenges applying to Oxford herself, she wants to make the process simpler for students from similar backgrounds.
Her aim is to help more students, including Muslim students and those who have not traditionally had access to this kind of support, approach leading-university applications with clarity, confidence and cultural understanding.
Our mentors
A growing network of Oxford and Cambridge mentors
Shajara has an emerging network of Oxford and Cambridge students and alumni who mentor students across a broad range of subjects. Mentors work within Shajara's programme and safeguarding framework, and Taslima remains responsible for the overall programme.
Our approach
How we make a difference
By fostering a supportive community of like-minded students that affirms their identity and aspirations, we help participants overcome obstacles and aim higher in their education.
Through one-to-one mentoring, our Access Programme, workshops and resources tailored for applicants, we aim to increase the number of Muslim students applying to Oxford, Cambridge and other leading universities. The impact we hope for is not only wider participation, but a generation of bright, brilliant Muslim minds contributing to academia and society.
Our values
What guides us
Start early
Confidence and ambition grow over years, not weeks. We begin early in secondary school and support students all the way through.
Affirm identity
Students should never feel they must choose between their faith and their ambitions. Our community affirms both.
Clarity over mystery
We make the application process understandable, so that students and parents can make informed decisions.
Grow together
Like a tree, a supportive community helps each student put down roots and reach higher.
Ready to take the first step?
Send us a short enquiry and we will be in touch within 2 working days to arrange a free initial conversation.