Unique Offerings and Opportunities
An academic specialist in Humanities, I graduated from St Andrews and Oxford. I've held Fellowships at Oxford, Cambridge, Harvard, Bristol, and Glasgow Universities.
Now, working freelance, I’m uniquely placed to strengthen your Oxbridge or leading global university application with my academic credentials and my expert insider knowledge.
Working at the heart of the undergraduate, Master’s and PhD experience during my tenure at Oxford and Cambridge, I saw close-up what makes a stand out application, candidate, and grade.
I know of no other scholar who has worked at both Oxford and Cambridge as an academic
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Reading applications
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Interviewing candidates
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Making decisions on offers and funding
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Teaching tutorials
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Supervising dissertations and theses
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Setting and marking exams at undergraduate and postgraduate level
Beyond invigorating academic challenges, I focus on empowering your scholarly voice and communication. Since 2015, I've been a BBC New Generation Thinker: a competitive scheme for academics who share cutting-edge research in the most compelling ways.
My mission is to make your subject, project, or application come alive with colour and vibrant energy, to reflect your best self.
I support scholars and clients across Humanities, Social Sciences, Medicine and Earth Sciences, as well as the private, public, and third sectors.
Work With Me
Principal offerings currently include
Oxbridge and World-Class University Application Support
Gifted and Talented Tuition
Editing and Writing
100% Oxbridge offer rate (2015-date). Every student has secured a place.
School syllabus not stretching you enough? Then let me lead you with superlative scholarly rigour...
100% of my students have achieved an A* / first / merit / distinction or prize for highest dissertation grade University-wide.
Oxbridge subjects I have covered successfully include:
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English Language and Literature
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Anglo-Saxon Norse and Celtic
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History
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Art History
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Medieval and Modern Languages
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Classics
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Philosophy
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Education
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PPE and Social Sciences
In response to this growing phenomenon, my recent offerings have included:
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Classical Greek language and literature
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Norse mythology
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Archaeology and material culture
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Old English/Anglo Saxon language and literature
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Taking students to examine Medieval and Renaissance manuscripts in Cambridge University Library and the Bodleian Library, Oxford.
You can expect thorough feedback on every document, including:
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Highlighting strengths in stylistics, structure, argumentation, and scholarly acumen.
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Specific pointers for boosting performance in your next draft.
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Attention to the finest scholarly detail and formatting, including footnotes, referencing, and bibliography.
Academic Coaching: Beyond the Books
Coaching at all levels, from school students to PhDs, Post-Docs and Tenured Professors.
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Ignite your passion for mastering your subject.
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Reflect on and refine your study skills, time management and analytical skills.
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Setting goals without limits.
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This is my unique ABLE approach: Ambitions and Beliefs Lead to the Exceptional.
Exam Empowerment and Readiness Mentoring
Relishing the Challenge,
Rising to the Occasion
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Covering the full spectrum from entrance exams for the world's most selective schools at 11+ through to PhD vivas.
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My toolkit of strategies will see your confidence sky-rocket as you come to relish the challenge of exams and savour the opportunity to show your passion on the page.
Inspirational Speaker and Strategist
Adventures in Academia and Beyond: Thinking of Something Different?
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Consultancy work with CEOs seeking collaborations with academia.
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Supporting Tenured Professors to leave their institution and retrain in a completely fresh discipline.
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If you have other requirements or ideas for collaboration, I'd love to hear from you.
Experience and Accomplishments
Credentials
Fellow, Lecturer and Director of Studies in English, University of Cambridge
British Academy Post-Doctoral Fellow, Balliol College, Oxford
Frank Knox Fellow in Celtic, Harvard University
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Nominated for Pilkington Prize (outstanding tutor award) for exceptional dedication and positive impact on students' academic growth.
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My students were ranked 1st, 4th, and 7th in University-wide exams and Finals (c.250 candidates).
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Role included admissions work.
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Discovered Scotland's oldest secular book, a finding which secured global media coverage.
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My students achieved strongest English Finals results in history of Balliol College, including rankings of 3rd, 4th, and 5th of 230 candidates University-wide.
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Role included admissions work.
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A competitive scholarship for just 6 UK students made on the basis of 'future promise of leadership, strength of character, keen mind, a balanced judgment, and devotion to the democratic ideal.'
BBC New Generation Thinker
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Awarded from a pool of 600 applicants to academics able to communicate cutting edge research in compelling and imaginative ways, compatible with BBC broadcasting.
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I have been working with the BBC since 2015.
British Academy Chatterton Prize Lecturer
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An academic distinction offered to a promising academic below the age of 40.
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I was the youngest Chatterton Lecturer in the 70-year history of the series.
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Other Chatterton lecturers include Seamus Heaney, Andrew Motion, and Christopher Ricks.
Academic Track Record
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1st class M.A. (Hons) English, University of St Andrews with Lorimer Prize; graduated 4th in year.
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M.St. (with Distinction), English Language and Literature (650-1550), University of Oxford.
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D.Phil., Medieval Scottish Literature, University of Oxford.
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25 publications including chapters, essays and my book: The Making of the Scottish Dream Vision (London and Liverpool: British Academy, 2026).
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Competitive scholarship funding for all my degrees.
Rachel (reading English at Cambridge)
I found Kylie with the aim of feeling more comfortable going into my Cambridge English interview and CELAT. Genuinely - she was a god-send.
She was unfalteringly supportive, incredibly enthusiastic and so excited about the things I said; she made me feel so much more comfortable and prepared going into my interviews, and I don’t know how I would have done it without her. She boosted my confidence immeasurably.
AL (academic, retraining in new subject, Oxford)
Dr Murray's understanding of the expectations, standards, and academic culture of these world-leading institutions is both deep and distinctive. I work in higher education and have collaborated with many accomplished academics.
Dr Murray stands unquestionably among the top one percent I have encountered. This distinction reflects not only her intellectual strength but also her exceptional ability to support students in reaching their potential.
Anna (parent of gifted and talented students)
Kylie is doing a fantastic job at stretching, challenging and inspiring our knowledge-hungry 13- and 11-year-olds with material well outside their normal curriculum.
She has great breadth, and there is no danger of running out of material! Her teaching style is very akin to an Oxbridge supervision, one on one discussion and debate, which the children find very empowering, as they are in control of their own journey of discovery.
Contact Me
Get in Touch
Reach out with mentoring inquiries, academic support, media enquiries, or any other queries.