Universities in Oxford

CONTENTS

1. Why study in Oxford?

2. About Oxford

3. University of Oxford

4. Oxford Brookes University

5. Living in Oxford

6. Entry requirements

7. Transport links

8. Getting around Oxford

9. Things to do in Oxford

Why study in Oxford?

Situated right in the centre of England, Oxford is a great place to travel from. London is just an hour away and other major cities of the UK are within easy reach by bus and rail. Oxford is crossed by many rivers and canals, hence why it’s so famous for punting.

Even if you don’t study in the city's oldest and most famous university, you’ll be walking in the footsteps of giants including 50 Nobel laureates and 26 British Prime Ministers. Keep an eye out for the blue plaques dotted around the city documenting its rich history.

About Oxford

Oxford is a world-famous city, partly because of Oxford University but also because of its beauty. Known as the City of Dreaming Spires, Oxford boasts dramatic architecture, picturesque green spaces and a range of museums and galleries.

Located in the county of Oxfordshire in the South East of England, Oxford is a small city with a population of over 160,000, of which 40,000 are students. Oxford is a global hub for education and learning, attracting world-renowned scholars, researchers and leading academics.

University of Oxford

The University of Oxford is the oldest university in the UK. It spans nine centuries of history, from the campaign for a Bible in English in the 14th century to the production of the Oxford coronavirus vaccine in this one.

Location

Oxford isn’t a campus university; instead its colleges, libraries, teaching facilities and halls are dotted around the beautiful and historic city of Oxford. Small and relatively safe, the city can be easily traversed on foot, by bike or by public transport.

Facilities

At a world-leading university like Oxford, you’ll find all the facilities you’d expect. From state-of-the-art labs to 24-hour libraries, museums, theatres and grand halls for dining and events.

See University of Oxford profile page for an interactive map and more information.

Oxford Brookes University

Hands-on experience is central to the teaching at Oxford Brookes and employability is built into its courses, with work placements, links into industry and integrated careers guidance.

Location

Oxford is a fantastic student city with plenty to do, see and experience. From elegant architecture, green spaces and pubs, and clubs. Oxford is close to London and well connected to the rest of the country by rail.

Guaranteed accommodation is available to students who make Oxford Brookes their firm choice and apply by the accommodation deadline. Most halls are self-catered with on average six bedrooms per flat. There are en suite and shared bathroom options.

Facilities

There are over 1,000 open-access computers across the university and free Chromebook laptops available for loan. The multifaith chaplaincy provides pastoral and spiritual care to people from any faith tradition, or no faith at all.

Each of Oxford Brookes’ campuses has a library for the subject areas taught there.

One mile east of Oxford city centre, Headington Campus is spread across three sites. As well as a library it has an on-site shop, doctor's surgery and dental facility, and various food outlets.

Harcourt Hill Campus is three miles from Oxford city centre. It is home to all education courses, language and linguistics, and media and culture courses.

Wheatley campus is seven miles from Oxford city centre and is the base for computing, robotics, automotive and mathematics courses.

To the south-west, a fourth site at Swindon provides training for nurses, and is situated near the Great Western Hospital and other placement partners in West Swindon.

See Oxford Brookes University profile page for an interactive map and more information.

Living in Oxford

You can live in university accommodation during your first year at either Oxford University or Oxford Brookes University. There are 38 colleges at Oxford University, each with their own on-campus or nearby accommodation.

Oxford also has private rental options for those who wish to live off-campus. This is most common for second- and third-year students who choose to live with friends.

Entry requirements

Entry requirements vary from uni to uni and course to course – the best way to check what you need to get into your preferred course at each university is to use our course chooser and see what each course’s entry requirements are.

Transport links

Typical train journey times from Oxford

Getting around Oxford

Oxford is a compact and mostly flat city which makes it easy to explore on foot or by bike. However, there are many regular bus services that connect you to other parts of the city.

Walk

Oxford is a truly beautiful city with lots of green spaces, exquisite gardens and the River Cherwell which is often used for punting and picnicking on the banks. Strolling around this city is an activity in itself. Everything you need is within easy reach, making Oxford a popular student city.

Cycle

Cycling is a great way to get around Oxford city, not just for the ease and speed but also to admire the scenery. Other Oxford residents seem to agree as 20% of the population commute by bike.

Bus

There are many bus services running in and around Oxford. Plus, there’s also the Oxford Tube – a bus that runs every ten minutes between London Victoria and Oxford.

Train

You can travel by train from Oxford to other major UK cities such as London, Birmingham, Reading and Manchester. You can get to London in just an hour by train, connecting Oxford to the nation’s vibrant capital.

Things to do in Oxford

From botanical gardens and Harry Potter tours to punting and afternoon tea, Oxford offers a quintessentially British experience. By night, there are plenty of bars and pubs to enjoy as well as stand-up comedy nights and festivals throughout the year.

Art and culture

Home to one of the oldest libraries in Europe, you might recognise the Bodleian Library from some of the Harry Potter movies. It holds 13 million items, with many of the collections stored underground in tunnels known as the Gladstone Link.

Other cultural spots include the Ashmolean Museum, housing world-famous collections of Egyptian mummies and contemporary art, and the Pitt Rivers Museum, displaying archaeological and anthropological artefacts.

Slightly outside of the city you’ll find Blenheim Palace, a UNESCO world heritage site and birthplace of Winston Churchill. Admire the grandeur and beautiful gothic architecture as you walk around buildings and its perfectly manicured lawn.

Food and drink

Oxford has a huge variety of eating and drinking options. From cozy pubs and bistros to bars and coffee shops, there’s heaps to try. Many popular independent restaurants can be found on Cowley Road in East Oxford offering international cuisine such as Thai, Lebanese and Caribbean. There’s also a vegan restaurant called Happy Friday Kitchen which serves burgers, hotdogs and “notella” pizza.

The Jericho neighbourhood also offers some great dining experiences for students, with brunch spots, cafes, bars and cuisines ranging from Chinese and Moroccan to Spanish and Italian. For a cheap meal, students should check out Gloucester Green Market where you can get yourself a dish for just £2.

Outdoors

You’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to finding green spaces in Oxford. Home to the oldest botanical gardens in Britain, you can enjoy a study break among exotic plants from across the world. Visitors usually pay an entry fee, but university students can enjoy the gardens for free.

There’s also Christ Church Meadow, a grade I listed landscape offering a two-mile walk along the river banks, a rose garden and views of the impressive Christ Church College building. This space is popular with students from both universities looking to escape from the bustling city centre.