Oxford Student Guide
The city of Oxford is situated in the county of Oxfordshire in central southern England. Oxford is home to two universities, which provide places of study to over 40,000 students every year.
Nightlife
The high density of students in the city means there is no shortage of places to go for a night out. Oxford is known as a city of pubs and there are some great student venues to choose from. The Bullingdon Arms can be found to the southeast of the city centre and regularly showcases live performers and musicians.
Oxford has a number of late bars and nightclubs dotted throughout the city. The Bridge is the place to head to when the pubs close- the venue has regular weekday student nights and plays an eclectic mix of music from R&B to hip-hop and chart classics. Students craving the bright lights of London always have the option to jump on a train, as the capital is only an hour away.
Top Things to Do
Oxford is famous for its punting and rowing on the canal, and punting is a popular summer activity and can make for a fun afternoon, especially when combined with a picnic or a stop at one of the pubs on the way. In fact, the landscape around the city is considered very green and there are a number of open spaces, which can be explored by bike of foot.
Culture
Oxford has a number of museums and galleries to suit every taste. The Ashmolean Museum is worth a visit for the architecture alone. The museum is home to a number of paintings, statues and antiquities including a fascinating Egyptian exhibit, a must-see for any history enthusiasts. Modern Art Oxford can be found on Pembroke Street and is the South East’s leading centre for modern and contemporary art, and the gallery hosts exhibitions as well as talks, performances and workshops.
Where Can I Study?
The city of Oxford is home to two universities: the University of Oxford and Oxford Brookes.
The University of Oxford (also known as Oxford University or just Oxford) provides places of study to over 21,000 students and is the largest university in the city. Oxford University is the oldest university in the English-speaking world and along with Cambridge University is considered one of the best universities in the UK.
The university is a member of the Russell Group, the Coimbra Group, the G5, the League of European Research Universities and the International Alliance of Research Universities. Undergraduates at Oxford can study for a Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Fine Art, Bachelor of Theology or a Bachelor of Education. The university also offers a number of undergraduate masters degrees with a particular focus on science, mathematics and technology.
The University of Oxford has a reputation for academic excellence and consistently performs at the top of the university league tables nationally and internationally. 26 British Prime Ministers and over 30 other world leaders all have an Oxford education. In 2012, The Times Higher Education World University Rankings placed Oxford University 4th out of the world’s best 400 universities.
Oxford Brookes University was established in 1992 and is home to over 19,000 students. The university is spread over three main campuses: Headington, Wheatley and Harcourt. Headington Campus can be found in the residential area of Headington, one mile from the centre of the city. The campus is the centre of students studying health and social care, arts and drama.
The Wheatley Campus is situated in the Oxfordshire countryside, seven miles from the city centre. The campus is the home of business, IT, mathematics and engineering studies. Harcourt Hill Campus can be found 2 miles west of the city centre and is the centre for many subjects including education, philosophy, theology and media.
Oxford Brookes University has a solid reputation particularly in the fields of art, architecture, computer science and automotive engineering. The Department of Architecture is one of the largest of its kind in the UK and consistently ranks near the top of the Architect’s Journal league tables.
Should I Study in Oxford?
A student’s honest opinion:
“Oxford is a real student city with lots to offer to students including lots of pubs and clubs. Check out Cowley Road for a night out, ranging from the tacky dress up nights to fancy cocktails bars.
Public transport in the city is good but I would recommend getting a bike- Oxford is quite small and cycle paths are good, proving a good form of exercise and beating the morning traffic!
One thing to definitely try when you study in Oxford is punting. In the summer it’s great to sit by the river and watch people racing!
All in all Oxford is a great little city with amenities to suit all, and a really cosy atmosphere that makes you feel at home straightaway.” – Andy, 22
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