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Independent since 1920

Freshers' Guide

Navigating uni as an international student

"Starting university and moving to a new city can be daunting enough on its own, but when the transition from home to campus also involves changing countries, the entire process becomes all the more complicated."
Freshers' Guide Katerina Lygaki -

Seeking disability support at university

"For those students looking for advice on a situation or who would like to meet students from across the university, you should look into joining DisCam."
Freshers' Guide Daniel Dipper -

Being black at Oxford

"Are you an incoming fresher? Are you black? Do you have questions about what life at Oxford can mean for you? Where to get your hair done? Where to buy seasoned food? If so, you’ve come to the right place."
Freshers' Guide Deborah Ogunnoiki -

A guide to LGBTQ+ life in Oxford

"The most important thing is that Oxford is a fantastic environment in which to express yourself, your sexuality, and your gender identity freely."
Freshers' Guide Ciara Rushton -
Latest

Your Oxford A-Z

"O is for – Well. You know where you are. And if you don’t, I’m certainly not telling you – but are you quite sure you’re in the right place ?"

Top of the shops

"Naturally, the first thing you’ll want to do (once the Freshers’ Week hangover has loosened its chokehold) is shop."

Tips for keeping fit

"Exercise is great for your mental health, but it's also a great distraction from the impending doom that is your essay's reading list."

Oxford’s culinary scene

"As a self-professed ‘foodie’ (and President of Oxford’s very own Culinary Society), I can confidently say that Oxford’s food and drink scene is *chef’s kiss* divine!"

About the Oxford drama scene…

"You too could wrangle your name onto that illustrious list, and you only have to read this guide to learn how to do it."

A beginner’s guide to Oxford’s clubs

"However, just like colleges, you will likely end up loving whichever club you decide to pledge allegiance to."

What’s the sound?

"In a labyrinth of musical opportunities, I have you covered to discover the greatest sounds of Oxford."

A guide to Oxford’s libraries

"Part of the excitement of going to uni here is being able to access some truly beautiful study spaces, so do make the most of it!"

A guide to Oxford’s bookshops

"The number one rule for being a book-obsessed English student is having the inside scoop on the different bookshops in town."

A guide to Oxford’s traditions

"These traditions will form many of your fondest memories of your time at Oxford, hopefully making up for the late nights in the library that inevitably outnumber them"

A guide to academic life

"Nobody expects you to turn up knowing everything - otherwise there would be no point in you being here!"

A day in the life of an Oxford student

"From experience, it seems that when I turn up to tutes well-rested, I am roasted by the tutors, and when I wake up hungover, I am praised for my great ideas."

Five things I wish I’d done as a fresher

"First year at any uni is a big step for anyone, but the first year of Oxford? It’s crazy!"

How to survive Freshers’ Week

"Given that you most likely fall ill by the end of this week, try to have a good time before everyone in college is going through a pack of Lemsip a day!"

Packing: too much or too little?

"You are lugging into your accommodation a suitcase that is so heavy it seems you have packed enough bricks to build a two-storey semi-detached."

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