Sunday 17th May 2026

News

Oxford and UNESCO launch a free global course on AI and Rule of Law

The University of Oxford has paired up with UNESCO to launch a free global course titled “AI, Justice, and Rule of Law”. The Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) will teach those in legal settings to navigate the ethical, legal, and human rights challenges of AI. 
News Ilya Rosenbaum -

£26 million in visiting student tuition fees: Inside the finances of Oxford’s visiting student programme

Across the twelve colleges that disclosed figures, the total income from visiting student tuition fees from 2021 to 2025 amounted to £26,474,583.
News Cherwell Investigations -

Tommy Robinson Union invite sparks controversy across University

The Oxford Union has invited Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, who identifies as Tommy Robinson, to speak at a Week 5 debate on the motion ‘This house believes the West is right to be suspicious of Islam’. The invitation has generated backlash from University societies, senior Union officials, and Stand Up to Racism UK. 
News Beatrix Arnold and Ned Remington -

Think tank publishes report calling for centralised Oxbridge admissions

The Higher Education Policy Institute (HEPI) has published a new report advocating for centralised admissions procedures for applications to the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge, arguing that the current collegiate system increases the opacity and complexity for applicants and their teachers.
News Daniela Braw-Smith -
Latest

St Catz reopens dining hall following RAAC renovations

St Catherine’s College has reopened its dining hall, following more than two years of disruption caused by the discovery of reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) in parts of its estate.

Violent clash outside Oxford Union during visit of Sudanese prime minister

A violent altercation broke out between the entourage of Prime Minister Kamil Idris of Sudan and protesters during Idris’ visit to the Oxford Union on Wednesday, 13th May. The incident occurred as Idris was exiting the Union after participating in a speaker event.

Oxford and UN launch peace and security fellowship

The University of Oxford and the United Nations have launched a new Peace and Security Fellowship.

Change to Rowing Clubs’ Rules of Racing for transgender athletes sparks backlash

A change to Oxford University Rowing Clubs’ (OURCs) Rules of Racing means that only athletes assigned female at birth may now row in a...

Gareth Lim elected Oxford Union President for Michaelmas 2026 in re-poll

A re-run of the election from Hilary term saw Lim beat Liza Barkova, Hamza Hussain and Victor André Marroquín for the position.

Oxford researchers trial non-invasive diagnostic scans for endometriosis

Researchers led by University of Oxford academic Dr Tatjana Gibbons have successfully trialled non-invasive scans to diagnose endometriosis.

Students encounter issues with voting registration during local elections

Multiple students across Oxford have reported being turned away from polling stations during Thursday’s local elections.

Access to Canvas temporarily suspended by University following cyberattack

Access to Canva has been temporarily suspended by the University today as a precautionary measure following an external breach of Instructure, the third-party supplier of Canvas.

Oxford Union town hall HT26 re-run: Meet the candidates

A re-poll for the Oxford Union Presidency for Michaelmas 2026 is set to take place on Monday. Cherwell spoke to the candidates running about the state of the Union and their vision for the society.

Oxford Labour defies national trends at city council elections

The Labour Party defied national trends in the Oxford local elections yesterday, with their seat count in the City Council dropping slightly from 21 to 20, against a national backdrop of major losses for the party.

Plans for new Oxford graduate college approved

Oxford City Council has approved plans for a new postgraduate medical college in Headington. The plans also include a mental health hospital and a modern facility for brain sciences research, forming a new Warneford Park development centred on mental health and brain research. 

Union President-Elect found guilty of electoral fraud by Tribunal

Catherine Xu, the Oxford Union’s President-Elect for Michaelmas 2026, has been permanently barred from holding office at the Society after an Election Tribunal found that she orchestrated a scheme to impersonate legitimate voters at the Hilary Term 2026 election.

Oxford research changes scientists’ understanding of the development of complex life

A collaborative study by researchers from the University of Oxford’s Museum of Natural History and Oxford’s Department of Earth Science, alongside experts from Yunnan University in China, has shown that complex animal life developed earlier than previously thought. 

Honorary Degree recipients announced for 2026

The University of Oxford has announced its 2026 honorary degree recipients, with seven individuals to be conferred with degrees at the Encaenia ceremony on 24th June. 

University announces new Centre for Korean Studies at Schwarzman Centre opening

The University of Oxford announced plans to establish the Oxford Centre for Korean Studies, at the official opening of the Schwarzman Centre over the weekend. 

Student societies condemn reports of Oxford Union invite to Tommy Robinson

Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, who self-identifies as Tommy Robinson, has reportedly been invited to speak at the Union's Week 5 debate on Islam.

Oxford University to make changes to consent training modules

The University of Oxford has reported that 38% of new students completed its online consent training in the 2024-25 academic year, according to the latest Student Welfare and Support Services (SWSS) report.

Oxford MP takes Ultimate Picture Palace Campaign to Parliament

The MP for Oxford East, Dame Anneliese Dodds, raised the ongoing campaign to save the Ultimate Picture Palace (UPP) on Jeune Street in parliament last Monday, urging the government to “go further” to protect “community assets like the UPP”.  

Trade unions and students rally in Oxford to mark General Strike centenary

The march commemorated the anniversary of the 1926 General Strike. Those attending included the Oxford and District Trade Union Council, the University and College Union and students, including a group from the Oxford Labour Club.

Oxford Mutual Aid re-opens after month-long closure

Oxford Mutual Aid (OMA) has reopened after a month-long closure due to “emergency repairs” at the hall they operate out of, which the charity described as “the longest closure period OMA has ever seen”.
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