Sunday 3rd May 2026

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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”.

Axe-throwing bar to open in Oxford despite safety concerns

Thames Valley Police have also suggested the bar could increase alcohol-related crime and disorder to the area. Inspector James Sullivan asked for the council to turn down the licence application, or to approve firmer safety restrictions on the bar.

Oxford study estimates over 60,000 excess deaths during pandemic

The study, which looks at the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on mortality trends, reported an increase of 15.1% in the number of deaths compared with the expected level for 2020.

74% of Europeans think EU is not worth having without free movement according to Oxford survey

The results of the poll come amidst EU freedom of movement restrictions due to the Covid-19 pandemic and as a result of Brexit. The UK left the EU on the 1st January 2021 and also signed the Immigration Act on the 11th November 2020, ending freedom of movement for EU citizens within the UK from the 31st December 2020.

University failed to phone all students who tested positive

Pressure on the university's testing system also meant that external agencies were contracted to help meet demand.

Magdalen College JCR releases statement in wake of Cayman Islands news

Magdalen College JCR has released a statement after Dinah Rose’s representation of the Cayman Islands in a case regarding gay marriage. The JCR has...

EXCLUSIVE: OxMatch breached data protection law

"While the “purposes” outlined in OxMatch’s privacy policy pertained to communicating regarding their match, students also received emails about signing up to MyTutor, a new version of Oxfess and new rounds of OxMatch."

Three more University libraries reopen

The Sackler, Vere Harmsworth and Social Science libraries have all reopened as part of the Bodleian’s phased approach to increasing access to its on-site...

BREAKING: University confirms 12 positive cases this week

"The university has confirmed 12 cases amongst staff and students from Early Alert Service tests for the 23rd-29th January, a slight increase from the record-low 7 cases reported last week."

EU regulator approves Oxford vaccine

The European Medicines Agency has approved the Oxford/AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine for use in adults. The vaccine is the third to be given approval from the regulator.

University physicists hoping to ‘hear’ spacecraft land on Mars

"Physicists at the University of Oxford are hoping to ‘hear’ the NASA Perseverance Rover when it lands on Mars in February."

Former judge criticises Magdalen President for role in anti-gay litigation

TW: homophobia Magdalen’s President, Dinah Rose QC, has been criticised for advocating on behalf of the Caymanian government in its struggle against the legalisation of...

ONS survey finds students’ mental health has worsened since autumn 2020

Average life satisfaction, measured out of 10, has fallen by 9% to 4.8 compared to 5.3 in November. Self-reported anxiety levels remained unchanged for students, but at 5.2 out of 10 students report a statistically significantly higher level of anxiety than the general population

Local jeweller asks for lockdown love stories

A local jewellery shop is offering a prize for the "most romantic" lockdown love stories.

Oxford scientists prepare to edit vaccine to combat new variants

Initial laboratory tests indicate that the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine is effective against the B117 variant which emerged in Kent. However, there are concerns that variants which emerged in Brazil and South Africa may be resistant to the vaccines being rolled out worldwide.

Covid-19 case numbers continue to drop in Oxfordshire

"Oxfordshire has seen a decrease in new coronavirus cases in the week ending January 20th as compared to the previous week."

Oxford SU respond to exam policy changes

"Oxford SU have released a statement responding to the University’s new exams policy, announced last Friday."

INEOS’ £100m donation to University criticised by climate groups

There are concerns that in accepting the donation from INEOS, Oxford University is helping ‘clear’ the company’s name, as it is increasingly scrutinised in climate terms.

PhysPhil students receive results 101 days after exams end

Since their last exam on October 16, it took until this Monday for Physics and Philosophy (commonly abbreviated to PhysPhil) students to receive results....

Dire wolves: not just in the fantasy world of Game of Thrones

"Professor Larson said “We can get DNA from dire wolves and we now know how closely they are related to modern canids so if cloning becomes a thing, maybe we can resurrect dire wolves.”

New ICU unit planned for the John Radcliffe Hospital

"The OUH NHS Trust have said they are facing double the number of patients ill with Covid-19 than in the country’s first wave."

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