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Headlines

‘Emergency Brake’ on student visas leaves Oxford students facing uncertainty

Students at the University of Oxford are facing uncertainty after the UK government imposed an “emergency brake” on new study visas for nationals of Afghanistan, Cameroon, Myanmar, and Sudan.

Comment

Features

The independent cinema battling Oriel College to stay open

With the threat of an unrenewed lease from Oriel College, the Ultimate Picture Palace is appealing to the community at large for support.

War within earshot: A year abroad in Jordan

A large part of my decision to study Arabic is owed to my father’s passing. Having now experienced life in the Middle East, including its wars, I now understand him far more than I ever could have anticipated.

The essay and its long history in Oxford

In 1811, a student at University College published a pamphlet including an essay titled ‘The Necessity of Atheism’ that he later distributed to the Heads of Oxford Colleges. The student, after disputes with the Master of University College at the time, was “sent down” on the grounds of “contumacy” (disobeying authority). This student was Percy Shelley. 

Remembering Jaipal Singh Munda, an Adivasi pioneer

Hemant Soren, the Chief Minister of Jharkhand, visited St John’s College on 23rd January to pay tribute to his ancestor, Jaipal Singh Munda, who graduated from the University of Oxford in 1926.

‘Having sex with University Challenge on in the background’: The Sextigation 2026

Welcome all to the fifth annual Sextigation. Just like the boyfriend you need to get rid of, it’s a little late for Valentine's Day.

‘Making Politics Political Again’: Student left turns away from Labour

In the miserable rain of last November, I found myself queuing at the Cowley Workers Social Club for a Your Party meeting at which Jeremy Corbyn was set to speak.

Profiles

Dr Merritt Moore: ‘Get ready for the emotional roller coaster of failing a lot’

Dr Merritt Moore is a Harvard alumna and Oxford DPhil graduate who has successfully navigated a career as a quantum physicist and robotics specialist, whilst also performing as a professional ballerina with Zurich, Boston, and English National Ballet.

In Conversation with Paul Kingsnorth

Paul Kingsnorth is an English writer and perhaps the most astute critic of technology’s impact on society writing today.

Sir Ed Davey: ‘Inevitably you make mistakes’

Multiple times throughout the interview Sir Ed Davey accidentally turned his Zoom camera off. He’d hastily apologise and search to turn it back on.

On Afghanistan, Ukraine, and honorary degrees: Christina Lamb is a story-teller like no other

Christina Lamb started her career as the Cold War was ending. She saw the fall of dictatorships in eastern Europe and Latin America, and the end of apartheid in South Africa.

Culture

‘Comedy is very deceptive’: Seán Carey on ‘Operation Mincemeat’

As a history student, you occasionally come across stories so strange they feel almost fictional. Operation Mincemeat is one of them.

How 2025’s biggest films made their mark through music

The recent Oscar nominations have allowed us to reflect on how fundamental musical scores are to film, and the highlights of last year’s film soundtracks.

Translating Oxford into Urdu

It’s a different emotion whenever I read the Urdu language. I’m not a native speaker, nor have I actively pursued learning the language, but as someone who finds solace in reading shayari (Urdu poetry), I wanted to follow it even in Oxford.

Stitching the world together: GFC’s London Fashion Week show

A few weeks ago we, the Cherwell fashion editors, were lucky enough to be extended an invite by the Global Fashion Collective to their London Fashion Week show.

Life

An amateur’s guide to being chronically ill at university

In a job interview, I could describe myself as "resilient”, “adept at multitasking”, and “highly organised”. What is yet to be a LinkedIn badge is actually my most developed competency: running a 24/7 biological systems management operation from my jeans pocket, with death as the price for quitting. Oxford...

Flânerie for Two: On the Lost Art of Doing Nothing Together

“Order of operations, vacuum first or last when cleaning your apartment?” The question comes sandwiched between a diatribe about a paper that is begging to be written but hasn’t progressed beyond a few measly bullet points and a rather comical story about a blind date and far too much...

All roads lead to bagels: Green Routes review

Don’t get me wrong, I love my college. I’d proudly defend it against most criticisms. But it does have one major flaw: the absence of Sunday Brunch. So, to overcome this tragedy, and in the hope of appeasing my hangover with some much needed sugar, I headed out last week to the Green Routes Café in Cowley.

All (college) creatures great and small

Growing up, the loving companionship of animals had been a constant for me – a living, breathing reminder that life is worth treasuring and slowing down for. Yet, now separated by hundreds of miles, at university the happiness I had felt amongst my animals began to dissipate. That is, until I saw the cat tree in my college lodge and heard the tip-tapping of four paws across the wooden floor.