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Don’t Look Back in Anger: The Rise and Fall of Britpop

Alice Banfield
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Don’t Look Back in Anger: The Rise and Fall of Britpop

The 1990s saw the emergence of Britpop, formed as a reaction against the grunge music scene in the United States. Grunge was very popular at the time, but many British musicians felt that they could not relate to these songs and so began to produce their own music. These songs hugely contrasted with the dark, depressing songs produced by American grunge artists such as Nirvana and Pearl Jam, and were generally more upbeat, optimistic and catchy. Damon Albarn of Blur said in a 1993 interview that: “If punk was about getting rid of hippies, then I’m getting rid of grunge!”. Britpop represented a rebellion against the United States and musical norms of the time.

Britpop wasn’t defined by a specific musical style, but the music tended towards lighter sounds than grunge and included more melodic hooks and choruses. It built on the guitar-based British pop music created by classic 1960s bands such as The Beatles and The Kinks. All Britpop artists seemed to manifest a sense of admiration for the sounds of the past, from the psychedelic Pink Floyd-like sounds heard in much of Blur to the disco influenced pop-rock sounds heard in some of Pulp’s work – like 1995’s Different Class. The glam and punk rock sounds of the 1970s are emulated in lots of the biggest Britpop hits, as well as sounds of the 1980s indie scene – particularly that of The Smiths. Britpop records can be seen as a blend of many subgenres of pop and rock, but most importantly includes features of the Madchester genre, which merged indie music with features of 60s pop and psychedelia, and shoegaze, a subgenre of indie rock distinguished by its ethereal sound created by the use of distortion, feedback and obscured vocals. These were both very popular in the late 80s and early 90s.

Lyrics written by Britpop bands were made to be relevant to young people in Britain, and the songs released during this movement embraced and emphasised ‘Britishness’. Britpop sparked a period of greater pride in the culture of the United Kingdom, in a cultural movement known as Cool Britannia. The success of these British bands contributed to an increased feeling of optimism in the United Kingdom. D:Ream’s single ‘Things Can Only Get Better’ became The Labour Party’s song, and they began working towards a ‘rebranding of Britain’. There was much more patriotism seen, for example Liam Gallagher’s Union Jack guitar and Geri Halliwell’s Union Jack dress at the 1997 Brit Awards. Even the US magazine Vanity Fair published a special edition on Cool Britannia, focusing in on London particularly, headlined ‘London Swings! Again!’. British music dominated during this period, and the praise which many Britpop artists received proved that ordinary working-class people could achieve huge success.

The Britpop movement was dominated by the ‘Big Four’, which consisted of Oasis, Blur, Suede and Pulp. Suede was one of the first Britpop bands to receive major attention from the media, with their self-titled debut in 1993 winning the Mercury Music Prize. Their sound is a concoction of both glam rock and punk, and has been compared to the early music of David Bowie. The record was unlike most music heard at the time, and the success of the release marked the beginning of the Britpop period.

The Britpop era peaked in 1994-95, with Oasis and Blur competing in what was known as the ‘Battle of Britpop’. In 1994, Blur released their third album Parklife, which made them Britain’s most popular band for a period of time. Oasis then released Definitely Maybe, which received critical acclaim and became the fastest selling album in the United Kingdom. There was a constant fight in the charts between the two bands, and this culminated in 1995 when Albarn deliberately changed the release date of Blur’s latest single to coincide with Oasis’ single release. The feud was referred to as the ‘British Heavyweight Championship’ by the NME, and ultimately Blur won. ‘Country House’ outsold ‘Roll With It’ by a big margin. The media coverage of the struggle between the two bands was extensive and helped to popularise the genre even further.

In the long run, Oasis achieved greater success, and it was the release of (What’s the Story) Morning Glory which catapulted Oasis to worldwide fame. It became one of the best-selling albums in British history – Oasis’ popularity was huge. This album beat Blur’s The Great Escape and Pulp’s Different Class to win the Best British Album award at the Brit Awards. Later in 1996, Oasis made history again when they played a two-night set at Knebworth, which 2.6 million people applied for tickets to. This demand was the largest ever for a concert in Britain. Following this, the charts were inundated with hits produced by Britpop bands until 1997, when the movement began to decline rapidly.

As many of the bands associated with the Britpop movement either lost popularity or broke up,  other British bands appeared on the scene, in what was known as the post-Britpop indie movement. Oasis’ third album ‘Be Here Now’ (1997) was criticised by music critics and fans alike, while Blur began to drift away from their classic Britpop sound. They adopted a calmer style and began to sound more like an American rock band. I suppose everything must come to an end – by 1997, the Britpop trend had passed. Bands such as Travis, Stereophonics and Coldplay offered softer sounds which became popular instead, and lots of these groups achieved wider commercial success than the Britpop groups ever had. Alongside this, pop groups like the Spice Girls became popular and helped to push Britpop out of the public eye. The decline of Britpop also meant that bands which had previously been overlooked became more appreciated. Blur’s experimentalism and Oasis’ disappointing album meant that lesser-known artists at the time could step into the limelight. Most notably, Radiohead’s ‘OK Computer’ and The Verve’s ‘Urban Hymns’ received the attention they deserved, and their music was met with great praise.

Although the Britpop phenomenon was short lived, a huge number of classic songs were produced by some brilliant bands. It was a fleeting movement, but it completely changed the face of UK music and continues to inspire up-and-coming artists today.

Image Credit: Wes Candela/CC BY-NC-ND 4.0

Bodleian celebrates 400 Years of the Oxford Botanical Garden

Matthew Clark
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Bodleian celebrates 400 Years of the Oxford Botanical Garden

2021 marks the 400th anniversary of the Oxford Botanical gardens. Over the summer, the gardens hosted an anniversary event during which the University’s Chancellor planted a handkerchief tree and the Botanic Garden Director revealed a new hybrid rose. 

Anniversary celebrations are continuing throughout the 24th of October in the form of an exhibition entitled ‘Roots to Seeds’. The exhibition is on display in the Bodleian’s Weston Library. The exhibition “charts the story of Oxford botany as an ever-changing organism, from its early roots as physic garden in the seventeenth century to the collaborative research of today.”

The Garden was founded in 1621 after Henry Danvers, the 1st Earl of Danby, donated the equivalent of 5 million pounds to the university. It was originally called the ‘Physic garden’ after its goal of cultivating and investigating medical herbs. Today the Botanic Garden and Harcourt Arboretum cultivate around 5000 different plants used in research, teaching, conservation, and engaging with the public.

The site of the garden was originally a floodplain of the river Cherwell so builders spent twenty years terraforming it. In 1632, an Architect aptly named Nicholas Stone began to design an ornate gateway to the walled garden. At the time, most of the architecture in Oxford was of the simplistic and safe Palladian style. Nicholas made the bold choice of building in the Baroque style.

It is partially thanks to Nicholas why we have so much interesting and diverse architecture in Oxford. Another example of Stone’s work is the University church of St Mary the Virgin’s entrance with its spiraling pillars.

The walled garden was used to grow medicinally useful plants such as foxglove for cardiology, and poppies as a potent source of morphine. Over the years this focus shifted to experimental botany and taxonomy as plants with more diverse appeal were imported from all over the world. Henceforth, the garden was renamed in the 1830s to the Oxford Botanical Garden.

During the 19th century, many glasshouses were constructed to store exotic plants not suited to the English climate. These include a Fernery, a tropical lily pond and even a house of carnivorous plants.

The outer walled area viewable from Christ Church Meadow was created in 1946 and makes up the largest section of the garden at over 950m2 . This has allowed 20th century botanists to break from tradition and design beds with unconventional plants.

The mathematics professor Lewis Carroll regularly visited the garden during the 1860s and it inspired many locations of his Alice in Wonderland stories. In fact, the illustrations in the original books include homages: The Water lily glasshouse is visible in the background of The Queen of Hearts’ croquet lawn.

J. R. R. Tolkien also spent a lot of time in the garden. He sat for hours under his favourite Pinas nigra tree which served as inspiration for his tree creatures in The Lord of the Rings. In the summer of 2019, a statue was built in the garden to honor the work of novelist Philip Pullman. His dark materials trilogy characters have a meeting on a bench which has become a pilgrimage site for fans.The anniversary events will culminate next summer with a recreation of the original founding ceremony followed by a garden party and a concert by the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment.

Image: Tony Ord/CC BY-SA 2.5 via Wikimedia Commons

Traditions

Sara Hashmi
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Traditions

Bop

A bop is a ‘Big Open Party’, a fancy dress party organised by your JCR for your college. Bops normally happen 2 or 3 times a term. Some themes are more conventional (Halloween, Christmas, the 60s, etc.), whilst others are a bit more… out there (like Boulangerie vs Lingerie). Some people will disregard the theme entirely, but others will go all out. As such, it’s almost impossible to be under or overdressed! But don’t worry about breaking the bank for an outfit – part of the charm of bops are the haphazardly DIYed costumes.

Bops often take place in college bars, but sometimes colleges will hire out the smaller clubs in the city. Occasionally, colleges will hold bops together, and all these contribute to the minimal entry fee, making bops both fun and a cheap night out.

Balls

Balls are one of the most famous Oxford events and an excuse to live out your fairytale dreams. Balls usually last from the evening into the small hours of the morning, with live music, different food stalls, and sometimes different activities.

Most colleges hold balls biannually in Trinity, but some societies hold them throughout the year: examples include the annual RAG Ball. There are also the more prestigious Commemoration balls (usually every three years), which can be in the region of £200 for a ticket. Whilst balls can be expensive, many colleges now have discounts for students from lower-income backgrounds.

Most balls are black tie: either a nice suit with a bowtie or long dresses will be appropriate. Fancier balls, like Commemoration balls, can be white tie, which means a black tailcoat, white waistcoat, and a white bow tie or fancier evening gowns. Most people will rent a suit or dress for a white tie event, so you don’t need to break the bank for an outfit you’ll wear once!

Formal Hall

Formal Hall is essentially a three-course meal taking place in your college’s fancy hall. Most formals begin with students standing up and remaining silent whilst Latin grace is said. The formal is a sit down, served meal.

Almost every college requires students to wear sub fusc at formals, but some colleges will let you wear casual clothes underneath. It definitely depends on college, so it’s worth asking around! Sometimes, colleges will have themed formals, and often these are an occasion to dress up a bit more.

It’s worth going around colleges and seeing what they have to offer at formals; every college has its own experience and trying these out can be fun! You can ask a friend to invite you, or buy a ticket for Formal Hall Surfing from Oxford Raise and Give, where your money goes to a good cause.

Matriculation

Matriculation is the first ‘proper’ Oxford event you will go to. Held on the Saturday of 1st Week, this event officially enrols you as a student at the University of Oxford.

Normally, everyone will be dressed in full sub fusc, and your college will take a group photo for everyone matriculating that year. You will all head to the Sheldonian Theatre on Broad Street, where you’ll hear a short speech in Latin. Don’t worry — you don’t need to understand this! Afterwards, your college will probably organise an event for you all to get together and celebrate.

Trashing

Trashing occurs to celebrate the end of exams. You’ve worked hard all year, have sat through gruelling papers, and are leaving Exam Schools (or your laptop) for the final time. Next on the list? To get covered in shaving cream, glitter, prosecco, confetti, and whatever your friends will throw at you!

Although trashing is technically banned, many students still find a way to do it. One of the biggest concerns regarding trashing is its environmental impact. To counter this, many colleges sell Eco-Trash trashing kits, and students are encouraged to clean up the mess made.

Image credit: Sheng P. via Flickr (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0).

Creative Pursuits

Katie Kirkpatrick
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Creative Pursuits

Drama

Oxford student drama is probably pretty different from drama at school — there’s a really exciting atmosphere, you can try new things, and there are big projects to take on. Everything operates under the umbrella of OUDS (Oxford University Drama Society), which holds committee elections every year. Students start their own production companies and there are opportunities to take on all sorts of roles beyond acting, from directing and composing to lighting designing and marketing. 

How does it work?

The easiest way to find drama opportunities quickly and easily is by joining the OUDS Facebook group and signing up to the newsletter. Through these platforms, students post auditions, crew call-outs, ticket links, and more: it’s really easy to find like-minded people to start a project with. If it’s auditions you’re looking for, these can also be found on the OUDS website’s audition portal. You will usually be asked to read a monologue or two, either from the show or of your own choice, and for musicals you’ll likely be asked to sing and dance as well. Over the past year many auditions were by self-tape (filming yourself in your own time) and some productions will likely continue doing so this year. If you’re applying for roles like Director, Producer, Marketing, or Design/Tec, you’ll likely need to send an email or fill out a Google form, then attend a short interview. 

If you’d like to put on your own production, you’ll need to start a production company — either by yourself or with a friend or two, all you have to do is come up with a fun name and register on the OUDS website and you can bid for venues and get funding. But what’s bidding, you may ask? Most Oxford venues ask production companies to put together a ‘bid’ for their theatre, where the Director, Producer, and other collaborators write about the plan for the show. It’s all a lot less scary than it sounds, and everyone in Oxford drama is happy to help.

Venues

There’s a wide variety of venues open to student productions. The smallest of these, and the best for beginners, is the Burton Taylor Studio, a ‘black box’ style space that is great for small plays. The Michael Pilch is a similar, slightly larger space, reopening this Hilary term. For bigger productions, there’s the Keble O’Reilly, an auditorium that’s recently hosted shows like Chicago. The largest and most professional space available is the Oxford Playhouse, which has one student slot per term. There’s also the North Wall, which hosts new writing in particular. Many colleges have their own performance spaces, from auditoriums to halls and even chapels, and many also host ‘garden plays’ in their grounds in Trinity term. 

Cuppers

Your first experience of Oxford drama is likely to be Cuppers, the freshers’ drama competition. Each college puts together a play that’s a maximum of thirty minutes long, and every role is filled by first years. The plays are often comedy and often written by students, and prizes range from Best Tech and Best Actor to ‘Spirit of Cuppers’. Last year, the competition was held for Zoom plays, proving that theatre will always find a way!

What happened in the pandemic?

For the past year it’s been very difficult to do any in-person theatre. However, Oxford drama has done anything but slow down. There have been many radio plays, filmed monologues, Zoom plays, and more. The annual New Writing Festival went ahead as an online magazine and Zoom reading, Cuppers moved to Zoom, and lots of new production companies were formed.

What about outside of Oxford?

Every year, student production companies take productions to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, as well as frequenting the Camden Fringe and the National Student Drama Festival. Even in the past year, two shows that began in Oxford had performances at London venues, giving students valuable — and exciting — theatrical experience!

Top Tips

  • Try not to be discouraged if you don’t get the first role you audition/apply for! With so many students in Oxford there are often lots of people wanting the same role. There will be plenty of shows to get involved in every term so you’ll find something for you soon enough!
  • Don’t be afraid to try new roles! So many people come to Oxford wanting to act, but instead find a passion for producing, designing, marketing, or something else entirely different. It’s a good idea to try out a range of roles so you can work out what suits you best.
  • Be friendly! We all know that drama can get competitive every now and then, but most people just want to get along. Treat things like auditions as a way to make friends, not rivals. The more people you’re friends with, the more opportunities they might lead you to.
  • Use your voice. If you have an exciting idea, or if you think something isn’t working, speak to whoever is directing/producing your production, or to someone on the OUDS committee. We all want our shows to be as good as possible. If your concern is welfare-based, most shows will have a Welfare Officer, as does OUDS.
  • If you want to perform, it can be handy to come to Oxford with some audition monologues learnt and ready to go, along with a song or two if you’d like to be in musicals.
  • All Oxford students have access to Drama Online Library through your SOLO (library) log in, which is incredibly useful for finding monologues and reading scripts of plays you might like to put on.

Drama Glossary Terms

Oxford drama can sound like it’s own language sometimes, and there’s a lot of acronyms! Here’s some key terms to help you along…

AD: Assistant Director

AP: Assistant Producer

BT: the Burton Taylor Studio, one of the student theatres

Bid: a document put together by a student production company applying for a venue

Callback – a second round of auditions

Call-out: – people will post call-outs on the OUDS group looking for crew members for their show

Cuppers: – the Freshers’ drama competition

Pilch: – the Michael Pilch studio, a small theatre attached to Balliol College

OP: – the Oxford Playhouse, the largest student venue

R&D: – Research and Development: a drama project that isn’t a finished show

Creative Writing

If you’re interested in writing stories, poems, scripts, or anything that falls somewhere between those categories, there are lots and lots of opportunities at Oxford to have your work published, get feedback, find collaborators, and attend related events. Through a range of societies and publications, there’s something for everyone, and new magazines, groups, and more are being set up all the time.

Oxford University Poetry Society has been running since the 1940s and regularly hosts workshops, which are a great opportunity to develop your own writing regardless of experience level. The society also has a termly magazine called The ASH which publishes student poetry and art.

There’s also State of the Arts, a student-run group to read and discuss new writing, which is a great opportunity to meet other writers and get feedback on your work. They hold really regular writing nights. 

There are so many magazines, newspapers, and anthologies to submit creative writing to at Oxford. Here is a list of the largest:

The Isis Magazine

The Isis is known for its beautifully designed print magazines, publishing student poetry, fiction, photography, artwork, essays, and articles. There are submission periods for each issue, as well as open submissions for the website. Most pieces submitted go through a fairly lengthy editing process, meaning the Isis is a great publication to submit to if you have a piece you’re really excited about but want a chance to workshop and develop.

Oxford Review of Books

The ORB, as it is often abbreviated to, publishes poetry, short stories, book reviews, essays, and interviews, with a more literary style. Submissions are open to the general public, and the ORB has published several widely successful poets; it’s a really exciting place to see your work printed. The ORB also holds a termly Poetry Night where well-known poets are invited to read and be interviewed: these have recently involved Anthony Anaxagorou and Pascale Petit. 

Cherwell

Cherwell’s creative writing section is called The Source, which is always open to submissions of poetry, prose, and anything in between. These are published regularly on the website, and 2-3 pieces appear in print in every issue. The video team in the past have also produced animated videos of poetry readings and their accompanying artwork.

The Oxford Blue

The Oxford Blue, a digital student publication, recently started an arts publication called The Blueprint, and its regular issues all revolve around a theme — these have recently included Body, AI & Technology, and Queerness. 

Industry

Another magazine, Industry is known for its arty, alternative vibe and creative events. The termly issues include not only creative writing but art, fashion, music and more.

Zines

Oxford also has a thriving zine scene. Zines are smaller, independent publications, traditionally hand-made/printed with a cut-and-stick feel but now appearing in all kinds of creative formats. Some successful Oxford zines include Cuntry Living and That’s Hot, and there’s always something new happening!

Image credit: Fabrice Florin via Flickr (CC BY-SA 2.0).

Pubs (and Kebabs)

W A Whitten
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Pubs (and Kebabs)

You should not fall into the trap of thinking drinking is an essential part of university life; however, for many of you it will be a large part of life. Anybody who knows me will know that for me it was a very large part of my first year at Oxford, and often was a bigger part of my life than work (I would not recommend that). As clubs reopen, make sure you get the right balance of work and going out. Many students fall into the trap of working very hard as well as going out and drinking lots, at the expense of their welfare, health, and sleep. So just make sure you are doing things sensibly, but by all means do enjoy.Here are a few pub suggestions.

The Kings Arms:

Located at the end of Broad Street, this pub will make you feel the old world Oxford pub aesthetic as much as anywhere else. Rumour has it that Shakspeare spent the night here, and it does claim to be the oldest pub in Oxford. Always worth a visit and does a very good burger, but it is a bit pricey and can attract a fair few tourists. 

The Turf Tavern

If you want an old school pub hidden in an alley, with wooden bars, and to feel as though you have gone back to the 13th century then this is the pub for you. A must-visit for an Oxford student, though the first time you go, take someone who has been there before or else Google Maps will have you walking around the city centre for hours to find a little hidden alley. This does have the added benefit that the Turf Tavern mostly serves students and locals. Whilst as expensive as the Kings Arms, it is much more a student scene. 

Chequers

Chequers is the middle ground between The Turf Tavern and the Kings Arms. It is harder to find than the Kings Arms but much easier to get to than The Turf Tavern. It is as pricey as both. It is more touristy than The Turf Tavern but is less so than the Kings Arms. It again has that old-world atmosphere which makes all these pubs so lovely. 

The White Horse

A small, very Oxford pub, it sits right underneath Blackwell’s bookshop. The Entrance to the bookshop sits on one side of the bup, and as you walk around and leave the pub you walk over the White Horse and leave the bookshop on the other side of the pub. A sitting area outside is perfect for any sunny day, and it is a great place to have a drink after coming back from a tute or lecture. 

The White Rabbit

Not somewhere I would go for just a drink, but if you fancy going for a beverage and a pizza there is no better place. I would always suggest booking for the White Rabbit, but if you can get yourself a table outside with the heated radiators under the seat then your day will be lived in bliss. 

Wetherspoons

There are two Spoons in Oxford, and for those of you who like going to the pub these places will become your favourites. This is for one very simple reason: they are cheap. If you drink ale, you can buy ten/eleven pints in the Four Candles (the Wetherspoons on George Street) for the same price as four pints in the Kings Arms. You will find yourself starting your night at another pub but eventually migrating to one of the two spoons. 

The Lamb and Flag and The Eagle and Child

These two pubs are currently out of use sadly. They sit on opposite sides of St Giles, both again with that old-world aesthetic which so many places in the city offer. The Lamb and Flag was also the favourite watering hole of the Inklings. including both Tolkien and C. S. Lewis. We all look forward to these pubs returning soon, and when they do reopen I suggest that you go and enjoy them. 

Other pubs worth trying are: The Bear Inn; The Head of The River; Wig and Pen; Cow and Creek; The Angel and Greyhound; The Red Lion; The Jericho Tavern; and the James Street Tavern. 

Kebab Vans

There is a divide between those in Oxford who prefer Hassans or Ahmeds. I will tell you this: they are all as good as each other, and at 3AM when you are walking back from a night out, you won’t care about anything other than which one is on your way and closest. Hassans is by Waterstones and opposite a very good calzone place, while Ahmeds is on the High Street; McCoys is opposite Christ Church Tom Tower.

Jim Linwood via Flickr (CC BY 2.0)

Date Spots

Clementine Scott
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Date Spots

Given how many people you’re likely to meet in your first few weeks at Oxford, don’t be surprised if you make a romantic connection with someone or other. Since most of us don’t know the city too well when we first get to uni, here are the top romantic places to suggest in order to seem like you’re in the know. (And even if you don’t meet anyone immediately, or don’t want to date at all, all these spots are lovely to go to with friends or even on your own!)

Westgate Roof Terrace

Let’s start with the jewel in the crown of Oxford date spots. People suggest it so often (both for dates and for friend groups meals) that you might be bored with it by second year, but the roof of the ubiquitous shopping centre is popular for a reason — the views towards Carfax and Tom Tower are unbeatable, and there’s a good variety of mid-range restaurants and cocktail bars (I may be biased, but my first date with my partner was at the Asian-American fusion Victor’s). If you’re someone who needs an ‘activity’ to do whilst on a date or hanging out with friends, there’s always the Curzon cinema or even the Escape Room.

Cafes

The most cliched line in Oxford dating is “let’s go for a coffee”, so it’s worth having a good list of favourite coffee shops to hand. I recommend ditching Pret—Londoners have one on every street back home, and non-Londoners will have been indoctrinated through the subscription scheme—and showing your date that your taste isn’t quite so basic. The Missing Bean, the Art Cafe on Little Clarendon Street, and the Oxford Wine Cafe (which serves both wine and coffee) are a few to get you started, but as you settle into a study/post-lecture coffee routine, you’ll probably find some of your own niche favourites.

Pierre Victoire

Every couple I know at Oxford has celebrated some birthday or anniversary at Pierre Victoire, and it will become obvious why it’s everyone’s go-to hidden gem. Nestled in a cosy enclave on Little Clarendon Street, the French cult favourite has everything you might expect from a romantic date in the movies—candles, dimmed lighting, piano music, and fondue for dessert. And at under £30 for a two-course meal, it isn’t too unhealthy for the budget either.

Museums and gardens

It’s notoriously hard during the Oxford term to find time for culture, even though as students we’re all entitled to free entry to all the University museums and gardens. With this in mind, if you’re tired of going for coffee, ask your date to marvel with you at the Ashmolean Cast Gallery (even if they aren’t a classicist, but especially if they are), or to geek out at a literary exhibition at the Bodleian Libraries (recent ones include ‘Tolkien: Maker of Middle-earth’ and ‘Adventures in Translation’). If museums aren’t your thing, a stroll in the Botanic Gardens is a great way to get back to nature with a loved one, without the aimlessness of walking in a park.

Port Meadow

You’ll probably become more familiar with Port Meadow, the stretch of land beside the Thames a little north-west of the city centre, as a place to picnic and swim in the summer. However, the sense of escaping from normal uni life into the countryside, the winding paths along the riverbanks, and the occasional company of horses makes for a blissful date, and you can be rewarded at the end of your stroll at pubs such as The Perch and The Medley.

Gloucester Green

If you want something more ‘date-like’ than a coffee shop, but less formal than a museum or restaurant, this market on the edge of Jericho might be your best bet. It has a dizzying assortment of street food stalls featuring cuisines from around the world (make it a challenge to try every single one before you graduate!), and a rotation of antiques and vintage clothing on sale for you and your date to browse. If you’d rather have a sit-down meal after all that shopping, fortunately there are several homely, romantic-yet-casual spots nearby—Gino’s Italian and Shin Ramen are particular favourites.

Image credit: Kin Mun Lee via Flickr (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0).

Coffee Culcher

Anneka Pink
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Coffee Culcher

Oxford has a historic and beloved café culture — in fact, the UK’s first coffeehouse opened in Oxford in the 17th century! Today, drinking coffee remains a popular student pastime. It can have many purposes, after all; it can be a casual way to initiate or strengthen friendships, provide the caffeine-hit to craft a tutorial essay, get you moving in the morning, and help you explore Oxford’s nooks and crannies. In short, coffee is your friend. Even if there are further lockdown restrictions in Michaelmas, fear not: lots of cafés have outdoor seating, and you can always get takeaway and walk. Make ‘We should go for coffee sometime’ your go-to phrase and you can hardly go wrong! With all that in mind, here are a few recommendations to start with:

Queen’s Lane Coffee House

Hours: 8.30am-6.30pm

Biased I may be, since this coffee house lies just across the road from Univ’s door —however, it offers excellent British and Turkish food and drink options, a lovely dark wooden interior, outdoor seating and takeaway (pandemic friendly), and is a family-run business. What more could you want? I especially recommend the Turkish coffee and Baklava. That stuff can rescue even the worst essay crisis. Coffee here also comes with history — the coffee shop is the longest serving in Europe, and prides itself on its history of being a place where people from different cultures come together. Pretty cool, right?

Missing Bean

Hours: Mon-Fri: 8am-4.30pm, Sat: 9am-5pm, Sun: 10am-4pm

A student staple, the Missing Bean could hardly be missed off this list. After all, the queue of students lining up every morning is a daily reminder of its enduring popularity. Note that there are actually two, both very conveniently located for a stop-off: one on Turl Street (opposite the entrance to Lincoln), the other in the English and Law Faculty building. I have to venerate the baristas of the Turl Street café, since one ran down the street after me to return the tote bag I left behind last year… not all heroes wear capes.  On a more objective note: the café also has good outdoor seating for a catchup with a friend, especially in summer. If you like this café, you’ll also love Jericho Coffee Traders on the High Street.

Pret

Hours: vary by which store! Longest open is in Westgate: 9am-8pm

Say what you will, but succumbing to basic-ness can come at a more economic price. If you do drink a lot of coffee/tea/smoothies, it may be a good idea to try the Pret subscription. At the risk of sounding like a paid ad, it’s five drinks a day for £20 a month, with the first month free. This seems steep, but when a coffee is £2 minimum it can be a good investment, especially if you time your free trial with term… However, the two locations on Cornmarket street can be very busy in the mornings, so it might be wise to choose elsewhere if you’re trying to meet a friend, avoid the hacks, or secure a table for work.

Gail’s

Hours: 8am-7pm

Located in Jericho, Oxford’s hip suburb, Gail’s boasts some of the best cakes and sourdough going (the cinnamon buns…). Top tip: it also sells ready-to-cook cookie dough. About fifteen minutes away from the RadCam, it can be a lovely walk in the morning and help you venture further afield. If you’re lucky you’ll even spot Hugh’s students out in the wild. It’s a popular working space for wizened second and third years both outside and inside the café, perfect if you want to be slightly off the beaten track.

Vaults & Garden Café

Hours: 9am-5.30pm

I hear excellent things about this café’s 14th century vaulted ceiling, although the pandemic did bar me from inspecting it myself. Sit under its beams or in the University Church of St Mary’s garden, right in Radcliffe Quad, and enjoy breakfast, lunch or afternoon tea. Again, like The Missing Bean, this café comes highly recommended by the loyal band of students who frequent its outside tables. Why beat them if you could join them?

Thirsty Meeples

Hours: Mon-Fri: 11am till late, Sat & Sun: 9am- late

A coffee is best shared — so why not enlist one or two of your new friends and go check out this themed café. Located in Gloucester Green, also the site of a fab open-air market, Thirsty Meeples is a board game café. If you love a good game of Scrabble or cards, you may never be seen again outside these premises. Pay a cover charge of £6 and access the game library of 2,700 titles including Monopoly, Dungeons & Dragons, Uno and much much more… Whilst you’re playing you can also enjoy their menu, which includes coffee, cake and sandwiches. You heard it here first.

Notable mentions: Taylor’s (pasta bar!), Colombia Coffee Roasters (different flavours of hot chocolate), Café Nero in Blackwell’s (workspace), Waterstones Café (workspace), The Handlebar Café (cool theme)

Image Credit: Bex Walton via Flickr (CC BY 2.0).

The 101 of Oxford’s Libraries

Anneka Pink
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The 101 of Oxford’s Libraries

There are genuinely more than 100 libraries in Oxford, making it the biggest library system in the UK! So, here’s the 101 on a few of my favourite study spaces…

[If you want a handy guide to every library in Oxford, check out this Cherwell article:

https://cherwell.org/2021/08/28/i-went-to-every-library-in-oxford-so-you-dont-have-to/]

RadCam

Built in the sixteenth century, the Radcliffe Camera, called the “RadCam” affectionately by students, is the iconic Oxford library. If you ever gazed wistfully at photos of Oxford before you applied, it’s very likely they were of this building. For many, gathering in the quad by this building during Matriculation or strutting up the path to the library is the moment you feel you actually go to Oxford… or as your photo is snapped by tourists, like a Kardashian. There are three places to study in this library: the Upper RadCam, Lower RadCam and the Gladstone Link. The domed ceiling of the Upper RadCam is famously spectacular, and the desks under it or on the balconies are possibly the prime study real-estate. However, don’t discount the Lower RadCam. In the evening, it’s really rather cosy, with warm yellow light and wooden bookshelves everywhere. The Gladstone Link is an interesting one. One Cherwell writer once described it as “like a jet-bridge, minus the HSBC branding — or, as though you’re boarding a January flight to Tromsø, minus any promise of natural light”. Harsh but fair. However, each to their own.

Old Bod

Hogwarts meets Gossip Girl. There’s a reason Oxford was called “the city of dreaming spires”, and it certainly owes a great deal to the beautiful Old Bodleian. The library is not only the second largest in the UK and one of the oldest in Europe, but even houses a Christmas tree in its quad in winter! Inside the library proper there are many different rooms to choose from, all with great views of the city’s architecture and plenty of natural light. Wander past the Greek temple-esque entrance on Broad Street and you couldn’t be blamed for thinking the eternal Met Steps of Gossip Girl had been transported; students love to lounge on the steps and pillars of the Old Bod and the Weston opposite chatting, eating lunch and watching the world go past.  

College Lib

Your College Library is one of the best choices you have, so familiarise yourself with it. Each College has its own library (or two…) and they are usually stocked with loads of great resources; book and laptop stands, whiteboards, cushions, and of course, lots and lots of books. It’s your first port of call for any books you need, and I’ve always found mine to be very good. The librarians are also usually very friendly and often will order a book you need in if it’s important. To be honest, I have a bit of a soft spot for my College library — you can’t go without seeing a friendly face, and it also has a more relaxed vibe. Even PJs are acceptable library couture. Some libraries also have study rooms which are great for a study session with friends. Downsides include a very high risk of being distracted by friends and proximity to your bed.

Duke Humfrey’s

When I said the Old Bodleian = Hogwarts, I meant it. This reading room, part of the Old Bod, was actually used as the Hogwarts library in the Harry Potter films! It’s an absolute bucket-list library, partly for the beauty of the library itself, partly for the strict entrance rules (possessions in plastic bags and no food or drink). Some might consider it the epitome of the “Dark Academia” aesthetic. Some might just want to look at the medieval ceiling. However, consider yourself warned, with the current booking system, it’s nigh impossible to get in. Maybe time to consider that Masters?

Your room

Obvious you may say, but definitely convenient! With mixed learning, using your room for zoom tutorials rather than public libraries is standard practice, but don’t shy away from taking lectures and other non-speaking/no-camera classes in the library. Find what works for you and go with that. Some people just work in their room, others prefer never to work there. Personally I do a bit of a mix; sometimes early in the morning or late at night it is the best place for getting those deadlines, but the proximity to my bed, like the College library, is dangerous, so I like to set up at one of the various Bodleian libraries during the day.

Subject Library

Though I personally find the Sackler, the Classics library, an assault on the eyes, there is definitive subject pride and community in going to your subject’s library. First of all, it is genuinely useful for taking out specialised books, but it’s also quite special to work in a library full of books just on your subject. Besides, if you take a visit to the women’s toilets of the Sackler, you soon meet years of scrawlings with advice on the best Classical cat name  — Patroclaws anyone?  — to the crisis d’essay. Truly helpful? No. Amusing? Yes.

Image credit: David Iliff via Flickr (CC BY-NC-SA 2.0)

Academics

Daisy Aitchison
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Academics

After two years of getting used to learning over Zoom and Teams, a return to in-person teaching for everyone is hopefully within sight. Advice on Oxford University’s website states that “In line with the latest UK Government guidance, we are planning to provide most teaching in-person next academic year, as normal. This will be enhanced by high-quality online resources and, in some instances, online teaching. We will also have contingency plans if additional restrictions are in place or if local circumstances make this necessary.

Whatever combination of remote and in-person teaching the year ends up taking, university learning is generally done more independently, with more time spent on individual research rather than direct teaching. This is particularly true for humanities students, while those studying for science degrees typically have more contact time. It’s therefore more important to ensure that you manage your own time, as this is likely when the majority of your work will be done; for some people working “nine to five” might be the best solution, while others prefer to take a break between shorter sessions. If you have any questions, there may be a representative on your JCR who deals with academic affairs, or else tutors can help to answer any questions you might have.

The type of learning students do can also vary widely depending on the degree. For humanities students, the library might feel like a second home, with a reading list as the main guide for the week’s work. Weekly tutorials are the main point of contact, while lectures are also put on. For science students, there may be problem sheets as well as essays, as well as labs and more frequent lectures to attend. Every degree, however, involves tutorials, where a small group of students discuss their work with an expert. The best advice for tutorials is to dive in, even if you’re unsure of what a particular question is asking; tutors appreciate students who are engaged and making an effort to apply what they have learnt, and are happy to help you if you’re struggling. Tutorials are often a good way of getting to look around other colleges as well, but if needed you can request them to be held online.

The format of tutorials is similar whether online or in person, but when it comes to lectures, the recorded format means that you can often watch at your leisure. There is also an option to slow down or speed up a lecture, as well as pausing and rewinding. Staying focussed on a lecture is sometimes more difficult in your room rather than a crowded hall, but gives you more flexibility in deciding when to watch the lecture and how you wish to take your notes. Some people prefer to continue to ‘timetable’ lectures, even when they are online, to avoid having to panic watch several on x2 speed at once (of which I of course have no experience), but for those with better time management skills this might not be an issue.

Where you work best is something else to explore in your first year: some people prefer to work in their rooms, while some people find themselves less distracted in libraries. Check out the rest of this guide to learn about cafes, libraries, and other iconic spots for that inevitable essay crisis.

The past couple of years have been nothing if not unusual, and have put unique stresses on students. Although it will hopefully be possible to have a more normal university experience this year, Oxford is always intense. It is therefore important to keep a good work-life balance. Luckily, there’s plenty within the city and the surrounding areas to distract yourself from work. Covid permitting, this year should see more indoor activities opening up in time for Michaelmas (winter) term. For retail therapy, Westgate is the best bet, which you can follow up with ice skating at the ice rink opposite. There are also various colleges to look around and compare unfavourably with your own, as well as other university buildings such as the University Church, where you can climb the medieval tower. In summer punting is a popular and very ‘Oxford’ activity, with most colleges having a supply of punts to hire.

If you want to get out of Oxford for the day, Blenheim Palace can be reached by car or bus, and is great for picnics if you don’t want to go to Christ Church meadows or University Parks. The grounds of the palace can be accessed for free, although a ticket has to be bought to enter the building itself. Getting the train from Oxford to London is also relatively quick and makes getting to the capital easy.

If you ever need any extra support while at Oxford, there’s a range of services provided by the university and by the colleges. Members of your JCR should be able to point you towards resources and help, while the university also provides support. Counselling services can be booked and are available via video call, phone call and text. Information about welfare at the university can be found at https://www.ox.ac.uk/students/welfare.

Image credit: Penn State via Flickr (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0).

Societies and Activities

Maurício Alencar
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Societies and Activities

It’s always worth joining at least one society during your time at Oxford. Whether that may be sports, music, drama, politics, student journalism, or joining a national society, there is nothing that you can’t do. You might try a new sport like modern pentathlon, or find a new interest in psychedelics at Psychedelic Society, or connect with people of shared faiths and backgrounds. Oxford’s collegiate system may seem claustrophobic at times, but there is nothing stopping you from branching out and meeting people from other colleges. Your CV may even look that little bit better.

Sports 

At school, you may have been forced to play football, rugby or netball. But at university, the world’s your sportster. The range of sports you can get involved in is vast, ranging from rowing to quidditch. The one thing that is certain about university sports are the friends you make; I’ve had one friend wisely point out that colleges are just a bunch of people thrown together into one arbitrary setting, whereas your friendships from sports clubs and other societies are more genuine because you have shared interests. So, what is a Blue? What is “shoe the tabs”? What are Cuppers? And what on earth are you waiting for?!?! Here are the answers to all your sporting dreams: 

University sports 

Sport at Oxford has a rich tradition. Oxford University is the only university to have won the FA Cup, and many Olympians representing Team GB previously studied at Oxford. There is pretty much a sport for everyone-volleyball, rugby league, chess, surfing, and so much more. Our main sports facilities are at Iffley Sports Centre, though many teams train and play at other sites such as at college grounds and local clubs. Most university sport clubs will compete in BUCS (British Universities and College Sports) leagues every week, normally on Wednesdays and followed by a big sports social night at Park End. The pinnacle of the sports calendar for any club is Varsity, which is when you play Cambridge. The aim, of course, is to beat our rivals. Winning Varsity is more informally known as “shoe the tabs” – ‘shoe’ is an old verb for beating someone and ‘tab’ is derived from ‘Cantabridgian’, the Latin for a Cambridge student.

If you play for a highly competitive sports club such as rugby or tennis in a Varsity Match, you will be awarded a Full Blue. You are awarded a “Discretionary Full Blue” should you meet certain criteria that varies in other sports like powerlifting and ice hockey, and a Half Blue for other sports such as eton fives or ultimate frisbee. These awards are special certificates that might get you some nice perks, such as eligibility to buy a Blues blazer, special funding from certain colleges, and just general Oxford clout. Sport clubs generally welcome players of all abilities and backgrounds, but sometimes you may have to trial to join a sports club, eg. football. Look up the sports club you would be interested in joining, and get messaging captains and club presidents!

College sports 

If you would not like to commit yourself to university-level sports, there is still the opportunity to play sport in a more laid-back environment at college-level. The scope of sports on offer are still varied, but perhaps more limited. There are opportunities to play college football, rugby, hockey, rounders, polo, and orienteering, to name but a few. Some of the colleges also have mixed teams, such as hockey, and some colleges have joined-up teams, like Merton and Mansfield play as one team, for example. Cuppers is the name given to the college sports tournaments; they may happen over a whole term or over one day. College rowing tends to be the toughest college sport to get involved in, but it is also seen as the most traditional and exciting one. College sports are probably the best way to escape the load of academic work and get to know the people within your college. 

Socials

The highlight of playing sports at Oxford are, more often than not, the socials that come with them. Some socials may seem like intense drinking events — and they certainly are sometimes — but a good night out is inclusive of non-drinkers as well. Sport clubs normally organise ‘crewdates’ before Wednesday nights at Park End, pairing up men’s sport teams with women’s sport teams (more below!). Most colleges will also have club socials; about half of the people who go to college sport socials do not even play sport! Sport teams also spend a lot of time at Vincent’s Club (a sport members’ club better known as Vinnie’s) on the High Street for other socials, while Atalanta’s is a sports society that works to promote women in sport. The Atalanta’s/Vincent’s end of year cocktail drinks is an event to look forward to in the calendar year. 

Important Oxford Sporting Fixtures 

Some Varsity fixtures throughout the year are especially important. The Varsity Trip every December is definitely one to look out for. This is when novice skiers and experienced skiers from Oxford University and Cambridge University essentially shut down a ski resort in France for skiing, watching the Varsity race, and après ski in December. It is dubbed ‘the largest ski trip in the world’. Rudimental, Calvin Harris, and Tinie Tempah are just some of the acts to have headlined the trip. The rugby union Varsity Matches are also a big deal; they are normally played at Twickenham in December, but they were played in the summer in Leicester this year due to COVID. Next year’s Varsity will be played in spring, and it is hoped that the match will once again be played at Twickenham.

The Boat Race is the world-famous rowing race between Oxford and Cambridge that is normally broadcast on the BBC, and watched by thousands along the Thames’ river banks. This year’s Boat Race was held behind closed doors in Ely, and it is not certain yet whether next year’s Boat Race will return to London. The after-parties for both the rugby and rowing Varsity fixtures are certain to be lively. 

Crewdates 

Crewdates. What beats it? Crewdates are drinking-infused social events held in some of the shabbier restaurants around Oxford (no offence to my friends at Jamal’s). Normally, crewdates pair up a men’s sports team with a women’s sports team, but you may find yourself at a subject crewdate of some sort as well. They involve a range of chaotic games and loud activities, and cost between 10 and 15 quid, excluding BYOB prices (cheap wine is the way). My favourite theme was Barbarians and Librarians… but everyone turned up as a Barbarian because no one got the Librarian memo. So, without further adieu, the next few sentences will roll you through some of the games played at crewdates: “Pennying” is just a bunch of flying penny coins, and if one lands in your drink, finish it you silly fresh; “I sconce anyone who [insert absurdly embarrassing memory but do not go too far or risk getting a minute’s outside without your phone]” is Oxford linguo for Never Have I Ever; “Mister and Missus” is when you stand back-to-back to your compatriot and drink when you think you are more likely to do whatever your friend has called out. Crewdates are a nice antidote to the serious academia at Oxford, but if they don’t float your boat, don’t worry — nothing is ever compulsory. 

Other sport and exercise

If you’re not looking to play Oxford sports, and prefer to do stuff yourself, Oxford has plenty to offer. BuzzGym and PureGym are the city’s two main 24 hour gyms, priced between £18 and £22 a month, but watch out for joining fees and peak times prices. You can also pay for a membership at Iffley Road Sports Centre. There are some great running spots around Oxford, like at Port Meadows, Uni Parks, and, if you are willing to go the extra distance, Whytham Woods. If you like going to watch football, Oxford United’s Kassam Stadium is a 20-minute cycle from the city centre. If you prefer non-league football to League One football, Oxford City’s stadium is a shorter cycle from the centre. 

Oxford Union

Is it worth it?… is the question on everyone’s lips. The ‘hacks’ (let me try to summarise what they are first. ‘Hacks’ are Union members who spam you with Facebook messages begging you to vote for them. They come up with a series of pledges on how they will make the Union more progressive, but the truth is that things usually turn sour) will tell you it is worth paying the £150+ fee. Your friends will probably advise you against joining it. So, before you make your decision, I will try to give you a flavour of what to expect, having paid the fee myself. 

The Union is the university’s main debating society; it is not the Student Union (SU), and the Union is in fact independent of the University. The speaker cards are great, in fairness. They have had the likes of Diego Maradona, John Kerry, Akala, A$AP Rocky, Dr Fauci, Jeremy Corbyn, and North Korean refugees in the past. The Cambridge-equivalent is poor at best. If you like debating, sending way too many messages to people you barely know, and pretending to be the king of networking (and snaking), then you might even want to join the Union’s committee. The Union also has a quite incredible library and a pretty saucey bar which you only have access to if you become a member. But if you don’t mind watching some of the Union’s talks over Youtube rather than in-the-flesh, then it’s probably best you save your £150 or so for some good times out in Oxford. You will not be missing out on much and the political frenzy can be overwhelming. If you do become a member but don’t like the sound of hacks, it’s probably best you keep your head low. Word does tend to get out if you are a member, however. Good luck deciding, but do have a think about it before you do pay the fee. 

Politics 

Most of the country’s prime ministers and many of the world’s most important politicians studied at Oxford, so Oxford politics could not be more relevant. The bureaucracy in some of the university’s political societies can be exhausting, but there’s no better place to show off your party colours than in the university’s political societies. 

Oxford University Conservatives Association

The OUCA is here to disprove the perception that UK universities are left wing. You are sure to drink some port at OUCA socials and meets. The society also runs charity work, hosts special speakers, and campaigns for the official party. 

Oxford University Labour Club

OULC hosts popular socialist discussions and speakers. The Club also has its own publication ‘Look Left’. OULC’s cornerstone moment in the week is ‘Beer and Bickering’. 

Oxford University Liberal Democrats

The OULD is the oldest of the three political societies. Their weekly debate social is called ‘Spirited Discussions’ and they occasionally join up with other societies to host talks. The society is boosted by the fact that Oxford East’s MP is Anneliese Dodds, a Lib Dem politician. 

Student Journalism 

Whatever your subject, student journalism has something for you. With sections ranging from sports to tech, Oxford’s historic publications are full of opportunities. Even if you are not interested in writing for them at all, it’s still a great idea to follow newspapers on Instagram or Facebook so that you are up-to-date with the latest information. Some articles are so groundbreaking that national newspapers steal ideas. The university’s newspapers have no official political leaning. Cherwell, for example, has events on offer for students through the year. If you are interested in writing for one of them, look up how to pitch an article or how to apply for editor positions on each of the newspapers’ respective websites. Here are some of the best known ones: 

Cherwell

Cherwell is one of the country’s oldest independent student newspapers, founded 121 years ago. The paper contains a range of sections. The poet W.H Auden and media tycoon Rupert Murdoch are but some of its past contributors. Stories often reach national prominence. 

The Oxford Student 

The OxStu is another general newspaper with a range of sections. Like Cherwell, The OxStu‘s main rival, they publish print editions every two weeks, and they also post articles online. The paper was founded by the SU in 1991 and maintains a relationship. 

The Isis

The Isis is a termly magazine and the longest running student publication in the UK. The magazine is essentially the student hub for creative writing and art, giving particular focus to fiction, poetry, and culture. They also run interesting events throughout the year. Sylvia Plath and Terry Jones are some of the magazine’s former writers. 

The Oxford Blue 

The Oxford Blue is an online-only student newspaper, founded in 2020. The newspaper’s “Global Affairs” section gives voice to international news. 

Onyx Magazine 

Onyx is a creative magazine for Black students at Oxford. The magazine’s first issue was released in 2018, and it has branched out to bookshops around the country. Its meteoric rise has been quite sensational, and its next publication is eagerly awaited. 

Other Oxford Publications

There are a few other publications in Oxford, some which have come and go. Related to student journalism, Oxford Media Society is a hugely popular society that has welcomed speakers like Lewis Goodall from BBC Newsnight. The Tab, which was launched at Cambridge Uni and has since become a company providing student news at many universities across the country, had its short stint in Oxford. As there has clearly been a recent drive in student journalism at Oxford, there is clearly potential for publications to grow. 

International, ethnic minority, religious and LGBTQ+ societies

Oxford has a range of inclusive societies for people from a range of different backgrounds. Oxford’s Afro-Caribbean Society (ACS) is one prominent society which organises several exciting events through the year, including a Ball. There are dedicated societies for a range of nationalities. The Oxford LGBTQ+ Society is the largest higher education LGBTQ+ Society in the country with over 2500 members; its members often frequent exciting nights at Plush, plus other non-drinking Society events.

Image credit: Caroline Culler via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)

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