Living in Oxford

City Centre

The centre of Oxford is small enough to explore on foot and within easy walking distance of the bus and railway stations. Oxford is a youthful and cosmopolitan city with plenty to see and do. There are dozens of historic and iconic buildings, including the Bodleian Libraries, Ashmolean Museum, Sheldonian Theatre, the cathedral and the colleges.  You can enjoy its bookshops, galleries and museums at your leisure-and even hire a punt or rowing boat over the river that flows through the city.

In the city centre you will find lots of shops, cafés, restaurants, theatres, cinemas, pubs and clubs. There are plenty of green spaces too: riverside walks, England’s oldest botanic garden, the University Parks and college gardens.

While Oxford provides rich opportunities for joining student clubs and societies, the academic life of the College is enhanced by a varied range of extra-curricular activities, including cultural visits, music and sports.

Where to Eat

Oxford has an outstanding range of cafés, restaurants, bars, delis, street food stalls and food markets, catering to all tastes and dietary requirements, so you’ll never fail to find something that suits! The Covered Market is full of delicious cafes and delis from across all cuisines, and if you’re in the mood for delicious street food from around the world you can try the Westgate Social food court or the global food market which takes place on a Wednesday at Gloucester Green market square.

The Oxford Union

When you study with us you are eligible for temporary membership of the prestigious Oxford Union, a world-renowned debating society founded by Oxford University students. Here, you will have access to world-famous and respected speakers, debates and social events. This is a fantastic opportunity to be a part of an exclusive Oxford academic society – don’t miss out!

The University

Oxford University is ranked among the best in the world and in recent centuries has educated 28 Nobel Prize winners, 28 Prime Ministers of the United Kingdom, and notable writers such as C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien. Interestingly, Oxford has also been the filming location for various films such as “Harry Potter and Philosopher’s Stone” and TV series such as “Inspector Morse”.

Teaching is recorded in the city as far back as 1096, which makes Oxford the first university in the English-speaking world. Monastic ‘halls’ were established from the twelfth century, so that students could be accommodated in safety, and these formed the basis of the medieval university’s colleges. Today, the university is made up of 38 colleges and many academic departments.

There are regular tours of the larger University colleges available throughout the year; join one and learn about this highly respected establishment which has shaped academia and the city in which it resides.