A guide to living, working and studying in Oxford

Some top tips for students

FACTS ABOUT OXFORD:

Oxford has been an established town since the 9th Century. The University of Oxford was established in the 12th Century. It is around 1,110 years old! Alumni include: 28 UK Prime Ministers, 20 Archbishops of Canterbury, 12 saints, 27 Nobel laureates, 50 Nobel Prize winners and Sir Stephen Hawking. Oxford escaped many bombings during the Second World War, meaning that it is therefore a wonderful place to witness old English architecture. Lewis Carroll’s inspiration for his protagonist ‘Alice’ from Alice in Wonderland was named after a real girl, Alice Liddell, the daughter of a Dean in Oxford. The Great Hall at Christ Church was used as inspiration for the Hogwarts dining hall in the Harry Potter films. The staircase leading up to the hall was actually used in several scenes in the films.

Where do students live?

Both universities offer first year accommodation, in or around campus. In second and third year, students usually choose to ‘live out’ and rent housing. The student hotspots are Cowley or Headington. For Oxford students, the colleges that initially offer the first-year accommodation, will offer at least one further year of accommodation (or even for the whole duration of your degree). However, like Oxford Brookes students, you can choose to ‘live out’. Oxford has a selection of privatelyrented houses and flats available.

NOW FOR THE FUN STUFF…

Nightclubs:

The Bridge: “A classic, with a great outdoor area.” – Oxford Brookes Student O2: The favourite location for concerts or special nights out, such as Halloween, as it features the best acts. It is also the spot for Oxford Brookes’ Sports Night. ATIK: With four dance rooms, five bars, and a chill-out room, it’s got something for everyone.

Bars:

The Varsity Club (known colloquially as TVC): Has a rooftop bar overlooking Oxford which, as you can imagine, is particularly nice in the summer months. The Alchemist: Based at the top of Westgate, this bar won’t disappoint with its array of funky drinks with names such as ‘Beach Please’, ‘Cherry Poppins’, and ‘Cereal Killer’. The Mad Hatter’s Speakeasy Cocktail Bar: An eccentric venue with live music and Wonderland-themed drinks. The Bar’s karaoke nights are a firm favourite for Oxford students.

Pubs and restaurants:

The City Arms: Karaoke nights every Thursday. The Cowley Retreat: Oxford Brookes’ central pub featuring live music and a decked terrace for BBQs.

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TOP ACTIVITIES TO DO IN OXFORD:

1. Punting on the River Thames:

“This is 100% something everyone should do, whether you get a guide or ‘take the plunge’ and risk doing it yourself!” – Oxford Brookes

Student 2. May Day Morning: This is a massive day in Oxford… Clubs stay open later and everyone goes out into the streets at around 6 a.m. after partying.

Oxford students jump into the river! 3. Take a trip to Turf Tavern:

A variety of visitors have wined and dined at this pub.

The Harry Potter cast visited during filming, Stephen

Hawking was a regular, and Hollywood star, Elizabeth

Taylor were among the famous few. 4. A stroll through Oxford’s

Botanic Gardens or Christ

Church Meadow. 5. Port Meadow: As a Site of

Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), this is a superb summer spot for picturesque picnics in the warm weather. 6. Blenheim Palace: The birthplace of Winston

Churchill, this is a gorgeous country house worth visiting. 7. Bodleian Library/Radcliffe

Camera building: A great place to research and read. 8. Escape Room in Westgate. 9. Junkyard Golf Club. The Rusty Bicycle: “Home of the best pizzas ever!” – Oxford Brookes Student Quod: A fancy restaurant for some fine dining. Victors: The perfect place to celebrate a birthday. Gees: A place to enjoy a Mediterranean menu in a cosy conservatory.

Parks:

Oxford University Parks: Oxford students’ hangout. South Park: Oxford Brookes students’ hangout with “the best sunsets over the whole of Oxford.” – Oxford Brookes Student

TATIANA SUMMERS, Editor editor@educationchoicesmagazine.com

www.ox.ac.uk www.brookes.ac.uk