International Freshers' Guide 2013

l a n o F i t R rna 3 1 e E 0 t 2 In S H E D I U R G ’ S

E H T D OR Y F T X I O ERS ENT V I D UN STU UNION

u o y g w n i o h kn at t ry to ife e Eveed t l ! n bouord a xf O

DELIVERING TILL

5AM 7 DAYS A WEEK

19 Park End Street, Oxford, OX1 1HU

(01865) 200 222 Opening hours: 10am - 5am, 7 days a week

57 Between Towns Road, Cowley, Oxford, OX4 3LR

(01865) 777 137

Opening hours: 10am - 5am, 7 days a week

126 London Road, Headington, OX3 9ED

(01865) 742 020

Opening hours: 10am - 12 Midnight, 7 days a week 1 Introduction For orders after Midnight please call the Cowley store

Your Student Union got the University to 100M establish a scheme for postgrad scholarships

ÂŁ

ee Degr

Certifi

cate

What do you want us to do next?

Go to www.ousu.org and tell us.

2

Introduction

The Oxford University Student Union

2013 InternationAl Freshers’ Guide Design & Project Management Imogen Bassett Business Manager Max Richardson Acknowledgements The OUSU sabbatical team (past and present), Jennifer Allen, THEO SUNDH Printers PADDOCK PRINT Published and copyrighted

by Oxford Student Services Ltd., the commercial arm of the Oxford University Student Union.

Oxford Student Services Limited 2 Worcester Street Oxford OX1 2BX T (01865) 288 452, F (01865) 288 453 www.ousu.org publisher@ousu.org Every effort is made to ensure that the information in The INTERNATIONAL Freshers’ Guide is accurate. However, no responsibility is taken for any errors or omissions, or any loss arising therefrom.

Neither the editors, OSSL nor OUSU are necessarily in agreement with any of the views expressed. However, we should be glad to hear from you regarding mistakes, additions and suggestions at the above address.

2

Introduction

contents introduction

3...Welcome 4...The Oxford University Student Union 6...Sabbatical Officers

BEFORE YOU ARRIVE

10...CHECKLIST 12...VISAS AND IMMIGRATION 13...WHAT TO BRING

university life

14...INTERNATIONAL ORIENTATION 15...Freshers’ Fair 17...Inside Oxford 19...Oxspeak 20...ACCOMMODATION 22...Undergraduate Life 24...Finance for Undergraduates 25...Finance for Graduates 26...Graduate Life

LIVING IN THE UK

28...British cULTURE 30...BANKING 31...TRAVEL 32...STAYING IN TOUCH

student union campaigns

34...Introduction to Campaigns Campaign for Racial Awareness & EqualitY 35...DISABLED Students’ Campaign Environment & Ethics Campaign 36...International Students’ Campaign It Happens Here CAMPAIGN 37...LGBTQ Campaign Living Wage Campaign 38...The Union ADVERTORIAL 40...MaturE Students’ Campaign Mind Your Head Campaign 41...Target Schools Women’s Campaign 42...Raise & Give

health & wellbeing

44...The Student Advice Service 46...Wellbeing 48...HEALTHCARE 49...Disabilities 50...Academic Welfare

get involved - CLUBS & SOCIETIES

52...Introduction to CLUBS & SOCIETIES Academic CLUBS & SOCIETIES 53...Charity, Community & Ethics CLUBS & SOCIETIES 54...Oxhub ADVERTORIAL 56...College Balls CLUBS & SOCIETIES 57...International & Cultural CLUBS & SOCIETIES 58...Music & The Arts CLUBS & SOCIETIES 60...OUSU Campaigns Careers Religion & Spirituality CLUBS & SOCIETIES 62...Political CLUBS & SOCIETIES Writing, Journalism & Media CLUBS & SOCIETIES 64...Sport CLUBS & SOCIETIES 65...Miscellaneous CLUBS & SOCIETIES

Oxford University Student Union President Tom Rutland welcomes you to THE UK AND University life.

WeLcome

C

ongratulations on your acceptance to the University of Oxford. As an international student, you are joining a rich and diverse community of students that stretches back almost 1000 years.

Whatever you are studying, you will get to experience some of the unique benefits of the Oxford system, rubbing shoulders regularly with academics who are experts in their fields – either in tutorials, classes, supervisions, or even as part of your college social life.

One of the major features of life here is the collegiate system.

Being part of a college offers you a small, international community through which you can get to know students from every discipline, as well as giving you the chance to be part of extra-curricular clubs and societies that are easily accessible.

Whichever college you applied to, you will soon discover that the one you end up at is likely to quickly become your favourite!

The University also has a thriving student community beyond the college walls. As a student community we are stronger when we work together, and those students who choose to get involved in public life hugely enrich the University. This can be through joining one of our incredibly professional sports teams; taking part in the many musical and dramatic opportunities; through membership of one of our 650 clubs and societies; or the Student Union.

always remember THAT OXFORD IS AN INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY – EVERYONE IS WELCOME HERE!

No matter how you choose to participate during your time here, I hope that you make the choice to get involved and experience your passions to the fullest extent.

Oxford is a fantastic place to live, play and study, and the opportunities it offers are many.

Make the most of them.

A final note: keeping up with work while trying to adjust to a new country and culture may understandably seem daunting, but as you’ll find in this guide, there are plenty of ways to meet people and make friends from your own home country, from the UK, and from pretty much anywhere you can think of.

Tom Rutland OUSU President Garlen Lo Vice-President Graduates Kiran Thomas International Students’ Officer Arianna Tassinari Grad International Students’ Officer If you would like to get involved with the International Students’ Campaign email: international@ousu.org

The Oxford University Student Union International Freshers’ Guide

3

YOUR student union As a student at Oxford you are now automatically a member of the Oxford University Student Union (OUSU).

OUSU exists to defend and improve the experience of every student in Oxford. By working together we are better able to act on common concerns and win on the issues that matter. Here’s a summary of some of the things we do...

4

Introduction

Repesentation & Campaigning

OUSU represents Oxford students to the University, local and national government, and the wider world. It is through OUSU that students influence the direction and operations of the University and have their say in the big debates affecting us all. Last year, for example, OUSU helped create the most generous financial aid package in the country, ran the first ever student-led Teaching Awards, and worked with the local council to improve student housing in Oxford.

If you are passionate about making change in the University or the student community then there are a range of Student Union campaigns you can get involved in. Some of our most successful campaigns include the Mind Your Head Campaign, which represents and campaigns for mental health awareness, and Target Schools, which has created a database of over 600 current Oxford students willing to go out to schools and break the myths which stop talented school leavers from applying to Oxford. Other campaigns include: the International Students’ Campaign, the Women’s Campaign, the Mature Students’ Campaign, the Campaign for Racial Awareness and Equality, the Living Wage Campaign and the Environment and Ethics Campaign. Come and find us at Freshers’ Fair to learn more and see how you can get involved!

Student Services

OUSU runs many of the key services that make student life easier and better in Oxford. We organise the annual OUSU Freshers’ Fair, attended by thousands of students to see all that Oxford extra-curricular life has to offer. We also sell student discount cards and stock up your Common Room welfare supplies!

Along with Oxford Brookes University, we run the Safety Bus, the best way to get to anywhere within the Oxford Ring Road for just a pound. We also produce one of the two weekly university newspapers, The Oxford Student, as well as Oxford’s only student radio station, Oxide. Finally, we produce a Careers Guide in partnership with the Careers Service. Wherever you are and whatever you do during your time at Oxford, OUSU will be there, improving the quality of your student experience in Oxford.

Support & Welfare

The Student Advice Service offers free, confidential advice to any student at the University. We are there to help with everything from information requests to problems with academic discipline or complaints procedures. The service helped over 400 students last year and is now supported by two Student Advisers. If you ever need help, just e-mail: advice@ousu.org

We also have a very active Charity Committee ‘Raise and Give’ (RAG) who work with Common Rooms and across the University to raise tens of thousands of pounds every year for local and national charities.

Any Student Union is only ever as good as the students who get involved. Over the next term we’ll be holding elections that give you the chance to become active in every aspect of our work. Whether you’re interested in fair access to Oxford, student welfare or our relationship with the world around us, you’ll have the chance to stand for election and shape the direction that we take as a student community. We’ll also be consulting on what OUSU’s big priorities for the next three years should be. E-mail one of the current fulltime officers or the Returning Officer on ro@ousu.org to find out more.

There’s never been a more exciting time to be involved in the student union. OUSU is well respected both within and outside of the University, and the Oxford student voice is becoming increasingly influential on every issue we decide to speak on. With your help we can continue to fight for and support the best possible student experience in Oxford.

GET INVOLVED! OUSU also supports your Common Room representatives in their work representing you to your College. We provide the training, advice and information to help you get lower rent, better food and higher-quality services. Similarly, we are very active in supporting Clubs and Societies to do the best they can for their members.

The Oxford University Student Union International Freshers’ Guide

5

SABBATICAL OFFICERS president

Tom Rutland president@ousu.org

vice-president (access & academic affairs) RACHEL PICKERING access@ousu.org

As your Student Union President I’m the lead representative of students here at Oxford University. I represent you both to the University and other bodies, including the local community and council, the media (whether student, local or national) the National Union of Students (NUS) and the UK government. A large part of my role is working with, supporting and training your Common Room Presidents and other student activists to improve your university experience here. If you have any problems during your time at Oxford, get in touch – I’ve been elected to serve you.

This year I’m focusing on building a stronger student union: aiming to increase our resources, improve our communication (so that you know what we’re up to, and so that we know what you want us to be doing), and involve more students than ever in their union. The more voices we have behind our campaigns, the stronger we are and the more wins we can achieve for students – so get involved!

Before being elected, I studied Politics, Philosophy and Economics at Jesus College.

6

My job as the VP Access and Academic Affairs is to make Oxford’s education the best it can be, and to make it accessible to everyone with the academic potential to be here. Part of that is done by representing Oxford students’ views on numerous University committees.

A big part of my role is to support College Common Rooms and Departmental Reps in addressing academic issues and promoting access to study at Oxford. I work closely with OUSU’s access campaign Target Schools, seeking to ensure that prospective students, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds, receive as much information and support as possible when considering applying to Oxford.

I’m also a member of the Student Advice Service, and available to offer free, confidential and impartial advice, information and support on a range of issues; particularly problems with courses, colleges and any other academic issues experienced by students while studying in Oxford.

If you’ve got any issues or ideas about Oxford’s academic provision, want to get involved in promoting access, or need advice, just get in touch!

Before starting my year at OUSU, I studied B.A. Geography at Hertford.

Introduction

Sabbatical Officers are paid employees, elected annually by students to work full-time for the Student Union. They are your first point of contact for most enquiries.

Meet your 2013/14 team!

vice-president (CHARITY & COMMUNITY)

vice-president (GRADUATES)

GARLEN LO graduates@ousu.org

DANIEL TOMLINSON charity@ousu.org

When I ran for this role, two of my priorities were the Living Wage and homelessness in Oxford. Part of my job is to support the Oxford Living Wage Campaign as it fights to achieve a living wage of £7.45 per hour for all employees in the Oxford area. I also want to use this role to bring students, Councillors and local homelessness charities together to work effectively on the problem of homelessness in the city.

I co-ordinate the work of the student fundraising society ‘Raise and Give’ and support Common Rooms with their charity events. I oversee the Environment and Ethics committee which works for the implementation of OUSU policy on issues of sustainability, ethical investment and climate change as well as helping students campaign on all levels from college recycling to international crises. I also represent students in interactions with the City of Oxford, liaising with local community representatives working to bridge the town-gown divide.

I represent and support graduate, international, and mature students during their study at Oxford.

Much of my time is spent advancing their interests on the University’s key Committees, but I also work closely with graduate student groups in college Middle Common Rooms (or MCRs). Here I work to train and co-ordinate MCR Presidents and other MCR members, supporting their college activities and bringing together campaigns on wider graduate issues. Over the past year OUSU has raised the profile of graduate issues and I plan to build on this, focusing on graduate funding and on the quality of the graduate academic experience. If you are interested in getting involved in any of this work, or have any questions, then don’t hesitate to get in touch. I am also a member of the Student Advice Service.

I studied for a B.A. in Film at the University for the Creative Arts, before my M.Sc. in Social Anthropology at Oxford.

I’ve just finished studying PPE at Univ. College. I find public transport really interesting, so love the fact that my office at OUSU looks out over Oxford’s bus station.

The Oxford University Student Union International Freshers’ Guide

7

vice-president

vice-president

(WELFARE)

(WOMEN)

CHARLOTTE HENDY welfare@ousu.org

Hello and welcome to Oxford! My name’s Charlotte and I recently graduated from Pembroke College where I complete a B.A. in Theology.

My job is to make sure that the wellbeing of each and every student is looked after here in Oxford. I’ll be training and supporting your College Welfare Reps so that they’ll be there for you whenever you need them. Although they’ll probably be your first port of call if you have any welfare-related problems, I’m also here for you, so feel free to get in touch!

As well as this, I’ll also be representing you to the University and the powers-that-be in Oxford to ensure that, whilst your academic pursuits are a priority, so too are the counselling service, disability provisions, college welfare support etc.

If you come into any big difficulties or problems whilst in Oxford, the Student Advice Service, which I run, is there for you – we have a great team who are dedicated to providing support, information and advice to students and what’s more, it’s free, impartial and confidential!

The other half of my job is to promote equality throughout the University, so that every individual, regardless of disability, race or sexuality, can get the most from their time in Oxford. I’ll be supporting the Equal Opportunities campaigns (Campaign for Racial Awareness and Equality, Disabled Students’ Campaign, LGBTQ Campaign and Mind Your Head Campaign) and helping them to achieve their goals of raising awareness and creating an environment of fairness and equality.

So welcome to Oxford and remember that there’s always someone there for you if you need them!

8

Introduction

SARAH PINE women@ousu.org

Women compose 45.4% of Oxford students, but are continually under-represented throughout the University. It is my job to ensure that the issues affecting students who identify as women are integral in the activities of the University, the colleges, and the Student Union, especially in areas where women are particularly disadvantaged.

My work involves representation, advocacy and welfare. I do this through campaigning for gender equality, working alongside the part-time Women’s Campaign Officer and the Graduate Women’s Officer, and supporting the Women’s Campaign and other gender-based campaigns, Women’s Officers and Equalities Officers in Common Rooms, and student parents of all genders.

I also facilitate a Leadership Development Programme, Sexual Consent and Harassment Workshops and Finals Forums as well as working with the University to improve harassment policy and support for victims and survivors. I provide resources for students involved in gender activism across the University. In addition to these responsibilities, I am a member of the Student Advice Service, where I’m available to provide confidential support and information on any issues you may face.

My degree was in Philosophy, Politics and Economics and I studied at Wadham College.

Why risk being without your laptop or phone?

75% of all student laptop claims are for accidental damage.

Ensure your university studies and social life don’t suffer because of theft, loss or accidental damage to your laptop. As the UK’s No.1 student insurance specialist we understand how important your laptop is to your studies and social life, so let us help you stay connected with our 24 hour* replacement service.

Insure your laptop with Endsleigh from theft, loss or accidental damage, wherever you are from just £37 a year**.

Insurance recommended by

Get protected today.

Visit: endsleigh.co.uk/university Call: 0330 3030 284 01282 672 108

*24 hours represents 1 working day from us approving your claim. ** Price based on a £500 laptop.

Endsleigh Insurance Services Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. This can be checked on the Financial Services Register by visiting their website at www.fsa.gov.uk/register/firmSearchForm.do Endsleigh Insurance Services Limited. Company No: 856706 registered in England at Shurdington Road, Cheltenham Spa, Gloucestershire GL51 4UE.

Freshers 2013 Ad 210x297.indd 1

The Oxford University Student Union International Freshers’ Guide16/07/2013 9

16:41:32

CHECK

CHECK THEM OFF ONCE YOU HAVE COMPLETED EACH TASK BEFORE you arrive

ü

Apply for your student visa (if necessary) Visit www.ox.ac.uk/students/international_students or contact student.immigration@admin.ox.ac.uk Arrange accommodation and notify your college, landlady/landlord of your arrival date For help, contact your college’s Domestic Bursar or the University’s Accommodation Office at accommodation.office@admin.ox.ac.uk Collect documentation you will need when you arrive (and make photocopies) Visit http://tinyurl.com/bo8rkj9 for more information Research ways to transfer money from your home country to the UK Speak to your home bank for more information Plan your budget for while you’re here!

Use the budget calculator at http://international.studentcalculator.org.uk Get some pounds to use for your first few days here Ask your home bank or local currency exchange service Sign up for the University’s Meet and Greet Service If you would like to meet Oxford students at Heathrow Airport visit www.ox.ac.uk/students/new/meet Sign up for the University’s European and International Student Orientation Programme Visit www.ox.ac.uk/students/new/orientation Register with your College Doctor (you can also do this after you arrive if necessary) Contact your college’s Student Administrator for more information Register for your course on Student Self Service Visit http://tinyurl.com/7k5qs3y for a guide to registration

10

Before You Arrive

After you arrive Set up a bank account See p.30 for details Register with the police within seven days (if your passport indicates this is necessary) Visit www.ox.ac.uk/students/international_students for more information or contact student. immigration@admin.ox.ac.uk Visit your college to have your passport scanned and complete registration Contact your college’s Admissions Officer for more information if necessary Print your enrolment certificate from Student Self Service (you might need it for opening a bank account or registering with the police) Visit www.ox.ac.uk/students/studentselfservice Check out DailyInfo for information about everything there is to do and see in Oxford! www.dailyinfo.co.uk Buy or hire your academic gown and mortar board Ask your college’s Common Room President if there are any second-hand ones available to buy. If not, visit www.shepherdandwoodward.co.uk/academic Book a class at the Language Centre (if you want to improve your English or other languages while you’re here) Visit www.lang.ox.ac.uk Research student insurance options for your belongings (if you would like some while you’re here) Speak to your bank in Oxford or visit www.endsleigh.co.uk Buy a TV licence if necessary More information is available at www.tvlicensing.co.uk

LIST The Oxford University Student Union International Freshers’ Guide

11

VISAS & IMMIGRATION After you arrive If you are a national of a certain country or territory (please see the list at www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/ policyandlaw/immigrationlaw/immigrationrules/ appendix2/) with a visa which is valid for six months or more and you are aged 16 or over, you will normally be required to register with the police within seven days of your arrival in the UK. More information will be given at the European and International Student Orientation on 3rd (for Social Science postgraduates only) and 4th October (for all other postgraduates) and 7th October (for undergraduates).

While you are here

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR ALL INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS BEFORE YOU ARRIVE If you are not a national of the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland, you will probably need a visa (Entry Clearance) to study in the United Kingdom. For full-time courses lasting more than six months, you should apply for a Tier 4 (General) student visa. Those already holding a different category of visa (for example a dependent visa, work visa or ancestry visa) may be able to study on that visa without needing to apply under Tier 4.

If you realise a mistake has been made on your visa (length of visa, work conditions, etc), contact student. immigration@admin.ox.ac.uk immediately, as you may be able to have this rectified from within the UK.

12

Before You Arrive

Students holding a Tier 4 student visa have important legal obligations during their time in the UK. Please take time to read your obligations as a visa holder and what to do if your circumstances change at www.ox.ac. uk/students/international_students/visaduring.

The holder of a Tier 4 student visa will normally be allowed to work a maximum of 20 hours per week during term and full time during the holidays.

However Oxford does not allow undergraduates to work during term-time. Please refer to the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) information about working during your studies (available at www.ukcisa.org.uk/content/2487/ Working-during-your-studies) for more information.

For further help or advice regarding any of the issues discussed on this page, please contact the Student Information and Advisory Service (SIAS) at student. immigration@admin.ox.ac.uk. More information is also available on the Student Gateway at www.ox.ac. uk/students/international_students.

WHAT TO BRING

When you’re moving to a new place (particularly a new country), it’s really hard to know what to bring, and it’s really easy to bring too much! The best advice is to pack light (especially when most airlines impose around a 23kg/51lb weight limit on checked luggage!) and only bring what you’ll definitely need during your first few days here.

WHAT TO BRING • Passport • Passport-sized photographs • Proof of your acceptance to Oxford, your term-time address, and your funding or money available to you (you might need to show these to Immigration Control at the airport. More detailed information is available at www.ukcisa.org.uk/ student/info_sheets/arriving_in_uk.php).

• Photocopies of all important documents, including your passport and visa (keep one copy in your checked bag and one in your hand luggage) • Some cash (in pounds sterling) to use until you get a bank account set up • Medical and vaccination records • Any brand name medications which might not be available through the National Health Service (more information is available through NHS Direct at www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk) • A towel (useful to have if you don’t have time to buy one immediately after arriving) • UK power adapter • Mobile phone (if you have one which can take a UK SIM card – see our ‘Staying in Touch’ page for advice!)

• Waterproof coat or jacket (the rain can catch you by surprise here) • Comfortable walking shoes (you’ll do a lot of walking in Oxford) • Sub-fusc attire (see www.admin.ox.ac.uk/statutes/ regulations/48-012.shtml or contact your college for help with this)

WHAT NOT TO BRING • Books (with so many libraries and bookstores in Oxford, you can get what you need when you get here!)

• Beauty-related electrical appliances (things like hair dryers and curling irons from other countries tend to blow fuses – even when using them with UK adapters!)

• Any perishable food items (they will be taken away from you at the airport) • Sheets (unless you specifically buy some that will fit UK beds! Bed sizes are here: http://tinyurl.com/n6okb7)

what to buy AFTER YOU ARRIVE • Household goods (i.e. sheets, towels, dishes) • Mobile phone (if needed) or UK SIM card • Academic gown and mortar board • Bike (if you plan to cycle in Oxford) • Umbrella (a necessary thing to have in Oxford) • Winter coat, hat, and gloves (unless you have really good ones from home!)

• Hot water bottle (useful to have for your bed in the winter) • TV licence • Bus pass (only really necessary if you will be using the bus on a daily basis)

The Oxford University Student Union International Freshers’ Guide

13

INTERNATIONAL

ORIENTATION Your first week at University will be an exciting yet daunting time.

Luckily there are plenty of ways in which you can start to feel at home.

E

ach year, the University’s Student Information and Advisory Service (SIAS) run a Meet and Greet Service to welcome European and international students arriving at Heathrow Airport. Current students from Oxford will meet you at the Central Bus Station to direct you to the bus to Oxford, explain how to find your college/ accommodation and answer any questions you may have. More information about this service and the dates available can be found at www.ox.ac.uk/ students/new/meet.

SIAS also holds a free Orientation Programme for undergraduate and postgraduate European and international students before the start of Freshers’ Week in Michaelmas Term. The Orientation Programme consists of a number of talks and an

14

University Life

information fair which will provide basic information about the academic framework of Oxford degrees, living in Oxford, academic and health/welfare support services available to students, working during your studies, visa information, language courses, and the chance to meet banks and start the process to open an account. You will have the chance to meet with current students, administrative staff and other new international students.

You will have the chance to meet with current students, administrative staff and other new international students

In addition to attending the Programme, you can sign up for optional walking tours of Oxford run by current students who will show you the location of banks, shops, libraries and supermarkets. You can find out the dates and location for the Orientation Programme by visiting www.ox.ac.uk/students/new/. If you have questions regarding orientation, please contact the Student Information and Advisory Service at student. information@admin.ox.ac.uk.

with a sports team, sowing the seeds of you future career organising for an entrepreneurial society, or writing for a newspaper – whatever it is you’re looking for, you’ll definitely find it at the Fair.

You can probably predict some of the organisations that will be attending: as well as every sport under the sun (including five types of football), there are also societies dedicated to politics, music, arts, drama, culture and

Kick-start your time at Oxford and experience all the fun of the fair!

F

reshers’ Fair is the largest event organised by the Oxford University Student Union. Every year thousands of students descend on the University Exam Schools to hear pitches from more than 500 clubs, teams, societies, charities and commercial stallholders. There is no other event that involves so much of the student body, or that provides as much fun, freebies and opportunities.

Although it may feel like the only reason anybody ever comes to Oxford is to learn, for many people life at university is something that begins far outside of the library.

Whether it’s dedicating large swathes of your time to practising

questions you might have, so do take the chance to chat to us and hear what your Student Union can do for you.

The Fair runs for three days between Wednesday 9th and Friday 11th October at the University Exam Schools. Times are arranged with colleges in advance and you’ll be informed when you and the rest of your year are coming to the Fair.

For further information visit www.oxfordfreshersfair.org

freshers’

fair charities. This probably sounds like a bit of a maze, so to make it more navigable, the Fair is divided into different sections of similar societies, so don’t be surprised to find the Greens opposite Conservative Future. For an international feel, check out the area with the societies catering for all the nationalities and languages represented at the University, whilst the commercial marquee is wellstocked with graduate recruiters and local businesses from around Oxford, ready to tempt you into their store with a well-placed freebie or voucher.

The OUSU Sabbatical Officers will also be at the Fair to meet and greet you and to answer any

The Oxford University Student Union International Freshers’ Guide

15

n o i n U t n e d u t S y t i s r e v i n U d r o f x O e Th

’ S R E H S E FR

!

R I A F

e Her

ar e y ic m e rg d o a . r c i a a f r s u r o e y h t s r e r ta f s d r k o c f i x k o o . t

www

Exam Schools

9th - 11th October 2013

All Freshers will get tickets from their college during 0th Week.

Friday 11th October is Re-Freshers Fair

All years welcome - just bring your bod-card to gain entrance.

The official Freshers’ Fair for The University of Oxford

16

University Life

inside oxford The finer points of Oxford’s baffling structure

You will also have access to your subject faculty – these are all pretty central and easy to find. Generally you’ll have most of your lectures here, along with labs for scientists. You may have some seminars and classes in your faculty with larger groups. Some faculties will have a common room or café too and all have wellstocked libraries.

THE UNIVERSITY IS SPREAD OUT ACROSS THE ENTIRE CITY, WITH DEPARTMENTS, LIBRARIES, COLLEGES AND SERVICES ALL MIXED IN WITH THE REST OF THE TOWN

W

hen you first come to Oxford you’ll notice that Oxford isn’t just one campus; the University is spread out across the entire city, with departments, libraries, colleges and services all mixed in with the rest of the town.

The collegiate system is one of Oxford’s oldest defining features. However, it is unfamiliar to most people before they come to Oxford and can be a bit confusing at first. For undergraduates, quite a bit of teaching is likely to be in college, while graduates are mostly taught in departments. Most colleges have around 400 students or fewer and are tight-knit communities so it very quickly becomes your home.

Your college will have Common Rooms for undergraduate and graduate students (normally called JCRs and MCRs respectively) and Common Room committees which will organise social events and student support, as well as represent your views to the college.

In fact, it’s almost impossible to walk 100 yards in Oxford without running into a library of some kind.

All colleges have a library and study spaces, many of which are open 24 hours a day. The jewel in Oxford’s library crown, though, is unquestionably the Bodleian (known affectionately as ‘the Bod’). Thanks to its Copyright Deposit Library status, the Bod holds a copy of practically everything printed in Britain since 1602.

Obviously not all of these books can be held on-site, but you can order anything from the Bod’s catalogues to a specific library or reading room within 24 hours (a process known as a ‘stack request’). Bear in mind that the Bod doesn’t allow people to borrow books, so you can only use them during opening hours. The Bod’s science collections are held in the Radcliffe Science Library (RSL) opposite Keble College.

Finally, OUSU, your Student Union, is located in Gloucester Green, next to the main bus station.

Central student services, such as the Careers Service, Disability Advisory Service and Counselling Service are spread across the city and open to all students, regardless of college. Examination Schools are located on the High Street and look every bit as scary as you would imagine. Don’t worry about them yet, though!

The Oxford University Student Union International Freshers’ Guide

17

FRESHERS’ Congratulations! on getting into Oxford and welcome to the Class of 2013! To celebrate your matriculation into the University and your College, order your Freshers’ hoodie by 25th September and we will delivery it in time for Freshers Week.

Pick your college and personalise it with your own name. Your hoodie can be delivered to your home or collected from your new College.

HOODIE

2013

Order now for only:

£22.99

Go to www.ousu.org for details on how to order.

18

University Life

OXFORD DICTIONARY THE

get to grips with Oxford’s not-sosecret language Battels (n): College bills for accommodation, meals, cleaning up your mess, etc.

Bod Card (n): Your student card. It’s an ID, a library card and a credit card for meals in college.

Bop (n): Sweaty, boozy, cheesy college party where costumes come as standard.

Collections (n): Mock exams set by tutors at the start of term. They don’t count towards your degree at all, but some colleges will insist you take them seriously anyway.

Confirmation (n): Similar to Transfer, a bout of writing with a chat at the end. Happens towards the end of a DPhil, usually at the end of the second year or beginning of third.

Cuppers (n): Inter-collegiate competitions, from drama to croquet.

Dean (n): College official in charge of discipline, aka: rector, provost.

Entz (n): Organised fun. Usually run by your CR committee – film nights, bops, etc.

Fellow (n): A member of a college’s Senior Common Room or teaching staff.

Finals (n): Technically any exam or assessment that actually counts towards your degree. Usually used to refer to the two weeks or so at the end of your course.

Formal Hall (n): Dinner in college, but posher.

Hack (v & n): Used to describe both the solicitation of votes and the type of person that does it.

JCR/MCR/GCR/SCR (n): ‘CR’ means ‘Common Room’; ‘J’ is for ‘Junior’ (undergrad), ‘M’ is middle (grads), ‘G’ is ‘Graduate’ and ‘S’ is for ‘Senior’ (fellows and tutors). Can refer to both the physical space and the constituent members.

Matriculation (n): Ceremony held a couple of weeks after coming up (regardless of geography, you always ‘come up’ to Oxford) for the first time. This is the official moment of induction to the University.

Michaelmas/Hilary/ Trinity (n): The names of the terms.

Michaelmas is October to December; Hilary is January to March; Trinity is April to June.

Mods/Prelims (n): Your first public (i.e. not college) exams, usually at the end of the first year.

They don’t count towards your degree, but you do need to pass them to continue with the course.

Pidge (v & n): Short for ‘Pigeon Hole’.

Your internal and external post will be found here.

Proctors (n): Two fellows appointed yearly to oversee student discipline and welfare across the whole University.

Rusticated/Sent down (v): Being made to leave the University as a punishment. Rustication is a suspension, being sent down means you’re out for good.

Sub fusc (n): Clothing worn underneath a gown with a mortarboard for exams and other formal occasions.

Submission (n): For DPhils, the final bit of writing and a chat. The writing has to be 100,000 words this time, and the chat is in sub fusc and open to the public Transfer (v): The process DPhil students have to go through in order to become proper DPhil students. Usually happens at the end of the first year and involves writing a report and an oral exam.

Tute (n): Short for tutorial.

The Oxford University Student Union International Freshers’ Guide

19

ACCOMMODATION Living in college Each college has its own arrangements for housing, so it’s worth investigating your college’s policy to understand how it works. It’s important to note that the length of lease and the cost of staying in college outside of term-time can vary. Your college’s JCR/MCR should be able to help you out with any queries you have with college accommodation. Alternatively you can ask a member of your college’s staff, usually the Domestic Bursar, for help.

Often you will want to leave various items in Oxford between terms. Some colleges offer vacation storage, either in college or in other accommodation buildings. However, storage is often very scarce, so you will want to check with your JCR/MCR or college staff to find out whether or not there is any available to you.

If your college does not provide such storage, there are a number of storage firms in Oxford with whom you can leave items for a fee.

You will be charged ‘battels’ on your termly bill for the costs of living in college, including your room and meals in hall. Each college has different time limits for paying the bills and they will inform you of the expectations for payment when presenting you with the bill.

Every college provides accommodation for its firstyear undergraduate students, and many colleges also provide accommodation for new graduate students. In some colleges, you are able to live onsite for your entire course, whereas in others onsite accommodation is only available in your first year. Check with your college as to their specific arrangements. Some colleges do not have sufficient housing and therefore require you to live out after your first year. Many students are housed within the college site while others live on college-owned premises around the city.

Accommodation varies between colleges but it is fair to expect a bed, desk, chair, closet, heating, and an Internet connection in your room. You may also have a personal bathroom or you will share a bathroom with other students. Some colleges also provide small kitchens for accommodation blocks in addition to their own Hall facilities.

Living out of college If you’re planning to live out of college (usually simply called ‘living out’), Studentpad (www.oxfordstudentpad.co.uk) is a great place to start your housing search – it’s a property finder that is free to use and managed by the University of Oxford’s Accommodation Office.

You can also enquire about student letting at various letting agencies in the city. However, be aware that these agents will charge you administration fees of up to around £150 per person once you decide to rent a property with them.

20

University Life

nus.org.uk

Big fun from

small cost

ÂŁ12 fo

r 12 m of di o buy n scoun nths ow at ts n

us.o

rg.u k

DISCOUNT CARD All details correct at time of printing July 2013 1NUS1086

undeRgraduate

life

Coming up to Oxford as an undergraduate? Want to know more about what the work will be like? Let us prepare you for what to expect...

W

hen you first arrive, it’s common to feel a little nervous at the prospect of studying alongside some of the brightest students in the country. But ask around and it’ll soon become clear that most Freshers are convinced they only just scraped in by some fluke. You’ve got a place because tutors are convinced of your academic potential and over the years they’ve become pretty good at picking the right people!

The most important thing is not to panic about how good your first piece of work is going to be; your tutors are not going to make permanent judgements of you on the basis of early work or expect your early essays to be masterpieces! Although you’ll obviously want to do your best, your best will get a lot better, and while your first essay or problem sheet may not be that of a Finalist, it’ll definitely be good enough for your first tutorial.

Along with this Freshers’ Guide you may well have been sent your first reading list or problem sheet, and you may already be wondering about the work you’ll have to do at Oxford. The reading lists given out by tutors are not meant to be ploughed through exhaustively; nor do you have to read everything coverto-cover. Your tutor won’t expect you to have read everything and they know you’ll have had less time for your first essay or problem sheet and it needn’t take over your first week. Some aspects of the course will be more taxing for some than others, but tutors are more than aware of this fact and anticipate that everyone will have to do some catching up.

It can take a while to figure out Oxford’s different forms of teaching and how to get the most out of them. Lectures are generally a good way of getting to grips with the core material and clarifying things that may not be clear from your reading. Classes often take the form of an open discussion with students presenting on certain topics. Some students are tense about presenting at first, but it’s an important skill and you’ll quickly get lots of practice.

Tutors usually have a positive attitude to you sharing ideas and problems with other students, and if you really get stuck, it’s absolutely not the end of the world.

The module handbooks are invaluable places to look for help and subject parents are more than willing to lend a hand. The language used in some journal papers can seem very dense and confusing at first but it really does get easier after a short time.

22

University Life

The part of Oxford’s teaching that sometimes worries new students is the tutorial; however, part of the reason you were offered a place here was because you did well in the interview; and having done well in the interview, you’re set up to succeed in tutorials!

Tutorials differ between subjects and between tutors, but generally they are an opportunity for you to present and discuss ideas with your tutor, stretch your thinking into new territory and deepen your understanding. Some students talk about ‘surviving’ tutorials rather than enjoying them, and it’s true that if you don’t put in any effort then you can get a bit of a

grilling, or worse, awkward silences. But get through a chunk of the reading list, put some thought into your argument and spend a little time writing and proofreading, and you’ll quickly find out why tutorials are the most inspirational, rewarding and prized aspects of a degree at Oxford.

Some tutors will cover your essay with comments and ticks, others will give it a grade while others may hardly make a mark at all; but the tutorial itself is the opportunity for tutors to give detailed oral feedback on work. It’s worth remembering that any criticism is meant to be constructive, and you will have a chance to act on a lot of it for the next week.

THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IS NOT TO PANIC ABOUT HOW GOOD YOUR FIRST PIECE OF WORK IS GOING TO BE; YOUR TUTORS ARE NOT GOING TO MAKE PERMANENT JUDGEMENTS OF YOU ON THE BASIS OF EARLY WORK OR EXPECT YOUR EARLY ESSAYS TO BE MASTERPIECES

If you feel that you’re not getting as much out of your tutorials and classes as you would like then it’s definitely worth discussing the issue with your tutor, personal tutor, or your College support team (see Welfare for more details on who’s who). You will likely have catch-up meetings at the end of each term, where your tutor will check that you’ve been happy with your progress over the course of the term and these are good opportunities to flag up any concerns which you may have. Remember – the teaching is designed to help you and if you feel that it is not then you should make sure that your College knows that you’re having problems.

While most students enjoy their experience of studying at Oxford, there may well be weeks where you feel like you’re not getting a great deal out of it – a lot of people feel this way, both because of the intense nature of Oxford’s short terms and because of the sometimes heavy workload. There are lots of places you can go to for help, and the OUSU Student Advice Service (advice@ousu.org) can assist you and direct you to the best people and resources.

The Oxford University Student Union International Freshers’ Guide

23

FINANCE MATTERS

WHETHER YOU ARE AN UNDERGRADUATE OR GRADUATE, IT’S IMPOrTANT TO THINK ABOUT FINANCE EARLY SO YOU CAN MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR TIME AT OXFORD

from the UK and EU choose to take out a student loan to cover their fees, and, depending on family income, part of their living costs – these loans have relatively low interest rates, and won’t need to be paid back until you’re earning above £21,000 after your degree.

Almost all UK residents are able to open a student bank account offering an interest-free overdraft of over £1,000. This can be very useful, but it does need to be repaid soon after graduation to avoid the overdraft charges that kick in when you are no longer a student.

Many Colleges also have money available for those in hardship, as well as grants for travel or study support.

It’s well worth talking to your College Office or your JCR about what’s available. If you find yourself in sudden financial difficulty then your college will typically be the best place to get assistance – your first point of contact should be your College Secretary or Hardship Officer.

Alongside the support available from both the University and your College, the short Oxford terms mean more time during vacations to earn some money. Tutors don’t like you having a job during term time, and in any case, you’ll probably find you don’t have enough time to study, hold down a job and enjoy yourself too!

You might want to consider making a budget for each week or term. Even if it consists of nothing more than an allocated amount of money per week, you’ll find it much easier to keep track of spending, and avoid nasty surprises when you check your bank balance!

UNDERgraduate FINANCE

W

hile studying at university is never particularly cheap, Oxford has many measures in place to ensure that financial concerns don’t threaten your degree.

First off are government-backed loans and grants, and the bursaries provided by the University. These vary by country and within the UK, so for full details, take a look at www.ox.ac.uk/feesandfunding. Most students

24

University Life

Finally, if you’re concerned about any aspect of funding or support then your College Office or the Student Funding office (student.funding@admin. ox.ac.uk) will be able to answer any questions, or you can e-mail the OUSU Student Advice Service on advice@ousu.org.

Graduate finance

(‘sub fusc’); you may find yourself attending more formal events or meals than elsewhere; you may decide a bike is necessary to help you fit in everything you want to do. For international students, as well as the extra costs of travelling to the UK, you also need to bear in mind the impact on fluctuations in the exchange rate on your savings or funding.

Fees Fees are the most significant cost of studying in Oxford, and it’s important to be aware that you’ll need to pay both university fees (which cover your tuition) and college fees (for college facilities). Each will vary according to your course. DPhil students are liable for a set number of years, after which they cease to pay tuition. For many students, the costs of studying will be at least partly met through a research grant or scholarship.

The University offers a combined fees calculator and funding search on its website www.ox.ac.uk/ feesandfunding/search/launch/. As well as telling you the fees you will pay at Oxford, it will also help you track down any awards you may be eligible for. Make sure you research funding as soon as possible as they may have strict deadlines and distribution dates. Ask your College for information on what smaller bursaries they can offer for books, travel and so on. Finally, if you believe you have been given the wrong fee status, you can query this with the Fees Panel by contacting the Fees Clerk: fees.clerk@admin.ox.ac.uk.

Living Costs The University has estimated that you will need £9,000 - £12,500 to live in Oxford, depending whether you are in the city for nine or 12 months. This is based on living in college or shared accommodation, and would need to cover costs such as food, clothing, stationery, socialising etc.

However, there can be other costs associated with studying that you’ll need to budget for – a computer, maybe specialist research software, the need to travel to carry out field work or attend conferences. There are a few additional costs to living in Oxford that you wouldn’t necessarily need to think about at other universities: you need a gown and cap and a dark suit

ASK YOUR COLLEGE FOR MORE INFORMATION ON WHAT SMALLER BURSERIES THEY CAN OFFER...

Hardship funds There are a number of hardship funds available to help you cope with unexpected financial problems.

The first stop is to find out whether your College can offer you a hardship grant or loan, though these will vary across colleges. If you can’t obtain help from the College, there is a University hardship fund, usually offering no more than £2000 per award. A range of other bodies also offer support, details of which are on the University website. Contact student.funding@ admin.ox.ac.uk for advice if you are experiencing financial hardship, or e-mail OUSU on advice@ousu. org.

Employment Obviously, one option to boost your income while studying is to take on some part-time work – teaching undergraduates, working in the libraries, as a college junior Dean, work related to your field, or bar work etc. However graduate students are expected to do no more than 20 hours’ paid work a week. Teaching undergraduates is a popular choice for graduates, but there are a limited number of opportunities. Speak to your supervisor or departmental administrator to find out about teaching opportunities.

The Oxford University Student Union International Freshers’ Guide

25

graduate life

Congratulations on coming to Oxford to do your Postgraduate degree! Here is a little of what is in store...

26

University Life

T

here is no such thing as the typical Oxford Graduate experience: the sheer breadth of subjects we study, our previous experience and the range of nationalities mean that life as a postgraduate is exciting and stimulating. The college system differentiates us from other universities, and colleges have a slightly different function for graduates than for undergraduates, since we are taught in our departments. Many graduates can live in college accommodation and colleges provide dining facilities (Hall), social events through the Middle (or Graduate) Common Room, libraries and more.

Perhaps the most important function of colleges is to give you a social space where you can meet friends and relax away from your studies. Take advantage of the events colleges and Common Rooms put on – special dinners, balls, bops and concerts - they offer a welcome break from studying! Getting to know other students from a huge range of backgrounds and studying in all kinds of different fields is one of the most rewarding experiences Oxford has to offer.

Take advantage of the events colleges and common rooms put on – special dinners, balls, bops and concerts – they offer a welcome break from studying!

Your departments (and the divisions they sit within) also offer the opportunity to get involved in more than just compulsory classes and private study. Look out for lectures, special seminars and skills training workshops that students are welcome to attend. There is also a wide range of student-led interdisciplinary discussion groups you can go along to – ask your department for groups that may be useful.

Your department should also have an academic representation structure in place so that it is responsive to the academic needs of people on your course. Many departments will have elections for course representatives at the start of the year. Being a rep is a great way of getting to know your department and your colleagues, as well as an opportunity to shape the provision you get as a postgraduate student.

OUSU’s Freshers’ Fair is a good place to find out about the sports clubs and student societies you can get involved with. There really is a society for everyone at Oxford – a huge range of sports, cultural societies, political societies, newspapers and journals, debating societies and discussion forums, and volunteering.

Your College will also have friendly sports teams to get involved with.

Your MCR also offers opportunities to relax, or unwind. The physical MCR, like college bars, is a place to catch up with people, while MCR events can include ‘welfare teas’ (tea and cake and friendly company), trips to art museums or the theatre and bops – cheap drinks, loud music and fancy dress themes. If there’s nothing that catches your eye, suggest something new to your MCR committee or organise it yourself!

Standing for election for your MCR committee is a great way to get to know people and play an active part in college life.

A word of warning: life in Oxford can be exciting and busy, but it can also be tough. Graduates can feel isolated at times, particularly if you’re far from home, or it’s been a while since you were a student. If you find that you’re having difficulties, don’t worry, there is lots of support at hand – get in touch with your Common Room President or Welfare Officer to find out what’s going on in College, speak to your college advisor or contact the Student Advice Service at OUSU (advice@ousu.org) if you want to discuss your concerns. The pressure of graduate study at Oxford means that stress can be common, but the most important thing to remember is that help is on offer, and it’s best to ask before things get too difficult.

The Oxford University Student Union International Freshers’ Guide

27

A BRIEF GUIDE ON HOW TO GET TO GRIPS WITH BRITISH CULTURE

Food

CULTURE

Many foreigners tend to find traditional British food not as salty or spiced as that cooked at home.

However, modern British food reflects the diversity of the people who live here. Curry, for example, rivals fish and chips as one of the most popular dishes in Britain today. Vegetarian options are widely available, in pubs, restaurants and college halls. Oxford offers a variety of restaurants serving Indian, Nepalese, Chinese, Japanese, Thai, French, Italian, Spanish and American foods.

Drinks Britain is a huge tea-drinking nation. You will find everything from regular English Breakfast to Earl Grey (flavoured with bergamot), to a range of herbal teas, all located in your local supermarket. For a culture that cannot grow tea on its shores, the British drink a lot of it!

In the UK traditional beer is called ‘ale’ and is different from ‘lager’, which is what most nationalities would call beer (like Carlsberg, Fosters, Stella, etc.).

Ale is generally darker in colour, far less bubbly and

28

BRITISH

Living In The UK

served at room temperature or just below. There are hundreds of different brands of ale in the UK and every pub will have its own selection. It is usually only about 4-5% alcohol and served in pints or half pints.

Cider is another popular alcoholic drink in Britain.

This is a drink normally made from apples or pears (though there are sometimes other flavours available) which is served in bottles, pints, or half pints. You can get either ‘dry’ or ‘sweet’ cider, and each has its own unique taste.

Pubs are quintessentially British: you can find them in or near every village, town and city in Britain. Going to the pub is a common social activity among students and central to British social life. But don’t worry if you don’t drink alcohol, you can still enjoy a trip to the pub. All pubs serve non-alcoholic drinks, snacks, and will generally serve lunch and dinner. However, note that at many pubs, meals are only served at specific times.

Weather

Culture Shock

Oxford weather is typical of weather in the United Kingdom and can be quite unpredictable at times.

The summer months of May, June, July, August and September are generally the warmest and sunniest, but they will also have periods of wet weather.

The term ‘culture shock’ is simply a way of describing the range of feelings or emotions experienced by anyone who leaves a familiar culture to live in a different and less familiar culture. Homesickness, irritability, confusion, nervousness, stress, fear, anxiety, and excitement are among the most common symptoms. For some, culture shock might negatively affect concentration or sleep.

When you arrive in the UK, the weather will be changeable. In autumn, there are some lovely warm days when the sun shines and you do not need a coat.

However, the weather is equally likely to be cool, and it will become colder throughout your first term.

Some culture shock is normal and almost unavoidable.

For most people it is temporary and nothing to worry about. It is experienced to some extent by almost everyone who lives, works, studies, or travels abroad for any length of time, regardless of whether or not they are leaving their home country for the first time.

Knowing what to expect should help to reduce any anxiety you may have about your stay in the UK. Keep an open mind and try to understand British customs and etiquette. Always ask if you are not sure what to do or if you don’t understand something. Remember that it might take time to become comfortable using English if it is not your first language.

Being a truly international institution, Oxford boasts a number of national and cultural societies, as well as the International Students’ Campaign. These are definitely good places to turn to for help when faced with cultural shock or homesickness. Don’t be afraid to ask.

During the winter months of December, January and February, Oxford’s weather is wet and cold, often with freezing temperatures, frost and even snow. However, there are also many crisp, sunny days. You will need several warm items, a waterproof coat, sturdy shoes and an umbrella.

Spring weather is fairly mild during March, April and May, with some days being warm and others cool and rainy. Many of the trees begin to flower at this time of the year and Oxford’s parks and gardens are filled with spring colour.

Predicting the weather in Britain is an impossible task but one thing is certain: after your time in the UK you will be unable to prevent yourself from bringing the weather into every conversation, come rain or shine!

Knowing what to expect should help to reduce any anxiety you may have about your stay in the UK

Above all, remember that you are not alone.

Most international students go through the same experiences. It might be hard to believe in the beginning, but it is only a matter of time before you adjust and feel at home here. Also, remember, the initial challenges you face here will only make the experience more rewarding!

The Oxford University Student Union International Freshers’ Guide

29

BANKING You’ll find plenty of bank account options and advice available to suit your needs as an international student and help you keep control of your finances.

M

anaging your money when you study in the UK is much easier with a UK bank account. There are a number of banks to choose from, many of which have branches in Oxford’s city centre. Both the British Bankers Association and the Money Advice Service have produced documents that offer helpful comparisons of the accounts available to you as an international student. You can access these comparisons via UKCISA’s website at www.ukcisa.org.

The easiest way to get more information about your bank account options once you’re in Oxford is to visit the information fair at the University’s European and International Student Orientation. Information on this year’s programme is available from: www.ox.ac.uk/ students/new/orientation.

There are a number of banks to choose from, many of which have branches in Oxford’s city centre debit card. It is wise to bring some British pounds with you to Oxford in case you need them while waiting for your debit card.

You can withdraw money from cash points when you arrive. Make sure your home bank knows you are leaving the country and want to make withdrawals in the UK, otherwise you might find they block your card.

Opening an account

Using your account

You’ll usually need to make an appointment at a bank in order to open an account, so allow time for this during your first week in Oxford. The bank will confirm what you need to bring, but the standard documents required are your passport, visa, Oxford Enrolment Certificate (which you can access online by logging into your Student Self Service account at www.ox.ac.uk/students), proof of your UK address (e.g. invoice from college or a bill) and your offer letters from your department and college. You may also need a bank statement less than three months old which covers a minimum of a one-month period and (if applicable) has been translated into English.

Assuming there are no problems, your account will usually be active right after your appointment, though you will usually have to wait a few days to receive your

Most banks in the UK are open from 9am-5pm, Monday to Friday, and some are also open on Saturday mornings. All banks are closed on UK public holidays called ‘Bank Holidays’. If you have a debit card for your account, you can use cash points (ATMs) 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

30

Living In The UK

You should ask both your home bank and your UK bank about the best ways to transfer money from one account to the other. Companies such as Western Union (www.westernunion.co.uk) and PayPal (www. paypal.co.uk) can also be helpful for sending money between countries. If you’re sending or receiving over £250, look into using the Post Office (www.postoffice. co.uk/international-payments) as they don’t charge fees for transfers between £250 and £300,000.

TRAVEL GETTING AROUND IS EASY WHEN YOU KNOW HOW...

Cycling Oxford is a fairly compact city, so most places in central Oxford are within walking distance. However, if you would like to speed up your travel time, you might want to consider joining the ranks of the vast population of Oxford cyclists.

Many roads in Oxford, especially in the city centre, have designated cycle lanes, making it a convenient form of transport here compared to other cities. Cyclists must obey all traffic laws (like red lights) and must use lights at night. Local police frequently set up checkpoints and there is a fine for cycling without lights. Bike parking is available everywhere, but make sure you get a strong lock as bike theft is common.

For more information about cycling in Oxford, check out the City Council’s webpage at www.oxford.gov.uk/PageRender/ decTS/Cycling_and_Walking_occw.htm.

Buses & taxis Local buses are mostly operated by the Oxford Bus Company and by Stagecoach. Fares are charged by distance (pay the driver when boarding; change is available). If you plan on making more than two trips in one day, buy an all-day pass to save money. The main hubs for local buses are the rail station and St Aldates. If you plan to use the bus regularly, you can get a rechargeable smart card called ‘the key’ that gives a discount on bus fares for multi-trips, weekly, monthly or annual use. You can sign up for a smart card in Debenhams, on the 3rd floor, or online at www.oxfordkey.co.uk/smartcard/register. A monthly travel pass costs around £45.

The OUSU Safety Bus, also known as the Night Bus, is a volunteer-run scheme, set up to provide a safe and affordable means of transport late at night. To use the Safety Bus, call 07714 445050 between 9pm and 3am, Monday to Saturday and between 9pm and 1am on Sunday; the bus will pick you up from, and deliver you to, any destination within the ring road for a £1 donation.

Oxford also has metered taxis that can be flagged down from the street or taken from taxi stands located around the city, as well as ‘minicabs’ which must be ordered by phone.

Meter taxis are quite pricey but are convenient for short hops if travelling in a big group. Minicabs are much cheaper for long-distance journeys.

Getting away London is quite easy to get to from Oxford using either the Oxford Tube (www.oxfordtube.com) or X90 (www. oxfordbus.co.uk/main.php?page_id=261) coach services.

Each stops at different locations in London, so it’s worth checking which stops nearer where you’re going before deciding which one to use. You can get to London faster by train (about one hour compared to nearly two hours on the coach), but it is more expensive.

National Express (www.nationalexpress.co.uk) provides UKwide coach services. You can buy your ticket in their office at Gloucester Green coach station, from the driver or online. If you plan to use it often, consider getting a coach card, which will save you at least 20% on every journey.

The railway system in Britain is expensive compared to those in mainland Europe, but it can be faster than taking a coach if you’re travelling a far distance. Visiting the National Rail Enquiries website (www.nationalrail.co.uk) is the best way to find the connection and price you want. You can buy tickets at www.thetrainline.com, which charges extra but is reliable.

If you intend to travel by rail frequently, apply for a 16-25 Railcard, which will save you a third off the price on every trip.

If you are over 25 years old but attending Oxford as a full-time student, you are eligible for this card – you just need to get your department to stamp and sign your application.

Travelling through Europe is still international travel, and it is important that students who want to go somewhere new are prepared. Before travelling outside of the UK, you should first check whether a visa is needed to do so. Most countries will have tourism websites that will tell you whether you will be able to visit without a visa. Flying is usually the cheapest option for travelling in Europe. The earlier you book your flight, the cheaper your ticket will be. Easyjet (www.easyjet.com) and Ryanair (www.ryanair.com) are the most popular low-fare airlines. If you decide to travel by train, order advance tickets from www.raileurope.com for cheaper options.

You can also get the ISIC or IYTC student card to get discounts on your European travels. Each card costs about £9 and can be used to buy discounted flights, accommodation and other tourist services. Both are available from STA Travel, 36 George Street in Oxford, or online at www.statravel.co.uk.

You can also apply for an NUS Extra card through OUSU (£10/year), which doubles as an ISIC card. More information is available at www.nus.org.uk/en/nus-extra.

The Oxford University Student Union International Freshers’ Guide

31

STAYING Here are just a few of the ways you can stay in touch with loved ones.

Mobile Phones You can buy a new mobile phone or just a UK SIM card if you have a phone from home you plan to use.

However, be sure to check with your mobile phone provider about whether your phone can accept international SIM cards.

A SIM card is a small card inside a phone that holds data associated with a particular phone number.

Having data stored on a SIM card allows you to switch phones but keep the same phone number and list of contacts.

check with your mobile phone provider about whether your phone can accept international SIM cards If you would like to use your phone from home but cannot unlock it yourself, there are shops in Oxford that will do this for about £20-£25. Your phone must be a GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications) device to work in the UK (check whether your phone is listed at www.gsmarena. com).

Unlocking your phone allows you to use a SIM card from any phone company rather than having to use the one originally assigned to your phone.

There are a number of mobile phone providers available in Oxford, all of which have similar coverage and rates. The most popular ones (in no particular

32

Living In The UK

order) are O2, Orange, Vodafone, Virgin, Three, and T-Mobile. Visiting a shop like Carphone Warehouse (located in Cornmarket Street) that offers plans with different providers can be helpful.

Picking a plan You can choose between a ‘pay as you go’ plan (which allows you to add minutes/texts/data to your phone whenever you run out) or a contract (which allows you to pay on a monthly basis for a set number of minutes/ texts/data).

Adding minutes/texts/data is called a ‘top-up’. You can top up your phone online, over the phone, at a cash machine/ATM, or at many corner shops and supermarkets.

TOUCH

IN

A contract usually requires you to sign up for a minimum amount of time (which can be up to 24 months) and provide details of a UK bank account and proof of your UK address. This can sometimes be difficult for international students to arrange until they have opened a bank account. Also, if you do not have a UK credit track record, you might have to pay an additional fee (which is usually refundable after a certain number of months with no late payments).

While all contracts require monthly payments for phone service, each handles the cost of the phone differently. Some require no payment for the phone upfront but monthly payments afterwards; others require you to pay part of the cost of the phone up front and the rest by monthly payments; and some require you to pay the entire cost of the phone up front. The latter option is called ‘SIM only contracts’ and are usually the most cost-effective option. Always ask the phone company about rates for international calls and texts before you sign up.

Skype

The cheapest (and often most convenient) option for international students to use for calling and texting home is Skype. Skype is free to download and can be used anywhere where you have a wifi connection.

Similar to mobile phones, Skype has both pay as you go and subscription (the equivalent of a contract) plans, both of which have really good rates – even compared to mobile phones. More information is available at www.skype.com.

Calling cards You can buy prepaid international calling cards at most local newsagents. It’s really important to look for hidden charges on these before purchasing them.

International dialling codes When you call home, dial the number in this order: 00 + country code + home number When someone from home calls you, they will need to dial: International access code + 44 (the UK country code) + your number In both cases, any leading zeroes from phone numbers should be left off when using international access codes and country codes. For example, to dial the UK number 01865 999999 from outside the UK, you would dial: International access code + 44 + 1865 999999. You can find international access codes and country codes by searching for your country under the ‘International Codes’ tab at www.thephonebook.bt.com.

Post The central post office is located in St. Aldates.

However, there are smaller post offices in Walton Street, Woodstock Road, and Cowley Road. More information about different posting options is available at www.royalmail.com. If you plan to send anything internationally via Royal Mail, you must first check the size and weight restrictions at www. royalmail.com/price-finder. You can also send parcels internationally through DHL (at Ryman in Queen Street or Staples in Park End Street), ParcelForce (www.parcelforce.com) or UPS (at Mailboxes Etc. in Summertown or Headington).

The Oxford University Student Union International Freshers’ Guide

33

STUDENT UNION

CAMPAIGNS OUSU’s campaigns promote issues and organisations that students feel strongly about. The campaigns exist to ensure that there is always a space in OUSU’s democratic structure where students concerned about particular issues have a safe and supportive environment to discuss and act on them. The work of the campaigns varies from lobbying for changes to policy, to raising awareness of certain issues amongst the student population, to discussions and producing publications.

OUSU’s current campaigns are: • Campaign for Racial Awareness & Equality • Disabled Students’ Campaign • Environment & Ethics Campaign • International Students’ Campaign • It Happens Here Campaign • LGBTQ Campaign • Living Wage CaMpaign • Mature Students’ Campaign • Mind Your Head Campaign • Target Schools • Women’s Campaign In addition to these OUSU has a charitable wing which forms a fundraising campaign, RAG (Raise & Give).

Campaign meetings are open to all students and you can find out more about the work of the campaigns and how to get involved on our website: www.ousu.org/get-involved/ campaigns 34

Student Union Campaigns

CRAE

(CAMPAIGN FOR RACIAL AWARENESS & EQUALITY) The Campaign for Racial Awareness and Equality (CRAE) aims to improve and support student experience at university, while raising awareness of, and engagement with, diversity and difference. It aims to make the Oxford University community an inclusive and welcoming one for people of all racial and cultural backgrounds.

This year CRAE will co-ordinate Oxford’s Black History Month (October, 2013) to include guest lectures, film screenings and a range of other events. We will also work to involve student experiences in university policy discussions and continue collaborations with other societies, colleges and organisations on issues of access and experience through feedback sessions, and topical discussions.

By becoming involved with CRAE you can have a huge influence on improving student experience now and for future Oxonian generations. You will be involved with organising events; research projects and social gatherings; while working with staff and students across the University and beyond, alongside national think tanks, researchers, and equality organisations.

We really encourage everyone to get involved in this dynamic, engaging and necessary project. For more information, contact crae@ousu.org or join our Facebook group: ‘OUSU Campaign for Racial Awareness and Equality’.

DISABLED STUDENTS’ CAMPAIGN The Disabled Students’ Campaign is a group of interested graduates and undergraduates who represent the needs and aspirations of students with disabilities within the University. The campaign meets regularly during term-time to organise events, and to discuss disability issues. The Disabled Students’ Campaign is a place where students with very different disabilities come together to talk about their experiences, and they often have very interesting and inspiring discussions.

One of the major public events of the Disabled Students’ Campaign is organising the Disability Awareness Week, which will take place this year in 6th Week of Michaelmas Term. The aim of Disability Awareness Week is to increase understanding among students and staff alike of both the challenges and the strengths of disabled students in Oxford. We also work to make sure that disabled students are fully informed of the various networks of support available to them in Oxford.

Our goal is to get even more students to be part of the campaign, so if you are interested in issues of disability – whether or not you are a disabled student – come along and get involved! E-mail disabilities@ousu.org for more information.

ENVIRONMENT & ETHICS CAMPAIGN (E&E)

The E&E Campaign is the largest environmentally focused group in the University. Our goals are to make the University a greener, more ethical place, to support individuals in their efforts to reduce their own carbon footprint and to contribute towards solving national and international problems facing the environment, international development and rights abuses.

People from all backgrounds at the University get involved in our campaigns, from college reps to passionate freshers, graduates studying in the field and other people who just want to help make a difference.

Our recent efforts have tackled issues at every level.

Our Sustain-a-ball consultancy team works with College balls to make them more sustainable, our energy campaign looks at energy usage across the Colleges and educates students about energy consumption, and our food campaign is encouraging Colleges to get more locally sourced food.

However, it’s not all just work. We throw garden parties for our members and guests, we hold seminars and speaker events every term and above all, we have fun!

See you when term begins! For more information, e-mail eande.chair@ousu.org

The Oxford University Student Union Freshers’ Guide

35

INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS’ CAMPAIGN (ISC)

The International Students’ Campaign (ISC) is a student-run organisation committed to representing and improving the welfare of the over 7,500 international students from 139 different countries at our University. We understand how hectic and bewildering it is upon arrival at Oxford and one of our key objectives is to make the transition easier.

IT HAPPENS HERE CAMPAIGN Sexual abuse happens here, but here is where we come together to end it.

Hidden Marks produced by the National Union of Students in 2010 said that one in seven university age women have experienced serious physical or sexual assault. With a student body over 21,000 strong, that means hundreds of women and men at the University of Oxford have experienced physical or sexual assault.

It Happens Here is a Campaign made up of undergraduates, post-graduates, home, and international students all with a passion for ending sexual abuse in our University. The Campaign aims to raise awareness of sexual consent and sexual abuse by running sexual consent discussion groups for Freshers, sports teams, student groups, and local schools. We also aim to operate grassrootslevel movement inside colleges to champion better support and access to resources.

We aim to provide centralised contact tor international students, having open meetings and drop-in sessions, where you can voice your concerns. We provide regular meet ups, such as welfare brunches, subsidised dinners at restaurants, game nights etc. to bring together international students from all colleges. As many of us stay in Oxford over vacations, we want to facilitate accommodation search, especially during term breaks, as well as promoting social events out of term.

We also organise the annual Oxford International Festival to celebrate the diversity of our student body, where international students and societies of Oxford can showcase their cultures. This year, we had a successful event with over 1400 visitors, many of whom were local townspeople, integrating the international students into the local community.

E-mail internationalstudents@ousu.org to be informed about upcoming events and get involved!

36

Student Union Campaigns

The Campaign runs training for students and staff on the subject of sexual abuse. Participants will be informed about the resources available within the University, colleges and community which will help to equip them with the necessary skills to support survivors.

Sexual abuse happens here, but here is where we come together to end it

The Campaign meets fortnightly during term-time, updating each other on individual projects. The space is also used to plan events and think strategically about our goals.

If you would like to join our campaign, please e-mail ithappenshere@ousu.org.

LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL, TRANS & QUEER CAMPAIGN (LGBTQ)

The LGBTQ Campaign is the political campaigning arm of Oxford’s queer community. As an autonomous campaign, it is supported by OUSU both financially and through the LGBTQ Officer but is free to form its own policy and choose which issues to focus on.

In the past year, the campaign has been working on improving the experience of trans students at Oxford by investigating the current policy on name and gender marker changes, working towards relaxing subfusc rules, and making Common Room events more inclusive. As well as continuing with these, we plan to work on making sure new buildings have gender-neutral facilities, and unnecessary gender boxes on forms are removed.

In the past, we have campaigned against the blood donation ban and produced an ‘It Gets Better’ video. We also mobilised to protest against a conference held in Oxford by a homophobic organisation. Anyone is welcome to join in, or bring new ideas and causes to the table, so get involved! For more information e-mail us at LGBTQofficer@ousu.org.

LIVING WAGE CAMPAIGN What connects the scout who cleans your room, the porter who guards your College and the Tesco employee who works in the UK’s biggest retailer? It may be that they’re being paid a wage that equates to poverty pay…

The majority of London-based universities, the University of Manchester and numerous UK-based banks and organisations pay a living wage, so why not Oxford?

If you’re someone who wants to have a lasting impact on the lives of people you interact with every day, the Living Wage Campaign is for you. For more information e-mail livingwage@ousu.org.

The Living Wage Campaign believes that the National Minimum Wage of £6.19 per hour is not enough for workers in Oxford to provide their families with the essentials of life. In partnership with workers, academics and community groups, the Living Wage Campaign empowers students and staff to fight for improved pay and conditions for low-paid employees in the University and wider community.

Over the past year a number of colleges have agreed to pay their employees at least the living wage of £7.45 per hour and we need your help to ensure that the University and the remaining colleges sign up, too!

The Oxford University Student Union Freshers’ Guide

37

the Oxford Union Your time at Oxford will be an extraordinary experience - and one that won’t be complete without joining Oxford’s biggest and best student society, the Oxford Union.

I

still remember debating with myself two years ago whether to join the Oxford Union but it certainly has not disappointed. From debating against top diplomats on China, questioning Senator McCain’s presidential campaign over dinner, to being taught how to dance by Psy, many of my best memories at Oxford happened here. Join the Union and I am sure you too will enjoy a similar experience.

Founded in 1823, the Oxford Union has hosted world leaders in virtually every field, including Presidents Reagan, Nixon and Carter, Malcolm X, Mother Theresa, the Dalai Lama, David Cameron, Michael Jackson, Clint Eastwood, Shakira, Johnny Depp and Diego Maradona.

A majority of students are members of the Union, no doubt because your experience here is truly unique. Our society is run entirely by students for students. Speakers come through gates of the Oxford Union on a daily basis, whether it is for our weekly debates or for our speaker meetings. We not only let you sit down and listen to our guest speakers, but in fact encourage you to stand up, participate and question them.

The Oxford does more than just hosting speakers.

Membership gives you unlimited access to our library and our bar, as well as free entrance to our very own nightclub. The Union’s discounts scheme also entitles you to over 50 discounts at shops around town.

Our termly black-tie ball is always a social highlight at the university, backed up by a diverse range of social events we hold, ranging from poker nights to garden parties.

The membership fee can seem a bit steep at first, but it works out at just over 1 pound a week throughout your time at Oxford, and crucially it is membership for life. Attend just a few events, watch a few debates and see a few world-class speakers and you will soon have earned your money back.

The Union is truly a unique society so don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity by joining now either by post or by email. Enjoy the rest of summer and do check out our website and social media pages,. If you do have any questions, please get in touch.

See you soon!

president@oxford-union.org www.oxford-union.org www.facebook.com/theoxfordunion

www.youtube.com/OxfordUnion @OxfordUnion

38

ADVERTISEMENT

Parit Wacharasindhu President

“the world’s most famous speech & debating society”

the Oxford Union £10 bar voucher, Free DVD Rental and 10% membership discount if you join before Thursday 24th October

The Oxford University Student Union Freshers’ Guide

39

MATURE STUDENTs’ CAMPAIGN

Freshers’ Fair, or e-mail mature-students-subscribe@ maillist.ox.ac.uk to be automatically added.

You might be an undergrad who’s taken a few years out to explore the world before coming to Oxford, a graduate who’s getting another degree after working for a while, or even a parent who wants to learn something new. At Oxford, age is not a barrier to your education. Mature Students can leverage their unique skills, motivation and life experience to explore new activities and interests at Oxford, while getting a worldclass education.

The Mature Students’ Campaign, like the other autonomous campaigns, is free to set its own direction, come up with its own policies, and campaign for whatever it sees as the most important issues facing Mature Students. It also provides a social space for Mature Students to come together and find others in similar situations, offering coffee mornings, afternoon teas and other social events. These events aim to be fun social occasions, but also opportunities to feed in any ideas or concerns you may have about life in Oxford.

Are you a Mature Student? There’s no strict definition: save that you were 21 or over when you matriculated.

Anyone who feels ‘mature’, or just wants to get to know other like-minded people with similar life experiences in different colleges, be sure to get on the Mature Students’ mailing list! You can do this at

MIND YOUR HEAD CAMPAIGN The Mind Your Head Campaign is designed to increase awareness of mental illness among students, as well as encouraging students to consider their mental wellbeing and take steps to improve it. It is difficult enough to live with a mental health problem, and the campaign aims to get rid of the stigma and misconceptions surrounding mental illness.

The Mind Your Head Campaign is a relatively new campaign, having been founded in October 2011, but it has made rapid progress. The Campaign’s main activity has been in organising awareness-raising events in JCRs and MCRs, bringing students into contact with other students who have had mental health problems.

We also run a website: mindyourheadoxford. wordpress.com, where students can submit articles about their experience of mental illness in Oxford.

40

Student Union Campaigns

Mature Students are supported within OUSU by the VP (Graduates), who can be reached at graduates@ ousu.org, and by the Part-Time Executive Officer for Mature Students, who can be reached at maturestudents@ousu.org. If you have any questions or want to get involved with the committee, be sure to e-mail one of them!

The Campaign also organised the inaugural Mind Your Head Week in Trinity 2012. This week included a number of events designed to promote wellbeing and encourage students to explore different ideas about mental health, including a meditation workshop, film screenings and speaker events.

If you are passionate about mental health, or if you just want to learn more about the campaign, e-mail MYHchair@ousu.org to get involved.

TARGET SCHOOLS CAMPAIGN

WOMEN’s CAMPAIGN (WOMCAM)

Founded by OUSU in 1982, Target Schools aims to inspire and support able prospective students who might be put off by damaging myths and stereotypes. Target Schools is student-led and responsible both for coordinating undergraduate volunteers who wish to do school visits and for running Oxford’s only shadowing scheme.

Being student-led gives us a unique perspective on access issues whilst also making sure the content of access campaigns remains accessible and relevant.

To make it as easy as possible, we run training sessions called ‘Target Schools Teas’ (with free food and drink!) where we aim to help you develop your public speaking skills – and there is only the need to attend one during your time at Oxford.

If you’re interested in getting involved then come and talk to us at the Freshers’ Fair or simply sign up at db.targetschoolsoxford.com.

For more information, e-mail us at target@ousu.org or visit www.targetschoolsoxford.com.

Women’s Campaign is a thriving autonomous liberation campaign that advocates for students who identify as women. It is also the main hub for feminism and gender equality in the University.

Female underrepresentation affects many areas of Oxford life – the aim of this campaign is getting the voices of female students heard.

We have many regular events, but mainly take our lead from our members and what they think is important. Our meetings are open to everyone, but every once in a while we will have meetings only for those who are self-identified women (we’re trans friendly). We have a diverse membership who share the aim of making Oxford a better place for women.

We meet every Monday during term-time to discuss our experiences and use this to take action and pass policy. This policy acts as a statement of the collective beliefs of the campaign and gives the committee a mandate to act on behalf of it. Previous examples include sexual harassment, body politics and intersectionality. Additionally, we attend protests and demonstrations that we care about.

We recognise that it is a long road to gender equality, but also appreciate our relative privilege and recognise how sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, class, ethnicity and age intersect with gender in our world.

For more information, e-mail womensofficer@ousu. org or women@ousu.org.

The Oxford University Student Union Freshers’ Guide

41

RAISE & GIVE (RAG)

Raise And Give is the Student Union’s charitable fundraising committee and it’s the society that has it all. Sports tournaments, hitch-hikes, talent shows, bungee jumping, Blind Dates, club nights, a casino, street collections in fancy dress and the prestigious RAG Ball, to name a few! RAG endeavours to orchestrate all this fun and more in the name of charity and all you have to do is take part.

The money we raise goes to a number of local and national charities elected by students every year. Our charities for this year are the Oxford Food Bank, Giving What We Can, Students Supporting Street Kids and Education Partnerships Africa. We try to keep our charities at the heart of our work and they’re always happy to have students see first hand what a difference they make with talks, seminars and site visits.

There are loads of ways to get involved with RAG; we meet regularly in the Student Union with our reps and have committee meetings where we plan upcoming events. Former members of the RAG exec have used their skills to go on to work in the charities sector, the civil service, event management and the City, but most importantly they leave Oxford knowing that they’ve used their time to make a difference in the world, and had a whale of a time doing it!

e t o V our in y

n o i t lec

E t n de

Stu

For more information, contact RAG at rag.president@ ousu.org

6th week You will receive further information around the time of the Election. To find out more go to: www.ousu.org

42

Student Union Campaigns

The Oxford University Student Union Freshers’ Guide

43

STUDENT ADVICE Confused, SERVICE worried and

THE

don’t know where to turn? The Student Advice Service is here to help.

T

he Student Advice Service is a confidential and impartial service available free of charge to all students in the University. From academic matters to harassment, from accommodation to college discipline, we are here to offer advice, information and advocacy.

There are four sabbatical officers on the Student Advice Service, as well as two permanent Student Advisors, all of whom are happy to give advice and respond to your queries.

The Student Advisors are able to advise you on a broad range of issues, or can otherwise direct you to the most suitable member of the service. The Student Advice Service is primarily a referral service: we are not trained to solve the problems that you have but we can direct you to a number of services which are better equipped to help you, both within and outside the University. So if you have a problem and you’re not sure where to turn, the Student Advice Service can show you all the relevant options.

All the members of the Student Advice Service have been students at Oxford, so know a great deal about the services available.

The Student Advice Service is well placed to offer support to students negotiating the complex procedures of the University and Colleges. Members of the Service are on hand to help you understand these confusing processes, if you need some support along the way. Members of the service may also be able to act as representatives in any hearings that you might need to attend.

If you think the Student Advice Service can help you, don’t hesitate to get in touch. You can contact the Service by phone or e-mail and arrange an appointment. Get in contact with the Student Advice Service at advice@ousu.org or by phoning (01865) 288466.

STUDENT

ADVICE SERVICE

44

Health and Wellbeing

Weare here when you need

us

STUDENT

ADVICE SERVICE

The Oxford University Student Union International Freshers’ Guide

45

University life can be demanding, but there are plenty of options to choose from if you ever need help or advice

M

WELLBEING

ost students enjoy their time at Oxford; it is a university filled with unrivalled academic, social and extracurricular opportunities.

However, some students experience difficulties during their time here. If you do encounter a problem while you are in Oxford, whether it relates to your physical, sexual or emotional wellbeing, you should not hesitate to seek help and support. While many people are uncomfortable about tackling these kinds of issues, there is no reason to be ashamed or afraid to ask for help. All the services mentioned in this section are designed for you as a student, and the sooner you approach them, the sooner you can get back to making the most of your time in Oxford.

Oxford has a very extensive welfare network, so you can get various types of support from many different sources. This is great, but it means that you won’t always be able to find the right support first time round. If you try something and don’t think it’s right for you, don’t give up; there will be a number of other places you can turn to for help.

46

Health and Wellbeing

Every College has a ‘point person’ who is the main point of contact for the wellbeing of students and will be available for students to approach. This could be a ‘Welfare Dean’, a ‘Welfare Tutor’ or a Chaplain, who can listen impartially and confidentially to people of any faith, or none. Every college system is slightly different, and there may be more than one individual available to support you, so it is worth finding out what the options are.

You will also have a subject tutor who is in charge of your academic progress and development, and who will have a responsibility to make sure that you are coping with your studies. Some colleges operate a system of providing students with a ‘moral’ or ‘personal’ tutor, where a tutor outside your subject area is responsible for your wellbeing and personal development. Depending on your College’s system, different support will be available to you from different sources, but you should feel able to discuss issues of wellbeing and problems of study with your tutor or tutors.

All Common Rooms will have at least one Welfare Officer, whose role is to provide information, sexual health resources and referrals. Some Common Room Officers will be trained in listening skills as part of their role, so they will be available if you just want to talk instead of asking for information.

Colleges will also have a nurse or a doctor (or both) who hold regular surgery hours and can provide confidential advice about your mental or physical health. If you are concerned about confidentiality, ask for their policies, because they vary between colleges.

Some colleges’ GPs do not visit the college, but instead are based in a doctor’s surgery in and around central Oxford. Your college will give you information on who they are and how to contact them.

know that you do not have to be suicidal or enduring a nervous breakdown to book an appointment. Many students use the service and find it provides a safe space to be honest and open, and to discuss topics that you might not want to bring up at home or in college.

Harassment can take many forms, and includes bullying, stalking, and relationship as well as sexual abuse. It can affect you deeply, and should be taken very seriously. There are many resources throughout the University and city to support you. You will have a Harassment Advisor in your College or Department.

For further information please contact the OUSU’s Student Advice Service who can guide you through the process.

OUSU’s Student Advice Service is a confidential, impartial and free service that offers advice, information and advocacy to students on a broad range of issues. If you are experiencing a problem and you don’t know where to turn, they will be happy to help. Contact advice@ousu.org.

If you try something and don’t think it’s right for you, don’t give up; there will be a number of other places you can turn to for help

The Disability Advisory Service is a team of dedicated specialists who can help those with physical disabilities, Specific Learning Difficulties or mental health problems. They can help you apply and use the Disabled Students’ Allowance and help colleges and departments make adjustments for students with disabilities. Contact disability@admin.ox.ac.uk.

The University Counselling Service is independent, impartial and confidential, staffed by professionally trained counsellors. They will be able to help you with any sort of emotional or psychological difficulties you are facing that are affecting your quality of life as a student and they are familiar with the pressures of studying in Oxford. There can be a waiting list for the service, but mostly students can get an appointment within a week of first contact. You will be asked to provide some information about why you are seeking counselling, and the more you can write down, the better. During the first session, you and your counsellor (you can ask to see a man or a woman) will discuss the issues that you are having and ascertain the best approach for you. Contact reception@counserv. ox.ac.uk.

Many people are uncomfortable at the prospect of counselling, but it is natural to seek help. A lot of students also query whether they are distressed enough to justify counselling, but it is important to

Nightline is a free, confidential and impartial listening service, run by students, that operates from 8pm to 8am during term-time. You can call them on (01865) 270270 or visit them at 16 Wellington Square. There is no religious, political or social bias and you can talk to either a male or a female volunteer for as long as you like.

Various university societies can act as a source of support for students. For instance, LGBTQ Society provides listening and welfare services to lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans students, and those who are exploring their sexuality. Oxford also has a multitude of International Societies to represent particular nationalities and their cultures. For international students who are finding it difficult to acclimatise to British culture, international societies are a good place to meet your compatriots.

There is a lot more information and support offered by the University that can be accessed online at the Student Gateway. Here, you can find information on such topics as funding, living costs, student parents, visas and immigration. Visit: www.ox.ac.uk/students.

The Oxford University Student Union International Freshers’ Guide

47

HEALTH

Some advice on how to navigate the NHS

CARE

T

he most important number to know in the UK is 999. This can be used to reach the three main emergency services: the police, fire brigade and ambulance. When you call you will normally be asked which service you need and where you are, so be prepared to answer these questions. If you need urgent medical help but it’s not a life-threatening emergency, you can also dial 111.

If you are registered for a course lasting at least 6 months, you are entitled to free public healthcare from the NHS (National Health Service). ‘Free healthcare’ means consultations and hospital treatments are free but you will have to pay for medicines (there is a fixed rate for medicine prescribed by your doctor), glasses, dental treatment and some other special services. One exception to this is contraception, which is free to obtain. More information about the cost of medicines is available at: www.nhs.uk/NHSEngland/Healthcosts/Pages/ Prescriptioncosts.aspx. Students who are here for less than 6 months will receive free hospital treatment but are not usually eligible for free treatment from a local General Practitioner (GP).

Registering with a doctor If your college uses a specific doctor, they will provide information for when and how to register. You can also register with a local surgery if your college does not have a doctor or you would prefer one nearer where you live (type in your Oxford postcode at www.nhs. uk/servicedirectories to find the name of your local doctor’s surgery).

48

Health and Wellbeing

To register, you will usually need your passport, evidence you are a student (such as an enrolment certificate), and proof of your UK address. Registering as soon as possible after you arrive is strongly advised as it will save you time if you do need medical help during your time here.

Making a doctor’s appointment Some college doctors will offer appointments in college; however, others will require you to visit their local surgery. If you are registered with a local GP, you will have to book an appointment through the surgery itself.

Filling prescriptions If you need medicine, your GP will give you a prescription, which you can take to a pharmacy such as Boots (locations in Cornmarket Street and Cowley Road). Most pharmacies are not open 24 hours a day and some are closed at weekends.

If you need a repeat prescription, you can call your doctor or sometimes use an online refill option. Your doctor will find the UK equivalent for any overseas medicines that you require. However, it is important for you to know exactly what medicine you need (meaning the medical name and not just the brand name).

Private care The UK has a private practice system that may provide care which is unavailable through the NHS. The cost is significant, but it might be worth considering if you have a rare condition or would like to have a specific test done while you are here.

Visit www.ukcisa.org.uk/student/info_sheets/keeping_ healthy.php for more information on these issues.

DISABILITIES

Having a disability should never prevent anyone from having an enjoyable and successful time in Oxford. OUSU works with the University to ensure that students with disabilities are not disadvantaged in any area of the University experience.

W

hether you have a physical disability, mental health problem or a specific learning disability, there is a variety of provision that could be available to you. Your college will have a specified ‘disability contact’ who will be able to help you with any adjustments that need to be made in college; do not hesitate to ask your tutor or the welfare officers in your Common Room for the name of the contact. Your academic tutor will be able to help you make arrangements in your department, for example with lectures and libraries.

Your college makes applications on your behalf to the Proctors for special arrangements in examinations.

If you feel that you need adjustments made for your exams, you should get in touch with your Senior Tutor, who will guide you through the process. It can take

a long time for these things to be processed, so it is worth getting them organised as early as possible.

The Disability Advisory Service is a useful central body which can give you advice on how to negotiate life in Oxford as a disabled student. They can liaise with your college and department to make sure that they have the right information about you. They can also help you through the process of applying for Disabled Students’ Allowance, which provides support with study skills and learning.

Physical accessibility is variable between colleges and departments. Three colleges (St. John’s, St. Catherine’s and Wadham) are fully wheelchair accessible, and many others will have accessible accommodation, libraries and other facilities.

OUSU runs a range of activities for disabled students.

The VP (Welfare and Equal Opportunities) organises a peer mentoring scheme to link incoming students with those who are already here. There is also the Disabled Students’ Campaign which campaigns on issues of disability, and organizes Disability Awareness Week every Michaelmas Term.

OUSU RUNS A RANGE OF ACTIVITIES FOR DISABLED STUDENTS For more information about studying and living in Oxford with a disability, you can request a copy of the Disabled Students Guide from the VP (Welfare and Equal Opportunities) at welfare@ousu.org.

The Oxford University Student Union International Freshers’ Guide

49

WELFARE

ACADEMIC

Getting to grips with academic life at Oxford can take a while, but there’s plenty of help on offer…

50

Health and Wellbeing

H

owever you measure it, Oxford is one of the best universities in the country for supporting its students. That’s not because studying here is easy, or that all Oxford students are super-human: it’s because a lot of effort is put into making sure that everyone here can get the most out of their degree, regardless of any academic problems or personal difficulties they might be facing. In fact, sometimes there’s so much help on offer it can be hard to know where to start!

Above all the things to remember is that everyone at Oxford knows that students are only human, and if you’re struggling with your work or personal problems that are affecting your studies, there are usually many ways the University and colleges can help. If you’re looking for a starting point, feel free to get in touch with OUSU’s Student Advice Service by e-mailing advice@ousu.org.

Undergraduates

Graduates

The centre of academic life for most undergraduates is their college, so it’s unsurprising that there’s often a strong network in colleges and JCRs to support students. Often the best person to speak to is your subject tutor: they know you, they know the work, and they can help you to work out where there might be difficulties and how you can get round them. Most tutors are very flexible when it comes to helping their students, and many have been around in Oxford long enough to know what problems can occur and how best to deal with them. Some colleges also provide you with a ‘personal’ or ‘moral’ tutor, normally an academic from your college who is not connected to your subject area, to whom you can talk about factors that might be affecting your academic work.

While some of the academic support available to graduates is very similar to undergraduate provision, there are some differences on the departmental side. Because the academic life of many graduates is tied more closely to their department than their college, often it is the department that is the first port of call for graduate students when solving work-related issues. Your supervisors will usually be the first point of contact if you are experiencing problems with your work, and just as with college tutors, most supervisors have a wealth of experience helping students to get the most out of their studies even when faced with personal or academic difficulties.

In addition to your individual tutors, there are also usually several college officers you can speak to about a whole range of issues. If a problem is affecting your academic work, you may wish to speak to your Senior Tutor (or college equivalent). Senior Tutors are largely responsible for overseeing undergraduate academic provision in college: they handle everything from complaints about poor teaching through to helping you get coursework extensions and extra time in examinations. Even more than subject tutors, Senior Tutors have a wealth of experience of helping students through a whole range of problems, both personal and academic, and are often able to resolve things quickly.

Your college will also have a range of other individuals with welfare responsibilities. Often the college Chaplain is someone you can approach in confidence to discuss issues, and in some colleges the Dean and/or Junior Deans are also available to help. If it is a medical problem affecting your work, you may want to seek some advice from your college nurse or college doctor about any adjustments you may need to make to your workload. Finally, your JCR will normally have Welfare Officers and Academic Affairs Officers who will be able to offer advice or direct you to the people in college who can help.

As an international student, studying in a different culture and often a different language can present its own challenges! In addition to all the sources of support mentioned above, your JCR may have international students officers specifically to address issues international students can face in Oxford. Colleges are aware that international students may face extra challenges, and it’s absolutely ok to let your tutor or someone else in the college know if you feel you’d benefit from some additional support (including language support).

If you don’t feel that you can approach your supervisor, the next person to contact is usually your Director of Graduate Studies (DGS). Your DGS can help you to resolve any problems you may be having with your supervisors and can work with you and your supervisors to make any special provisions or adjustments you may need to continue with your studies. If you don’t feel you can speak to your supervisors or the DGS, then you can also approach the Head of Department.

SUPERVISORS HAVE A WEALTH OF EXPERIENCE HELPING STUDENTS TO GET THE MOST OUT OF THEIR STUDIES There is lots of support available for graduate students through colleges, particularly if you don’t feel you can go to your department to discuss problems. All graduates are assigned a College Advisor, who should be a tutor in your college to whom you can speak about any problems that may be affecting your work. You can also raise problems with your Senior Tutor (in some colleges there is a separate tutor for Graduates), who will have a lot of experience in helping and supporting graduate students.

The Oxford University Student Union International Freshers’ Guide

51

DIRECTORY OF CLUBS & SOCIETIES

There is a huge range of clubs and societies focused on enhancing the academic and career opportunities available to students. THIS DIRECTORY FEATURES ALL THE CLUBS and societies at Oxford.

ACADEMIC/ SUBJECT

With more than 400 groups to choose from, your time at Oxford will never be dull. Whatever your interest there will be a club or society for you be it in music, sports, literature, politics, performing arts, media, faiths, national and cultural groups, volunteering and much more.

You can become involved in any club or society that interests you whatever your experience or background. The annual OUSU Freshers’ Fair at the start of the first term is an ideal opportunity to find out what is available and its website provides a directory of clubs and societies across Oxford.

21st Century Society Oxford21Soc@gmail.com C.H. Dodd Society isabella.aust@chch.ox.ac.uk C.S. Lewis Society cslewis.society@studentclubs.ox.ac.uk Catalyst rebecca.maksymowicz@chem.ox.ac.uk Oxford Bar Society president@oxfordbarsoc.com Oxford Biomedical Engineering Society joshua.kahn@wolfson.ox.ac.uk Oxbridge Biotech Roundtable info@oxbridgebiotech.com Oxford Chemistry Society ouchemsoc@gmail.com Oxford Energy Society infoy@energysoc.org Oxford German Network ogn@mod-langs.ox.ac.uk Oxford Howard League molly.brown@stcatz.ox.ac.uk Oxford Law Beyond The City Society daniel.parker@ccc.ox.ac.uk Oxford Law Society sophie.mcgurk@hertford.ox.ac.uk Oxford Medical Students Society (MedSoc) david.mcginn@bnc.ox.ac.uk Oxford PPE Society president@ppesoc.org Oxford Transhumanist Society michael.coward@keble.ox.ac.uk Oxford University Anthropological Society justin.lane@anthro.ox.ac.uk Oxford University Archaeological Society georgina.izzard@hertford.ox.ac.uk Oxford University Biological Society oxfordbiologicalsoc@gmail.com Oxford University Byzantine Society caterina.franchi@exeter.ox.ac.uk Oxford University Classics Society leon.acquah@balliol.ox.ac.uk Oxford University Computer Society committee@ox.compsoc.net Oxford University Engineering Society (OUEngSoc) committee@ouengsoc.org Oxford University English Society jacknmoran@gmail.com Oxford University French Law Society daniel.parker@ccc.ox.ac.uk Oxford Geology for Global Development tim.middleton@worc.ox.ac.uk Oxford University History Society charlotte.moss@magd.ox.ac.uk Oxford University Linguistics Society OxfordUniversityLinguisticsSoc@groupspaces.com

If you can’t find a club or society that apPeals to you why not set up your own? For official information on setting up a University club or society, visit the University Clubs Committee website (www.admin.ox.ac.uk/ clubs), or E-MAIL the OUSU Clubs & Societies Officer: societies@ousu. org.

52

Get Involved - Clubs & Societies

CLUBS & SOCIETIES For those who love their degree – or wish they were doing someone else’s!

ACADEMIC/ SUBJECT

CLUBS & SOCIETIES Continued....

Oxford University Materials Society calum.mclellan@st-annes.ox.ac.uk Oxford University Physics Society physsoc@physics.ox.ac.uk Oxford University Scientific Society scientific.society@studentclubs.ox.ac.uk Oxford University SIAM Student Chapter siamsc@maths.ox.ac.uk Oxford University Society for Law & Religion romylos.knezevits@balliol.ox.ac.uk Oxford University Society of Biomedical Sciences ousbms@gmail.com Oxford University Space and Astronomy Society space.society@studentclubs.ox.ac.uk Oxford University St Antony’s International Review angelica.degaetano@sant.ox.ac.uk Oxford University Strategic Studies Group secretary@oussg.org Law Joint Consultative Committee amy.jones@ccc.ox.ac.uk Migration Studies Society phoenix.paz@sant.ox.ac.uk MiniManuscript info@minimanuscript.com Psychology Society sean.mills@wadh.ox.ac.uk Society of Saint Vincent De Paul miriam.holliday@queens.ox.ac.uk Socrates Society socrates@groupspaces.com The Invariants Society president@invariants.org.uk

CHARITY, COMMUNITY & ETHICS CLUBS & SOCIETIES

For those who just want to make the world a better place.

80,000 Hours info@80000hours.org AIESEC in Oxford oxford@aiesec.co.uk Christian Aid Oxford oxford@christian-aid.org CoppaFeel! rebecca.watkins@some.ox.ac.uk Enactus Oxford enactusoxford@gmail.com Engineers Without Borders president@ewb-oxford.co.uk FELLOW fellow@oxfordhub.org Food Justice foodjustice@oxfordhub.org.uk Friends of Helen and Douglas House helenanddouglas@oxfordhub.org Giving What We Can: Oxford edward.higson@givingwhatwecan.org ICCSN Oxford michaela.alka@st-hildas.ox.ac.uk Introduction to International Development Conference coordinators@oxfid.org Jacari info@jacari.org KEEN Oxford keen@keenoxford.org LinkAges linkages@oxfordhub.org Nature Conservation Society claudiagray@gmail.com

Ox Co-op oxfordfoodcoop@gmail.com Oxbridge Summer Camps Abroad juan.scouller@oscaonline.org.uk Oxford Aid to the Balkans info@oxab.org.uk Oxford Climate Forum climateforum@oxfordhub.org Oxford Development Abroad oda.society@studentclubs.ox.ac.uk Oxford Education Partnerships Africa thomas.pollard@queens.ox.ac.uk Oxford Film Fund benedict.cohen@stcatz.ox.ac.uk Oxford Global Health Group info@oxfordghg.co.uk Oxford International Debating Society (OXIDS) oxidsociety@gmail.com Oxford Lawyers Without Borders info@oxfordlawyerswithoutborders.com Oxford Microfinance Initiative contact@oxfordmicrofinance.org Oxford Nightline coords@oxfordnightline.org Oxford SSSK ssskoxford@gmail.com Oxford Student Conferences contact@tedxoxford.co.uk Oxford Student PEN oxfordstudentpen@gmail.com Oxford Students for Animals james.harris2@balliol.ox.ac.uk Oxford Students for Life sfl.oxford@hotmail.co.uk Oxford Students for Young Carers youngcarers@oxfordhub.org Oxford Teach Green oxfordteachgreen@gmail.com Oxford University Amnesty International alistair.johnson@wadh.ox.ac.uk Oxford University Animal Ethics Society depdirector@oxfordanimalethics.com Oxford University Duke of Edinburgh Society doeaward.society@studentclubs.ox.ac.uk Oxford University Film Foundation thomas.shennan@hertford.ox.ac.uk Oxford Women for Women International Society womenforwomen@oxfordhub.org Oxford Worldbuilders sophie.jaquetbennett@oriel.ox.ac.uk OxGrow mail@oxgrow.org People’s Political Economy info@ppeuk.org Student Minds georgina.aisbitt@bnc.ox.ac.uk The Failed Novelists failednovelists@gmail.com The Oxford Documentary Group oxforddocumentarygroup@gmail.com Winton Volunteers wintonvolunteers@gmail.com Oxford Student Red Cross Society daniel.zajarias-fainsod@eng.ox.ac.uk Oxford Students’ Oxfam Group oxfordstudentsoxfam@gmail.com Corporate Watch contact@corporatewatch.org Global Brigades Oxford sandra.chua@st-annes.ox.ac.uk

The Oxford University Student Union International Freshers’ Guide

53

HUB CONNECTING OXFORD

STUDENTS WITH CAUSES

OXFORD HUB IS THE PLACE TO COME IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN SOCIAL ACTION, VOLUNTEERING OR CHARITY OF ANY KIND! Oxford Hub is the place to come if you are interested in social action, volunteering or charity of any kind! Whether you’re passionate about human rights, international development, environmental issues, social enterprise, or community volunteering (whatever your interests), Oxford Hub has something for you: we have over 60 student groups in our Ethical Network, working on a wide range of causes. We aim to connect you with other students who are passionate about similar causes, help you to get inspired through our range of conferences and events and offer exciting opportunities for you to get involved and lead projects.

We also work to help set up groups that are sustainable, responsible, and efficient, and to connect existing groups.

44 ADVERTORIAL 54 ADVERTISEMENT

If this is your sort of thing, sign up to our mailing list at www.oxfordhub.org.

Our weekly newsletter, The Week, has a complete rundown of opportunities to volunteer, campaign and fundraise, vacancies for jobs and internships with charities, NGOs, and social enterprises, inspiring events related to social issues, and all of the training you’ll need to make a real difference (and much more).

Also look out for the exciting new One Hour a Week campaign which we are launching this term!

The focal point for Oxford Hub’s activities is our building right in the centre of town on Turl Street. Our four-story building hosts our sustainable bar and restaurant, The Turl Street

Kitchen, our purpose- designed ethical library, a cosy living room and events/meeting space for many of things on the Oxford Hub programme.

Whether you want a nice spot to hang out and grab a coffee, to come and attend an event advertised in The Week, or just to pop in and find out more about us, we’re open nearly all day, every day and our staff and student committee are more than happy to have a chat anytime! What’s more, on Friday of 1st Week we’ll be hosting our famous Hub House Party, so come along, check out our place and kick off the term in style!

We hope to see you soon!

EVERYONE HAS TIME TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE Oxford Hub’s campaign to get you involved...

The One Hour a Week campaign is an exciting new campaign that we at the Oxford Hub are planning to launch in conjunction with OUSU in October to coincide with the new intake of Freshers.

The aim is to encourage mass participation in local volunteering and charitable activity more broadly, with the ultimate goal of engendering a culture shift such that participation in volunteering and engagement with the local community becomes the norm among Oxford students.

The key idea of One Hour a Week is that every student at Oxford should be giving up

at least one hour a week of their time to a good cause, be it helping out in the local community, or engaging with an issue of national or international significance. Although students at Oxford are invariably busy, we want to stress that every student has the ability to make this small time commitment, and that by giving up just one hour a week students can make a positive impact.

A wide range of activities fit within the remit of the campaign, be it volunteering, organising events, being part of a committee or whatever, so there is a vast array of opportunities for you to choose from!

If you want to get involved, but can’t wait till the campaign kicks off, then why not sign up to be a college One Hour a Week rep? These positions will be minimally time-consuming and will really help us in the early days of the campaign to get our message out there!

If you would like to sign up to be a rep or would like any further information at all, please get in touch with Josh at president@oxfordhub.org.

Supported by:

The Oxford University Student Union International Freshers’ Guide

55

College balls CLUBS & SOCIETIES

Showcasing the biggest and most stylish parties hitting Oxford during the upcoming academic year.

The Bridge of Sighs 100th Anniversary Commemoration Ball info@bridgeofsighsball.co.uk Lincoln College Annual Ball samuel.crew@lincoln.ox.ac.uk Merton College Winter Ball marketing@mertonball.com Oxford Union Society Ball secretary@oxford-union.org St Anne’s Ball 2014 president@stannesball.com St Catz Ball 2014 executive.catzball@gmail.com St John’s College Commemoration Ball 2014 paolo.ronchi@sjc.ox.ac.uk Trinity Commemoration Ball 2014 marketing@thetrinityball.com Wolfson Ball Committee wolfsonball2013@gmail.com Worcester Tercentenary Ball gayathiri.kamalakanthan@worc.ox.ac.uk

56

Get Involved - Clubs & Societies

INTERNATIONAL & CULTURAL CLUBS & SOCIETIES

A celebration of cultural diversity across the Oxford student body.

Oxford Afghanistan Society khyber.maarij@wadh.ox.ac.uk Oxford Armenian Society sophia.moradian@sant.ox.ac.uk Oxford Belarusian Society guy.bud@some.ox.ac.uk Oxford University Bulgarian Society dilyana.mincheva@st-hildas.ox.ac.uk Oxford ChGK Club oxford.chgk@gmail.com Oxford University Georgian Society secretary@georgianoxford.org Oxford University Lithuanian Society tadas.krisciunas@st-hughs.ox.ac.uk Oxford University Pakistan Society secretary@oupaksoc.org Oxford Russian Society ekaterina.vorobyeva@linacre.ox.ac.uk Oxford University Turkish Society paulina.dominik@sant.ox.ac.uk Catalan Studies at Oxford marina.massaguercomes@mod-langs.ox.ac.uk Chabad info@oxfordchabad.org Cymdeithas Dafydd ap Gwilym (The Welsh Society) ydafydd.society@studentclubs.ox.ac.uk French Society oxufrenchsociety@gmail.com Galician Language and Culture diego.pardoamado@queens.ox.ac.uk HUM Soc (Oxford University Hindu Society) aditya.jain@exeter.ox.ac.uk Italian Society italy.society@studentclubs.ox.ac.uk Le Cercle Francais william.hodgkins@new.ox.ac.uk Nigerian Society uchechukwu.ukachi@sjc.ox.ac.uk OXCSSA secretariat@oxcssa.org Oxford Belgo-Luxembourgish Society tom.verbiest@seh.ox.ac.uk Oxford Chinese International Awareness Society alexander.drong@chch.ox.ac.uk Oxford Gamelan Society johnguypusey@hotmail.com Oxford Gulf and Arab Peninsula Studies Forum office@oxgaps.info Oxford Hungarian Society mail@hungsoc.com

Oxford India Society indian.society@studentclubs.ox.ac.uk Oxford Indonesia Society (OXIS) ppi.oxford@gmail.com Oxford Latin American Society president@oxford-las.org Oxford South Slavic Society amar.hodzic@seh.ox.ac.uk Oxford Thai Society watcharaphol.paritmongkol@merton.ox.ac.uk Oxford University Africa Society africa.society@studentclubs.ox.ac.uk Oxford University African and Caribbean Society acs.oxforduniversity@gmail.com Oxford University Asia-Pacific Society ouaps@groupspaces.com Oxford University Australia & New Zealand Society eli.ball@magd.ox.ac.uk Oxford University Chinese Society chengyuan.ge@jesus.ox.ac.uk Oxford University Czech and Slovak Society info@czechoslovakoxford.org Oxford University German Society secretary@oxford-germansoc.co.uk Oxford University Hong Kong Society canon.sun@sjc.ox.ac.uk Oxford University Japan Society enquiries@oujs.org.uk Oxford University Korea Society mi-jin.kim@pmb.ox.ac.uk Oxford University Malaysian and Singaporean Students’ Association publicity@oumssa.org Oxford University Polish Society polsocoxford@gmail.com Oxford University Portuguese Society mariana.clare@trinity.ox.ac.uk Oxford University Spanish Society oxspanishsociety@gmail.com Oxford University Taiwanese Student Society taiwanese society@studentclubs.ox.ac.uk Oxford University Ukrainian Society ukrainian.society@studentclubs.ox.ac.uk Scandinavian Society afriden@mail.com Vietnamese Society in Oxford vnoxford@gmail.com Colombian Society felix.castellanos@seh.ox.ac.uk Bhangra Society karum.bachra@stcatz.ox.ac.uk Oxford Majlis abbas.kazmi@new.ox.ac.uk Oxford University Greek Society greek.society@studentclubs.ox.ac.uk Oxford University Canadian Society OUCanSoc@groupspaces.com

The Oxford University Student Union International Freshers’ Guide

57

MUSIC & THE ARTS CLUBS & SOCIETIES

From orchestras and chapel choirs, to drama productions and tap dancing. It’s all here.

Alternative Singing Society jessica.reeves@lmh.ox.ac.uk Eglesfield Musical Society merryn.davies-deacon@queens.ox.ac.uk Oxford University Orchestra alice.angliss@stcatz.ox.ac.uk Osler House Club hari.shanmugaratnam@trinity.ox.ac.uk Oxford University Philharmonia yasmin.hemmings@new.ox.ac.uk Oxford University Sinfonietta joe.norris@lmh.ox.ac.uk Oxford Tango Club claudia.lingscheid@seh.ox.ac.uk Oxford University Wind Orchestra thomas.dixon@spc.ox.ac.uk Christ Church College Choir eleanor.tew@chch.ox.ac.uk Commotio info@commotio.org Corpus Choir james.lowther@ccc.ox.ac.uk Corpus String Orchestra paulin.shek@keble.ox.ac.uk Dot’s Funk Odyssey info@dotsfunkodyssey.com Edgar Wind Society for Art History wind.society@gmail.com Exeter College Chapel Choir george.devoil@exeter.ox.ac.uk Heartstrings Opera Co. heartstrings.opera@googlemail.com Hertford College Music Society eleanor.sims@hertford.ox.ac.uk In The Pink itp@hotmail.co.uk Lincoln College Chapel Choir james.dcosta@lincoln.ox.ac.uk Lindy Hoppers Society nicole.martin2@sociology.ox.ac.uk Magdalen Film Society president@magdalenfilmsociety.com Milk and Two Sugars hannah.hurley@exeter.ox.ac.uk Oriel College Chapel Choir maksymilian.adach@oriel.ox.ac.uk Out of the Blue business@ootb.org.uk OXCAR wharton.chan@pmb.ox.ac.uk Oxford Art Movement susan.yu@linacre.ox.ac.uk Oxford Classical Drama Society info@oucds.com.

Oxford Indian Classical Arts Society dhruv.sarma@st-hughs.ox.ac.uk Oxford Middle Eastern Dance Society secretary@omeds.org.uk Oxford Open Orchestra edward.barnes@sjc.ox.ac.uk Oxford Opera oxfordopera@outlook.com Oxford Origami Society OxfordOrigamiSociety@groupspaces.com Oxford Philomusica info@oxfordphil.com Oxford Revue oxrevue@gmail.com Oxford Singers president@oxfordsingers.org Oxford Univeristy Brass Band thomas.hird@some.ox.ac.uk Oxford University Ceilidh Band oxfordceilidhband@gmail.com

58

Get Involved - Clubs & Societies

Oxford University Dramatic Society and Oxford University Theatre Technicians and Designers (TAFF) committee@ouds.org Oxford University Gilbert and Sullivan Society president@ougss.org Oxford University Gregorian Chant Society oxfordgregorianchant@gmail.com Oxford University Jazz Orchestra info@oujo.co.uk Oxford University Jazz Society info@jazzsoc.co.uk Oxford University Light Entertainment Society president@oules.lightentertainment.org Oxford University Morris Men squire@am39.com Oxford University Music Society president@oums.org Oxford University Poetry Society oxforduniversitypoetrysociety@gmail.com Oxford University Rock Music Society rock.society@studentclubs.ox.ac.uk Oxford University Society of Bibliophiles oxford.bibliophiles@gmail.com Oxford University Student Chorus chorus@oums.org

Oxford University Symphonic Band robert.brignull@st-hughs.ox.ac.uk Schola Cantorum of Oxford info@schola-cantorum.net Screw the Looking Glass edwina@screwthelookingglass.com Subverse Radio subverseradio@gmail.com Teddy Hall Music Society christopher.watson@seh.ox.ac.uk The Arcadian Singers edmund.whitehead@hertford.ox.ac.uk The Choir of St John’s College organ.scholar@sjc.ox.ac.uk The Donut Kings nicole.martin2@stx.ox.ac.uk The Oxford Alternotives theoxfordalts@gmail.com The Oxford Belles oxfordbelles@gmail.com The Oxford Gargoyles info@theoxfordgargoyles.co.uk The Oxford Imps production@oxfordimps.com The Producers at Oxford Playhouse theproducers2013@gmail.com Turl Street Orchestra jennifer.scrine@some.ox.ac.uk Wadham College Chapel Choir kfpardee@yahoo.com Worcester College Chapel Choir info@worcesterchapel.co.uk Dream Again Dance Co emily.romain@lmh.ox.ac.uk Oxford Millennium Orchestra oxford.millennium.orchestra@gmail.com SOUP (Society of Oxford Ukulele Players) felicity.devere@wadh.ox.ac.uk

RADIO

Produced by students for students, OXIDE – Oxford Student Radio Station is looking for new talent to join its team for Michaelmas Term 2013! Whether you’ve already got a bit of broadcasting experience or are a complete newcomer to the joys of radio, we want you to join us. We can give you all the help you need in terms of technical know-how; all you need is lots of enthusiasm. We’re looking for: Show presenters/producers Breakfast Show presenters Reporters Music reporters If you’re interested in any of these roles, or just want to find out a bit more, email stationmanager@oxideradio.co.uk

59

www.oxideradio.co.uk/ Get Involved - Clubs & Societies

OUSU CAMPAIGNS campaigning

Dedicated to the student union’s independent campaigns, ranging from student support and university access to promoting minorities and equal rights.

Campaign for Racial Awareness and Equality (CRAE) craechair@ousu.org Disabled Students’ Campaign disabledstudents@ousu.org Enivronment & Ethics Campaign (E&E) eande@ousu.org International Students’ Campaign (ISC) internationalstudents@ousu.org It Happens Here Campaign ithappenshere@ousu.org Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans & Queer (LGBTQ) Campaign lgbtqofficer@ousu.org Living Wage Campaign livingwage@ousu.org Mature Students’ Campaign graduates@ousu.org Mind Your Head Campaign MYHchair@ousu.org Raise & Give (RAG) rag.president@ousu.org Target Schools Campaign target@ousu.org Women’s Campaign (WOMCAM) womensofficer@ousu.org

Careers

CLUBS & SOCIETIES

For all of you that are interested in getting future work-experience and networking skills.

CapitOx admin@capitox.co.uk Hertford Business and Economics Society hbes@hertford.ox.ac.uk OxFEST (Oxford Females in Engineering, Science, and Technology) fest@nexus.ox.ac.uk Oxford Economics and Management Society president.emsoc@gmail.com Oxford Entrepreneurs John.stringfellow@oxfordentrepreneurs.co.uk Oxford Guild president@theoxfordguild.com Oxford Investment and Finance Society oifs.mt2013@gmail.com Oxford Women in Business oxfordwomeninbusiness@gmail.com Oxford Leadership Society jonathan.chan@seh.ox.ac.uk Management Society nicholas.barker@hertford.ox.ac.uk

60

Get Involved - Clubs & Societies

RELIGION & SPIRITUALITY CLUBS & SOCIETIES

A place to promote all views and beliefs regarding faith and spiritualism.

Crown Christian Student Society betweenacuppa@yahoo.com Just Love tomas.christmas@lincoln.ox.ac.uk Newman Society: Oxford University Catholic Society newman.society@studentclubs.ox.ac.uk Oxford Inter-Collegiate Christian Union joshua.peppiatt@chch.ox.ac.uk Oxford Orthodox Christian Society ouorthosoc@gmail.com Oxford University Islamic Society mail@ouisoc.com Oxford University Jewish Society presidents@oxfordjsoc.co.uk Oxford University Sikh Society oxford-sikhsoc@groupspaces.com Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) webmaster@oxfordquakers.org SMV Students university.church@ox.ac.uk Student Life aaron.hanson@mansfield.ox.ac.uk The John Wesley Society in Oxford committee@johnwesleysociety.org.uk Oxford Graduate Christian Union andrew.stiles@merton.ox.ac.uk LDS Student Association oxfordldssa@gmail.com

f BluesCalendar

OxfOrd Blues Charity Naked Calendar 2014

ÂŁ10

every penny raised goes directly to four charities elected by the Oxford university student body.

Buy online at http://tinyurl.com/bluescalendar

political

CLUBS & SOCIETIES Debate, discussion, discourse and partypolitical campaigning.

Democrats Abroad daoxford@gmail.com Oxford Burma Alliance oxfordburmaalliance@oxfordhub.org Oxford Communist Corresponding Society oxford@communistcorrespondingsociety.org Oxford Hayek Society jonathan.martindale@chch.ox.ac.uk Oxford International Relations Society secretary@irsoc.org Oxford Migrant Solidarity oms@riseup.net Oxford Strategy Group info@oxfordstrategygroup.com Oxford Students for Liberty OxfordStudentsForLiberty@groupspaces.com Oxford University Conservative Association (OUCA) robert.greig@magd.ox.ac.uk Oxford University Labour Club helena.dollimore@st-hildas.ox.ac.uk Oxford University Liberal Democrats Co-Chair@oxford-libdems.org Oxford University United Nations Association president@ouuna.co.uk Oxford Young Greens sam@greenoxford.com Push Your Parents PushYourParents@gmail.com Socialist Worker Student Society oxfordswss@gmail.com UKIP stuart.oreilly@pmb.ox.ac.uk

62

Get Involved - Clubs & Societies

writing, journalism & media CLUBS & SOCIETIES

Recommended to all aspiring hacks, novelists, blotters, jotters and scribblers.

Bang! Science editor@bangscience.org Cherwell editor@cherwell.org Industry Magazine editor@industryfashion.org Interview Magazine interviewzine@gmail.com ISIS Magazine editor@isismagazine.org.uk Notes notes.ox@gmail.com Oxford Media Society oxfordmediasoc@gmail.com Oxford Student Publications Limited chairman@ospl.org Oxonian Review oxonianwriters@gmail.com The Oxford Left Review oxfordleftreview@gmail.com The Oxford Student editor@oxfordstudent.com The Oxonian Globalist editor@toglobalist.org Vulture Magazine vulturemagazineoxford@gmail.com

The

OxfOrd

STudenT newSpaper

SpOrT

Science

TheaTre

muSic

Screen

faShiOn

phOTO

feaTureS

cOmmenT

newS

what’s your story?

To get involved, go to

OxfOrdSTudenT.cOm/apply @ TheOxSTu

The Oxford University Student Union International Freshers’ Guide

63

SPort

CLUBS & SOCIETIES Physical recreation. Lots of physical recreation...

Darts Club jonathan.ingles@magd.ox.ac.uk Irish Dancing Society oxfordirishdancesoc@gmail.com Oxford eSports Society daxandrus@gmail.com Oxford Exploration Club secretary.ouec@gmail.com Oxford Parkour oselway@gmail.com Oxford Poker Society oxfordpokersociety@gmail.com Oxford University Aikido Club magdalenawalczak11@gmail.com Oxford University ALTS Ice Hockey Club kieran.finn@keble.ox.ac.uk Oxford University Amateur Boxing Club isra.hale@st-annes.ox.ac.uk Oxford University Association Football Club john.fletcher@exeter.ox.ac.uk Oxford University Athletics Club vartan.shadarevian@univ.ox.ac.uk Oxford University Aussie Rules Club iwan.walters@jesus.ox.ac.u Oxford University Badminton Club alina.gerasimenko@univ.ox.ac.uk Oxford University Ballet Society ouballet@yahoo.co.uk Oxford University Baseball Club timothy.goodman@some.ox.ac.uk Oxford University Basketball Club james.peters@chch.ox.ac.uk Oxford University Boat Club malcolmhoward@gmail.com Oxford University Canoe and Kayak Club tom.hearing@seh.ox.ac.uk Oxford University Caving Club ka.leung@chem.ox.ac.uk Oxford University Cheerleading Club michelle.savage@pmb.ox.ac.uk Oxford University Chess Club david.hewitt@seh.ox.ac.u Oxford University Clay Pigeon Shooting Club harry.touche@st-hughs.ox.ac.uk Oxford University Company of Archers richard.morris@univ.ox.ac.uk Oxford University Contract Bridge Association sean.lim@st-hildas.ox.ac.uk Oxford University Country Sports Society oxfordcountrysports@gmail.com Oxford University Croquet Club harry.fisher@lincoln.ox.ac.uk Oxford University Cross Country Club naomi.webber@worc.ox.ac.uk Oxford University Cycling Club josh.milner@some.ox.ac.uk Oxford University Dance Society karina-doris.vihta@ccc.ox.ac.uk Oxford University Dancesport Club president@oudancesport.co.uk Oxford University Dodgeball Club mark.firth@seh.ox.ac.uk Oxford University Eton Fives scarlett.maguire@wadh.ox.ac.uk Oxford University Fencing Club president@oufencing.co.uk Oxford University Floorball Club kartik.joshi@jesus.ox.ac.uk Oxford University Gaelic Games Club frank.dillon@materials.ox.ac.uk Oxford University Gliding Club xi.li@chch.ox.ac.uk

64

Get Involved - Clubs & Societies

Oxford University Golf Club matthew.reynolds@chch.ox.ac.uk Oxford University Gymnastics Club miriam.reason@spc.ox.ac.uk Oxford University Handball Club sebastian.engelstaedter@ouce.ox.ac.uk Oxford University Hockey Club duncan.graves@magd.ox.ac.uk Oxford University Ice Hockey Club ouihcwomenstreasurer@gmail.com Oxford University Jitsu Club jacques.gallois@st-annes.ox.ac.uk Oxford University Judo Club info@oxfordjudo.com Oxford University Karate Club hannah.pothecary@cc.ox.ac.uk Oxford University Karate Do-Shotokai nicholas.phillips@queens.ox.ac.uk Oxford University Kendo Club alexander.browne@jesus.ox.ac.uk Oxford University Kickboxing Club oxfordunikickboxing@gmail.com Oxford University Korfball Club david.sinclair@astro.ox.ac.uk Oxford University Krav-Tardemet Club ask@oxfordtardemet.org Oxford University Kung Fu Club president@oukfc.ox.ac.uk Oxford University Lacrosse Club polly.rogers@keble.ox.ac.uk Oxford University Lancers American Football Club team@ouafc.net Oxford University Lawn Tennis Club peter.whight@lmh.ox.ac.uk Oxford University Lifesaving Club lewis.morgan@worc.ox.ac.uk Oxford University Men’s Cricket Club simon.griffin@sport.ox.ac.uk Oxford University Lightweight Rowing Club hannah.keenan@chch.ox.ac.uk Oxford University Modern Pentathlon Club drew.davy@spc.ox.ac.uk Oxford University Motor Drivers Club sam.rebbettes@worc.ox.ac.uk Oxford University Mountaineering Club steve.robinson@seh.ox.ac.uk Oxford University Netball Club charlotte.warwick@chch.ox.ac.uk Oxford University Octopush Club thomas.scott@stcatz.ox.ac.uk Oxford University Orienteering Club carl.bootland@exeter.ox.ac.uk Oxford University Pistol Club oliver.tozer@univ.ox.ac.uk Oxford University Polo Club jerome.kamm@hertford.ox.ac.uk Oxford University Pool and Snooker Club benjamin.green@balliol.ox.ac.uk Oxford University Powerlifting Club richard.stebbing@eng.ox.ac.uk Oxford University Quiz Society quiz.society@studentclubs.ox.ac.uk Oxford University Real Tennis Club audrey.davies@keble.ox.ac.uk Oxford University Riding Club charlotte.baker@stcatz.ox.ac.uk Oxford University Rifle Club edward.halford@chem.ox.ac.uk Oxford University Rugby Fives Club henry.jefferies@oriel.ox.ac.uk Oxford University Rugby Football Club tim.stevens@sport.ox.ac.uk Oxford University Rugby League Football Club ben.reavley@st-hildas.ox.ac.uk Oxford University Salsa Society salsa.society@studentclubs.ox.ac.uk Oxford University Scottish Dance Society scottish.dance@studentclubs.ox.ac.uk Oxford University Scout and Guide Group (OUSGG) chair@ousgg.org.uk Oxford University Shorinji Kempo samuel.jauncey@merton.ox.ac.uk

SPort

miscellaneous

Continued...

Not found what you’re looking for in the other categories? Check this out for a weird and wonderful mixture...

CLUBS & SOCIETIES Oxford University Ski and Snowboard Club elizabeth.raine@lmh.ox.ac.uk Oxford University Squash Club ross.haines@sjc.ox.ac.uk Oxford University Sul Ki Do Club ruolong.chen@stcatz.ox.ac.uk Oxford University Surf Club william.honey@stcatz.ox.ac.uk Oxford University Swimming Club marisa.schubert@keble.ox.ac.uk Oxford University Table Tennis Club paul.erdunast@worc.ox.ac.uk Oxford University Taekwon-Do andrew.tomkinson@gmail.com Oxford University Taijiquan Association Club jennifer.handsel@stx.ox.ac.uk Oxford University Trampolining Club rebecca.alexander@chch.ox.ac.uk Oxford University Triathlon Club alec.watson@balliol.ox.ac.uk Oxford University Ultimate Frisbee Club oxforduniultimate@gmail.com Oxford University Underwater Exploration Club patty.sachamitr@path.ox.ac.uk Oxford University Volleyball monica.armengol@eng.ox.ac.u Oxford University Walking Club Joseph.delo@magd.ox.ac.uk Oxford University Water Polo Club president@ouwpc.org.uk Oxford University Windsurfing Club milie.lostis@ndorms.ox.ac.uk Oxford University Women’s Cricket Club christinagough@hotmail.co.uk Oxford University Women’s Football Club kilmartin_k@yahoo.com Oxford University Women’s Lightweight Rowing Club president@ouwlrc.org Oxford University Women’s Rugby Union Club tatiana.cutts@keble.ox.ac.uk Oxford University Yacht Club yachting-rear-commodore@ouyc.co.uk Oxford Yoga Society oxfordinternalarts@gmail.com The Oxford University Quidditch Club angus.barry@worc.ox.ac.uk Varsity Trip enquiries@varsitytrip.com Oxford Exploration Club secretary.ouec@gmail.com

CLUBS & SOCIETIES

The Oxford Lyceum adam.coates@stx.ox.ac.uk Oxford University Tabs Are For Flying emma.wallis@st-annes.ox.ac.uk Vincent’s Club sam.mallinson@bnc.ox.ac.uk Oxford William Sweet Society fiona.britton@some.ox.ac.uk Bacchus - Oxford University Wine Society president@oxforduniversitywinesociety.org Board Games Society smnpenney@gmail.com Go Society thomas.baker@st-annes.ox.ac.uk OU LGBTQ SOC committee@oulgbtsoc.org.uk Oxford Anime Vision oavdes@gmail.com Oxford Blind Tasting Society oxfordblindtasting@googlemail.com Oxford Club of the Circus juggsoc@googlemail.com Oxford Cocktails Society oxfordcocktails@gmail.com Oxford Doctor Who Society whosoc@nexus.ox.ac.uk Oxford Magic Society julian.buchrieser@lincoln.ox.ac.uk Oxford Muse Society oxford.muse.society@gmail.com Oxford Student Mindfulness Society oxfordstudentmindfulnesssoc@gmail.com Oxford Tea Appreciation Society tea.society@studentclubs.ox.ac.uk Oxford University Harry Potter Society harrypotter.society@studentclubs.ox.ac.uk Oxford University Historical Re-enactment Society lilla.nemeth@sjc.ox.ac.uk Oxford University Real Ale Society oliver.tozer@univ.ox.ac.uk Oxford University Society of Change Ringers rosalindroberts@dpag.ox.ac.uk Oxford University Speculative Fiction Group (OUSFG) ousfg.society@studentclubs.ox.ac.uk Oxford Wargaming Society christopher.smith@chch.ox.ac.uk Oxford Wine Circle ouwc.committee@gmail.com Role Playing Games Society rpgsoc@maillist.ox.ac.uk St John’s College Discounts Scheme jcr-discounts@sjc.ox.ac.uk The Oxford Star Trek Society steven@eldridge.com The Oxford Tolkien Society taruithorn@gmail.com The Phoenix Society: the Oxford University Numismatic Society angela.grant@jesus.ox.ac.uk Oxford Fashion Society president.ofs@gmail.com Oxford Atheists, Secularists and Humanists (OxASH) chair@oxfordash.org.uk

The Oxford University Student Union International Freshers’ Guide

65

some of your notes

66

Get Involved - Clubs & Societies

The Oxford University Student Union International Freshers’ Guide

67

DELIVERING TILL

5AM 7 DAYS A WEEK

19 Park End Street, Oxford, OX1 1HU

(01865) 200 222 Opening hours: 10am - 5am, 7 days a week

57 Between Towns Road, Cowley, Oxford, OX4 3LR

(01865) 777 137

Opening hours: 10am - 5am, 7 days a week

126 London Road, Headington, OX3 9ED

(01865) 742 020

Opening hours: 10am - 12 Midnight, 7 days a week For orders after Midnight please call the Cowley store