An A-Z guide to student life at the University of Oxford (Part 1: A-H)

Hi everyone – I hope you’re all doing well! It’s now been three days since I had my wisdom teeth removed, and although I still look more like a chipmunk than a human, things are slowly starting to look up. Having said that, I expect that I’ll be bedridden at least until the start of next week, so the exciting content will have to be put on hold for a bit. In the meantime, since I can’t very well get out there and explore the world around me, I thought I’d bring you an article about a place that’s very dear to my heart, but which has hardly featured on my blog. Ladies and gentleman, today’s city of interest is… Oxford!

At first, I was considering writing an ‘ultimate guide’ to this university town: if you haven’t gathered from a couple of my other articles, I am doing my undergraduate degree there, and, as a result, know the place pretty well. However, it occurred to me that, since I’ve just been away on my year abroad, things may have changed since I was last properly there. Because of this, I’m saving that particular post for another day (I’ll be back to my full-time studies in October, so you won’t have to wait too long!), and thought that today, instead, I’d bring you an A-Z guide to student life in this weird and wonderful city.

The University of Oxford is, in many ways, quite distinct from other institutes of further education in the UK. The terms are a lot shorter, courses are taught in a different way, and there are all sorts of centuries-old traditions that students continue to observe to this day. These idiosyncrasies can make the university a bit mysterious to non-members, so today, I thought I’d demystify the place a bit. Keep reading to discover everything you need to know – from odd bits of jargon to insight into some of the University’s peculiar customs – whether you’re thinking of applying to Oxford as a full-time or visiting student, or are simply looking to find out more about life there.

‘A’ is for…

Ashmolean

Oxford’s most renowned museum: it’s owned by the University, free to enter (although donations are welcomed), and full of incredible works of art. Head to the underground café if you get peckish during your visit – their sweet treats are second to none! Come here on the last Friday of each month for an After Hours event, during which you’ll get to see the exhibits after normal closing time.

‘B’ is for…

Balls

If you like dressing up, riding on swingboats, and partying the night away, you’ll love Oxford balls. Some colleges hold them once a year; others only triennially. You can attend any, although you’ll only get ticket priority for those organised by your own college. There are also similar events run by some societies: the Law Society and the Caledonian Society, for example. (For a more in-depth guide to Oxford balls, check out this article I wrote last month!)

Battels

Not a misspelling! Battels are the termly fees that everyone dreads. You’ll get an invoice from your college, and be expected to pay within a fortnight. If you fail to do so, you may incur additional charges.

Blues

If you’re a particularly talented athlete, you may want to consider applying for a Blues award. You’ll gain a lot of recognition from this, and will receive more support from the University in your sporting endeavours.

Bops

Bops are free college parties held once every two to three weeks. Some take place in hired-out clubs; others in college-owned rooms, such as the bar or Junior Common Room. There’s usually a theme (outer space, Christmas, sports, etc.), so you’ll have the chance to whip out your fancy dress costumes, and may even win a prize for your efforts!

Bod cards

Your bod card will fast become one of your most valued possessions. It acts as a student card (great if you’re looking for discounts in high-street shops!), an access card, and sometimes an identity card (you’ll need to present it, for example, before taking any exams). It can easily be replaced if you lose it, but you’ll usually have to pay a small fine.

Bodleian Library

The Bodleian Library is one of the most-visited sights in Oxford, and one of the oldest libraries in Europe. It’s worth visiting even from the outside, but also a great place to study and discover new texts.

Bursaries

If you’re struggling to make ends meet during your degree, the University offer all sorts of bursaries to help you out. Speak to your college bursar, and see what advice or financial support they can offer you.

‘C’ is for…

Carnations

If you want to follow one of Oxford’s more recently-established traditions, be sure to pin a carnation to your gown before each exam you take. A white flower should be worn if you’re about to sit the first one; a pink flower if you’re taking any after that; and a red flower for your very last test. It’s bad luck to buy your own, so ask a friend – or your college parents (see: Spouses) – to do so for you!

Collections

Collections are mock exams that take place at the beginning of each term (designed to help you consolidate your learning from previous trimesters). They’re not the funnest papers to sit, but they will help you to see where your strengths and weaknesses lie, and to determine what you need to work on before your real tests.

Colleges

There are thirty-eight colleges in Oxford, and each student is attached to one of them. They are essentially small communities which, grouped together, make up the bigger University. Your choice of college will determine where you live, which tutors you have, and, to some extent, which social circles you run in.

Crew dates

Crew dates are dinners that bring two cohorts (a netball and a rugby team, for example) together. They can get pretty messy – there’s usually a lot of booze involved, and there are only about three restaurants in the city that will actually allow these events to be held within their walls – but they’re great fun, and you’ll certainly learn a lot about your companions over the course of the evening.

Cuppers

Cuppers are competitions held between colleges. They’re usually sports-related, although in recent years, a Drama Cuppers event has also been organised. These contests will really bring everyone in the college community together, and will get you cheering more loudly than you ever have before!

‘D’ is for…

Deans

Deans are a bit like the headmasters of each college. Some are, rather confusingly, referred to by other titles: at my college, for example, we call them Wardens, but they have exactly the same role. If you break certain rules, you may be ‘deaned’, meaning that as a punishment, you are sent to speak to this authoritative figure.

Departments

You’ll probably make most of your closest friends in college, but you may also meet quite a lot of people via your department. Each subject has one, and quite often – especially if they’re relatively small – they’ll organise classes and seminars that bring students from all different colleges together. If you have a problem with the way your course is being run, you will usually direct your complaints to the head of your particular department.

‘E’ is for…

Entz

In each college, at least two students will take on the role of Entz rep. One of their main jobs is to put on the bops I spoke about above, but in general, if there’s an event going on in college, you can expect them to be involved in its organisation.

Ethnic minorities

There are still, unfortunately, many issues at Oxford concerning discrimination against students from ethnic minority backgrounds. However, even if this is something that directly affects you, you should absolutely not be put off from applying, since a lot of work is being done to tackle such problems. Most colleges now have specific ethnic minorities reps – who will help such undergraduates through any difficulties, and organise events to celebrate their achievements – and in general any complaints along these lines will be taken very seriously.

‘F’ is for…

Fifth week

Oxford terms are made up of eight weeks, and the fifth one is notoriously the worst. It is usually around this time that your stress levels are at their peak, and, since you’ll only just have got beyond the halfway mark, you won’t yet really feel that the end is in sight. A lot of colleges organise events to help students get through this tricky patch (often referred to as ‘fifth week blues’: at mine, for example, we have everything from film nights, to JCR teas, to massage sessions.

Finals

Finals are the exams that every Oxford student takes at the end of their degree. The results you get in these will, at least to some extent, determine your overall grade, so they can be pretty daunting. However, all that matters is that you try your best, and keep pushing on until the bitter end.

Formals

Formals are meals held in your college hall once ever few days. They’re slightly fancier than normal dinners – the food tends to be a bit nicer, and you’ll have to wear your gown to attend – but usually cost the same. These events do, however, contribute to the University’s elitist reputation, so one college (Wadham) has gone so far as to ban them entirely.

Freshers’ Week

No matter which UK university you attend, you will, at the start of your first year, have to contend with the infamous Freshers’ Week. These seven days will be filled with all sorts of activities, from orientation talks, to initiation ceremonies, to club nights. You’ll meet hundreds of new people during this period, and will likely lose your voice at some point! Try to have as much fun as you can – and be open to trying new things – but don’t allow yourself to be pressured into doing anything that makes you feel uncomfortable.

‘G’ is for…

G&D’s

If, like me, you’ve got a bit of a sweet tooth, your time at Oxford will be greatly enhanced by trips to G&D’s. This fantastic café now has three branches across Oxford, and offers everything from velvety ice cream (their speciality) to generously filled bagels. It’s the perfect dining spot for any occasion, be that birthdays, study afternoons, or first dates.

Graduation

Graduation is a time of celebration for all students who have recently completed their degrees. You’ll be able to invite several guests along to mark this moment with you, and will get to sport quite the fancy gown as you go up to receive your certificate.

‘H’ is for…

Hall

‘Hall’ is the word used to describe the large dining room where will enjoy the majority of your meals. There is often a self-service canteen attached to this room, although in some colleges, food is served at the tables by kitchen staff.

Harry Potter

If you’re a Harry Potter fan, you’ll be having constant ‘pinch me’ moments as you walk through the grounds of the University. Even more excitingly, some Oxford colleges actually feature in the films: Christ Church College, for example, with the staircase leading up to its Great Hall, and New College, with its eerie cloisters.

Here endeth the first part

So there we have it: the first section of my A-Z guide to student life in Oxford! It turns out that I have rather a lot more to say about the University than I initially expected, so I’ve decided split this guide into three separate parts. The other two segments (I-P and Q-Z) will be on their way very soon, I promise, so stay tuned for those, and in the meantime, see how many of the terms above you can memorise!

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