Oxford is a medium-sized city which is home to a total student population of over 30,000. As a result, you'll find a youthful and cosmopolitan atmosphere and plenty of things to see and do. Beautiful and historic architecture sits alongside all the main high street stores, numerous coffee shops and restaurants, and a thriving bar and club scene. Oxford also boasts a surprising amount of green spaces, including beautiful riverside walks, the oldest Botanic Garden in the country, the University Parks and college gardens. Most colleges and departments are situated in and around the city centre, and accommodation is usually on the main college site, or is only a short walk or cycle ride away from college and university buildings. Night lifeFor a city of its size, Oxford has a surprisingly varied club scene, with fifteen nightclubs within the centre. Through the weekday nights the student union and several promoters provide numerous student clubnights, with the most popular clubs including The Bridge, Park End, The Studio. Here R'n'B, hip hop and classic 'cheese' dominate the playlist, whilst The Purple Turtle provides free entry every night and cheap drinks for members of The Oxford Union. Recently, Oxford has been treated to legendary DJs including Judge Jules, Paul Oakenfold and DJ Shadow. Elsewhere there's something for everyone, with Coven II having regular drum 'n' bass, trance and hard house nights, The Zodiac providing alternative, indie and hard rock, whilst Po Na Na caters for fans of funk, chillout and eclectic music. For those who still feel that Oxford's nightlife is too tame, London is only an hour and a half's bus ride away, with three services providing return coach trips to Oxford 24 hours a day.
Special events
Oxford's history has provided us with a series of events, traditionally taking place in the summer months. St Giles' Fair (held on the Monday and Tuesday following the first Sunday after St Giles' Day, 1 September) originally evolved as a city fair for children and now features stalls and fairground rides for grown-up children. Other regular events include Party in the Park, Cowley Road Carnival, the Jericho Street Fair and Oxford Pride. It has long been the practice on May Day (1 May) to gather on the High Street and Magdalen Bridge to listen to choristers sing an invocation to summer from the top of Magdalen College Tower at 6am. This has evolved into a real celebration over the years: large crowds attend the event, which is often accompanied by balls, parties and long opening hours. Summer Eights, the colleges' annual rowing competition, takes place in June and attracts large crowds supporting their college from the side of the river. Whether you are interested in the sport or not, you will enjoy the buzz and party atmosphere that usually accompanies the event, which is held over several days.
Oxford University Student Union (OUSU)
All Oxford University students are automatically members of OUSU, which represents students to the University and to external organisations. OUSU also provides a number of services, including legal and welfare advice, a stationery store and a Nightbus. OUSU produces more than 20 publications, including the Freshers' Guide and the Oxford Handbook, and organises University-wide events such as the Freshers' Fair and regular student nights at popular clubs. OUSU also campaigns on a range of issues affecting students, and has played a leading role in the national campaign to oppose upfront fees and push for better grants for students. Finally, OUSU works hard for students applying to Oxford by providing an Alternative Prospectus and through the Target Schools Scheme, which encourages state school students to apply to Oxford.
Sports
The University provides a springboard for sportsmen and women to achieve at county, national and international level, partly because of excellent sporting facilities at college and University level. The majority of colleges provide sports grounds, squash courts and boathouses on the river Isis for the annual inter-college rowing competition, 'Eights'. The University provides generous sporting facilities in all areas including sports not normally available at college level, such as volleyball, athletics, fencing and judo. Many of these facilities are located at the Iffley Road Sports Complex, which boasts a fitness-gym, an all-weather running track and an Olympic standard artificial hockey pitch. Association football, lawn tennis and rugby are also catered for, along with a rowing tank and sports hall. A 25-metre swimming pool opened in October 2003 to complement the existing high quality facilities.
Music
Students at Oxford enjoy a wealth of opportunity to involve themselves in music, as listeners and performers, and at all levels. The Oxford Philomusica, the University's Orchestra in Residence, offers a great range of opportunities, including performances, recitals, masterclasses and coaching. At the top end of musical ability, the University boasts student orchestras of professional calibre (notably the Oxford University Orchestra and the Philharmonia), and choirs of renown (Christ Church, Magdalen and New College, along with the Schola Cantorum). Other levels of accomplishment are catered for by college music societies. Opera is represented by at least two University-based organisations. Other organisations within the University cater for almost every other conceivable interest, from soul to jazz, from Indian to contemporary. And if you feel there is something missing, Oxford is the ideal place to do your own thing with the wealth of musical talent the University has at its disposal.
Drama
Oxford drama flourishes at both college and University level. As well as the various college theatres, there are three professional venues available for student use: the University-owned Burton Taylor Theatre, which puts on 14 student plays each term, the Old Fire Station Theatre with 7 student productions per term, and the Oxford Playhouse, which hosts 5 student productions each year. Film societies hold regular screenings and also produce short films of their own. Each year a Visiting Professor of Contemporary Theatre gives a series of lectures and workshops open to students. Past incumbents include Sir Richard Attenborough and Nicholas Hytner. In addition, a full-time Drama Officer supervises student productions and gives advice to those who want to pursue a career in theatre or film after graduation. Whether you take drama very seriously or just want to have a bit of fun, there is a level of involvement to suit everyone.
The Oxford Union
The Oxford Union, founded in 1823, not only provides famous debates on topical issues featuring world-class speakers, but also serves as a social centre. There are frequent addresses by renowned international speakers from all walks of life, ranging from Yasser Arafat to O J Simpson, from Frankie Dettori to Doris Lessing, and Michael Heseltine to Ewan McGregor. A membership fee is required for life membership.
College based activities
Regardless of your level of expertise, you can become involved in any club or society in which you are interested. At college level, fun is the emphasis, with University clubs existing for the more serious athlete, musician or actor. If a society or team is not available, there is normally support for those wishing to establish one.
A STUDENT'S LIFE AT OXFORD
