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Admissions

Where will I live?

Living in Oxford Studying at Oxford Living in Oxford Oxford's resources Diverse Oxford Music Sport Drama Clubs & societies City & nightlife Where will I live?

Undergraduate students must live in Oxford, but there is no need to look for accommodation before you arrive. All colleges provide rooms for first-year students, and will make all of the arrangements for you. Your college may send you details of your room after places are confirmed in August, or they may simply give you the keys when you arrive. Most college rooms are single study-bedrooms, and you may have your own bathroom. Some colleges have ‘sets’ where two students share a study-living room, but you have your own bedroom. All rooms are furnished; some have an internal telephone and internet points. Your room may be on the main site or nearby.

Living in and living out

Where will I Live Colleges are very safe places, with a Porters’ Lodge at the entrance. The porters deal with visitors and oversee security. They get to know you and look after your personal safety.

All colleges will offer you a room for your first year and another year; in many colleges, you can ‘live in’ for your whole course. If you do have to ‘live out’ of college, or you prefer to, you can share a house with friends or rent a room in a family home. The University Accommodation Office will be able to help you with your search.

Living out can be a little more expensive than living in college, but it means you can stay on during the holidays. Students in college rooms usually have to move out at the end of each term.

All college rooms are either in the city centre or very close to it. Most private accommodation is also within a 15-minute walk or short cycle ride of the centre. In Oxford, there is no need to spend money on bus fares, as you would in larger cities.

Throughout your course, wherever you live, you can use your college’s library, computer room, sports facilities, laundry, bar, common room and dining hall – this serves three meals every day. You need to bring your own clothes, music and posters, of course! If you wish to cook, you may need to bring some kitchenware; your college will tell you what is provided.

Out of term

Where will I Live During the holidays, your college may be able to provide storage, particularly for overseas students. You may be able to stay on in college, or stay with friends who are living out. Some people use this time to work and prepare for next term; others just enjoy being in Oxford.

To find out more

Where will I Live
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Listen to our admissions podcasts

Kate: Living in...
It is natural to feel unsure about living in such close proximity with people that are yet to become your friends. But the strong sense of community that college life promotes means that your college soon becomes ‘home’ and evenings spent lazing in front of the TV in the Junior Common Room, chatting in the college bar, or poring over books in the college library in the company of your sympathetic friends, soon make up for any sadness over the loss of home-cooked meals. What’s more, there is no need to worry about mastering your cooking skills before coming to study here, since all colleges have a ‘Hall’ where students are treated to a delightful three-course meal at a very reasonable price.



...and living out.
As a ‘student city’, Oxford is fairly unique in having a number of student areas dotted around the city centre. Not only does this mean that there is plenty of availability when it comes to student housing, but also that you will rarely find yourselves more than two doors away from fellow Oxford students (oh yes, there really is no escape)! Wherever you decide to live, you can rest assured that your years out of college will be great fun and will also provide you with an opportunity to gain more independence.