When you start

University Card 

All staff and academic visitors are issued with a University Card. Your employing department or college will arrange this for you in advance or provide you with an application form once you arrive.

The University Card is used for security purposes, to provide access to buildings, and to identify your entitlement to use a range of University services, such as computing facilities and the libraries. It should be carried with you at all times. You can also use your University Card to enjoy a range of benefits, from discounts at local shops to free membership of the University Club.

Further information

• University Card

• Staff benefits

Getting paid

University staff are paid on a monthly basis, with payments made direct to your bank or building society account. Salary payments are normally paid on the penultimate working day of each month. Your payslip is sent to your department by internal mail, and arrives on or just before payday.

If you hold a joint appointment, you have a combined university and college stipend. This means that you will receive two salary payments each month: one from the University and one from your college.

Information about opening a bank account in the UK is available on the International Staff website.

Pensions

The University offers occupational pension schemes for eligible employees. These schemes provide a pension and a tax-free lump sum on retirement as well as life cover while you are in the University's employment. If eligible, you will automatically be enrolled into the appropriate pension scheme unless you give notice in writing that you do not wish to belong to the scheme.

Salary Exchange

Salary Exchange for Pension Contributions is an arrangement for members of the Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS) and Oxford Staff Pension Scheme (OSPS). It affects the way in which pension contributions are made, bringing financial benefits for both individuals and the University. If you join USS or OSPS, you will be enrolled automatically in Salary Exchange three months after joining the University, unless you request to opt out.

Holidays

The number of days' holiday to which you are entitled will be specified in your letter of appointment. The normal leave year for University staff runs from 1 October to 30 September. Holiday accrual begins from your first day of employment.

Further information

• Pay dates

• International staff: bank accounts

• Pensions

• Salary Exchange

• Staff Handbook: holidays

IT services

All staff are automatically registered for a Single Sign-on Account, which gives you access to an email account, the University's virtual learning environment (WebLearn), personal web pages, and other resources. Your username and activation code will be sent by internal mail to your department or college once your University Card has been issued.

Telecoms

The area code for Oxford is 01865. The main switchboard number for the University is 01865 270000.

To find out your telephone number, dial the automated service 10888.

You can find telephone numbers for individual members of staff via the University’s contact search facility, which is available on the top banner of the University website.

Further information

• IT for staff

• Telecommunications

• Contact search

The University of Oxford is served by over 100 libraries, which together hold over 11 million volumes, making it the largest university library system in the UK.

For members of staff and academic visitors, your University Card serves as your library card and you will be able to use most libraries in University institutions, including the Bodleian Libraries. Registration on a first visit to a library will often be required. Further information is available on the Bodleian Libraries' website.

Every college has its own library, often consisting of a modern, working library and older collections. Further information can be found on individual college websites. 

Further information

• Overview of Oxford libraries

• Bodleian Libraries: Admissions

A number of general induction programmes are available to new staff:

• 'Induction for new staff' is an online introduction to the University provided by the Oxford Learning Institute. Registration stays active for a year so you can complete the course in stages while you settle into your new job.

• 'History of the University' is a face-to-face course run by the Oxford Learning Institute on a termly basis.

• 'Introduction to the University Library Services' is a regular introductory training session run by the Bodleian Libraries. It includes an introduction to the different libraries, a tour of the Bodleian, and training in the use of library systems.

• 'Breakfast at IT Services' is a termly event run by Oxford University IT Services to introduce new members of staff to its services and facilities.

Role-specific and local inductions include:

• 'Introduction to Academic Practice at Oxford', a three-day training programme run by the Oxford Learning Institute for new members of academic staff.

• 'Welcome event for new research staff', a two-hour seminar run by the Oxford Learning Institute for researchers within their first year at the University.

• 'Introduction to Finance', a half-day training course for new staff with financial responsibilities.

• 'Introduction to research administration', a half-day training course for new staff who have responsibility for research administration activities.

• Information for new researchers and for academics can be found on the Oxford Learning Institute’s website.

• The Academic Administration Division (AAD) runs an induction programme  for new members of the division, as well as college and departmental staff who work closely with the division.

Further information

• Oxford Learning Institute

• Academic Administration Division