Undergraduate Prospectus 2018 entry University of Oxford Section 4 Finding out more
This version was produced by the Oxford University Accessible Resources Acquisition and Creation Unit in 2017.
[Copyright notice]
This copy has been made for the use of people with print impairments and may not be further copied (including any electronic copying or transmission), without permission of the copyright holder, save as may be permitted by law.
[Transcriber's Note]
To ease navigation, heading levels 1, 2, 3, and 4 are used throughout the document. 
Print page numbers are recorded at the point where they occur and are given on a separate line enclosed in square brackets.
Contents list
Events in Oxford
Events near you
Visiting Oxford
Index
Please Read Carefully
Getting around Oxford
Events in Oxford
Oxford Open Days 28 And 29 June and 15 September 2017
Our main undergraduate open days are the best time to visit Oxford and explore student life, because so many colleges and departments are open and running events led by tutors and students. ox.ac.uk/opendays
There are other, smaller, subject-based open days throughout the year, including:
•	Classics 17 March 2017
•	Computer Science 22 April 2017
•	Geography 12 June 2017
•	Law 13, 14 and 15 March 2017
•	Materials Science 28, 29 March and 5 April 2017
•	Mathematics 22 and 29 April 2017
•	Modern Languages 29 April 2017
•	Oriental Studies 29 April 2017
For outreach events aimed at school and college students: ox.ac.uk/outreachevents
For Year 12 UK Students
UNIQ summer schools - July/August
Applications to our UNIQ summer schools are welcome from students currently in their first year of A-levels (or equivalent) at UK state schools/colleges, from low socio-economic backgrounds and/or areas with low progression to higher education. The summer schools are free, week-long intensive academic programmes run by current tutors at Oxford. Participants live in an Oxford college and take part in a variety of social activities. The UNIQ application deadline is in January. www.uniq.ox.ac.uk
Shadow an Oxford Student
Each year, over 200 Year 12 students come to Oxford to shadow a current undergraduate through the Target Schools scheme run by OUSU (see page 33 [print edition page number]). The aim is to debunk the various myths about studying at Oxford, and to increase representation from students whose schools don't have much history of coming to study here. Find out if you're eligible: email studentshadowing@ousu.ox.ac.uk or visit targetschools.ousu.org 
[185]
In 2015/16, at over 2,500 outreach events we opened doors to nearly 345,000 people
We met with 2,000+ teachers and advisers in 2016
For Schools
Pathways
The Oxford Pathways Programme provides information, advice and guidance on higher education and Oxford for targeted UK non-selective state schools. It runs free events in Oxford from Year 10 Taster Days to a Year 13 Application Information Day. Schools can check eligibility by emailing pathways@admin.ox.ac.uk or visiting www.pathways.ox.ac.uk.
Widening Access and Participation
Oxford works with parents, teachers and state school students aged 11-18 (Years 6-13), both locally and nationally, to help them understand what they could gain from further or higher education, and what type of study might suit them best. From one-hour workshops to residential events, we offer an exciting range of opportunities for a variety of ages and target groups. Get in touch: wap@admin.ox.ac.uk.
For Teachers
We recognise the key role that teachers, careers advisors and counsellors play in students' decision-making. Oxford offers a variety of events to support teachers in their work, such as conferences and study weeks and summer schools. Find the list and sign up for email updates at ox.ac.uk/teachers.
Each year, Oxford undergraduates are asked to make nominations for an Inspirational Teachers Award. This could be for someone who inspired them to apply to Oxford, fostered their passion for a particular subject or supported them through the application process.
Each February we offer a two-day residential conference for international guidance counsellors which provides an insight into life at Oxford as well as our admissions process. ox.ac.uk/igcc
“... as a teacher she fostered and nurtured this talent and gift within me ...a gift that I believed did not exist.” Lydia
Home of Big Questions OXPLORE for the curious everywhere www.oxplore.org
See also
Events near you: pages 186-187 [print edition page number]
Events near you
We met with students and teachers from over 30 countries in 2016
School and College Visits
Oxford runs a range of events for potential applicants. Travelling throughout the UK and beyond, we meet with students, teachers, parents and carers. We welcome the chance to deliver presentations and workshops, and talk with interested students about all aspects of applying to, and studying at, Oxford. Where possible, we encourage schools to coordinate with others in their area. This enables us to work with more students and, we believe, enriches students' interaction. For more details and to arrange a visit, please get in touch: liaison@admin.ox.ac.uk.
UK
Each local authority in the UK is linked with a particular Oxford college. This means that every school and college has a first point of contact within the University.
These regional links are part of our commitment to engage with schools and colleges, and do not have any bearing on the admissions process.
To find your college link or arrange a visit please see ox.ac.uk/linkcolls.
International
We hold events for prospective applicants, their parents and guidance counsellors in a number of countries around the world. If we can't come to your school in person, we are happy to deliver Skype presentations to students.
For information on events in your country, please email: international.recruitment@admin.ox.ac.uk or see ox.ac.uk/intvisit.
Conferences and Conventions
For Teachers
We offer a series of Regional Teachers' Conferences across the UK to equip teachers with the best possible advice for their students on applying to Oxford, and to break down any misconceptions that might deter students from applying. The conferences cover all aspects of the admissions process: from identifying candidates to writing references and preparing candidates for admissions tests and interviews. The conferences visit different regions across the UK on a biennial basis. For details and to sign up to our teachers' e-newsletter, please visit ox.ac.uk/teachers.
For Schools
Oxford University attends higher education fairs and conventions across the UK. These are an opportunity to speak to an Oxford representative face to face, to find out more about our undergraduate courses and get advice on the application process. ox.ac.uk/hefairs
Oxford and Cambridge Student Conferences are another way to find out more about Oxford without travelling far from home. They take place in March each year, with detailed  sessions on the admission process, student life, interviews, student finance and the many different courses at Oxford and
Cambridge. Admissions tutors, admissions office staff and current undergraduates are there to answer questions about applying to Oxford or Cambridge. studentconferences.org.uk
Study Higher is a partnership of Buckinghamshire New University, Oxford Brookes University, the University of Oxford and the University of Reading along with six further education colleges. As a partnership, Study Higher is committed to providing informative and inspiring educational events and activities for pre-16 students based in Milton Keynes, Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Berkshire. www.studyhigher.ac.uk
In recognition that many schools and students would like joint advice from Oxford and Cambridge, a collaborative network was created through the HEFCE National Networks for Collaborative Outreach (NNCO) scheme.
This brings together Oxford's Regional Links Scheme and Cambridge's Area Links Scheme through collaborative events and a joint outreach website, including a series of webinars. www.oxfordandcambridgeoutreach.co.uk
Over 9,500 students and teachers attended the Oxford and Cambridge Student Conferences in 2016
Home of Big Questions OXPLORE, for the curious everywhere 
www.oxplore.org
[188]
Visiting Oxford
Places to Visit
Many colleges are open to visitors, especially during the afternoons.
The University's museums and some other buildings are also open to the public. University departments are not usually open to visitors, except on open days (see page 184 [print edition page number]). Find out more at: ox.ac.uk/ugvisit and ox.ac.uk/visitors.
With so many colleges, you won't be able to visit them all in one day. We recommend that you first check which colleges offer the course you are interested in (see page 146 [print edition page number]) and then pick a few to look round. This will give you a good idea of the differences and similarities between colleges. For more advice on choosing a college please see page 148 [print edition page number].
The Ashmolean Museum, Oxford University Museum of Natural History, Museum of the History of Science and Pitt Rivers Museum are all free to visit and are an important resource for many of our students. See page 22 [print edition page number] for more about museums.
Admissions Information
You don't have to visit Oxford to contact one of our experienced and knowledgeable staff. Our admissions information team can help with any questions you might have about applying to study at Oxford, or what it's like to be a student here. +44 (0) 1865 288000; www.ox.ac.uk/ask
Oxford Open Days 28 and 29 June and 15 September 2017
On the University Open Days, the Undergraduate Admissions and Outreach team are based at the Open Day Information Centre at the Examination Schools, at 75-81 High Street, OX1 4BG. ox.ac.uk/opendays
Tell us how your day is going on Twitter @OxOutreach
For listings of lectures, concerts, exhibitions and other events open to the public: ox.ac.uk/whatson
To check the accessibility of the buildings you wish to visit: www.admin.ox.ac.uk/access
For outreach events aimed at school and college students: ox.ac.uk/outreachevents
Find out more
ox.ac.uk/ugvisit
ox.ac.uk/maps
[189]
Getting here
Rail
Oxford has two railway stations: the main station is located off Frideswide Square to the west of the city centre and runs regular direct services to London Paddington and Marylebone, Birmingham New Street and others. Oxford Parkway is to the north of the city, next to the Water Eaton park and ride, and runs fast direct trains to and from London Marylebone via Bicester village, and to the main Oxford station.
National Rail Enquiries: +44 (0) 8457 484950 www.nationalrail.co.uk
Chiltern Railways: +44 (0) 1926 729914 www.chilternrailways.co.uk
Great Western Railways: +44 (0) 345 7000 125 www.gwr.com
Coaches from Cities
X90 (London): www.oxfordbus.co.uk
Oxford Tube (London - runs 24h): www.oxfordtube.com
National Express (nationwide): www.nationalexpress.com
Coaches from Airports
London Heathrow (every 30 minutes during the day); Gatwick (every hour) with a reduced service overnight (both airports): www.oxfordbus.co.uk London Stansted (every 2 hours): www.nationalexpress.com
Parking
Parking in Oxford is severely limited and to be avoided if possible. Park and Ride bus services operate between the city centre and parking areas on the outskirts. Open days (ox.ac.uk/opendays) are busy, so please arrive early and allow extra time for travel into the city: www.oxfordbus.co.uk.
You may like to listen to local radio for traffic updates: BBC Oxford 95.2 FM; Heart FM 102.6 and 97.4 FM; Jack FM 106.8 and 106.4 FM.
Index
[Transcribers’ Note: the printed edition index was not transcribed. end of quote]
Please Read Carefully
The University will seek to deliver each course in accordance with the descriptions set out in the relevant course webpage at the time of application and the corresponding Course Information Sheet sent to applicants with their offer of a place. The course webpages can be accessed at ox.ac.uk/courses.
However, there may be situations in which it is desirable or necessary for the University to make changes in course provision, either before or after enrolment.
The University will not make very substantial changes to courses (for example, a change to the course title, significant restructuring, substantial change in course content, or the introduction of a progression hurdle) which would impact on students who have already begun their course. In exceptional circumstances it may be necessary for the University to make such a change after acceptance of a place by an offer-holder.
This will not happen less than 3 months before enrolment. The offer-holder will be notified of the change (as compared to the description in their Course Information Sheet) and offered the opportunity to withdraw from the course.
Other changes could be made to course content, delivery and teaching provision because of developments in the relevant subject, enhancements in teaching or assessment practice, requirements of external accreditation processes, changes in staffing, resource constraints or changes in the availability of facilities. Such changes will take account of the reasonable expectations of prospective and current students. Offer-holders will be notified of any material change (as compared to the description in their Course Information Sheet) and offered the opportunity to withdraw from the course. On-course students will be consulted about any proposed material course change (except changes which are solely for their benefit) which would affect the part of the course which they have already started studying.
The provision of course options which depend on the availability of specialist teaching, or on placement at another institution, cannot be guaranteed in advance.
General Image Credits
Front cover images credited to John Cairns, with additional photographs credited to NRA UK, Lee Atherton, Amalia Bastos, Edmund Blok, Richard Budd, Dan Cunniffe, Shannon Dudley, David Fisher, Dan Grimwood, Mike Kent, Nathan Stazicker, Greenroom photography/Kinga Lubowiecka, Rob Judges, Mazz Image/paloaltomedia.com, Piers Nye, Oliver Robinson, Phil Sayer, Greg Smolonski, Yunli Song, Matt Stuart, Xiaodan Sun, Pawel Sytniewski, Paul Tait, Ian Taylor, Richard Wakefield, Alex Wood, and the University of Oxford Images. We acknowledge iStockPhoto, Morguefile and Shutterstock for images.
And also gratefully acknowledge pictures from Bodleian libraries, University museums, departments and student clubs and societies. With thanks to Oxford colleges' and all staff and students who have supplied any additional pictures.
Please contact the University's Design and Publications Team for details of individual images: +44 (0) 1865 280545.
Getting around Oxford
[Transcribers’ Note: the printed map was not transcribed. end of quote]
See also the University's interactive map at: ox.ac.uk/maps
Mobile Oxford - more maps plus live travel and weather information at: m.ox.ac.uk
Access guide: www.admin.ox.ac.uk/access
Produced and distributed by Undergraduate Admissions and Outreach University Offices, Wellington Square, Oxford OX1 2JD
Telephone: +44(0) 1 365 233000
Designed by Design and Publications, University of Oxford Public Affairs Directorate
Printed by Orchard Press Cheltenham Ltd on Iberset Offset
ox.ac.uk/study
www.facebook.com/the.university.of.oxford
www.twitter.com/OxOutreach
Home of Big Questions OXPLORE www.oxplore.org
www.youtube.com/Oxford
iTunes or http://itunes.ox.ac.uk