Student news

In 2021/22, 3,595 students (13.8% of the student body) sought counselling, up from 3,440 students (13.5%) seen in the previous academic year. In-person provision returned to the Student Welfare offices in September 2021. Anxiety remained the largest presenting issue for Oxford students, increasing from 30.9% in 2020/21 to 33.7% in 21/22. This figure has doubled since 2018 and reflects reports of increased anxiety in the general population, and particularly in young adults, during the pandemic.

This month sees the publication of a new Digital Education Strategy for Oxford, outlining our ambitions for the next four years.

The strategy was significantly shaped by student experiences in recent years and by your visions for the future. It aims to make a significant improvement in the quality of Oxford’s digital systems, and to use digital tools to foster both innovation in how we teach and learn, and inclusivity for all students.

Bhadrajee's story | Eri's story | Brenda's story | Recruitment & training

The journey to Oxford 

Welcome back to the start of Hilary term! I hope you are settling back into the rhythm of student life now that we’re heading into Week 2. Despite the cold weather, Oxford is looking spectacular with the winter frost and sun, so do enjoy our beautiful parks for some fresh air. I’m new to the job as your Vice-Chancellor, and so here I want to give you a feel for what you can expect from me.  I’m also keen to meet with students (you can find out more at the end of this message about how I plan to do that). 

My Oxford journey

Can you tell us a little bit about your experience to date?

I’m a political theorist and human rights advocate by background. My research has been concerned with questions of patriotism and multiculturalism. I’ve been especially interested in how national identities evolve to include diversity generated by immigration. More recently I’ve been doing work on anti-racism, and on the impact of COVID on freedoms and political culture.

1. It’s your chance to give your views

The NSS is a national listening exercise – and all final year undergraduate students across the UK are strongly encouraged to take part. It’s important for you, for future students, for universities, and for the broader higher education landscape of the UK. Give your views, and be part of something big.

2. It helps us improve what we do for students
The NSS survey – plus the Student Barometer for all students – give us the opportunity to listen and respond, and to do things better.

Professor Tracey shared this video message with students and staff on 5 January 2023:

A major transformation of the University's processes, culture and technology is underway.

The Digital Transformation programme will enable Oxford to be digitally fit for the future, making it easier for everyone to study and work here.

In 2020 I made the jump and left my job at the BBC to read for a DPhil in modern Iranian Jewish history at Oxford. A major pull for me in returning to Oxford’s Asian and Middle Easter Studies for the doctorate was being surrounded by people working on everything from Biblical Hebrew to Classical Mongolian and Armenian under one roof. As an undergraduate I had spent time studying Persian and Urdu and living abroad in Istanbul and Jerusalem. I was looking forward to recapturing some of that variety once I was back at university.