Living in Oxford

Oxford is a small, diverse and historic city, located about 60 miles (100km) to the northwest of London. Most of the city is readily accessible on foot and many students find cycling to be a great way to travel within Oxford. Bus routes cover the entire greater Oxford area, making it quick and affordable to get around. It is also within easy reach of London's airports, with excellent coach links to Heathrow and Gatwick international airports.

Oxford is a major British and European centre for the arts, science, technology and innovation, and a fantastic place to live and study. For centuries, scholars, artists, writers, scientists and film-makers have found inspiration in Oxford’s spectacular architecture—the city’s famous ‘dreaming spires’.

Take in classical concerts in the Sheldonian Theatre or a live gig at the O2 Academy. Browse ancient Egyptian artefacts in the Ashmolean Museum, or contemporary visual art at Modern Art Oxford. Catch a debate at the Oxford Union, comedy at the New Theatre, or Shakespeare in the Bodleian’s Old Schools Quadrangle. Cheer on your college sports teams in the University Parks or from the banks of the River Isis (as the Thames is known in Oxford) in Summer Eights—a four-day regatta of rowing races.

Oxford also boasts excellent food and drink—from Michelin-starred restaurants to centuries-old examples of the great British pub, and authentic cuisines from all over the world.

Oxford’s complex history has given rise to its unique character. Around the splendid, medieval core of the ancient University and its colleges, there’s a bustling, welcoming modern city. Oxford is a culturally diverse city, with a vibrant and cosmopolitan community. Home to two major universities, it has more than 43,000 students, almost a quarter of the city’s population, who come from all over the world.

In Oxford, you’re never far away from green spaces—there are parks, gardens and meadows throughout the city, which is also surrounded by rolling countryside. The rivers running through the city give rise to Oxford’s famous traditions of rowing and punting, with miles of scenic waterways to enjoy.

Importantly, Oxford is also well known as a safe city. The Complete University Guide ranks Oxford in the top ten safest student cities in England and Wales 2024.

If you are offered a place on a course that offers college membership (ie a matriculated course), colleges provide a variety of accommodation options. Some colleges will have various different options, others may have a dedicated block (or blocks) of accommodation of a similar type/cost.

If you're applying for a non-matriculated courses there are still options available, including University accommodation.

Some colleges are able to guarantee accommodation for their incoming graduates, other colleges may only be able to accommodate a proportion of their graduates. Your college will outline the accommodation that they have available, and explain their application process, when you receive your college offer letter.

Please note that while accommodation can be requested, there is no guarantee that this will be available. If you apply after the main December or January deadline for your course, you'll typically receive a college offer much later than the majority of applicants and available college accommodation may be limited.

Where I can I find more information about accommodation?

Please refer to our detailed guidance for applying for accommodation at Oxford. This guidance includes essential information for disabled students and students applying for part-time courses.