Museums, libraries and other venues

Where: Beaumont Street, OX1 2PH

When: 10:00–17:00

Relevant courses: Archaeology and Anthropology; Asian and Middle Eastern Studies; Classical Archaeology and Ancient History; Classics; Fine Art; History (Ancient and Modern); History of Art.

The Ashmolean Museum is home to the University’s collection of art and archaeology. Founded in 1683, it was the first public museum in the UK and is one of the oldest in the world. Highlights include mummies from Ancient Egypt; classical sculpture from Greece and Rome; paintings by the masters of European art; and the greatest collection of Chinese art in the Western world.

Read more about the Ashmolean Museum.

Where: Broad Street, OX1 3AZ 

When: 12:00–17:00

Relevant courses: All science and history courses.

This museum houses an unrivalled collection of historic scientific instruments, including Einstein’s blackboard, intricate Islamic astrolabes and the first cultures of the lifesaving antibiotic Penicillin.

Read more about the History of Science Museum.

Where: Parks Road, OX1 3PW

When: 10:00–17:00

Relevant courses: Biology; Earth Sciences.

The museum houses an impressive range of scientific collections of zoological and geological specimens in a spectacular Victorian building.

Read more about the Museum of Natural History.

Where: Parks Road, OX1 3PW (Entry through the Museum of Natural History)

When: 10:00–17:00

Relevant courses: Archaeology and Anthropology; History of Art.

The Pitt Rivers Museum is home to a remarkable collection of man-made objects from all parts of the world. It is equally famous for its celebrated displays and its leading role in contemporary research.

Read more about the Pitt Rivers Museum.

Where: High Street, OX1 4AZ (opposite Magdalen College Tower)

When: 10:00–17:00 (last entry at 16:00)

Relevant courses: Biology.

The Garden, founded in 1621 contains more than 4,000 different species in just two hectares making it one of the most diverse collections of living plants in the world. Admission charges apply.

Read more about the Botanic Garden.

Where: High Street, OX1 4BJ

When: 10:00–17:00

From the very beginning of the University, the University Church was used as a central meeting place for worship, lectures and academic debate. The University’s court, treasury and library were housed here until the 15th century.

Read more about the University Church.

Where: 12 Woodstock Road, OX2 6HT 

When: 10:00–16:00

The Language Centre is the hub for all students who want to improve their language skills, regardless of degree subject. You can choose from 12 Modern Languages, and Academic English for international students. All courses are taught by expert tutors in small groups, in-person and online. Visit us to meet our tutors, find out more about our courses and look around our classrooms.

Read more about the Language Centre.

Where: Robert Hooke Building, Parks Rd, Oxford OX1 3PP 

When: 13:00–16:00 (access before 13:00 available on request from staff at the nearby Open Day information point)

Oxford University Islamic Society has its own dedicated prayer room, open 24/7 to all students with many events hosted throughout the term. Drop in if you have any questions about being Muslim at Oxford and would like to speak to a current student. The space is also open for visitors to pray during the busy day - check the Jama'a times.

Where: St Cross Building, Manor Road, OX1 3UR

When: Guided tours for prospective students (Booking available on the day; timings to be confirmed)

Relevant courses: Law.

The Law Library is a major research library, supporting the staff and students of the Faculty of Law and the wider legal community. The library has over 550,000 volumes, and all four floors are open to readers. It is the home of the Official Papers collection.

Read more about the Law Library.

Where: Bodleian Library, Old Schools Quad, Catte Street, OX1 3BG (What3Words location: window.power.human)

When: 10:00–16:00; Tours leave on the hour and half hour. 13 places per tour.

Relevant courses: Classics, English, History, Philosophy, Theology.

Meeting point for tours is in the Old Schools Quadrangle near the statue of William Herbert, 3rd Earl of Pembroke.

Please note that this tour involves a lot of stairs. Prospective students can arrange an accessible step free tour by emailing: [email protected] (subject to availability).

Read more about the Bodleian Library and Radcliffe Camera.

Where: Manor Road Building, Manor Road, OX1 3UQ (Ground floor ramped entrance)

When: 09:30–17:00; Guided tours at 10:45, 11:45 and 15:30; Self-guided tours available all day.

Relevant courses: Courses involving Geography, Politics or Economics.

Key library for undergraduates studying Anthropology, Geography, PPE, or either Politics or Economics as part of a joint honours degree.

Read more about the Social Science Library.

Where: Faculty of Asian & Middle Eastern Studies, 1 Pusey Lane, OX1 2LE

When: 10:00–16:00

Relevant courses: Asian and Middle Eastern Studies.

The Nizami Ganjavi Library has about 55,000 volumes, with core collections covering the geographical areas of West Asia, North Africa, the Caucasus, Central Asia, South Asia, Tibet and Korea, covering the languages, history, cultures and religions of these regions.

Read more about the Nizami Ganjavi Library.

Where: Parks Road, OX1 3QP 

When: Staff-guided tours only at 10:00, 12:00, 14:00, 16:00; maximum 20 people per tour.

Relevant courses: All science courses.

The Radcliffe Science Library is the main Oxford University library for sciences. It reopened in October 2023 after over three years of renovation. It provides modern, comfortable, and accessible study spaces which cater for a variety of study styles.

Read more about the Radcliffe Science Library.

Where: 1 St John Street, OX1 2LG (Meet at the Porters’ Lodge)

When: Tours at 10:00 and 14:00

Relevant courses: Ancient History, Archaeology, Assyriology, Classics, Egyptology, Fine Art and History of Art.

The Art, Archaeology and Ancient World Library is one of the Bodleian Libraries’ principal research libraries, with collections focusing on the study of Archaeology, Classics, Egyptology and Ancient Near East Studies, Art and Architectural History. It offers borrowing services, IT and printing facilities and workspaces.

Read more about the Bodleian Art, Archaeology and Ancient World Library.

Where: Oxford University Sport, Jackdaw Lane, off Iffley Road, OX4 1EQ 

When: 06:00–22:00

Self-guided tours available: Throughout

Iffley Road Sports Centre is the University’s main hub for sport and physical activity, open to students from all colleges on a membership basis. The centre includes a swimming pool, gyms, sports halls, a studio, indoor squash courts, outdoor tennis courts, a café, a variety of sports pitches and, of course, the athletics track made famous by Sir Roger Bannister. Some colleges also have their own sporting facilities specifically for their students and staff.

Visit us on an Open Day for a self-guided tour of the facilities and ask our friendly reception team any questions about leisure or individual facility access. For queries about sports clubs, teams or competitive sport, please visit our stall at the Open Day Information Centre.

Read more about Iffley Road Sports Centre.

Where: St Giles', OX1 3NA 

When: 09:00–15:00

Tours available: 09:15, 12:35, 14:15 and 14:45 (20-minute tours)

The Taylor Institution Library (commonly known as 'the Taylorian') is the University's centre for the study of Modern European languages and literatures, other than English.

Read more about the Taylor Institution Library.