University Style Guide
The University of Oxford Style Guide aims to provide a guide to writing and formatting documents written by staff on behalf of the University.
University Style Guide
This webpage was last updated 18 May 2026
The University of Oxford Style Guide is written by, and in consultation with, staff on behalf of the University (or one of its constituent departments etc). It is part of the University’s brand which enables the University’s formal documentation and web content to be presented consistently across all communications.
Although this style guide is freely available online it has not been written with public or external use in mind. The University of Oxford Style Guide does not replace professional writing guides and dictionaries produced by Oxford University Press, which have a different purpose. The Oxford English Dictionary is the preferred reference for details not included in this guide. Examples that are correct are preceded by DO and examples that are incorrect are preceded by DON’T.
Objectives
- To support you when you are writing for the University of Oxford. We provide advice and examples of spelling, punctuation and stylistic choices to use across online, written and printed communications.
- To offer best practice guidance on how to make your website content clear and accessible for everyone.
- To advise on inclusive language choices and signpost to writing resources that help staff foster a welcoming, inclusive culture which promotes equality, values diversity and maintains a working environment where the rights and dignity of all its staff and students are respected.
How the guide will be reviewed
The Public Affairs Directorate will review the guide periodically, ensuring that it properly reflects modern usage and is fit for purpose, and to update it as required. The guide will also have a ‘last updated’ date. As part of the review process, we will invite and consider new content and proposals submitted by members of the University community. Changes will be considered and discussed by the Style Guide Working Group before revisions are made.
What is/is not included in the style guide
The guide does not tell you how to write or which words to use. We aim to help you write correctly, and to encourage consistency across the University’s communications. This guide does not include definitions or detailed advice on tone of voice. The inclusive writing advice is advisory and is intended to support you in making decisions about language use.
Contact us
Do you have a suggestion for advice that is not listed? Or an example you would like to see in this style guide? Email: [email protected].
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This version was last updated 18 May 2026
