Student news

The end of a university degree is an important transition from one stage of life to another.  Transitions are usually marked by rites of passage, and across the globe, communities acknowledge significant changes in the lives of their members in recognised ways.  Rites of passage are often undertaken during key life stages, with the intention of tracing a thread of continuity from what has gone before, to the transition to something new, through to the incorporation of change. 

The health and safety of our students and staff is our number one priority. We will have a range of measures in place including a dedicated testing service, support for students needing to self-isolate, and clear guidance informed by scientific advice.

Our education will be built around Oxford’s distinctive focus on face to face small-group teaching, laboratory practical work and supervision, with access to world-class facilities and resources, supplemented by high quality digital materials. We will work flexibly to maintain suitable levels of contact time for students.

The range of postgraduate research (PGR) students who may be asked to return to the University has expanded due to changes in Government guidance.  If your department is re-opening under the Return to On-site Working programme, you may be able to return even if you are based outside of Oxford or overseas. 

We have come to realise the importance of mental health issues and the impact they can have on individuals as well as on society at large. But how do we separate the facts from the myths? How can we improve our own mental wellness and help those around us? How can we recognise when a normal bout of low mood, stress or anxiety has become a more serious problem?

In this unprecedented and unpredictable time of COVID-19, virtual and remote support is more vital than ever. We can create virtual spaces to connect and support each other appropriately. Social distancing does not always have to equal feeling lonely or isolated.

Dear Students

The University and colleges intend to be open and operational in the 2020/21 academic year, with the optimum combination of face-to-face teaching and online learning, and a fully operational research programme. A high-level working group, known as the Michaelmas Coordination Group (MCG), has been established, bringing together the colleges and University, to create an operational framework for Michaelmas term and beyond.