Transcript: Vice-Chancellor's start of Hilary 2026 student message

Dear students,

Happy New Year, and a very warm welcome to the start of Hilary term. I’m here at the newly opened Life and Mind Building – our new home for Biology and Experimental Psychology.

This purpose-built space strengthens our ability to tackle major global challenges, from biodiversity and food security to mental health. Biology has launched five new research hubs here, alongside Experimental Psychology’s new Memory and Sleep Lab and the Centre for Emerging Minds. Do come and look around or enjoy the café with its stunning views over Oxford.

I am so looking forward to the return of my Vice-Chancellor’s Colloquium this term. This is the third consecutive year, but for the first time, undergraduates taking part will explore themes of both Climate and Artificial Intelligence. I can’t wait to see the ideas that emerge from students working together across different subject areas. My thanks to our postgraduates supporting the delivery of the programme with our world-leading academics.

For those of you not involved in the Colloquium, Hilary term is a great time to apply for internships. The Careers Service has hundreds of UK and international opportunities available for the spring and the summer.

There’s also the Crankstart and Diversity Careers Fair in March for Crankstart Scholars, bursary holders, and students from groups that are underrepresented at Oxford. The Creative Careers Festival also returns in Week 4 of this term, exploring career paths across the creative industries.

Now while it may feel early to think about exams and wider assessments, it's never too soon to prepare if you would like to do so. Later this term, orientation and practice paper sessions will be available, designed to help support you through exams.

And the National Student Survey opens this month to final-year undergraduates, offering an opportunity to reflect on your Oxford experience. Postgraduate taught and research experience surveys will open later in term. Your feedback matters, and I encourage you to have your say. You can also stand, or vote, in the upcoming Oxford Student Union elections, helping to shape student representation for the year ahead.

Our Artificial Intelligence training and support continues to expand, with new courses on the way. We have also recently launched the Student Digital Skills Hub, bringing together tools and resources to help you assess and develop your digital capabilities.

Finally, I want to remind all students that regardless of your course, college, or year of study, there are times when everyone may need additional support during their Oxford journey. The University's specialist Student Welfare and Support Services include individual counselling, group workshops, disability assistance, peer support, and help from the Sexual Harassment and Violence Support Service. Wider support is also available from chaplaincy services, for all faiths and none, and Oxford Student Union Advice. Please do reach out if you need to.

Well, that’s it for now. I look forward to seeing you all around Oxford this term. I hope you can join Hilary’s Sheldonian Series event on Activism on 4 February and to cheer on our teams at sporting events as a spectator or via the live stream to support our Dark Blues! Take care and have a fantastic Hilary term.