The University of Oxford

Oxford University is the oldest University in the English speaking world, and to date one of the best and most prestigious in the world. Countless famous figures and great minds have studied here, and any visitors are – no doubt – walking in the footsteps of many of them, seeing the same views that they had. “Where is the famous Oxford University?” is a question many visitors ask. the answer is: everywhere! The University is made up of more than 30 independent colleges, and their quads and buildings can be found all over the city.

Many colleges open their doors to visitors at least a few hours every day. Many of them are free to visit, some charge a small fee. Opening hours can change without prior notice, and up to date times can be seen on the porter’s lodge of each college.

In the colleges, visitors can usually explore the college quad and gardens, as well as the chapel and dining hall sometimes.

Christ Church College is located in the heart of the city and is of Oxford University’s largest colleges. Alice in Wonderland was written there by by 19th Century mathematics Tutor Charles Dodgson (Lewis Carroll) and the college featured in the Harry Potter films, as well as TV detective series Inspector Morse, Lewis and Endeavour.

Famous for its iconic red brick buildings, Keble College is home to more than 800 students. The first Oxford College of the modern era, it was founded in memory of John Keble (1792-1866), well known for his best-selling Christian verse and a key member of the so-called ‘Oxford’ movement.

Evensong

Choral Evensong is a great way to enjoy a choir service in the heart of some of Oxford’s University Colleges. Every day during term-time, starting between 5:15pm and 6:45pm, many Oxford college chapel choirs and some parish churches sing beautiful music in Choral Evensong – a service which is free-of-charge and open to all. The service is 45 minutes long, and its words and music can inspire people of all faiths and none.

Walking Tours

Join the Oxford University & City Walking Tour, by award-winning Oxford Official Walking Tours and find out more about Oxford University’s history, architecture and traditions.

This tour is running daily at 10:30am, 11:30am, 1pm and 2pm. The afternoon tours will include a college visit (subject to availability) such as Wadham College or Jesus College.

Oxford University Accommodation

Feel like Harry Potter and his friends when staying in one of Oxford’s historic college quads and taking your breakfast in the imposing dining halls. Here, you are in the footsteps of countless great minds – who knows, maybe your room was previously occupied by one of the world’s political leaders, a Nobel prize winner, a famous public author, or an Olympic medalist? Search for availability.

Keble College also offers a true student experience in the heart of Oxford, with a mix of Quad or Street view rooms and a full English and continental breakfast served in its iconic dining hall.

Hosting your event

Conference Oxford represents 70 distinctive Oxford University venues and colleges and is your pathway to booking a residential or day conference, a meeting, a celebratory dinner, an award ceremony, a party or wedding.

Fun Facts

• In 2016, Oxford University was listed top of the ‘Times Higher Education world university rankings’ – a first for a UK university.

• 27 British Prime Ministers were educated at Oxford.

• The Diamond light source welcomes up to 2000 visiting scientists a year.

• Oxford has more published writers per square mile than anywhere else in the world.

• The first colleges of Oxford were built in the 13th century, but it wasn’t until 1878 that women were admitted to the university.

• The term Oxford Comma comes from the Oxford University Press, where the use of the comma is standard.

• Poet Percy Shelley was expelled from Oxford University for writing The Necessity of Atheism.

Opening Times

To find a complete list of colleges and opening times, please click here.