The University of Oxford consists in over 40 colleges and private halls. Oxford colleges not only provide the teaching of undergraduate and postgraduate courses, but they also provide dormitory accommodation for students, which is called the “college system”. Most of the colleges are located in the city centre, with accommodation usually located on the main campus, or a short walk away, ensuring travel is not required. Each college has its own living and learning facilities such as libraries, laboratories, computer rooms, classrooms, dining halls, bars, gyms and laundry rooms, as well as a Junior common room for downtime. These recreational facilities are usually in close proximity to college dorms, and many social activities at Oxford University revolve around a college-based (‘collegiate’) basis, so it is easy to make friends. Living in halls of residence not only helps foreign students form close international friendships, but also inspires them to understand and integrate into the culture, and way of life in the UK. We firmly believe that studying in Oxford, with its diverse community of people from different backgrounds, is a tremendously enriching personal experience. All of our accommodation is located within a 10–20-minute walk of Oxford city centre. Most public spaces and bedrooms in the college are equipped with free, easy-to-connect Wi-Fi.
Accommodation and Facilities at Oxford University Colleges
Bedrooms in Colleges
Our students have the opportunity to stay in the historic and prestigious Oxford University Colleges. The bedrooms are modestly-furnished, they do not have air-conditioning and are accessed by staircase of four or five floors. These rooms often feature a personal washbasin, but share full bathroom facilities (shower and toilet) with a number of adjacent rooms. Most bedrooms are single occupancy; however, a number of twins are accessible for those who wish to share with a companion.
Each student will be placed in a single or twin bedroom for the duration of their stay. Whilst standard rooms have shared bathroom facilities, ensuites may be available with private showers and washrooms.
Please note that our partner Oxford colleges can only arrange for students to stay from the start of our summer programme, and will not be able to provide accommodation after the course ends. Additionally, accommodation is only open to students formally enrolled in our programmes, and family members and friends who are not enrolled will not be allowed to stay.
Please indicate your accommodation preferences (either online or on your application form) together with a note of any mobility issues you have.
Students with disabilities and mobility problems
Oxford International Study Abroad Programme is committed to treating all students equally and we warmly welcome applications from people with disabilities. We will provide facilities, institutional adjustments and assistance to meet their needs as far as possible within our available resources.
We recommend that students with mobility problems or audio-visual impairments consult with the programme administrator in advance of applying to the programme, since the college layouts may be less friendly to people with disabilities. If the applicant has severe day to day problems, such as accessing ground floor rooms, they should contact us in time.
St Antony’s College, University of Oxford
The Nissan Theatre
St. Antony’s College’s Library
For programmes held during Oxford University term time (not our summer programme), the accommodation for our students will be arranged in our homestay families, local apartments or local hotels. Living with Oxford residents is a great way to learn more about the UK and British culture firsthand, and of course you don’t need to worry about self-catering, as the host will provide food, shopping, cooking, cleaning, and even your laundry.
Your host will do their best to make you feel at home - providing essential amenities such as a desk or workspace, closet and bathroom facilities. Please remember that you may need to share these facilities with others! Your homestay environment will be clean and tidy, and the atmosphere safe and hospitable. We have long-term relationships with a number of quality homestays in Oxford city centre, with extremely experienced host families accustomed to accommodating visiting international students.
To ensure that our students are satisfied with their host families during their stay, we need to provide our hosts with as much clear and accurate information as possible in advance. It's worth noting that the sooner you book your homestay, the easier it will be for us to meet your requirements. Every year, the demand for homestay students is quite large, and we often cannot meet exact requirements for late applicants.
Apartments and hotels are also options for students attending the programme during the term time. We will arrange our students to stay in a selection of local 3- or 4-star hotels, which are clean, cozy and convenient.
Other Bedrooms Options (Homestay, Apartment, or Hotel Bedrooms)
Meals
Our students will primarily enjoy meals in the college dining hall. Typically, the college will offer a buffet service with a wide range of options, with the exception of our celebratory closing Gala Dinner, where students will be provided with a set menu.
The excellent catering service in the college offers a wide range of British and international hot and cold dishes, including a vegetarian option for each meal. Soup and rolls, a salad bar, fruit, cheese and delicious puddings are also available.
Tea and snacks are provided for everyone at morning and afternoon break times and water dispensers are situated in the dining room.
Oxford International Study Abroad Programme has contracts with the Colleges of Oxford University for the use of facilities and also contracts with lectures and professors from Oxford University on our courses. OISAP is not affiliated with the University of Oxford in any way.
Oxford International Study Abroad Programme
Belsyre Court, First Floor, 57 Woodstock Road
Oxford, OX2 6HJ, United Kingdom
www.oxfordstudyabroad.org.uk
P: +44 (0) 1865 521959
E: info@oxfordstudyabroad.org.uk