University of Oxford
Undergraduate Prospectus
2014 Entry
Finding out more
This version was produced by the Oxford University Accessible Resources Acquisition and Creation Unit in 2013.
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This copy has been made for the use of visually impaired people and may not be further copied (including any electronic copying or transmission), without permission of the copyright holder, save as may be permitted by law.
[Transcriber's Note]
To use navigation, heading level 1, 2, and 3 are used throughout the document. 
Each file contains a Table of Contents with hyperlinks to the main sections of the text (Headings 1, 2 and 3).
Print page numbers are recorded at the point where they occur and are given on a separate line enclosed in square brackets.
Contents
Finding out more
Visiting oxford
Open days
Shadowing schemes
UNIQ Summer Schools
Admissions Information Centre
Taster talks and tours
Audio tours
Other guides
Information for teachers
Oxford on the web
ox.ac.uk/study
Alternative Prospectus
PodOxford
Wall of 100 Faces
Oxford Open Days 2013
7 Reasons to come to an open day
Can’t come to an open day?
Planning an open day visit
On the day
Events near you
School and college visits
Oxford and Cambridge Student Conferences
Who to contact
Support for teachers
Target Schools
Higher education fairs and conventions
International recruitment
Widening participation in our local area
Small Print
IMAGE CREDITS
How to get to OXFORD
Rail
Coaches from cities
Coaches from airports
Parking
Finding out more
Visiting oxford
Open days
The main University open days (26 and 27 June and 20 September 2013 - see p 186) are the best time to visit, because many colleges and departments will be open and you’ll have the chance to chat to students and tutors. See ox.ac.uk/opendays for further details and to register for email updates.
Shadowing schemes
Target Schools (p 188) offers students in Year 12 who are thinking about applying to Oxford the chance to come to the University and shadow an undergraduate for a day. The day also includes admissions information, talks from members of staff and workshops with current students. For more information and to find out if you’re eligible for the scheme, email access@ousu.org or visit targetschoolsoxford.com.
UNIQ Summer Schools
In July and August each year, the UNIQ summer schools welcome 850 students to the University of Oxford for a week-long exploration of academic study. UNIQ allows students to gain an accurate and informed picture of the University and encourages them to think of themselves as potential applicants. Participants follow an intensive academic programme run by current tutors at Oxford. UNIQ participants live in an Oxford college for one week and take part in a variety of social activities each evening.
Applications are welcome from students currently in their first year of A-levels (or equivalent) at UK state schools/colleges.
Preference is given to applicants who come from schools and areas with little or no history of successful application to Oxford. The application deadline is in February. For more information, please visit www.uniq.ox.ac.uk.
Admissions Information Centre
55 Little Clarendon Street, Oxford, OX1 2HS +44 (0) 1865 288000 undergraduate.admissions@admin.ox.ac.uk
Our experienced staff are available between 9am and 5pm, Monday to Friday, to answer any questions you might have. We have copies of the prospectus, course brochures, and other guides, as well as computers where you can browse Oxford web pages.
You are welcome to visit at any time, no appointment necessary. ox.ac.uk/aic
Taster talks and tours
We offer talks and taster tours of some colleges and departments during the school and college holidays, mainly for students who are thinking about applying within the next year. The programme includes a talk covering the benefits of studying at Oxford, including our distinctive tutorial teaching methods and college system, as well as how to make a competitive application. You will also have the opportunity to take a tour of one or two colleges during your visit.
Audio tours
Take your own tour whenever you like - or just listen at home. Our downloadable mp3 tours with accompanying maps cover different courses you may be interested in, as well as information about colleges, libraries and other places of interest along the route, interviews with current students, and guidance on how to apply: ox.ac.uk/audiotours.
Other guides
In addition to this prospectus, we produce:
•	a guide explaining what to expect from an Oxford interview
•	Parents’ and Carers’ Guide to Oxford - for anyone supporting a student through the application process and beyond
•	a guide for international students
Pick them up in the Admissions Information Centre, or download from ox.ac.uk/moreinfo.
[185]
Information for teachers
We have a dedicated webpage for teachers including a teachers’ guide and events specifically designed for teachers. Teachers can also subscribe to our free email newsletter containing the latest news about admissions, our work with schools, and competitions that students can enter. ox.ac.uk/teachers
Oxford on the web
ox.ac.uk/study
Our website has the most up-to-date information about applying to Oxford University and what it is like to study here. You can watch short animations explaining how to apply, and whether to choose a college, as well as videos about open days and clips of mock interviews.
Alternative Prospectus
The Oxford University Student Union (OUSU) produces the Alternative Prospectus, which is written entirely by students, for students. This aims to give an inside view of living and studying in Oxford, the colleges and the application process. www.ousu.org
PodOxford
Find out for yourself what Oxford is all about. Mike Nicholson, Director of Undergraduate Admissions, chats with students and staff from around the University about courses, colleges and finance, as well as how to write your personal statement and how to prepare for interview. Download and listen to whole episodes, or pick out taster clips. ox.ac.uk/podcasts
Wall of 100 Faces
This web page features 100 short videos of current students talking about some aspect of their time at Oxford. There is a mix of undergraduate and graduate students, from the UK and overseas, studying many different subjects, involved in many different extra-curricular activities and from almost all the colleges and halls. Have a look for yourself – you will see that Oxford students are just like you: ox.ac.uk/100faces
iTunes U contains all our podcasts, as well as public lectures, teaching material, interviews with leading academics and more. You can watch and listen on your computer, or download files to your mp3 player. itunes.ox.ac.uk
Oxford has its own YouTube channel including lectures and films about the admissions process. www.youtube.com/oxford
Join more than 800,000 followers on our Facebook page and catch up with the latest news and information about the University at www.facebook.com/the.university.of.oxford
Follow Oxford University at www.twitter.com/uniofoxford
[186]
Oxford Open Days 2013
Wednesday 26June, Thursday 27 June, Friday 20 September
Come and find out what Oxford is really like
It was well organised and everyone was very willing to help.
7 Reasons to come to an open day
See for yourself what it’s like to be an undergraduate at Oxford.
Get answers to your questions about applying to Oxford.
Discuss courses in depth with the people who would be teaching you.
Tour colleges with current students and find out more about college life.
Talk to the experts in student funding, careers, disability advice and more.
Visit libraries, museums, and theatres.
Explore a world-famous university city.
Can’t come to an open day?
Don’t worry! You are still welcome to visit any time. Individual colleges and departments run additional events throughout the year. Please see the back flap of this prospectus, or visit ox.ac.uk/ugvisit.
[187]
“It was a lovely day and all the people I met were incredibly welcoming, understanding and informative. This open day has definitely confirmed that I want to apply to Oxford!”
Planning an open day visit
If you can, visit at least one college and one department on the open day. This will give you the best chance to find out what it’s like to live and study in Oxford.
•	Find the schedule at ox.ac.uk/opendays. (Bookable events are announced at least two months in advance, with drop-in sessions confirmed later.)
•	Plan to visit a department in the morning.
•	Arrange to attend admissions talks and tutor sessions in a college. (You may need to book these.)
•	Choose where to have lunch. This may be a picnic by the river, at a cafe or by booking a place at a college meal.
•	Plan which colleges to tour in the afternoon.
•	Decide whether to visit other University buildings such as libraries, museums or the sports centre.
“I left the open day much more decided on where I wanted to apply...”
All quotations are taken from anonymous feedback on the 2012 open days.
On the day
•	Get directions to colleges and departments from our volunteers at the car parks and railway station.
•	Look out for our gazebos and volunteers around the city.
•	Drop in to the open day information centre. Get advice on the admissions process and find out about student services. 09.00-17.00, Exam Schools, High Street 11 on page 192 map
“... very informative and definitely helped me to decide whether Oxford is the right university choice for me.”
ox.ac.uk/opendays
DOWNLOAD our guide to the open days 
READ our travel and parking advice 
REGISTER for email updates 
WATCH our open day video
[188]
Events near you
School and college visits
The University of Oxford organises a range of events for potential applicants. Travelling throughout the UK and beyond, we meet with students, teachers, parents and carers. We welcome the chance to talk with interested students about all aspects of applying to, and studying at, Oxford. Where possible, we are keen to encourage schools and colleges to coordinate with other local schools and colleges because this enables us to work with more students over the year and, we believe, enriches students’ interaction. For more details and to arrange a visit, please get in touch (see below).
Oxford and Cambridge Student Conferences
These events, which take place in March, are another way to find out more about the University without travelling far from home. They include detailed sessions on the admissions process, student life, interviews, student finance and the many different courses at Oxford and Cambridge. Admissions tutors, Admissions Office staff and current undergraduates are there to give clear and concise advice about applying to Oxford or Cambridge. For more information and to book, see www.studentconferences.org.uk.
 Who to contact
As part of the University of Oxford’s ongoing commitment to engage with schools and colleges, we have developed a programme of regional links, so that each Local Authority area in the UK is linked with a particular Oxford college. This scheme is designed to give each school and college a first point of contact within the University. The links do not have any bearing on the admissions process and will not influence whether an Oxford college offers a candidate a place. These links are not intended to replace any existing contact a school or college may have with a particular Oxford college or department. For further information, to find your college link, or to arrange a visit please see ox.ac.uk/linkcolls. If you have any questions about this, or if you aren’t at a school in the UK, please email liaison@admin.ox.ac.uk.
Support for teachers
The Student Recruitment Team delivers a series of Regional Teachers’ Conferences across the UK with the aim to equip teachers with the best possible advice for their students on applying to Oxford and to break down any misconceptions that might deter students from applying to the University. The programme covers all aspects of the admissions process from identifying candidates to writing references and preparing candidates for admissions tests and interviews. The conferences visit different regions across the UK on a biennial basis. For details please email liaison@admin.ox.ac.uk.
A number of colleges also hold conferences in Oxford during the year. To be kept informed of all these events and to sign up to our teachers’ e-newsletter please visit ox.ac.uk/teachers.
Target Schools
Oxford University Student Union (OUSU) runs Target Schools to encourage applications from students at schools without a history of sending students to Oxford. Throughout the year, current undergraduates arrange visits to schools as Target Schools volunteers, aiming to break down some of the myths and stereotypes about Oxford by giving prospective students and teachers more information about life at Oxford and the admissions process.
If you think your school would benefit from a visit please contact target@ousu.org or visit targetschoolsoxford.com. Target Schools also organises an annual shadowing scheme for prospective students (see p 184 [printed edition page numbers]).
[189]
Higher education fairs and conventions
Oxford University attends higher education fairs and conventions across the UK. These are an opportunity to speak to an Oxford representative face-to-face, to find out more information about our undergraduate courses, as well as gaining advice on the application process. For further details, please see ox.ac.uk/hefairs.
If your school or college is holding a higher education fair, and you would like someone from Oxford to attend, please get in touch (see opposite for details).
International recruitment
More than 1 in 8 undergraduates at Oxford are from outside the UK, representing around 130 countries. We hold events in a number of countries around the world, with presentations tailored to different audiences, informing potential students about Oxford and our admissions processes.
In addition, as in the UK, we recognise the key role that counsellors and teachers play in students’ decision making processes. Each February we offer a two day residential International Guidance Counsellors’ Conference. This conference provides an insight into all aspects of life at Oxford as well as our admissions process. To find out more please visit ox.ac.uk/igcc. For information on events in your country please email liaison@admin.ox.ac.uk or see ox.ac.uk/int.
Widening participation in our local area
We work with state school students aged 9-16 (Year 5-11) in Oxfordshire, Milton Keynes and Buckinghamshire, to help them understand what they could gain from further or higher education, and what type of study might suit them best. From one-hour workshops to residential events, we offer an exciting range of opportunities to suit a variety of ages and target groups. Please do get in touch by emailing wp@admin.ox.ac.uk or visit us at ox.ac.uk/wp.
Small Print
A matriculated student at Oxford University is a member both of the University and of one of its constituent colleges or permanent private halls. The two relationships are governed by separate, though interlinking, contracts. The form of contract with the University is a complete and exclusive statement of the express terms of the contract between each matriculated student and the University
If and when an offer is made to you, you will be referred to the provisions of the University Student Contract (available at ox.ac.uk/ study), and you should study this carefully before accepting the offer. If you are also supplied with a form of college contract, you should give this similar attention. The University Student Contract (and any college contract) will govern the relationship between you and the University and the relevant college, should you accept an offer.
Provided that you satisfy any conditions set out in the offer, you will be sent a final confirmation letter by the University and the relevant college; and asked to sign and return a copy of the University Student Contract (and any college contract) as a condition of enrolment.
The University will deliver a student’s chosen programme of study in accordance with the descriptions set out in the University Prospectus online and on the University Admissions Offices websites. However where courses or options depend on placement at another institution or on specialist teaching, availability in a given year cannot be guaranteed in advance. The University also reserves the right to vary the content and delivery of programmes of study: to discontinue, merge or combine options within programmes of study: and to introduce new options or courses. Changes in course provision may arise from desirable developments in the relevant subject or alterations in teaching practice and/or facilities, as well as from causes such as resource constraints or staff movements. Changes in course provision may occur either before or after admission, but will take account of the reasonable expectations of any student admitted to or engaged on a specific programme of study. In the unlikely circumstance of the University deciding to make substantial and material changes to a programme of study after acceptance of a place by a student, the student will be able to withdraw from that programme of study.
Please note that any dates which may be given to you for the sitting of examinations or the notification or publication of results are estimates only. If the University is prevented from meeting those dates by adverse circumstances beyond its control, the University will take all reasonable steps to put alternative arrangements in place as quickly as possible, and to keep you informed.
IMAGE CREDITS
Illustrations by Katy Dawkms.
The majority of the photo images are credited to Greg Smolonsk and Rob Judges with additional material credited to: Jay Armstrong, Lee Atherton, T s Botanic Garden, LT Bruce, Pau Christopher/Wikimedra Commons, Sarah Crake, Rob Day, DE Dhoto, Markus Gerstel, Kerry Harrison, Becca Hayes, James Howe, iStockPhoto, David Latham, Han, Dick Makm, Mazz Image/paloaltomedia.com, Molyneux Associates, PA Dhotocall, Hugh Palmer, www.photographersworkshop.co.uk, Pinguino/Wikimedia Commons, RockSoc, Phil Sayer, Bi Scott, Sue Srawley, John Stather, Julia Massey Stewart, Matt Stuart, Meera Syal, Pawel Sytniewski, Ian Taylor, University of Oxford, Richard Williams and college staff and students who nave supplied photographs. We also gratefully acknowledge Morguefile and Shutterstock for additional images. Thank you to all the contributors whose material we have used.
Specific references required by supplier: pp 90-91 History of Art: Wood-block print showing the medicinal effects of painting, from the book Essentials of Eating and Drinking Chinese, Ming dynasty, late 15th century; Dome of Florence Cathedral - II Duomo, designed by Filippo Brunelleschi and completed 1436; Dost-Byzantme Artist - 15th- or 16th-century, Icon of St George Slaying the Dragon, Ashmolean Museum.
Please contact the University’s Publications Team for details of individual image credits: +44 (0) 1865 280545.
How to get to OXFORD
Rail
Oxford station runs regular direct services to London Paddington, Birmingham New Street and others. National Rail Enquiries: +44 (0) 8457 484950
www.nationalrail.co.uk 
Coaches from cities
Oxford espress (London): www.oxfordbus.co.uk
Oxford Tube (London): www.oxfordtube.com
National Express (nationwide): www.nationalexpress.com
Coaches from airports
London Heathrow (every 30 minutes during the day); Gatwick (every hour) with a reduced service overnight (both airports): www.oxfordbus.co.uk
London Stansted (every 2 hours): www.nationalexpress.com
Parking
Parking in Oxford is severely limited and to be avoided if possible. Park and Ride bus services operate between the city centre and parking areas on the outskirts (see map). Open days are especially busy so please arrive early and allow extra time for travel into the city
www.oxfordbus.co.uk
You may like to listen to local radio for traffic updates: BBC Oxford 95.2 FM Heart FM 102.6 and 97.4 FM Jack FM 106.8 and 106.4 FM