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Is Oxford university fun?
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lalala301
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Hi, I just got my offer to do geography at oxford today! I am excited and pleased to have got the offer but am not 100% sure whether to go (my other choice would be Exeter). I am worried that I will struggle with the workload and the social scene will not be very good which is very important to me. For anyone at Oxford, what would you say the social scene is like, how often do you go out, what're your nights like? Thank you 
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eeeli
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Social scene at Oxford is better than the stereotypes would suggest - there’s quite a few decent clubs in the city (Atik/Plush if you’re LGBTQ+/Bridge spring to mind as the studenty ones), regular themed club nights at the O2 and the Bullingdon (no relation to posh private members club of the same name) plus college/society stuff like bops and crewdates - if you like a night out you deffo have options. General mentality of work hard play hard - perhaps not the liveliest city in the UK because of workloads and stuff keeping people busy but by no means dead. Disclaimer that I am not a massive night out person but most people I know who are go out several times a week and seem to be happy enough! Also a bonus that bc the city is quite small and a lot of college accom is pretty central it’s quite walkable/lots of night buses so you won’t be spending loads on taxis. If you drink alcohol pres are a must tho bc the drinks at bars and clubs are really expensive. If you’re looking to go to a uni specifically for the social scene I wouldn’t necessarily pick Oxford as the best one but you aren’t going to be missing out either. One thing I will say re workload is that it is basically like having a full time job in terms of time requirement so it doesn’t take over your whole life but you won’t have as much free time as you would at other unis with longer terms and fewer deadlines.
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lalala301
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(Original post by eeeli)
Social scene at Oxford is better than the stereotypes would suggest - there’s quite a few decent clubs in the city (Atik/Plush if you’re LGBTQ+/Bridge spring to mind as the studenty ones), regular themed club nights at the O2 and the Bullingdon (no relation to posh private members club of the same name) plus college/society stuff like bops and crewdates - if you like a night out you deffo have options. General mentality of work hard play hard - perhaps not the liveliest city in the UK because of workloads and stuff keeping people busy but by no means dead. Disclaimer that I am not a massive night out person but most people I know who are go out several times a week and seem to be happy enough! Also a bonus that bc the city is quite small and a lot of college accom is pretty central it’s quite walkable/lots of night buses so you won’t be spending loads on taxis. If you drink alcohol pres are a must tho bc the drinks at bars and clubs are really expensive. If you’re looking to go to a uni specifically for the social scene I wouldn’t necessarily pick Oxford as the best one but you aren’t going to be missing out either. One thing I will say re workload is that it is basically like having a full time job in terms of time requirement so it doesn’t take over your whole life but you won’t have as much free time as you would at other unis with longer terms and fewer deadlines.
Social scene at Oxford is better than the stereotypes would suggest - there’s quite a few decent clubs in the city (Atik/Plush if you’re LGBTQ+/Bridge spring to mind as the studenty ones), regular themed club nights at the O2 and the Bullingdon (no relation to posh private members club of the same name) plus college/society stuff like bops and crewdates - if you like a night out you deffo have options. General mentality of work hard play hard - perhaps not the liveliest city in the UK because of workloads and stuff keeping people busy but by no means dead. Disclaimer that I am not a massive night out person but most people I know who are go out several times a week and seem to be happy enough! Also a bonus that bc the city is quite small and a lot of college accom is pretty central it’s quite walkable/lots of night buses so you won’t be spending loads on taxis. If you drink alcohol pres are a must tho bc the drinks at bars and clubs are really expensive. If you’re looking to go to a uni specifically for the social scene I wouldn’t necessarily pick Oxford as the best one but you aren’t going to be missing out either. One thing I will say re workload is that it is basically like having a full time job in terms of time requirement so it doesn’t take over your whole life but you won’t have as much free time as you would at other unis with longer terms and fewer deadlines.
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BoorishAmoeba
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Nights out shouldn't be weighted too heavily when factoring where to go to university. To be upfront, I wouldn't be going to Exeter over Oxford because of a concern about social life. (If Exeter have a better Geography course or a better sports team or something maybe its different)
Besides, I think a proactive person can have a great social life and fun nights out at any university. At Oxford, you have the college system and great sports teams and societies. Also, Oxford Uni share the city with Oxford Brookes - so plenty of social people around. My $2.
Besides, I think a proactive person can have a great social life and fun nights out at any university. At Oxford, you have the college system and great sports teams and societies. Also, Oxford Uni share the city with Oxford Brookes - so plenty of social people around. My $2.
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artful_lounger
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To be fair I would also point out Exeter isn't exactly renowned for having a thriving nightlife - while their students certainly do go out (often), there are like 3.5 clubs total in Exeter so not a whole lot of choice (and I get the impression most of them are a bit crap in various ways).
The other factor is that at any university people can and will go out and make the most of such student frivolities. Having worked in Cambridge for several years previously I can say with absolute certainty the students can and do get shitfaced regularly if they're into that. I've had to avoid puddles of vomit (and other bodily excretions...) on my way to work on Saturday morning there more times than I would've liked...
Obviously you have to balance that with your academic workload but that is true at any uni. If you want to do that kind of stuff a) there will be venues catering to your desires and b) there will be others wanting to also do so, at literally any university city in the UK.
The other factor is that at any university people can and will go out and make the most of such student frivolities. Having worked in Cambridge for several years previously I can say with absolute certainty the students can and do get shitfaced regularly if they're into that. I've had to avoid puddles of vomit (and other bodily excretions...) on my way to work on Saturday morning there more times than I would've liked...
Obviously you have to balance that with your academic workload but that is true at any uni. If you want to do that kind of stuff a) there will be venues catering to your desires and b) there will be others wanting to also do so, at literally any university city in the UK.
Last edited by artful_lounger; 4 months ago
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Muttley79
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(Original post by lalala301)
Hi, I just got my offer to do geography at oxford today! I am excited and pleased to have got the offer but am not 100% sure whether to go (my other choice would be Exeter). I am worried that I will struggle with the workload and the social scene will not be very good which is very important to me. For anyone at Oxford, what would you say the social scene is like, how often do you go out, what're your nights like? Thank you
Hi, I just got my offer to do geography at oxford today! I am excited and pleased to have got the offer but am not 100% sure whether to go (my other choice would be Exeter). I am worried that I will struggle with the workload and the social scene will not be very good which is very important to me. For anyone at Oxford, what would you say the social scene is like, how often do you go out, what're your nights like? Thank you
Obviously Oxford terms are only 8 weeks so it is intense. Some students go out but others find they have to work -
There is plenty to do at Exeter - both on campus and off and you would have more free time.
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booklover1313
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(Original post by lalala301)
Hi, I just got my offer to do geography at oxford today! I am excited and pleased to have got the offer but am not 100% sure whether to go (my other choice would be Exeter). I am worried that I will struggle with the workload and the social scene will not be very good which is very important to me. For anyone at Oxford, what would you say the social scene is like, how often do you go out, what're your nights like? Thank you
Hi, I just got my offer to do geography at oxford today! I am excited and pleased to have got the offer but am not 100% sure whether to go (my other choice would be Exeter). I am worried that I will struggle with the workload and the social scene will not be very good which is very important to me. For anyone at Oxford, what would you say the social scene is like, how often do you go out, what're your nights like? Thank you
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Muttley79
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(Original post by booklover1313)
I think you would regret turning down Oxford, you have been offered such a wonderful opportunity that will benefit you hugely over the years. Don't give that up just for a few nights of partying. The workload is heavy, but that doesn't mean that people don't have time to have a social life. Also you will eat in college and there will also be the common rooms - you will be able to socialise in that way as well! In terms of you being worried about coping with the workload, trust that they wouldn't have given you an offer if they didn't think you were more than capable of it. It's natural to suddenly feel a bit of pressure that suddenly you have an offer, it's going to be lots of work, but everyone feels that and if you have received an offer, you absolutely will be able to do it!!
I think you would regret turning down Oxford, you have been offered such a wonderful opportunity that will benefit you hugely over the years. Don't give that up just for a few nights of partying. The workload is heavy, but that doesn't mean that people don't have time to have a social life. Also you will eat in college and there will also be the common rooms - you will be able to socialise in that way as well! In terms of you being worried about coping with the workload, trust that they wouldn't have given you an offer if they didn't think you were more than capable of it. It's natural to suddenly feel a bit of pressure that suddenly you have an offer, it's going to be lots of work, but everyone feels that and if you have received an offer, you absolutely will be able to do it!!
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skylark2
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Exeter's lovely, but I don't think anyone would claim that its social scene is busier than Oxford, even without considering that Oxford is a 1hr bus or train ride from London while Exeter is a long way from anywhere bigger.
All other things being equal, where do you want to live for the next 3-4 years?
Edit to add that you have several months to make up your mind about this. Don't panic and make any imposter syndrome-fuelled decisions right now.
All other things being equal, where do you want to live for the next 3-4 years?
Edit to add that you have several months to make up your mind about this. Don't panic and make any imposter syndrome-fuelled decisions right now.
Last edited by skylark2; 4 months ago
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eeeli
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(Original post by lalala301)
Thank you, that's super helpful! Would you say the experience and benefits of Oxford make up for the potentially quieter social life, do people ever regret going?
Thank you, that's super helpful! Would you say the experience and benefits of Oxford make up for the potentially quieter social life, do people ever regret going?
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skylark2
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I was a working class state schooler at Oxford Uni. Wasn't particularly scary, in fact basically nobody cared where anyone had gone to school. And that was in the days when private school students still outnumbered state school students. (The very last days, i.e. the 1990s.)
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Muttley79
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(Original post by skylark2)
I was a working class state schooler at Oxford Uni. Wasn't particularly scary, in fact basically nobody cared where anyone had gone to school. And that was in the days when private school students still outnumbered state school students. (The very last days, i.e. the 1990s.)
I was a working class state schooler at Oxford Uni. Wasn't particularly scary, in fact basically nobody cared where anyone had gone to school. And that was in the days when private school students still outnumbered state school students. (The very last days, i.e. the 1990s.)
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skylark2
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(Original post by Muttley79)
Not always true - my boyfriend at the time was ridiculed for his accent as it wasn't 'cut-glass' -
Not always true - my boyfriend at the time was ridiculed for his accent as it wasn't 'cut-glass' -
My mother does tell the tale of being asked "what part of the north are you from?" at Oxford in the early 1960s.
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lalala301
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#14
Thank you so much for all your replies, your advice is super helpful! After thinking about it, i will go to oxford (grades depending of course!) however now the only thing holding me back is the course. I want to study geography and the course at oxford is mixed human & physical whereas Exeter is just human which i think i would prefer. If anyone has any advice about what the geography course at oxford/exeter is like that would be amazing. Also, exeter seems to do more modules a year whereas Oxford seems to do less but in more detail, what is better? Thank you!
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