Oxford as a 17 year old

Hello I was just wondering if there is anyone on here who has been in my situation before/ knows someone who has as I would appreciate some advice? So I was put up a year in school when i was younger and have stayed there my whole life. I applied to Oxford in October not expecting to get in and wanting to take a gap year and reapply, however much to my surprise (and excitement), I got offered a place for 2025 entry. However now that it has sunk in and I have got over the high of getting a place, I have begun to worry that I will have a difficult time making friends if I am under 18 and not able to go clubbing etc in freshers week… I am worried that it would be quite isolating in the first few weeks and am wondering if that would be a problem? I turn 18 on the 19th October but term starts on the 5th so that’s two weeks which I know doesn’t seem like much but I am a bit worried about it. Can anyone tell me if they’ve been in a similar situation before, and whether it is a problem not being able to go out in freshers week/if the clubs are relaxed about fakes? Thank you!

Reply 1

TypicalNerd

18

Original post

by Anonymous

Hello I was just wondering if there is anyone on here who has been in my situation before/ knows someone who has as I would appreciate some advice? So I was put up a year in school when i was younger and have stayed there my whole life. I applied to Oxford in October not expecting to get in and wanting to take a gap year and reapply, however much to my surprise (and excitement), I got offered a place for 2025 entry. However now that it has sunk in and I have got over the high of getting a place, I have begun to worry that I will have a difficult time making friends if I am under 18 and not able to go clubbing etc in freshers week… I am worried that it would be quite isolating in the first few weeks and am wondering if that would be a problem? I turn 18 on the 19th October but term starts on the 5th so that’s two weeks which I know doesn’t seem like much but I am a bit worried about it. Can anyone tell me if they’ve been in a similar situation before, and whether it is a problem not being able to go out in freshers week/if the clubs are relaxed about fakes? Thank you!

I do know some students at Oxford who started below the age of 18 and no one really cared that they were younger. Honestly, I don’t think anyone will care that you are a year younger or will even work that out unless you tell them outright.

I have no experience of clubbing in Oxford, as I personally avoid clubs like the plague (they’re just not my thing really) and so I can’t really tell you how relaxed they are. Expect to be asked to present ID and to pay for a ticket / to present one purchased in advance upon showing up, so it is perhaps best that you don’t try faking your way in.

Not being able to go out during Fresher’s week shouldn’t be an issue - I didn’t do a lot during fresher’s week and I didn’t have any real problems for having done so. Your college should have a number of events on that you will be welcome to attend if you so choose.

Reply 2

RichE

15

I've had quite a few students who have been 17 for the entirety of their first year. A couple of weeks is really nothing to worry about.

Reply 3

Picnicl

17

Don't Scottish students still typically start university at 17? This was a contributing reason why Scottish undergraduate degrees take 4 years rather than 3 as it gave them the 1st year to become further generally educated before they decide which subject/s to major in.

However you don't have the extra year advantage of Scottish universities by studying outside of Scotland. But, drinking wise, you're worried about just 2 weeks? No-one is going to arrest you if they happen to ask for ID and you don't have any on you! And you don't have to drink alcohol when you're in these clubs if you want to be a semi-stickler for the rules. A coke looks like a vodka/rum and coke.

Reply 4

Anonymous #2

Original post

by Picnicl

Don't Scottish students still typically start university at 17? This was a contributing reason why Scottish undergraduate degrees take 4 years rather than 3 as it gave them the 1st year to become further generally educated before they decide which subject/s to major in.
However you don't have the extra year advantage of Scottish universities by studying outside of Scotland. But, drinking wise, you're worried about just 2 weeks? No-one is going to arrest you if they happen to ask for ID and you don't have any on you!

Sort of, although probably not typical. Nowadays most Scottish students go after the equivalent of year 13, but because the age group cut offs are a bit different a few still haven’t had their 18th birthdays yet (but most are 18) - so you would probably find a few people at Oxford who are in that position. You do still get some that go after the year 12 equivalent at 17 (or even 16.5), but this is relatively rare. The main exams are still in the equivalent of year 12 though, hence why a lot of people are given unconditionals and the first year of uni overlaps with the final year of school content wise.

Reply 5

lanky_giraffe

16

You could always defer (they probably would allow it because of you being only 17 bc Oxford/Cambridge actually prefers their students to be even older than 18 when they start). Also, gap years help you mature and it’s a nice break before the inevitable stress that is Oxford.

But I had a couple of friends at Imperial who were 17 and they seemed to be perfectly content and there were no issues. But they obviously sometimes couldn’t come to the club with us or couldn’t order a beer at the bar (but you can always find someone to buy you one). You might also find that your flat/housemates might treat you like the kid of the house, but since you are almost 18, that shouldn’t be the case.

(edited 11 months ago)

Oxford as a 17 year old

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