The Oxford University buildings make up a vast swathe of central Oxford, and if you are not working or studying at OU it can feel a bit like a forbidden kingdom, even for alumni. And though it is true that the colleges, departmental buildings and libraries are primarily for members of the university, there are some doorways which will open to admit curious non-members.
The Colleges
Many colleges are open during the day, with porters keeping an eye on who comes and goes. If you want to explore but not sure if you’re allowed, ask them. They don’t bite!
Magdalen and Christchurch have an entry fee for tourists, but for any locals who fancy having a wander in the deer park or admiring the cathedral it is free, for you and a friend. Free admission is also given to alumni. They do stipulate, reasonably, that visitors don’t venture up staircases or into rooms, and refrain from bringing dogs (except guide dogs) or having picnics.
Some other colleges are happy to let anyone look round for free, some have strict visiting hours, and each has a different take on concessions. Here is a full list of all the colleges’ visiting arrangements.
The Bodleian Old Library and the Weston Library
The University’s jewel and one of the oldest libraries in Europe, the Bodleian Old Library is beautiful and imposing, at once welcoming and exclusive. It stands solid, in the full weight of its high, ornate stone walls, like a guardian of the sanctity of learning. Indeed the building seems to echo the University Libraries’ approach to letting people come in - there is a sincere welcome to those who seek to read and study, but only once they have answered the Sphinx’s riddle, or at least completed an application form to get a Bodleian Reader Card. (More on this below.)
The University also recognises that some people will just want to come and have a nosey, and they cater beautifully for that with guided tours, exhibitions, workshops, and events, both at the Old Bod and the Weston (the New Bod).
And of course the University doesn’t keep its treasures entirely to itself, and regularly lends items from its archives and collections for exhibitions in publicly accessible venues such as the Ashmolean, the Pitt Rivers, the Botanic Garden and the Natural History Museum.
Bodleian Reader Card
To get access to the resources in the Bodleian, the Weston, or the University’s departmental libraries, you can apply as an independent researcher, stating the nature of your research. Some people (e.g. those who are retired or in receipt of some benefits) can get a Reader Card free, otherwise there is a charge if you want more than seven days’ access in any year. Here is the application form.
College Libraries
Each college has its own library, which is usually open only to current members of that college. Non-members can contact libraries to request access to material not available through the Bodleian Libraries or departmental libraries, special subject collections, or rare books and manuscripts. To request access, one must contact a college library in advance, by email, phone, or letter, and you may be turned away if you do not have an appointment.
Exhibitions, such as this delightful collection of Edward Gorey’s drawings, may sometimes be displayed in college libraries, open to the public, though you will need to email and book a time to have a look.
University Departments
Some of the departments of the University are very outward facing and inclusive, with full programmes of public events. The ones we know about are these:
The rather stunning Mathematical Institute, with its beautiful (and mathematically fascinating) Penrose Paving in the courtyard outside, hosts public lectures and exhibitions. It has also been an occasional theatre venue, as well as housing the wonderful annual Oxford Maths Festival.
The brand new Schwarzman Centre for the Humanities proclaims on its homepage that it is ‘Open to all, always’, and invites everyone in for a coffee. It has a full and exciting programme of music, dance, theatre, art and lectures for all to enjoy.
For a host of concerts, lectures, films, conferences and other exciting things related to music and music-making, in venues including the JDP, the Holywell Music Room, the University Church, the Sheldonian, and more, have a look at upcoming events on the Music Faculty website.
Here is where you can find a full list of all the Oxford University events which are open to the public.
Theatres
With a large number of the most famous British actors having attended Oxford University, and some of our most culture-defining comedy also having originated amongst the alumni, it would be remiss not to mention theatre, as a town/gown interstice.
Student productions are staged throughout the year, and for those who want to enjoy what the current crop of youngsters has to offer on the stage, there can also sometimes be a baked-in opportunity to see inside University-owned buidings. For example, the O’ Reilly Theatre lies in the heart of Keble College (though check in advance which entrance that particular performance requires you to use, as it’s a long walk between the two!), and the TS Eliot Theatre is in Merton College. In the summer one can often find al fresco productions in college gardens and parks.
Here are the full Oxford student drama listings.
It’s always nice to have an excuse (a concert or lecture, perhaps) to head into the rickety grandeur of the Sheldonian Theatre, where generations of students have quaked, yawned or giggled their way through their matriculation and degree ceremonies. (And, on your way past, you can give a nod to the stone elephants on the outside of the old Indian Institute building on the corner.)
Chapels
One of the most welcoming parts of any college is likely to be its chapel, with many colleges opening up sung services, organ recitals, and concerts to the general public on a very regular basis.
For a comprehensive list of choral evensongs in Oxford, including the college chapels, look here.
Each college will list services, concerts and other events on the chapel page of its website. Here’s a few of our favourites:
Keble https://www.dailyinfo.co.uk/places/civic-structures/places-of-worship/chapels/t87-p412/keble-college-chapel https://www.keble.ox.ac.uk/about/chapel/ Merton https://www.dailyinfo.co.uk/places/civic-structures/places-of-worship/chapels/t87-p258/merton-college-chapel https://www.merton.ox.ac.uk/chapel Magdalen https://www.dailyinfo.co.uk/places/civic-structures/places-of-worship/chapels/t87-p261/magdalen-college-chapel https://www.magd.ox.ac.uk/chapel-and-choir/ Christchurch https://www.chch.ox.ac.uk/cathedral/worship-and-music https://www.dailyinfo.co.uk/places/civic-structures/places-of-worship/cathedrals/t131-p205/christ-church-cathedral New https://www.new.ox.ac.uk/chapel https://www.dailyinfo.co.uk/places/civic-structures/places-of-worship/chapels/t87-p260/new-college-chapelOpen Doors Weekend
Each year, in September, OU is one of the organisations which collaborates with the Oxford Preservation Trust to give everyone a chance to see some of the dustier and more exciting corners of the city. Check out OPT’s site to find out which hidden gems will be on offer at the Open Doors Weekend this year.
Short Courses
Oxford Lifelong Learning, or the Continuing Education Department as it used to be known, offers short courses taught by Oxford University tutors to anyone who wants to sign up. Now that those courses can also be taken online they are available worldwide, but many are also taught in person in the department’s HQ, Rewley House. So if you’re not just keen to enter the University’s buildings, but you also want access to its knowledge and its community, then why not sign up for a few classes on da Vinci, ancient Egypt, financial investment principles, Mandarin for beginners, an introduction to animal behaviour, or whatever floats your boat!
Working for the University
The University is one of Oxford’s biggest employers, so if you wanted to cross the town/gown divide then you could check out our Jobs page for current offers.