With its historic buildings and beautiful parks, Oxford is one of England’s most attractive cities. The welcoming international community, endless options for things to do, and great location for exploring the rest of the country make it the perfect place to live whilst you learn.
Here are our Top 10 reasons to choose Oxford as your study destination.
1 Home to the best university in the world
The University of Oxford is ranked as the number 1 university globally in 2022. The world-famous university puts students at the centre of Oxford life.
You can visit some of the prestigious university colleges that are dotted around the city centre in your free time. The university also puts on many events hosting famous academics throughout the year that help bring the city to life.
Oxford is also home to lots of English language schools and international colleges, as well as Oxford Brookes University, making it a great place to be a student and the perfect environment for learning.
2 Amazing architecture
You’ll find amazing buildings and stunning architecture around every corner in Oxfords’ historic city centre. Some of the oldest buildings date back as far as the 10th century! Spend an afternoon getting lost among the cobbled streets and you’ll feel transported to another time.
Despite the ancient surroundings, Oxford remains a modern and forward-thinking city, which is reflected in some of the more contemporary architecture of recent additions to the city such as the Blavatnik School of Government building, in North Oxford.
3 Try punting
Punting has been enjoyed by locals and visitors to Oxford since the late 1800s. You can have a go at this traditional activity by hiring a punt between you and a few friends and and ‘punting’ on the River Cherwell which zig-zags through the city.
If you’re feeling lazy, you can hire a ‘punt’ with your own chauffeur who will do the hard work for you whilst you relax and enjoy a picnic.
It’s the perfect way to see the city from a new perspective!
4 Museums and galleries
As you can imagine for a city with such a strong academic tradition, Oxford is home to a number of great art galleries and museums.
Founded in 1683, the Ashmolean Museum is one of Britain’s most important museums of art and archaeology.
Art lovers can head to ‘Modern Art Oxford’ to see cutting-edge exhibitions featuring international contemporary artists.
You could also check out the Oxford University Museum of Natural History, the Pitt Rivers Museum, the Oxford University Press Museum, or the Bate Collection of Musical Instruments.
5 Great for film and book enthusiasts
Oxford is the perfect destination for film, TV and book lovers, with many famous works either filmed of set in the city.
Harry Potter enthusiasts will recognise many of the university buildings, such as Christ Church College, which is home to the ‘Great Hall’ featured in the films.
Not only was Oxford home to literary greats such as Lewis Carroll, JRR Tolkien, and CS Lewis, but it’s also the setting for many more modern classics such as Phillip Pullmans ‘His Dark Materials’ trilogy (also a TV show).
You can take many themed-walking tours and other activities to get to know more about Oxford’s notable features in cultural works.
6 Amazing international food
Oxford has hundreds of cafes, restaurants and bars with options available to suit all budgets.
You can find an amazing selection of international food from all corners of the world in Oxford. Head to the Cowley Road to find an eclectic mix of cuisines including Lebanese, Chinese, Italian, Kurdish, Brazilian and much more.
More traditional British dishes can also easily be found across the city.
7 Stunning parks
The city is home to many stunning parks and green spaces giving it an open and relaxed feel.
Explore the sprawling University Parks and Christchurch Meadows in the city centre, or seek out the secret gardens and courtyards located around the city.
You could also head to the Botanic Gardens and Arboretum — the UK’s oldest botanical gardens are home to 130 acres of woodland and over 6,000 specials of plant.
8 Quirky, old pubs
Oxford is home to some of the oldest pubs in the UK, dating back to the 13th century. Today, the city is home to a vast array both unusual and more traditional pubs and bars where you can relax and get to experience British ‘pub culture’.
Head to The Bear Inn, whose history dates back all the way to 1242, to grab some food and drink by the fire and admire the unusual collection of ties left behind by visitors over the years.
The Jam Factory is a more modern space offering great quality food and drink alongside art exhibitions and events hosted in a building that used to be a marmalade factory!
9 Easy access to the rest of the UK and beyond
Oxford is located right in the middle of England, making it the perfect base to explore other parts of the country in your free time.
The cities of London and Birmingham are 1 hour away by train, and you can get to Bristol, Brighton, Bath or Manchester within a couple of hours.
If you fancy a weekend in Europe, major UK airports including London Heathrow, Luton and Birmingham are just a short drive away.
10 Great options for shopping
There are endless opportunities for enjoying some ‘retail therapy’ in Oxford.
Perhaps the most well-known is the Covered Market, located in the middle of the city centre. The market, which dates back to 1770, is home to an array of independent shops showcasing the very best in local products, crafts and food.
The modern, recently-renovated Westgate shopping centre is home to all the big well-known high street brands, and includes a food court upstairs for refueling after your shopping!
A short train or bus journey from Oxford is Bicester Village which offers designer outlet shopping from some of the most exclusive high-end retailers.
Kings Oxford is located across two main campuses — St Michaels, in the city centre, and St Josephs, in the student-friendly area of Cowley. The majority of our English language courses are taught at St Michaels, where all the attractions of Oxford are available right on your doorstep.
Get in touch today for more information about studying English with Kings in Oxford!
