University of Oxford international students

Unless you are a European Economic Area (EEA) or Swiss national, to attend a full time course for longer than six months you must apply for a Tier 4 (General) Student Visa in your home country before travelling to the UK and allow sufficient time for the visa to be processed. If you are coming to Oxford for a shorter course (maximum six months), taking a distance learning course or undertaking a period of study as a visiting student, you might need to apply for either a Short-Term Student Visa or a Tier 4 Student Visa. Visit visa and immigration for more information.

2. Accommodation

Undergraduate students are guaranteed college accommodation in their first year. For graduate students, the offer of a college place does not guarantee accommodation. The Graduate Accommodation Office lets and manages rooms, flats and houses in and around Oxford city centre, on sites owned by the University, to full-time graduate students. Contact the Graduate Accommodation Office to find further information on graduate student properties and how to apply for accommodation.

If you cannot find family accommodation prior to your departure, it is advisable for you to travel here alone a couple of weeks before the start of term and arrange for your family to follow once you have found somewhere suitable to live.

3. Orientation programme and pre-departure Skype events

Pre-departure Skype events are usually held each summer in the USA, China, Hong Kong and Japan. The Skype briefings consist of a short presentation on visas, orientation, registration and other pre-departure advice. Invitations will be sent by email to offer holders with a home/correspondence address in the near vicinity of each venue one month before the event.

4. Finding your way to Oxford from the airports or Eurostar

The Finding your way to Oxford guide provides information about getting to Oxford from airports and the Eurostar. Inform your college of your arrival time, especially if you are arriving late at night.

5. Sort out your finances

Visit fees and funding for advice on funding options, managing your budget and opening a bank account. The UKCISA website also offers a guide on opening a bank account. If you plan to bring money into the UK and are arriving from a country outside the European Union you must declare any cash of €10, 000 or more (or its equivalent in other currencies) to customs officers.