Useful Information for New Undergraduates
On this page you will find some useful information from the College, the Junior Common Room (the JCR – the undergraduate student body), the University and others. This might seem a little overwhelming, but most of it will be relevant and helpful to you and some of it may require action on your behalf, so we urge you to read it all when you can. Please also remember to check the Next Steps and Dates & Events pages for other information about your arrival at Brasenose.
Please note: the information on this page is likely to be updated as the start of term approaches, so please ensure you check it regularly.
INFORMATION FROM COLLEGE
Welcome Letter from the Senior Tutor: you should already have received a confirmation letter from the Senior Tutor by email. If you have not received it please email our Admissions Office.
Academic Briefing from the Senior Tutor: some key information from the the Senior Tutor on studying at Brasenose is available here.
Course Information: you should have received some introductory material from your tutors. Please email us if you have not received anything.
Accommodation: you should already have received an email asking you to apply for accommodation. Once your place has been confirmed you will receive an email in late August or early September telling you which room you have been allocated and asking you to confirm your acceptance of it. If you do not receive anything by Friday 15th September please contact the Accommodation Office.
Please see the Dates & Events page for information on moving-in arrangements. The Accommodation Manager has also prepared some guidance for students living in College.
Student Finance, Batels and Tuition Fees: you will be invoiced for your tuition fees for the whole year and your batels (accommodation charges) for Michaelmas Term when you arrive, and payment is due by Friday 13th October (Friday of 1st Week). You do not need to pay anything before arriving at college. Please see here for a financial guide from the University and Brasenose.
Bank Accounts: information on opening a UK bank account is available on the University website, in the ‘Finance and Banks’ section.
College Map: we have produced a map of the main College site which also provides information on who to contact about various common queries.
IT: once you have returned your University Card Form (see the Next Steps page for more) you should receive an email giving you information on your University IT account (including your email address) and asking you to register online. More information about IT in College can also be found here.
The College’s IT Office held an online IT induction for new students on Thursday 14th September, to help you set up all the key IT systems and accounts you will need as a Brasenose student. If you weren’t able to join that session, or would like to watch it again, then the video is available here.
Recommendations for IT equipment to support your learning can be found here.
College Library: the College Librarian has prepared some introductory information about Brasenose’s Library and its facilities.
Bodleian Libraries: More information can be found here on how to access the Bodleian Libraries.
Student Handbook: known as the Blue Book, this outlines the key student regulations and gives more information on our welfare network, college facilities and student services. The 2022/23 version is currently available on the College website, and the 2023/24 version will be published nearer the time.
INFORMATION FROM THE JCR
The JCR (Junior Common Room) is the student body representing undergraduates in Brasenose. They have produced a number of useful documents about Freshers’ Week and life in college.
Freshers Guide: the JCR Freshers Guide provides advice on a wide range of topics
Freshers Week Timetable: The JCR have prepared a timetable summarising the events in Freshers’ Week.
The JCR have also produced a short guide which debunks some of the common myths about life at Oxford.
Information on JCR Charges: the JCR operates a number of schemes for which a charge is added to your batels. Please read the letter from the JCR Treasurer for further information and details on how to opt out if you would like to do so.
There is also a guide on everything you need to understand about JCR meetings and how the JCR works.
The JCR IT rep has created a IT guide on all things IT related in college.
The JCR have also created a very helpful guide for international students including pre-arrival information, how to adjust to life in the UK and who to ask for help/advice.
There are also a series of guides prepared by different members of the Committee, giving information on different JCR activities:
There will be more information and advice from the JCR soon, so please do keep an eye on this page…
OTHER USEFUL INFORMATION
The University’s site for new students also has lots of useful information, and you should certainly look through it. The University also have a specific page to help international students settle into life at Oxford.
The University Student Handbook for 2023/24 is available online.
The University have a webpage that has been designed specifically to help Freshers’ with the transition from school or college to university, particularly where your education may have been disrupted by the pandemic. The page has various resources to help you make the most out of your experience of Oxford.
Academic Dress: a number of clothing shops in Oxford offer special deals on academic dress which you may like to take advantage of. These include Shepherd & Woodward, Castell and Son (the Varsity Shop), and Walters.
Blackwells: Some information about where to purchase your academic books can be found here.
TV License: you need a TV Licence to watch or download BBC programmes on demand, including catch up TV or on BBC iPlayer. More information is available here.