News

First indigenous female student to be awarded posthumous MPhil

The University of Oxford is set to award an MPhil in Anthropology to Māori scholar, Makereti Papakura, nearly a century after she began her studies. Makereti, also known as...

Student Union co-CEO to leave in June

Emilie Tapping, co-CEO of Oxford SU, announced her resignation last week, with a plan...

Oxford Union votes against flying LGBTQ+ flag for Pride Month

The Oxford Union has rejected a proposal to fly an LGBTQ+ flag for Pride...

VE Day celebrations to take place across Oxfordshire

Street parties are being planned across Oxfordshire as part of a national programme of...

Rhodes statue acts as a ‘barrier’ in Oriel outreach efforts, Admissions Director suggests

"Dr. Samina Khan, Director of Undergraduate Admissions and Outreach at the University, has suggested that the Rhodes statue may act as a barrier to Oriel’s participation in outreach programs"

University announces record low 5 cases this week

"The University has confirmed a record low 5 cases of Covid-19 amongst staff and students from Early Alert Service tests for the 30th of January to the 5th of February, with a positivity rate of 6.4%."

BREAKING: University announces further information about this year’s exams

"More detailed information about this term’s academic provision has also been released, including the announcement that those taking exams this term will be expected to take the same number of papers and assessments as usual."

Charity choir performs for Oxford care home

The performance, in a pre-recorded video which opens with members singing and communicating in sign-language, was dedicated to Marston Care Home and Deaf-SELF, a London-based charity.

Oxford research shows ancient bonds between dogs and humans

"A team of international geneticists and archaeologists, which includes Oxford University’s Professor Greger Larson, have discovered that dogs arrived with the first European settlers around 23,000 years ago."

Oxford residents reminded not to let their guard down as COVID cases remain high

Despite a slight decline in the spread of COVID-19 within Oxfordshire, infection rates are still higher than they were in December. According to figures published...

Axe-throwing bar to open in Oxford despite safety concerns

Thames Valley Police have also suggested the bar could increase alcohol-related crime and disorder to the area. Inspector James Sullivan asked for the council to turn down the licence application, or to approve firmer safety restrictions on the bar.

Oxford study estimates over 60,000 excess deaths during pandemic

The study, which looks at the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on mortality trends, reported an increase of 15.1% in the number of deaths compared with the expected level for 2020.

74% of Europeans think EU is not worth having without free movement according to Oxford survey

The results of the poll come amidst EU freedom of movement restrictions due to the Covid-19 pandemic and as a result of Brexit. The UK left the EU on the 1st January 2021 and also signed the Immigration Act on the 11th November 2020, ending freedom of movement for EU citizens within the UK from the 31st December 2020.

University failed to phone all students who tested positive

Pressure on the university's testing system also meant that external agencies were contracted to help meet demand.

Magdalen College JCR releases statement in wake of Cayman Islands news

Magdalen College JCR has released a statement after Dinah Rose’s representation of the Cayman Islands in a case regarding gay marriage. The JCR has...

EXCLUSIVE: OxMatch breached data protection law

"While the “purposes” outlined in OxMatch’s privacy policy pertained to communicating regarding their match, students also received emails about signing up to MyTutor, a new version of Oxfess and new rounds of OxMatch."

Three more University libraries reopen

The Sackler, Vere Harmsworth and Social Science libraries have all reopened as part of the Bodleian’s phased approach to increasing access to its on-site...

BREAKING: University confirms 12 positive cases this week

"The university has confirmed 12 cases amongst staff and students from Early Alert Service tests for the 23rd-29th January, a slight increase from the record-low 7 cases reported last week."

EU regulator approves Oxford vaccine

The European Medicines Agency has approved the Oxford/AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine for use in adults. The vaccine is the third to be given approval from the regulator.

University physicists hoping to ‘hear’ spacecraft land on Mars

"Physicists at the University of Oxford are hoping to ‘hear’ the NASA Perseverance Rover when it lands on Mars in February."

Former judge criticises Magdalen President for role in anti-gay litigation

TW: homophobia Magdalen’s President, Dinah Rose QC, has been criticised for advocating on behalf of the Caymanian government in its struggle against the legalisation of...

ONS survey finds students’ mental health has worsened since autumn 2020

Average life satisfaction, measured out of 10, has fallen by 9% to 4.8 compared to 5.3 in November. Self-reported anxiety levels remained unchanged for students, but at 5.2 out of 10 students report a statistically significantly higher level of anxiety than the general population

Local jeweller asks for lockdown love stories

A local jewellery shop is offering a prize for the "most romantic" lockdown love stories.

Oxford scientists prepare to edit vaccine to combat new variants

Initial laboratory tests indicate that the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine is effective against the B117 variant which emerged in Kent. However, there are concerns that variants which emerged in Brazil and South Africa may be resistant to the vaccines being rolled out worldwide.