Visiting Oxford University:
Everything You Need to Know
When you visit Oxford, there will likely be a time you look around at the city and think: Where is the University?
The answer is that it is all around you. The University doesn't have a single campus that you enter and exit like you would see in other places. Rather, this is a university that has been built up, piece by piece, over nearly a thousand years. Some parts are older than others (for example, the University Church is one of the oldest university buildings, from the 13th century) while some are brand new and still being built.
Oxford is a living university. It's historic, beautiful, and still busy with teaching and ceremonies. Our guided tours of the buildings aim to show you the highlights, while still respecting college rules and the University’s access arrangements. Below is everything you need to know about how to visit the different University spaces, our University tour options, and how to choose the best experience for your visit.
Oxford Colleges:
Oxford is made up of 43 colleges, which serve as the main academic homes for undergraduate students. Much like the houses in Harry Potter, colleges form tight-knit communities where students often eat, sleep, study, pray, and socialise. A visit to Oxford isn’t complete without a tour of one of the University colleges! Inside Oxford colleges you will find beautiful quads, gardens, chapels, cloisters, and dining halls. Each college has its own history, traditions, architecture, and atmosphere.
Because each college has limited opening hours, different visitor rules and hours, it is impossible to guarantee access to every site. Our daily public tours always include entrance to one college, but the specific college visited will depend on what is open on the day.
Pro tip: College dining halls close for lunch during term time! Time your visit to avoid the lunch closures if you want to see inside the dining hall.
How to visit Oxford colleges?
You can visit many colleges simply by walking up to the entrance and paying admission, but most colleges have set visiting hours, and you will miss out on learning about the history and unique culture of a college if you visit without a guide. We recommend taking a tour for the full experience, but which one?
Your ideal tour depends on your time, budget, and interests. Below are our top recommended tour types for experiencing the University from the inside.
Most budget-friendly
1
City and University tour
Our signature public tour runs daily and is the most affordable way to visit an Oxford college. The ticket price includes admission to one college as part of the tour. Led by expert guides, this 1.5-hour walk offers a rich introduction to both the University and the city.
Length: 1.5 hours
Cost: £16.95–£27.50
College entry: Included (college chosen by the guide on the day)
This tour is ideal for solo travellers, couples, and small groups visiting Oxford on a budget.
Pro tip: If you have more than 6 people, a private tour may offer better value and flexibility.
Best for groups or specific interests
2
Private tour (up to 20 people)
Length: 1.5 - 2 hours
Cost: £180 per group + college entry for each guest
A private tour is exclusive to you. Choose your own theme and we will tailor the timing, route and content to your needs. Additionally, you can add admission to any of the colleges you want to visit when you book.
This tour is ideal for solo travellers, couples, and groups with a specific interest.
3
Best for prospective students & luxury travellers
Student life tour
If you are interested in meeting a current student at the University - this is the tour for you!
Our Student Life Tour is led by a current student or recent alumni who will take you on a unique visit through the backhalls of a number of colleges and give you the insider perspective of the college tutorial system. You will see Oxford from behind-the-scenes and be able to visit areas of the university that are usually off limits to larger groups.
This tour ends with an intimate lunch with your student guide, and during term time, you will dine in one of the historic college dining halls.
Length: 3 hours
Cost: £140.00 per person (minimum 2)
College entry: Included
Lunch: Included
How to visit University libraries?
Oxford is a working university with over 100 libraries all over the city. The most historic and beautiful is the Duke Humfrey’s Library. Unfortunately, this library can only be seen with a University librarian and is not included on any of our tours. If you wish to visit the Duke Humfrey’s Library, head over to our Visitor Guide for information on how to book a tour with a librarian.
Our City and University tour will take you into the more modern Weston Library, which serves as the core of the current working library system, housing the University archives and many thousands of books that can be seen through the stunning architectural design.
You will also see the Bodleian Libraries’ Old Schools Quadrangle on all our tours, built in the early 17th century and boasting beautiful ornate stonework that captures the themes of academic study through the ages.