New Student FAQs

Academic Life

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Before arriving in Oxford, you will be sent details of the College Registration/Enrolment sessions, where you will be able to book a time to attend a registration session and meet members of the Academic Office Team, Student Helpers, and other members of College staff including IT support etc.  You will complete enrolment and be given a fob to enable you to access student areas of the College. There will also be the opportunity for short tours of College, to enable you to familiarise yourself with the surroundings. For those unable to complete enrolment in person (for example commencing their studies overseas) details of online enrolment will be provided in due course. If you are staying in College accommodation there is a separate process on arrival and more information will be provided nearer the time.  

There will also be a full programme of Freshers activities arranged by the College Student Representative Committee, and full details of this will be published nearer the start of term. Activities take place the two weeks prior to the start of Michaelmas Term in October, and are optional, with the University and College Freshers fairs both taking place during the first week of October.

The formal College Induction which is compulsory for all new students takes place during the first week of October. This date will be sent to you via email and published on our Events page. If you are on a programme that formally starts earlier than Week One, you are expected to prioritise activities in your department, and alternative arrangements will be made for College Induction. Likewise, if your travel plans are disrupted or unavoidably mean your arrival in Oxford is delayed, alternative arrangements will be made for induction information to be shared.

The College holds a Freshers’ Fortnight in the two week prior to the start of Michaelmas Term in October. Details of this will be published on the website under Events.

The University site lists term dates here. ‘Week 1’ is the first week of Full Term beginning in October.

Your offer from College is unconditional as soon as you have met the financial requirements and submitted these details, but you will still need to meet your academic conditions to enroll on to your course. 

Please contact your department in the first instance, and then Sharon Durno, Academic Registrar - academic.registrar@stx.ox.ac.uk.

Accommodation

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If you are not planning to arrive until Hilary term or later we will not be able to hold your accommodation and suggest you contact us again closer to the date of your arrival to see whether we are able to offer a room.

The College Lodge closes at 22:00 and we ask that new students arrive in good time before this so that we can ensure our porters are there to meet you, provide you with your fobs and keys, and answer any queries you may have. If you need to arrive late, please contact the accommodation team (accommodation@stx.ox.ac.uk) to discuss specific arrangements. 

Yes, there will be a full range of Freshers events open to both residents and non-residents. This will be shared with Freshers nearer the time. 

If you require proof of residence for immigration forms etc, you are able to retrieve these from the Student Self-Service Portal once you have enrolled. You can download and print an enrolment certificate which contains your residency address.

If you require proof of residence for opening a UK bank account, as requirements will vary from bank to bank, you may be able to use a signed tenancy agreement. 

Yes, you will receive this information from the Accommodation team.

We do not have any reception staff at the College accommodation sites - please collect your keys from the main College Lodge. 

Yes, you can have post delivered to College although we ask that you keep large parcels to a minimum as our Lodge space is limited. If you need to send anything ahead of your arrival, please discuss arrangements by contacting our Accommodation Officer Lara (accommodation@stx.ox.ac.uk).

Mask wearing is now up to personal choice but we ask that those that are self-isolating wear a mask if they are accessing outdoor areas for their permitted exercise.

All properties have irons and ironing boards.

All properties have an induction hob and cooker (not gas), fridge, freezer, toaster, kettle, and microwave. You may wish to bring utensils or order a utensil pack.

The College can provide bedding and crockery packs, you will need to bring or purchase additional items.

Kitchen packs are £10.00 each and contain the following; 1x large plate, 1 x small plate, 1 x bowl, 1x knife, fork, spoon and tea spoon. 1 x cup, 1 x glass, 1 x tea towel.

They will be left in your room ready for your arrival. If you would like to request a pack, please fill in the Kitchen Starter Pack Form.

The College is also able to provide bedding packs. Please fill in the Bedding Pack Form to request one.

Bedding Packs include 1 x pillow and case, 1 x duvet and cover, 1 x bed sheet. Prices are as follows: Single £35, Double £45.

If you order either or both, charges are made to your battels account.

You will be able to connect to the main College Wi-Fi once you have enrolled although Lara can give you temporary passwords for you to use until your enrolment is complete.

No, we do not allow pressure cookers as they can be extremely dangerous.

All bedrooms are cleaned on a weekly basis and common areas on a daily basis.

No, the laundry room is in the South Wing for both the South and West Wing residents to use.

Finance

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When you enroll you will receive a confirmation of enrolment that can be used for various purposes, such as opening a UK bank account. Requirements will vary from bank to bank, and you may be able to use a signed tenancy agreement. 

Your offer from College is unconditional as soon as you have met the financial requirements and submitted these details, but you will still need to meet your academic conditions to enroll on to your course. 

 

Lunches and Dinners

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There is a Hall night every Tuesday during Term, special dinners are usually weekly also, and one feast per term.

The College kitchens close over the Easter break, Christmas break, and the month of August. 

The College's meal booking system allows members to book online onto Halls, Special Dinners, Feasts, wine tasting and other internal events.

A bank card is required to book each meals or event, on a 'pay-as-you-go' basis. 

Anyone is able to attend lunch as long as they are the guest of a member. 

College Life

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We do not have a dedicated music room, but we do have three pianos that students are welcome to use.  

The College library is 24/7. Pusey Library is open Mon-Fri 09:30 - 17:25.

The most-used outfitters are Shepherd & Woodward or Walters of Oxford. 

Miscellaneous

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No, but there is a regular coach service into Oxford from London Gatwick and London Heathrow.

The address is: St Cross College, 61 St Giles, Oxford, OX1 3LZ, United Kingdom.

 

Yes, you can have post delivered to College although we ask that you keep large parcels to a minimum as our Lodge space is limited. If you need to send anything ahead of your arrival, please discuss arrangements by contacting Lara (accommodation@stx.ox.ac.uk).