As the ELO Oxford Leadership Program (August 10–16) approaches, it’s the perfect time to explore what makes Oxford unlike any other university town in the world.
Yes, it’s one of the globe’s most prestigious academic institutions. But beyond the ivy-covered walls lies a city that is charming, quirky, and steeped in history—full of surprises you won’t find on Tripadvisor.
Here’s your insider’s guide, from a North American perspective.
1. Oxford Runs on Its Own Time
Christ Church Cathedral services begin five minutes after the hour because the city still keeps “Oxford Time,” set five minutes behind Greenwich Mean Time. A 6:00 p.m. service? Here, that means 6:05.
2. Rain Is Practically a Local Resident
Oxford sees about 250 rainy days a year. The forecast has three settings: has rained, is raining, or is about to rain.
3. Air Conditioning? What’s That?
Most buildings don’t have it. In the UK, if it’s hot, you open a window, keep calm, and carry on.
4. Two Wheels Rule the Roads
Bicycles are the transportation of choice. With limited parking and congested streets, cycling is faster, greener, and often more fun—if you can dodge the tourists.
5. Every Building Has a Story
From a thousand-year-old church to a 300-year-old pub, locals love to share their history—and every stone seems to have one.
6. History Hidden in Plain Sight
The life-size portrait of Queen Elizabeth I in Jesus College was once painted over, moved to a quiet corner, and then painstakingly restored over two years.
7. Tipping Is Optional (and Occasionally Confusing)
In restaurants, VAT is included in the price, so the total on your bill is the total you pay. Your server may look surprised if you tip.
8. Coffee Shops Are Study Halls
From Starbucks to Costa, every table is filled with students on laptops, sipping slowly while using the free Wi-Fi. Asking for “half and half” or “whipping cream” will get you puzzled looks.
9. Popcorn Without the Pomp
Oxford cinemas are small (about 100 seats), and the popcorn is subtle—no buttery aroma, tiny portions, small kernels, and sometimes feeling like it was popped last week.
10. The Survivor of the Centuries
Many medieval universities faded into obscurity—Alcala, Wittenberg, Bourges—but Oxford has thrived for over 800 years, constantly adapting while preserving tradition.
11. A University of Colleges
Oxford is made up of 36 colleges, 3 societies, and 4 permanent private halls. Students apply to the university but are placed in a specific college, where most of their academic and social life happens.
12. The Tutor System
Forget giant lecture halls—most classes are one-on-one or two-on-one with a subject expert. This makes for intense learning and frequent debates.
13. Academic Rigour in Numbers
Undergraduates may write over 200 papers during their degree. Tutors assign reading lists, pose questions, and expect you to defend your arguments in person.
14. Affordable by Design
Undergraduate tuition is about £10,000 a year—the same as any other UK university. Oxford can’t charge more despite its prestige.
15. Loans That Don’t Linger
UK students can take out government loans for tuition and only repay them if they earn above a certain income. If they never hit that threshold, they never repay.
16. Understated Branding
Despite its fame, Oxford’s merchandise presence is minimal. No multi-storey shop with hundreds of cashiers—just a few small gift shops scattered around.
17. The Rhythm of the Academic Year
Three terms—Michaelmas, Hilary, and Trinity—are broken up by five week-long reading breaks and a three-month summer. Students don’t use short breaks for jobs; they’re actually for… reading and exams.
18. Sports Stay in Their Lane
Apart from the annual Boat Race with “the other place” (Cambridge), Oxford’s identity isn’t built on sports. There’s no “Ivy League” equivalent here.
19. The Ashmolean Museum
Founded in 1683, this museum houses treasures from Egyptian mummies to modern art—rivaling collections in major world capitals. And it’s right on campus.
20. Expect the Unexpected
Oxford’s magic lies in its contrasts—ancient traditions alongside cutting-edge ideas, understated charm with world-class stature, and a sense that every street corner holds a new discovery.
Oxford offers a rare blend of beauty, intellect, and history, where every day brings a new story to uncover. During the ELO Oxford Leadership Program, you’ll have the chance to experience its traditions, explore its hidden corners, and see firsthand why this remarkable city has inspired scholars and leaders for centuries.