International Academic Community at the University of Oxford.
We provide initiatives, events, and opportunities for Clarendon Scholars, an international community of over 300 current graduate students at the University of Oxford studying a diverse range of subjects.
Kick off your time in Oxford with a relaxed morning of coffee, conversation, and a wander through one of the city’s most beautiful open spaces! We’ll meet at Opera Cafe in Jericho, where you can grab a coffee or tea, get to know some fellow postgraduate newcomers, and ease into life in Oxford. Complimentarycoffees and teas will be available on a first-come, first-served basis, so arriving early is recommended!
From there, we’ll head together to Port Meadow, Oxford’s historic riverside meadow, for a leisurely walk surrounded by wide-open views, greenery, and the Oxford countryside—all just a short distance from the city centre. There’s no agenda beyond walking, chatting, and meeting new people, making this a perfect low-key way to start finding familiar faces and feeling at home in Oxford.
Welcome to Oxford!! Ready to meet some people and get to know Oxford on the move? Join us for a fun and relaxed social run around the city where we will pass by some of Oxford’s landmarks to orient ourselves and explore the place we’ll be now in for a good duration of our studies!
Join the Clarendon Student Association for an exclusive freshers' welcome tour of the stunning Magdalen College grounds and the historic Oxford Botanic Garden! We will finish the college tour by getting to know each other over a traditional lunch inside the magnificent Magdalen College Hall.
Join fellow Clarendon Freshers for an evening of Social Darts at Flight Club Oxford in Westgate. No previous experience is needed: the digital dartboards keep score automatically, and offer different games so you can focus on throwing and having fun.
Flight Club puts a playful spin on traditional darts with different multiplayer games, which do not require any prior skills. We have booked two adjacent oches for you to connect with other freshers. Food and drinks can be ordered separately.
The session runs from 6:00 to 7:30 pm.
Please bring valid photo ID: guests must be aged 18 or over to play or enter the playing area.
Tickets for this event can be resold at the original price (to other Clarendon Scholars only) until 25/09/26. All ticket changes/reselling must be communicated to the Council at clarendon.scholars@gmail.com.
Get to know your fellow Clarendon Scholars over sandwiches, savories, cakes and plenty of tea (or coffee) during afternoon tea at the Ashmolean Museum’s rooftop restaurant. Join us for a chance to enjoy one of Britain’s finest traditions: sitting down for tea and cake, chatting, and calling it an afternoon activity.
After tea, there’ll be plenty of time to explore the (world’s first public) museum and discover its fascinating collections of art and archaeology.
We are doing this event Wednesday and Thursday so make sure to select the correct date!
Tickets for this event can be resold at the original price (to other Clarendon Scholars only) until 23 Sep 2026. All ticket changes/reselling must be communicated to the Council at clarendon.scholars@gmail.com.
Come along for a relaxed 1.5-hour walking tour through four of the University’s distinctive colleges, a perfect chance to explore the city, meet fellow postgraduate students, and get a taste of Oxford’s history and character. We’ll begin at The Queen’s College, admiring its elegant classical architecture and impressive frontage on the High Street, before heading to Lincoln College, where centuries-old stone walls and intimate historic quads offer a glimpse into the Oxford of generations past.
From there, we’ll make our way to Keble College, instantly recognisable for its striking Victorian red-brick architecture and colourful geometric patterns, a bold contrast to Oxford’s traditional honey-coloured stone. Our final stop will be St John’s College, known for its beautiful historic buildings and expansive gardens tucked away in the heart of the city.
Whether you’re discovering Oxford for the first time or simply want to see more of your new home, this mini-tour is a great way to explore, connect, and start your Oxford adventure together.
Welcome to Oxford, Clarendon Freshers! After the Clarendon Freshers’ Welcome Event (ending at 7:30pm), we’ll be heading to The King’s Arms for some drinks, chats, and a chance to get to know your fellow Clarendon Scholars in a relaxed setting.
We’re hoping to give away 15 free drinks through a fun raffle during the evening! At the end of the Welcome Event, we’ll display a QR code so that freshers who are joining us at The King’s Arms can enter. We’ll run two or three raffle rounds during the evening. Winners must be present to claim their free drink; if a winner isn’t there, we’ll draw again. To spread the luck around, each Clarendon Scholar can win a maximum of one free drink.
Join us on this Friday morning for a 45-minute journey through five centuries of the printed word. After a brief scholarly introduction from our guide, you'll be free to roam the collection at your own pace — and there's a reward for close reading: study the wall panels carefully, as they hold the answers to a quiz, with a free drink at Blackwell's café on the line for the sharpest-eyed among you.
The tour opens with the very first book printed in Oxford, then moves through the material culture of the OUP itself — including the Dutch type gifted by John Fell in the 17th century and a working 19th-century printing press. You'll encounter landmark output from the catalogue, from bibles and prayer books to the Oxford Almanack, a first-edition-adjacent brush with Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, alongside the personalities and buildings that shaped OUP history worldwide.
Our guide welcomes questions throughout (and there will be plenty to ask). Since OUP itself keeps no shop, we'll close the visit with an optional stroll to Blackwell's bookshop and café, a fitting end to the day. Those with high quiz scores can enjoy a sponsored drink.
Join us for the Clarendon Fresher’s Formal Dinner at St Antony’s College. Formals are a fun part of Oxford college life, and you’ll likely have the chance to attend plenty during your time here. This one is especially for Clarendon freshers, making it a great opportunity to meet other scholars and make new friends!
There will be a drinks reception in St Antony’s Senior Common Room at 6pm followed by a three-course meal in the dining hall. The ticket includes the meal along with wine (alcoholic option) or soft drinks (non-alcoholic option) served during dinner.
Join fellow Clarendon Scholars for a morning parkrun at University Parks! We’ll meet at 8:45 AM at the University Parks parkrun sign (https://maps.app.goo.gl/QxPb5s1hWQ6To5C67) and run the 5K together at 9:00 AM. All running abilities are welcome. For more information about parkrun see http://www.parkrun.org.uk/universityparks/
Join us for a picnic at University Parks! This will be a relaxed opportunity to enjoy one of Oxford’s beautiful green spaces and get to know other members of your incoming cohort. Whether you’ve already made a few connections or are meeting everyone for the first time, come along for an informal afternoon of conversation, food, and community.
Pizza and refreshments will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis, so we encourage you to arrive early! We would also love to make this a shared picnic and invite you to bring along a snack, food item, or drink that you would like to share with your fellow freshers. Homemade treats, favourite snacks, or something from your home country are all welcome, but there is absolutely no expectation to bring anything in order to attend.
Please note regarding food allergies and dietary requirements: as food and drinks may be brought and shared by attendees, we cannot guarantee that any item will be free from particular allergens or that cross-contamination has not occurred during preparation, transport, or serving. Attendees with food allergies, intolerances, or other dietary requirements should therefore exercise their own judgement when consuming shared food and participate at their own risk. If you have a severe allergy, we strongly encourage you to take appropriate precautions and bring food that you know is safe for you to enjoy.
See all upcoming events (Freshers’ Week 2026) here.
