A

Annual Progress Reviews

Formal meetings held annually between each individual undergraduate and the Principal.

Ashmolean

The University’s museum of art and archaeology, founded by Elias Ashmole in 1683. It is the oldest museum in the UK.

Assessor

A senior officer of the University, elected annually by the colleges in a set cycle, who is responsible particularly for student welfare and finance. The Office was created in 1960. The Assessor works closely with the Proctors.

ASUC

The former name of the Gardens, Libraries and Museums (GLAM) group, ASUC stood for Academic Services and University Collections.

B

Barts

The Bartlemas Close Accommodation Centre, known to students as Barts, which is in Cowley (a neighborhood in East Oxford). This is about a half hour walk, or ten minute cycle, from College.

Battels

The charges made to a member of college (student or Fellow) for accommodation, meals, etc.

Bedel

Ceremonial official attending the Vice-Chancellor at events such as degree ceremonies and Encaenia, and at meetings of Congregation and Convocation. There are four Bedels, of Divinity, Law, Medicine and Arts.

Black tie

A black-tie dress code typically means wearing a tuxedo with a white dress shirt, black bow tie and black shoes, a long, elegant dress, a cocktail dress, or a formal jumpsuit. 

Bleed Green!

A catchphrase used by Jesus students during sporting events.

Blue

The Blue is the highest sporting achievement at Oxford, and is awarded only to members of certain sports clubs who have competed in the annual Varsity Match.

Bodleian Libraries

The collective name for the University’s integrated library service, formerly known as Oxford University Library Services (OULS).

Bodleian Library

Also known as ‘the Bod’. The largest of the University’s many libraries. It is named after Sir Thomas Bodley.

BOP

A student event with music and dancing.

Bumps

A traditional racing format in Oxford and Cambridge university rowing. Crews race line astern starting 1.5 lengths apart. The aim is to ‘bump’ the crew ahead of you without being caught by the crew behind. If you bump, your race is over and you swap places with the bumped crew in the next race of the day. If you get bumped you keep racing; you can be bumped more than once! Crews who move up four (or more) places in one day are awarded ‘blades’; crews who are bumped in each race get ‘spoons’.

C

Chancellor

Elected by Convocation, the Chancellor is the ceremonial head of the University. The current Chancellor is the Right Honorable Lord Hague of Richmond

Class

(abbrev. Classification) the level of award of a degree (e.g 2:1 or Upper Second).

Classes

A lesson attended by approximately 6 students (though may be expanded to 8-15 to meet high demand) and of 60 to 90 minutes duration; usually intercollegiate.

Collections

College exams taken at the start of each term usually on material covered in the previous term.

College Parents

Students in the year above who are selected to support you when you join Jesus College. They may be studying the same subject as you and can provide useful and informal academic help, as well as introduce you to social life in College. College parents are good for answering questions you might have, and directing you to support services that might be helpful.

Collegiate University

The University of Oxford, comprising the academic divisions and departments, Academic Services and University Collections (ASUC) and University Administration and Services (UAS), together with the Oxford colleges and permanent private halls.

Coming up/Going down

Arriving at Oxford at the beginning of the term/leaving at the end (cf sending down).

Commoner

A student who does not have a scholarship or exhibition.

Congregation

Congregation is the sovereign body of the University and consists of over 5,000 members, comprising the academic staff of the University; heads and other members of governing bodies of colleges; and senior research, computing, library and administrative staff. As the legislative body of the University, changes to the University’s Statutes and Regulations are subject to the approval of Congregation. Council is bound by all resolutions passed by Congregation and all other acts and decisions taken by it.  Major policy issues may be submitted to Congregation for consideration by it by Council or members of Congregation. Congregation also elects members to Council and other University bodies and approves the appointment of the Vice-Chancellor.

Convocation

Convocation consists of all the former student members of the University who have been admitted to a degree (other than an honorary degree) of the University, and those who are members of Congregation or who have retired from being members of Congregation on the date of their retirement. Its functions are to elect the Chancellor and the Professor of Poetry.

Council

Council is the University’s principal executive and policy-making body and is responsible, under the statutes, for the advancement of the University’s objectives, for its administration, and for the management of its finances and property. It has five main standing committees: the Education Committee; the General Purposes Committee (GPC); the People Committee; the Planning and Resource Allocation Committee (PRAC); and the Research Committee.

Covered Market

250 year-old market across the road from College on Market Street. Home to many coffee shops, food stalls and gift shops.

Cuppers

Intercollegiate sporting competitions at Oxford.  Each sport holds only one Cuppers competition each year, which is open to all colleges.

D

DACC

The College department which looks after our accommodation, catering and conference operations, and all other domestic aspects of college life, such as security,  housekeeping, external lettings and sports facilities.

Dean

A College Fellow responsible for supervising the conduct and discipline of the Junior Members of the College. To be ‘deaned’ is to be sent to the Dean. Jesus College also has Junior Deans, which are usually postgraduate students.

Degree Days

Various days throughout the year on which students may graduate.

Development Office

The College department responsible for alumni engagement and stewardship, and fundraising.

Division

There are four academic divisions at Oxford – Humanities; Mathematical, Physical and Life Sciences; Medical Sciences; and Social Sciences.

Don

A professor, a lecturer or a Fellow.

DPhil

Doctorate of Philosophy. The PhD is known as the DPhil in Oxford.

E

EdC

University’s Education Committee. One of the five main committees of Council, it defines and keeps under review the educational philosophy, policy, and standards of the collegiate University on access and admissions; curriculum design and course structure; teaching, learning and assessment; academic and pastoral support and guidance; and provision and use of learning resources. Formerly known as Educational Policy and Standards Committee.

EDI

Acronym for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion.

Eights

Inter-collegiate rowing races, held in Trinity Term. Popular social event for College as members gather at the Jesus Boat House, accessed via Christ Church Meadow.

Emeritus

A title held by retired professors and readers of the University who meet the conditions set out in University regulations. Colleges have their own rules for awarding the title.

Encaenia

Annual ceremony at the end of each academic year at which honorary degrees are conferred, and the Creweian Oration is given by the Public Orator.

Entz

Short-form word for ‘Entertainment’, used within the context of the JCR (Junior Common Rooms) in Oxford to refer to a team or committee responsible for organising social events.

Examination Regulations

The syllabuses for all courses.  Previously was a large grey book issued to all students, it is now available online and can be found here.

Exhibition

An award for students achieving at least a borderline First/Upper 2.1 in their work in the preceding year.  More information on Scholarships and Exhibitions can be found here.

Expulsion

The permanent loss of membership of the University and college, for serious disciplinary offences.

F

Fellows

In colleges, the senior members of college who, together with the college head, constitute the governing body of the college.  Colleges may also have other categories of fellow, such as honorary or emeritus fellows, who are not members of the governing body. There are also research fellowships of various kinds in the University. At Jesus, we have over 100 Fellows.

Finals

Final examinations at the end of three or four years as an undergraduate student – the level of degree awarded is largely dependent on performance in these exams.

Finalist

A student taking, or about to take, their final public exams of their degree.

First

Highest class of degree.

Fresher

A first year student.

Formal Hall

A traditional meal held in the College Hall. Formal attire and/or gowns are usually worn, and guests from outside the college may be invited.

Fourth Quad

The raised College quad located in the Cheng Building, with outdoor seating and planted boxes. Entrance to the Cheng Cafe is via the Fourth Quad.

Full Term

The main undergraduate teaching period at Oxford. It lasts for eight weeks and runs from Sunday of First Week to Saturday of Eighth Week. The dates of Full Term are prescribed by Council and are published in the Gazette and on the University website.

G

GAO

Graduate Admissions Office, part of the central University.

Gaudy

College event for old members.

Gazette

The official journal of the University, published weekly in term-time and at other intervals in the vacations, in which information on the University’s formal business, including changes to Statutes and Regulations and meetings of Congregation, must be published. It also includes other key information, including general notices, special lecture details, information on prizes and awards, appointments, and advertisements.

GLAM

Gardens, Libraries and Museums. The GLAM Group comprises the Bodleian Libraries, the University’s museums (the Ashmolean, the Museum of the History of Science, the Oxford University Museum of Natural History, and the Pitt Rivers Museum) and the Botanic Garden and Harcourt Arboretum. Formerly known as Academic Services and University Collections (ASUC).

GPC

The General Purposes Committee is one of the five major committees of Council. Its remit includes advising Council on policy in respect of issues or activities which are university-wide and transcend the remit of the other main committees of Council or other specialist committees. It also has responsibility for strategic issues relating to risk management.

Governing Body

The body defined in the Statutes of each college that has responsibility for the governance of the college. Most governing bodies meet three times a term to conduct college business.

Graduate

Someone who already holds a university degree. Strictly speaking, someone taking a course of study after graduation is a postgraduate, but in Oxford the two terms are used interchangeably.

GSO

Graduate Studies Office, part of the central University.

H

Halfway Hall

A formal meal and celebration for second-year students to acknowledge the students’ progress and celebrate the halfway point of their studies, often involving a dinner, speeches, and awards. 

Head of House

The Head of a College, known variously as the Dean (Christ Church), the Master (Balliol, Pembroke, St Catherine’s, St Cross, St Peter’s and University College), the President (Corpus Christi, Kellogg, Magdalen, St John’s, Trinity and Wolfson); the Principal (Brasenose, Green Templeton, Harris Manchester, Hertford, Jesus, Lady Margaret Hall, Linacre, Mansfield, St Anne’s, St Edmund Hall, St Hilda’s, St Hugh’s and Somerville), the Provost (Oriel, Queen’s and Worcester), the Rector (Exeter and Lincoln), and the Warden (All Souls, Keble, Merton, New, Nuffield, St Antony’s and Wadham).

HEFCE

Higher Education Funding Council for England – the government body which allocates funding to Higher Education Institutions.

High Table

The table in Hall, often on a dais, at which the Head of House and Fellows dine. Guests may sometimes be invited to High Table. During lunchtime, College support staff are allowed to sit at High Table.

Hilary Term

The second of the academic year’s three terms, running from January to mid-March (c.f. Michaelmas, Trinity).

I

Isis

The part of the River Thames that runs through Oxford.

J

JCR (Junior Common Room)

In addition to being the formal undergraduate student organisation of a college, the Junior Common Room is the hub of undergraduate social activity; also a physical location in a college for student recreation. (c.f. MCR and SCR)

Junior Dean

The Junior Deans assist the Dean and other College Officers in the smooth running of the College, with particular regard to non-academic discipline and student welfare.  The Junior Deans work closely with the Dean, who is a Fellow of the College, and who bears the main responsibility for non-academic disciplinary matters.

Junior Member

A Student Member of the University, undergraduate or postgraduate.

Junior Research Fellow (JRF)

A college academic post for those who are starting out on a research or academic career. It is usually a three-year fixed-term appointment at post-doctoral level or equivalent.

L

Lecturer

Lecturers are those who undertake teaching in their subject. In Oxford, not all lecturers are Fellows of colleges.

Literae Humaniores

Classics.

Long Vac

Long vacation – the name widely used for the period between the end of the Trinity Term and the beginning of the Michaelmas Term each year.

M

Master

The Head of House at Balliol College, Pembroke College, St Catherine’s College, St Cross College, St Peter’s College and University College.

Matriculation

Matriculation confers membership of the University on those students who are enrolled at the University of Oxford and following a degree-level course. This takes place in October every year, and students wear subfusc i.e. gowns, gaps, white shirts etc.

May Morning

An Oxford tradition that sees thousands of people gather along High Street and Magdalen Bridge at 6am on 1 May to hear Magdalen College Choir herald the arrival of spring.

Meyricke Library

The College’s main library, located in Third Quad.

Michaelmas Term

The first term of the academic year which begins in October and ends in December (c.f. Hilary, Trinity).

MCR (Middle Common Room)

The self-governing body and social centre for graduate students in a college. Fourth year students and some mature undergraduates are also granted MCR membership. The MCR is also a room located in the college. Also known as the GCR in some colleges.

Mods

(abbrev. Moderations) Honour Moderations are first year university (or in the case of Classics, second year) exams. They are the “First Public Examination” for the degree of B.A. Results are classified as Firsts, Seconds etc., Not all students take Mods – some take Prelims, depending on the subject in question. (c.f. Prelims).

N

Norrington Table

A league table of colleges formerly published annually, showing comparative performance of students in Finals.

Noughth Week

The week before the beginning of Full Term.  Also called Week 0 and 0th week.

O

OCAO

Oxford Colleges Admissions Office – the former name of the Undergraduate Admissions Office.

OUDCE

Oxford University Department for Continuing Education – offers courses covering a wide range of subjects; many of them lead to university qualifications. Provision is made for individuals, organisations, and professional groups. Courses are offered on a part-time basis, online, or in the form of short courses.

OUDS

Oxford University Dramatic Society, pronounced ‘owds’.

OUP

Oxford University Press.

Oxbridge

Oxford and Cambridge Universities.

Oxford SU

Oxford University Student Union (formerly OUSU).

P

Papers

Constituent parts of an examination.

Permanent Private Hall

A religious hall which has been licensed by the University to matriculate students for degrees. There are four Permanent Private Halls.

PGCE

Post-Graduate Certificate in Education.

PGR

Research graduate programme.

PGT

Taught graduate programme.

People Committee

One of the five main University committees that report direct to Council. It is responsible for the development and review of comprehensive policies on the employment of all university staff, including policies on recruitment and selection, staff development and training, equality of opportunity, and salaries and other conditions of service.

Periodicals

A collection of articles that comes out periodically, such as magazines, newspapers, and journals.

Pidge

Pidge or pige is short for pigeonhole, and is your postal mailbox in College, located in the Lodge.

Pigeon Post

Nickname for the University Messenger Service, the free internal mail system.

Postgraduate

A student who is studying having already completed (at least) one university degree. Often referred to as a Graduate or Graduate Student.

PPE

The study of Philosophy, Politics, and Economics.

PRAC (Planning and Resource Allocation Committee)

One of the five main University committees reporting directly to Council. The Planning and Resource Allocation Committee advises Council on planning, budgets and forecasts, resource allocation and other financial arrangements, and monitors performance against plans and budgets.

Prelims

(abbrev. Preliminaries) Preliminary examinations are first year examinations and are not classified into Firsts, Seconds etc. These are only awarded on a Pass/Fail/Distinction basis. See First P.E. (c.f. Mods).

President

The Head of House at Corpus Christi College, Kellogg College, Magdalen College, St John’s College, Trinity College and Wolfson College.

Principal

The Head of House at Brasenose College, Green Templeton College, Harris Manchester College, Hertford College, Jesus College, Lady Margaret Hall, Linacre College, Mansfield College, St Anne’s College, St Edmund Hall, St Hilda’s College, St Hugh’s College and Somerville College.

Principal Investigator (PI)

Senior departmental staff who lead research programmes and manage those research staff involved.

Proctors

The two Proctors (Senior and Junior) are elected each year by colleges in rotation to serve for one year.  The statutes provide that they ‘shall generally ensure that the statutes, regulations, customs, and privileges of the University are observed.  They serve on the University’s main committees and where not members of committees may receive their papers and attend meetings but not vote.  They have responsibilities under the statutes and regulations for aspects of student discipline, for ensuring the proper conduct of examinations and for dealing with complaints. They also carry out ceremonial duties, e.g. at degree ceremonies.

Provost

The Head of House at Oriel College, The Queen’s College and Worcester College.

PRS

Probationer Research Student. Students working towards a DPhil or an MLitt or MSc by research must apply in the first instance for admission as a Probationer Research Student.

Public Orator

Elected by Congregation, the Public Orator’s duties include presenting those who receive honorary degrees, at Encaenia and at other degree ceremonies, and introducing each in a Latin speech; giving the Creweian Oration at Encaenia in alternate years. He or she may also be called on to compose letters of greeting to other Universities and loyal addresses to the Monarch, and he or she is ex officio examiner for certain University prizes. The office can be traced back to 1564, when the University appointed an Orator to greet Queen Elizabeth I on her visit to Oxford.

PVC

Pro-Vice-Chancellor. There are five Pro-Vice-Chancellors with specific, functional responsibility for Education; People and Digital; Planning and Resources; and Research.

Q

R

Recognised Student

A student working in Oxford for up to a year (i.e. one, two or three terms) but not preparing for a higher degree – they are entitled to use library and other University facilities, but do not have college association.

Rector

The Head of House at Exeter College and Lincoln College.

Registrar

The Registrar is the senior administrator within the University and is formally Secretary to the Council of the University. He or she is responsible to the Vice-Chancellor and to Council for the effective organisation of the University’s administration, and is line manager for a large number of senior officers within the administration.

REF

Research Excellence Framework – a series of exercises conducted nationally to assess the quality of UK research and to inform the selective distribution of public funds for research by the UK higher education funding bodies.

Regius Professor

The holder of a chair founded by the Crown, and to which the Crown still formally makes the appointment. The Regius Chairs are: Civil Law, Divinity, Ecclesiastical History, Greek, Hebrew, Medicine, Modern History, and Moral and Pastoral Theology.

Rustication

The withdrawal of the right of access to the land, buildings and facilities of the University, including teaching, exams and all related academic services, for a fixed period of time or until specified conditions are met. It usually occurs as a result of a major disciplinary offence.

S

Schools

Various meanings – can refer to Examination Schools, a large building on High Street where some exams are taken and lectures are held; or to Prelims/Mods/Finals in general “to take Schools”; or to a course “Honour School of Philosophy”.

Sending Down

Known as ‘termination of course’; where a student is expelled from the University for failing the First Public Examination twice, or from college for failing penal collections, or for a disciplinary offence.

Scholarship

An award for students achieving a clear First or equivalent in the preceding year.   Students awarded a scholarship receive a Scholar’s gown. (Information on different gowns can be found here.) More information on Scholarships and Exhibitions can be found here.

SCR

Senior Common Room – the organisation to which all Fellows and College lecturers belong. The SCR is also the name of the room in college which is used by SCR members for a coffee and reading room, as well as for special events hosted by SCR members. (See also the JCR and MCR).

Sheldonian Theatre

The main ceremonial hall used by the University for events such as Encaenia, Matriculation and degree ceremonies.

SIS

Student Information Systems section, responsible for all matters concerning student records.

SLC

Student Loans Company – administers student financial support to eligible students in higher education in the United Kingdom.

SOLO

Oxford’s online library catalogue.

Split Finals

The idea of taking half of Finals exams at the end of the second or third year, and taking the second half at the end of the third or fourth year, with both counting towards the final degree attained.

Stash

College branded items such as puffer jackets, baseball hats, mugs, pens etc..

Stevens

College accommodation at Steven’s Close in North Oxford.

Subfusc

Formal attire worn by students and academics on formal occasions, including matriculation, examinations and graduation. It is made up of a dark suit, skirt or trousers, a white shirt or blouse and a white or black bow tie, black full-length tie or black ribbon, worn with a black gown and a mortar-board. The name derives from the Latin subfuscus, meaning dark brown.

Supplicate

Ask for a degree to be conferred at an award ceremony.

T

Telethon

Annual two-week College fundraiser held at the end of Hilary Term where student volunteers call alumni to garner financial support for the College.

Torpids

Inter-collegiate rowing races, held in Hilary Term.

Trashing

Tradition whereby students throw water over their friends or classmates’ as they leave examinations – specifically after Finals.

Trinity Term

Summer term (c.f. Hilary, Michaelmas).

Tutor

Someone who teaches students on an individual basis or in pairs. They may be a Fellow, JRF, or a graduate student. They act as both a teacher and an academic guide.

Tutorial

Undergraduates attend, on average, one hour-long tutorial every week, either on a one-to-one basis or with one or two other students. Students must undertake a considerable number of hours’ preparatory work for each tutorial, including background reading, essay-writing and problem-solving.

Tutorial System

The college teaching system whereby undergraduates are taught in very small groups by a tutor (usually a Fellow of the college). Through tutorials, students develop powers of independent and critical thought, analytical and problem-solving abilities, and skills in both written and oral communication and argument.

The Union

The University debating society (NB not to be confused with Oxford University Students Union, or OUSU).

U

Undergraduate

Someone studying for their first degree.

Universities UK

The UK’s major representative body for the higher education sector in the UK.

V

Vac

Abbreviation of vacation – the periods between terms; see also Long Vac.

Varsity

University, especially when concerned with sport.

Varsity Match

Sporting fixture between Oxford and Cambridge (c.f. Blue).

Vice-Chancellor/VC

The senior officer of the University. The role of the Vice-Chancellor is to provide strategic direction and leadership to the collegiate University, and to position and represent the University internationally, nationally and regionally. The Vice-Chancellor chairs Council and other major University bodies, and nominates deputies to chair others. He or she works losely with the colleges to ensure a coherent vision across all the constituent parts of the University, and with Council, Congregation, the academic divisions, and the Conference of Colleges to ensure that the governance, management and administration of the collegiate University are efficient and effective.

Viva

(abbrev. Viva Voce) oral exam.

W

Warden

The Head of House at All Souls College, Keble College, Merton College, New College, Nuffield College, St Antony’s College and Wadham College.