Prospective Oxford Students Entry Advice- Private Group tour

4.9 (18 reviews) Oxford, England
Duration2h - 2h 30m
Free cancellationFull refund up to 24 hours before
TicketMobile or paper ticket accepted
LanguagesEnglish
Private tourOnly your group will participate

Overview

If you are considering studying at Oxford, then what better way to acquaint yourself with the application process and to find out what student life is like, than to book our private tour plus Q and A session with our Oxford or Cambridge educated university alumni guides?

Expected total activity duration is about 150 minutes walking tour plus up to one hour Q and A session led in person and/or by online process.

What's included

  • Which colleges we enter will vary according to your prior request and what's open on the day.
  • Entry inside one or more colleges but these are subject to which colleges may be open on the day
  • Entry inside colleges is paid by the guide worth up to £3 per person
  • This tour does not enter inside Bodleian library or inside Christ church
  • Some colleges don't open to the public but may open by prior arrangement for prospective students
  • Christmas Closures: colleges usually close from about Dec 21 to January 2
  • On any graduation dates below, some or all colleges may be closed:
  • 2025 Graduation dates:
  • May 31, July 19 + 29, Aug 1 + 2 + 9, Sep 26 + 27, Nov 7+ 8+9+14 +15 of 2025

What to expect

  1. Bridge of Sighs
    Pass by
    This is one of many sights which we pass by on all tours. It was built just over 100 years ago and it connects two parts of Hertford college. Cambridge has a Bridge of Sighs too but this one you can get your photo under, as the one in Cambridge is a bridge over the Cam river.
  2. Bodleian Library
    15m · Admission ticket not included
    The tour does not visit inside of the library since it's forbidden to guide inside the library but we will introduce it from the outside
  3. Radcliffe Camera
    Pass by
    This is the circular reading room of the Bodleian library. Guiding is forbidden inside but we will introduce it from outside
  4. Sheldonian Theatre
    Pass by
    This is Christopher Wren's attractive theatre and venue used by the university for graduations and matriculations. Guiding is generally forbidden inside but we will introduce it from outside
  5. History of Science Museum
    Pass by
    This is Christopher Wren's building and was originally used as the Ashmolean museum. Guiding is forbidden inside but we will introduce it from outside
  6. Balliol College
    Pass by
    Founded 1263 and famous alumni include 4 prime ministers plus the likes of Adam Smith. This college was founded by John de Balliol, a Scottish noble. This college charges £1-3 per person entry and is typically open 10.30am to 11.45am and then again from 2pm to 4pm.

    Where and when open, we can visit inside this college on the tour.

    This stop is included on our route and depending on circumstances, we may also visit inside too. Please note that colleges all have their own opening and closing times and they may decide to close for special events. Thus, which colleges we visit on the day, may vary but any prior specific requests will decide which specific colleges to enter.

    If there are any entry fees to enter any colleges, these will always be included in the tour ticket price.
  7. Trinity College
    Pass by
    Founded 1555 and famous for its beautiful gardens. This college has a reputation for being a 'posh' college.

    This stop is included on our route and depending on circumstances, we may also visit inside too. Please note that colleges all have their own opening and closing times and they may decide to close for special events. Thus, which colleges we visit on the day, may vary but any prior specific requests will decide which specific colleges to enter.

    If there are any entry fees to enter any colleges, these will always be included in the tour ticket price.
  8. Hertford College
    Pass by
    This college does not normally open to public visitors but if this college is one which you are interested in studying at, we can pre arrange a request to enter.

    This stop is included on our route and depending on circumstances, we may also visit inside too. Please note that colleges all have their own opening and closing times and they may decide to close for special events. Thus, which colleges we visit on the day, may vary but any prior specific requests will decide which specific colleges to enter.

    If there are any entry fees to enter any colleges, these will always be included in the tour ticket price.
  9. Exeter College
    Pass by
    Exeter college is a free entry college open only 2pm to 4pm and it dates back to 1314. This is where Tolkien studied and Morse was a frequent visitor too. Where and when open, we can visit inside this college on the tour.

    This stop is included on our route and depending on circumstances, we may also visit inside too. Please note that colleges all have their own opening and closing times and they may decide to close for special events. Thus, which colleges we visit on the day, may vary but any prior specific requests will decide which specific colleges to enter.

    If there are any entry fees to enter any colleges, these will always be included in the tour ticket price.
  10. Jesus College
    Pass by
    Jesus college is where TE Lawrence studied and it has a gorgeous dining hall. Entry is £1-3 per person. Entry into this college could be included in the tour, if you are interested in applying to Jesus- otherwise though, the tour does not normally visit inside.

    This stop is included on our route and depending on circumstances, we may also visit inside too. Please note that colleges all have their own opening and closing times and they may decide to close for special events. Thus, which colleges we visit on the day, may vary but any prior specific requests will decide which specific colleges to enter.

    If there are any entry fees to enter any colleges, these will always be included in the tour ticket price.
  11. Brasenose College
    Pass by
    Brasenose college was founded in 1509 and famous alumni includes the man who opened Pandora's box viz David Cameron. It is not normally open to the public but with prior notice, we may be able to arrange for you to visit inside.

    This stop is included on our route and depending on circumstances, we may also visit inside too. Please note that colleges all have their own opening and closing times and they may decide to close for special events. Thus, which colleges we visit on the day, may vary but any prior specific requests will decide which specific colleges to enter.

    If there are any entry fees to enter any colleges, these will always be included in the tour ticket price.
  12. All Souls College
    Pass by
    Good luck with applying to study at All Souls college as they don't take any students. This college is for research fellows only. The college is free entry open only 2pm to 4pm and generally closed every July and August.

    This stop is included on our route and depending on circumstances, we may also visit inside too. Please note that colleges all have their own opening and closing times and they may decide to close for special events. Thus, which colleges we visit on the day, may vary but any prior specific requests will decide which specific colleges to enter.

    If there are any entry fees to enter any colleges, these will always be included in the tour ticket price.
  13. University College
    Pass by
    University college claims to be the first college founded in 1249. Bill Clinton & CS Lewis studied here. This stop could be included on our route if you request it and depending on circumstances, we may also visit inside too.

    Please note that colleges all have their own opening and closing times and they may decide to close for special events. Thus, which colleges we visit on the day, may vary but any prior specific requests will decide which specific colleges to enter.

    If there are any entry fees to enter any colleges, these will always be included in the tour ticket price.
  14. Merton College
    Pass by
    Merton college is a grand old college dating back to 1264. Tolkien taught here. Entry fees cost typically £3-4 per person and this stop could be included on our route. Depending on circumstances, we may also visit inside too if we can arrange it in advance.

    Please note that colleges all have their own opening and closing times and they may decide to close for special events. Thus, which colleges we visit on the day, may vary but any prior specific requests will decide which specific colleges to enter.

    If there are any entry fees to enter any colleges, these will always be included in the tour ticket price.
  15. Queen's College
    Pass by
    Queens college do not permit visitors but with prior arrangement, we probably can arrange for you to visit inside the college.

    This stop could be included on our route and depending on circumstances, we may also visit inside too. Please note that colleges all have their own opening and closing times and they may decide to close for special events. Thus, which colleges we visit on the day, may vary but any prior specific requests will decide which specific colleges to enter.

    If there are any entry fees to enter any colleges, these will always be included in the tour ticket price.
  16. Corpus Christi College
    Pass by
    Corpus Christi college is famous for 'the Greats' viz the study of Latin. They don't normally permit guiding inside but if you make known in advance an interest to study here, we can probably arrange for free entry.

    This stop is included on our route and depending on circumstances, we may also visit inside too. Please note that colleges all have their own opening and closing times and they may decide to close for special events. Thus, which colleges we visit on the day, may vary but any prior specific requests will decide which specific colleges to enter.

    If there are any entry fees to enter any colleges, these will always be included in the tour ticket price.
  17. St John's College
    Pass by
    St Johns college is free entry between 2pm and 4pm and it's where Tony Blair studied law & rock n'roll. It dates back to 1555 and it has some classic quadfranges and gardens.

    This stop is included on our route and depending on circumstances, we may also visit inside too. Please note that colleges all have their own opening and closing times and they may decide to close for special events. Thus, which colleges we visit on the day, may vary but any prior specific requests will decide which specific colleges to enter.

    If there are any entry fees to enter any colleges, these will always be included in the tour ticket price.
  18. Lincoln College
    Pass by
    Lincoln college is a gorgeous college with ivy quadrangle and a chapel that hosted John Wesley who studied here. Entry is free 2pm to 4pm and weekends mornings too but guiding is not permitted inside, so unless you request to make an appointment to consider studying here, we cannot take you inside.

    This stop is included on our route and depending on circumstances, we may also visit inside too. Please note that colleges all have their own opening and closing times and they may decide to close for special events. Thus, which colleges we visit on the day, may vary but any prior specific requests will decide which specific colleges to enter.

    If there are any entry fees to enter any colleges, these will always be included in the tour ticket price.
  19. St Edmund Hall
    Pass by
    The oldest and the newest college/hall of Oxford. Guiding is not permitted inside but we could probably arrange to visit inside with prior arrangement for an interest made known to study here.

    This stop could be included on our route and depending on circumstances, we may also visit inside too. Please note that colleges all have their own opening and closing times and they may decide to close for special events. Thus, which colleges we visit on the day, may vary but any prior specific requests will decide which specific colleges to enter.

    If there are any entry fees to enter any colleges, these will always be included in the tour ticket price.
  20. Oriel College
    Pass by
    Oriel college does not normally open to visitors but with prior notice and arrangement, we probably can arrange to visit inside.

    This stop is included on our route and depending on circumstances, we may also visit inside too. Please note that colleges all have their own opening and closing times and they may decide to close for special events. Thus, which colleges we visit on the day, may vary but any prior specific requests will decide which specific colleges to enter.

    If there are any entry fees to enter any colleges, these will always be included in the tour ticket price.
  21. Magdalen College
    Pass by
    Which colleges we visit inside of will vary from day to day and according to any prior requests made known to us. Magdalen is usually open from 10am to last entry 6.30pm and costs £8 entry per person. Entry is not included in the tour- unless you make a prior request known of interest to study here and then we can probably arrange for free entry inside the college.

    Magdalen is a little further walking distance to get to than other colleges so we likely will not walk to Magdalen or visit inside of it, unless you specifically request us to do so.

Meeting and pickup

Meeting point

Meet your guide wearing red lanyard. Meeting next to our black sign, OUTSIDE Oxford Tourist info centre, 15 Broad street, OX1 3AS. This is also next to the Oxfam shop which has a green sign above its shop.

End point

Meet your guide wearing red lanyard. Meeting next to our black sign, OUTSIDE Oxford Tourist info centre, 15 Broad street, OX1 3AS. This is also next to the Oxfam shop which has a green sign above its shop.

Additional information

  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • Service animals allowed
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
  • Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Cancellation policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Reviews

4.9 (18)
From
£250.00 per group
Check availability & book
  • Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience starts
  • You'll choose your date and travelers and pay on viator.com. Prices vary by date, group size and option.
More activities in Oxford
From
£250.00 per group
Check availability