Student Accommodation near Oxford Brookes University

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Oxford Brookes is a public university with a strong reputation for teaching quality, innovation, and graduate employability. It's important to note it is distinct from the University of Oxford, although located in the same city. Its roots trace back to the Oxford School of Art founded in 1865. It later became Oxford Polytechnic and achieved university status in 1992, named after its founding principal, John Henry Brookes. Based in Oxford, England, with several campuses within and around the city, plus a site in Swindon. 

OBU is recognised as one of the UK's leading modern universities. It ranks highly for teaching (6th in the UK, THE Young University Rankings 2024) and is considered world-leading in 23 subject areas (QS 2025). It's particularly strong in fields like Architecture, Hospitality Management, Real Estate, Publishing, Automotive Engineering, and Children's Nursing. The university emphasizes practical learning, strong links with business and industry, and applied research.

Student life at Oxford Brookes offers a mix of campus community experiences and access to the vibrant city of Oxford.

Campuses:

Headington Campus: The main and largest campus (incorporating Gipsy Lane, Headington Hill, and Marston Road sites), located about a mile from the city centre. It houses many subjects, the main library, the Students' Union hub, sports facilities, and the central John Henry Brookes Building. Recent Developments: New state-of-the-art buildings opened here in 2024/25 to house subjects like Engineering, Computing, and Maths, which relocated from the now-closed Wheatley Campus.
               
Harcourt Hill Campus: Located west of the city, home to subjects like Education, Philosophy, and Media. It has its own library, sports centre, and accommodation set in green spaces.
               
Swindon Campus: Located in West Swindon, primarily for Health and Social Care courses like Adult Nursing, featuring modern clinical skills labs and simulation suites.
               
Facilities: OBU offers modern facilities including well-equipped libraries, IT suites, the award-winning John Henry Brookes Building (social learning spaces, library access, support services), specialist labs (e.g., VR Cave, engineering workshops, clinical skills suites, bioscience labs), art and design studios, media equipment, and extensive sports facilities (Brookes Sport) across Headington and Harcourt Hill (gyms, pool, climbing walls, pitches, courts, boathouse).

Brookes Union (Students' Union): Run by students for students, Brookes Union provides representation, free independent advice (on academic issues, housing, etc.), supports over 100 student societies and numerous sports clubs (#TEAMBrookes), runs shops, cafes, bars, and organises events like Fresher's Week.

Clubs & Societies: A wide range covering hobbies, culture, politics, faith, music, academic interests, and more.
 
Sport: Strong sporting tradition with many successful teams competing nationally (BUCS). Excellent facilities cater to elite athletes and recreational participants. Notable strength in rowing.
 
Support Services: Comprehensive support includes Wellbeing services (counselling, mental health), the International Student Advice Team (ISAT) for visa/immigration help and settling in, academic advisors, careers services, disability support, and financial advice.

Accommodation: Offers various halls of residence (guaranteed for first-year international students meeting conditions/deadlines) and support for finding private rented accommodation in Oxford.

Oxford City Life: Studying at OBU means living in a world-famous historic city. Beyond academia, Oxford offers museums, galleries, theatres, pubs, restaurants, shops, beautiful parks, and the river. It is a very student-focused city but can be relatively expensive compared to some other UK locations.
        

Near Headington Campus:

• Headington: A vibrant suburb with a mix of shops, restaurants, pubs, and the iconic Headington Shark sculpture.
• South Park: A large park offering panoramic views of the Oxford skyline.
• Headington Hill Park: Another green space close to the campus.

Near Harcourt Hill Campus:

• North Hinksey: A village with traditional pubs and access to countryside walks.
• Port Meadow: A large area of common land along the River Thames, popular for walks and wildlife.

Near Wheatley Campus:

• Wheatley Village: A historic village with local shops and pubs.
• Easy access to the Oxfordshire countryside.

Oxford City Centre: A historic and beautiful city with:

• University of Oxford Colleges: Explore the stunning architecture and quads of colleges like Christ Church, Magdalen, and New College.
• Bodleian Library: One of the oldest libraries in Europe.
• Ashmolean Museum: Houses world-renowned art and archaeological collections.
• Pitt Rivers Museum: Features anthropological and ethnographic artifacts.
• Covered Market: A historic market with a variety of shops and food stalls.
• Punting on the River Cherwell or Thames.
• Carfax Tower: Offers panoramic city views.
• Numerous historic pubs, restaurants, and shops.

Student travel for Oxford Brookes students primarily involves navigating the city of Oxford using its bus network, as the campuses are spread out.

Bus Services: Oxford has an excellent and frequent bus network operated primarily by Oxford Bus Company and Stagecoach Oxfordshire.

• Headington Campus: Located in the Headington area, it is well-served by numerous bus routes connecting it to the city centre, other campuses, and student residential areas. The Brookes Bus is a dedicated service run by Oxford Bus Company specifically for Oxford Brookes students and staff, offering discounted fares and direct routes between campuses and key locations.
• Harcourt Hill Campus: Situated west of the city centre, it is also served by regular bus routes connecting it to the city centre and other areas. The Brookes Bus also serves this campus.
• Wheatley Campus: Located east of the city centre, it has bus links to the city centre and other parts of Oxford. The Brookes Bus also serves this campus.
• Students can benefit significantly from purchasing student bus passes, especially the Brookes Bus pass, which offers the most cost-effective travel for students.

Train Travel: Oxford Railway Station, located in the city centre, provides excellent rail connections to London, Birmingham, Reading, and other major UK cities. Students living further out or wanting to travel will use this station, which is easily accessible by bus from all Oxford Brookes campuses.

Cycling and Walking: Oxford is a relatively compact and bike-friendly city with numerous cycle paths. Cycling is a popular option for students getting between campuses and accommodation. Walking is feasible for shorter distances within specific areas. The university often promotes cycling and has bike storage facilities.

Student Discounts: The Brookes Bus pass is the primary student travel discount for Oxford Brookes students on local buses. For train travel, a 16-25 Railcard (or a 26-30 Railcard for eligible postgraduate students) provides significant savings on national rail fares.