Arriving in Oxford

Important
Be sure to bring your passport and your OSAP acceptance letter with you when you travel. Border Agents will need to inspect both, the latter as confirmation of your acceptance for a programme of study in Britain. Make sure they are with you on your person (i.e. not in checked luggage) to present to the relevant customs officials.

When to Arrive
You should plan to arrive at the Oxford Study Abroad Programme office, which is located on the Third Floor of Chester House, 21-27 George Street, between 11:00 am and 5:00 pm on the start date of your course. Your room will not be ready until this time. If you arrive in Oxford earlier, you will need to make your own arrangements. Please call our office in Oxford at +44 (0)1865 201132 if your travel plans will cause you to arrive later than this time. If you choose to arrive early we can recommend an inexpensive guesthouse.

UK Border Control
If you experience difficulty entering the UK, or if the Boarder Agent has specific questions of OSAP as your sponsor, please direct them to phone WISC/OSAP at 01865.201132. These contact details are also printed on the first page of your OSAP acceptance letter.

Arriving from London
If you are coming from city center London, you may wish to take a train from Paddington Station to Oxford, about an hour’s journey. A taxi can take you and your luggage from the Oxford station to the OSAP office. Remember to keep your taxi waiting since you will get your key and go directly to your house.

Arriving from London Heathrow Airport (LHR)
The Oxford Airline bus service to Oxford from Heathrow departs from Heathrow terminals 1-4 at the Central Bus Station, Bay 14A, and from Heathrow Terminal 5 at Bay 10. Please check which terminal you will be arriving in and be sure to have at least £50 cash for the ticket. Ask for a “period return” which will allow you to use the ticket again if you are flying out of Heathrow to return to your home at the end of the term.

The journey takes between 1.5 and 2.5 hours, depending on traffic. You can also purchase tickets in advance, as well as find detailed timetables, via the website: http://airline.oxfordbus.co.uk/

You should remain on the coach until the final stop at the Oxford bus station – called Gloucester Green (pronounced “Glawster”) – which is a block away from our office (see the map below).

Arriving from London Gatwick Airport (LGW)
The Oxford Airline bus service to Oxford from Gatwick departs from Gatwick North Terminal bus stands 4 and 5 in Furlong Way (which will be signposted), and from Gatwick South Terminal stands 1 and 2 in the inner lane of the coach station. Please check which terminal you will be arriving in, and be sure to have at least £50 cash for the ticket. Ask for a “period return,” which will allow you to use the ticket again if you are flying out of Gatwick to return to your home at the end of the term.

The journey takes between 1.5 and 2.5 hours, depending on traffic. You can also purchase tickets in advance, as well as find detailed timetables, via the website: http://airline.oxfordbus.co.uk/

You should remain on the coach until the final stop at the Oxford bus station – called Gloucester Green (pronounced “Glawster”) – which is a block away from our office (see the map below).

Map of Gloucester Green Bus Station and OSAP Offices

 

Can I check in before the arrival date listed on my acceptance letter?
No, due to the often busy schedule of cleaning after the last occupant of your room, it is unfortunately not possible to check-in early. If you are arriving in Oxford prior to your official check-in date, and are looking for accommodation, we suggest the following resources:

• There are several guest houses and bed and breakfasts available in Oxford, all of which can be found via a simple Google search.
• Daily Info has a useful search engine for looking for rooms, but we advise checking reviews on TripAdvisor before booking.
• In the past, several students have found accommodation at one of these establishments, all of which are relatively cheap and very central:
  • Central Backpackers Hostel
  • The Richmond Hotel

What if my flight is delayed and I arrive after the check-in time?
First, do not panic! International flights especially are frequently delayed, and everything always works out for our students. These simple steps will help ensure you’re taken care of, you move into your OSAP housing, and you join the Orientation program as soon as possible:

• If possible, please send an email to info@osapabroad.com informing us of your delay. Alternatively, if within 9am-5pm UK time, you may ring our offices. If calling from a US phone, you’ll need to dial 011.44.1865.201132; if calling from a UK phone, you’ll need to dial 01865.201132; from all other countries the UK country code is +44, followed by 1865.201132.
• If you arrive in Oxford after the check-in time (e.g. late-evening on your check-in day), we would suggest that you secure accommodation at one of the venues listed above.
• If relevant, please contact your parents/guardians to let them know your location and, more importantly, that you are safe.
• Please come to the OSAP offices (address and map above) the morning (after 9am) on the next business day. We will have your welcome packet, orientation schedule, and housing information available so that you can move into your OSAP accommodation and then join the other students in the orientation programme.

Orientation Programme

The OSAP Orientation Programme is intended as a swift introduction to Oxford academically, socially and culturally. You will be given information that will be of real use to you in academic and social life in Oxford. Be sure to wear comfortable shoes for the walking tour. You will find an umbrella or raincoat useful.

Attendance at all lectures is mandatory. The immigration regulations under which you were allowed to enter the UK require us to monitor your academic work and attendance. In addition, students will participate in a welcome party, where they meet their fellow students and Oxford dons, a walking tour of Oxford, which helps to serve as an introduction to the geography and history of city centre.