Transcript: Vice-Chancellor's end of Hilary 2025 student message

Dear students,

Congratulations on making it two thirds of the way through this academic year! I know what another busy term it’s been for you all, so I hope you can now take some time for a well-earned break over the Easter vacation. I remain so grateful for your many and varied contributions in making Oxford the remarkable place it is – you are a credit to Oxford. And I hope you are enjoying the early signs of Spring in our university parks and college gardens.

As ever, there’s been so much going on since my last message, including the admission of our new Chancellor, Lord William Hague, on the 19 February. A great day was had by all and it’s clear that William and his wife Ffion will be wonderful additions to our Oxford community and family.

I am speaking to you today from the beautiful environment of the Department of Education, a fantastic department that I thoroughly enjoyed visiting recently and which is renowned not only for its outstanding academic programmes, but for its world-leading research. The department has once again been crowned first in the UK and third in the world for education, recently in the Times Higher Education Subject Rankings for 2025. It stands at the forefront of research in education globally, earning it the top rating in the last three Research Excellence Frameworks. Alongside all of this, it also plays a vital role training the next generation of teachers for our UK schools – maybe some of you might consider becoming teachers. It’s just one more example of Oxford’s excellence and contribution to the world.

As well as getting out and about meeting many of you in your colleges for breakfast and walking together with Geoffrey Biscuit, it’s been wonderful to meet so many of you at various other events this term. Hearing in person your priorities and the issues that really matter to you from your JCR, MCR and Sports club presidents, amongst others, has been so insightful, and vital as I continue to advocate for you in my role. Very well done to all our Dark Blues teams for your fantastic efforts in this term’s varsity matches – you make us proud. I look forward to cheering some of you on in person. And good luck to all our crews taking part in the Boat Race on 13 April.

Many of you will sit exams next term and may well be taking some time over the vacation to prepare. There’s lots of information on the Oxford Students website, covering whichever type of exam you’ll be sitting, and importantly, how to look after your wellbeing. Very best of luck with your revision. A reminder that the University’s specialist Student Welfare and Support Services remain open throughout the Easter vacation, with the exception of the fixed closure days over the bank holiday weekend, where out of hours services remain available.

I’m delighted that more undergraduates have taken part in my Vice-Chancellor's Colloquium this term, innovatively exploring solutions to climate change, supported brilliantly by our DPhil facilitators. I look forward to learning more about your ideas at our concluding event next term.

Many students also took part in the Careers Service’s new Making a Difference programme, working collaboratively with other students to solve real business challenges for local charities and social enterprises. For those of you seeking further ways to enhance your CV, the Summer Internship Programme has hundreds of paid or funded opportunities in the UK and abroad, with many available to apply for until May – so don’t miss out.

A final call out to our undergraduate finalists to take a moment and have your say in the National Student Survey before it closes on 30 April. Your feedback really is so important for future students considering joining us at Oxford.

For now, safe travels if you’re leaving Oxford, have a restful break if you can, and I look forward to seeing you in Trinity term.