Information for new students

We are looking forward to welcoming you to Oxford Brookes very soon.

In recent days, we have joined the nation in mourning the passing of Her Majesty the Queen.

As a mark of respect, the Union Flag is flying at half-mast at Headington Hill Hall on our Headington Campus and books of condolence are now available on every campus for students and staff to sign, should they wish.

All of our campuses remain open this week.

Arrangements for the day of the state funeral - Monday 19 September

The state funeral of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II will take place on Monday 19 September and this date will be a national bank holiday.

Will the University be open?

The University wishes to respect the bank holiday as far possible, as a sign of respect for this solemn occasion.

Course induction sessions for new students will no longer take place on 19 September and will either be rescheduled or delivered in a different way. Please be reassured that there will be no detriment or loss to your student experience as a result. A small number of University induction events will run where these are essential to support arriving students and do not coincide with the funeral service. Please keep checking the course induction webpages and also the events calendar over the next few days for changes.

Headington Campus will remain open and limited services will be running to support and welcome you if you are arriving on campus on 19 September. All other campuses will be closed.

Wherever it is possible to do so, these limited services on Headington Campus will pause between 10.45am and 12.15pm on 19 September, during the state funeral service at Westminster Abbey, to allow students and staff to watch the service if they wish to.

Halls of residence will remain open and our teams will be available to support students arriving and moving in on this day.

Catering outlets and the Co-op on Headington Campus will be open, except from 10.45am-12.15pm. Brookes Sport in Headington will be open from 2.00pm.

Welcome Weekend activities will continue as planned.

Where can I watch the funeral on campus?

Students and staff will be able to view the funeral at the following places:

  • Headington Campus: Union Hall (10.00am-2.00pm) and Taylor’s Yard, John Henry Brookes Building
  • Harcourt Hill Campus: Westminster Hall.

Residents will also be able to view the funeral in the following places:

  • Clive Booth Student Village: lounge, Postgraduate Centre
  • Paul Kent Hall: common room, Rowan House.

Quiet spaces will also be available on some campuses for personal reflection:

  • Headington Campus: Buckley Building - Reflection Room (all day), and Garden Room (until 10:45am)
  • Harcourt Hill Campus: Westminster Chapel.

Please be aware that bus and train services may be impacted on the bank holiday - please check before you travel. Most supermarkets and other shops are also expected to close.

If you are an international student and have questions or concerns, please contact the International Student Advice Team for advice.

We recognise that cancelling our induction and teaching activities on Monday 19 September may cause some disappointment, however we feel that this is the appropriate decision to take and that it is important for students and staff to be able to observe this solemn occasion. Please be reassured that there will be no detriment or loss to your ongoing student experience.