The International Student Advice Team (ISAT) organises events and day trips to help you make the most of your time in Oxford and discover other places of interest in the UK.
Trips and social events
Meet new people and make the most of your time in Oxford.
Historic Walking Tour of Oxford - Saturday 20 January 2024 and Friday 26 January 2024
When: Saturday 20 January 2024 and Friday 26 January 2024 at 14:00
Meeting point: Martyr’s Memorial, 13 Magdalen Street, Oxford OX1 3AE
Booking: No booking is required however, please note that we have limited capacity (first come first served basis), so please make sure you arrive on time to join. The event is free of charge.
Join Rob, our amazing tour guide, for a walking tour of historic Oxford and its colleges. Tours last approximately 1 hour.
Easter 'Crafternoon' - Thursday 21 March 2024
When: Thursday 21 March 2024 - Drop in any time between 17.30-19.30
Price: FREE EVENT
Location: Union Hall, JHBB
Booking: No booking necessary. Please note - you may be asked to come back later if the room has reached capacity.
Join us for an afternoon of Easter craft activities. You'll be able to make your own Easter crafts to take away with you whilst you enjoy some delicious treats! This event is free of charge and you can pop in at any time between 17.30-19.30.
Holi Colour Run - Monday 25 March 2024
ISAT has partnered with Resi Life, Brookes Sport and the Brookes Union to bring you this years' Brookes Holi Colour Run 2024!
When: 25th March, from 12:00 to 14:00.
Where: Harcourt Hill Campus
Booking: we recommend booking your ticket on this link. However, you are welcome to join in on the day.
Join us to celebrate Holi and the arrival of Spring by participating in this years' colour run. This event is untimed, so run, jog or walk with your friends, everyone welcome! There will be a photo point, music and refreshments available (we encourage you to wear white tops!).
Global Fest Week - Monday 8 April 2024 to Saturday 13 April 2024
Join us to celebrate cultural diversity at Brookes with a range of activities, showcases, language lounges, and many more!
When: from 8th April to 13th April 2024
Where: Brookes Union Hall, JHBB
Booking: Booking is not need for any of the events, just show up!
Some activities taking place this week include:
- International Students' Mixer - Tuesday 9 April, from 16:30 to 18:30
- Cultural Karaoke with ISAT - Wednesday 10 April, from 17:30 to 19:30
- Cultural Dress Day - Friday 12 April
Film Night - Thursday 2 May 2024
When: Thursday 2 May 2024 - 18:00 to 21:00
Price: FREE
Location: TBC
Booking: TBC
Join the ISAT Team and the Student Union for a film night. Take a break from the deadlines and studying to enjoy a film an evening of films and popcorn!
We will organise activities and competitions on Instagram. Follow us! @brookes_isatsocial
These trips are organised by ISAT and our favourite tour guide Rob Tanner. ISAT manages bookings/website/online shop and student enquiries. Rob leads the tours on the day.
Guided tour of London - Saturday 27 January 2024
When: Saturday 27 January 2024
Price: £13
Meeting point: Rob, our tour guide, will meet you at the London Victoria Rail Station bus stop at TIME TBC (UK time)
Meeting time: 11.30am
Booking: Booking required. Please visit our online shop, tickets will be available from 8 January 2024.
Join this guided walking tour of London to discover some of the most famous landmarks of the UK's capital city! Our tour guide Rob will share some fascinating stories with you, and tell you about London's history as you walk past: Buckingham Palace, St James’ Park, Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, Whitehall, Downing Street, Horse Guards parade, Trafalgar Square and South Bank.
Schedule:
The exact schedule will be confirmed by Rob on the day. Students who wish to stay in London can check our Things to do in London page for suggestions of things to do after the tour.
Transport:
Please note that you need to organise and pay for your own transport to and from London. We recommend that you book an early coach or train, as there may be delays during your journey. If you have a lot of spare time in London before the start of the tour, you can grab a coffee or go for a wander around the area.
Trip to Bath - Saturday 3 February 2024
When: Saturday 3 February 2024
Price: £37
Booking: Booking required. Please visit our online shop, tickets will be available from 8 January 2024.
Departure point: Gipsy Lane bus Stop B6 (inside the campus)
Departure time: 08.45am
Spend a day in the stunning city of Bath, famous for its Roman baths, Georgian architecture and its connection to renowned British novelist Jane Austen. There will be 1-hour coach tour and you’ll also get plenty of free time to explore the city.
Ideas how to spend your free time in Bath include: Roman Baths Museum, Bath Abbey, Pulteney Bridge, Parade Gardens, the Circus and Royal Crescent, Jane Austen Centre, the Fashion Museum, No1 Royal Crescent.
Approximate Schedule (times are estimates):
- 08:45 - Depart from Headington
- 10:45 - Arrive at Terrace Walk, Bath
- 11:00 - Free time to explore Bath
- 14:00 - Coach Tour from Terrace Walk
- 15:00 - Free time
- 16:45 - Depart Terrace Walk
- 19:00 - Expected return time to Oxford
The exact schedule will be confirmed by Rob on the day. The ticket includes coach and ferry travels, as well as a full-day tour.
Trip to Wales (Cardiff & Tintern Abbey) - Saturday 17 February 2024
When: Saturday 17 February 2024
Price: £43
Departure point: Gipsy Lane bus Stop B6 (inside the campus)
Departure time: 08.15am
Booking: Booking required. Please visit our online shop, tickets will be available from 8 January 2024.
Visit the 800-year old ruins of Tintern Abbey. You will then pass through the beautiful Wye Valley before spending the afternoon in Cardiff, the capital of Wales. After a guided tour, you’ll have a few hours of free time to explore the city.
Ideas how to spend your free time in Cardiff include: Cardiff Castle, Bute Park, Yr Hen Lyfrgell, Morgan Quarter, Castle Arcade, Spillers Records, National Museum Cardiff, Aquabus City-Bay (make sure that you have enough time to get back to the city centre on time to meet the coach).
Approximate Schedule (times are estimates):
- 08:15 - Depart from Headington
- 10:45 - Arrive at Tintern
- 12:45 - Tour of Cardiff
- 13:30 - Free time to enjoy Cardiff
- 16:45 - Meet the coach at The National Museum, Gorsedd Gardens Road
- 19:30 - Expected return time to Oxford
If you wish to visit a museum such as the National Museum (free entry) during your free time in Cardiff, make sure you book your tickets directly with the venue in advance.
The exact schedule will be confirmed by Rob on the day.
Trip to Cambridge - Saturday 24 February 2024
When: Saturday 24 February 2024
Price: £36
Departure point: Brookes University bus stop B6
Departure time: 08:45
Booking: Booking required. Please visit our online shop, tickets will be available from 8 January 2024.
Visit the famous university city of Cambridge. After the 1-hour walking tour, you’ll have a free afternoon to explore the city. Expected return time to Oxford: 7pm.
Ideas how to spend your free time in Cambridge include: Trinity College, King’s College, Fitzwilliam Museum, The Backs, the Round Church.
Trip to Brighton - Saturday 9 March 2024
When: Saturday 9 March 2024
Price: £38
Departure point: Gipsy Lane bus Stop B6 (inside the campus)
Departure time: 08.30am
Booking: Booking required. Please visit our online shop, tickets will be available from 8 January 2024.
Spend some free time in vibrant & creative Brighton, and visit Devil’s Dyke with your tour guide for beautiful panoramas.
Ideas how to spend your free time in Brighton include: Brighton beach, Brighton Palace Pier, the Royal Pavilion, the North Laines, the South Lanes, the i360. ISAT’s tip: we recommend walking around the city to discover the amazing street art and graffiti!
Approximate Schedule (times are estimates):
- 08:30 - Depart from Headington
- 10:45 - Arrive at Madeira Drive Brighton
- 11:00 - Free time to explore Brighton
- 16:30 - Meet the coach at Madeira Drive
- 17:00 - Arrive at Devil’s Dyke.
- 17:30 - Depart Devil’s Dyke
- 19:30 - Expected return time to Oxford
The exact schedule will be confirmed by Rob on the day.
Trip to Salisbury & Bournemouth - Saturday 16 March 2024
When: Saturday 16 March 2024
Price: £37
Departure point: Brookes University bus stop B6
Departure time: 08:15
Booking: Booking required. Please visit our online shop, tickets will be available from 8 January 2024.
Salisbury is a beautiful historic city famous for its Cathedral, a beacon which has attracted visitors for centuries. Close to the Cathedral is a modern medieval city, full of beautiful architecture, with buildings crafted with the care of another age.
Bournemouth is a vibrant coastal resort, with beautiful sandy beaches. Stroll along the seafront, take in the Victorian architecture and piers, and experience the great British tradition of fish and chips by the seaside.
Expected return time to Oxford: 7pm