Oxford University Tour for Prospective Students: College Q&A

Walk Oxford's colleges and ask an alumnus what student life is really like

A private walking tour of Oxford's colleges led by an Oxford or Cambridge alumnus, designed for prospective students. You'll visit multiple colleges (which ones depends on what's open and your interests), see the Bodleian Library and Radcliffe Camera from outside, and spend up to an hour in a Q&A session about the application process and student experience. The guide covers entry fees to colleges on the day.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Bridge of Sighspassing by
2. Bodleian Library15m
3. Radcliffe Camerapassing by
4. Sheldonian Theatrepassing by
5. History of Science Museumpassing by
6. Balliol Collegepassing by
7. Trinity Collegepassing by
8. All Souls Collegepassing by
9. Magdalen Collegepassing by

Oxford private tour and Q&A session

• Walk tour of Oxford colleges
• Pass by Bridge of Sighs
• View Bodleian Library exterior
• See Radcliffe Camera outside
• View Sheldonian Theatre exterior
• Pass by History of Science Museum
• Visit selected colleges inside
• Attend Q&A session with alumni guides

The experience

If you're considering applying to Oxford, this tour cuts through the standard sightseeing and gets straight to what matters: what the colleges are actually like, and how the application process works. Your guide studied at Oxford or Cambridge, so the Q&A isn't generic. It's grounded in someone who's been through it. The walking part takes about two and a half hours and covers the core of the city: you'll pass the Bridge of Sighs, see the Radcliffe Camera and Sheldonian Theatre from outside (guiding isn't permitted inside most buildings), and visit whichever colleges are open on the day. Some colleges charge £1–3 entry, but those fees are included in your tour price.

Which colleges you actually enter depends on two things: their opening hours on the day you visit, and any specific requests you make in advance. Balliol (founded 1263, four prime ministers among its alumni) typically opens mid-morning and again at 2pm. Trinity is known for its gardens. St John's, where Tony Blair studied, is free entry from 2–4pm. If you're interested in a particular college, let the operator know beforehand and they'll try to arrange access: some colleges like All Souls don't take students but welcome prospective applicants to look around, while others like Brasenose normally stay closed to visitors but may open for someone seriously considering applying. The guide won't take you inside the Bodleian Library itself (it's off-limits to tours), but you'll see it and the Radcliffe Camera, its circular reading room, from the street.

The Q&A session runs up to an hour and happens in person or online depending on what works for your group. This is where you ask about workload, college life, how competitive the application really is, and anything else someone who studied there can actually answer. Bring questions.

What’s included

• Walking tour of Oxford's colleges.
• entry inside one or more colleges (which ones depends on opening hours and your requests).
• all college entry fees on the day.
• Q&A session with an Oxford or Cambridge alumnus covering the application process and student life.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 10:00 and 15:00

Book up to6h before

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 4 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Visit Oxford Tours

Is this one for you?Book this if you're seriously considering applying and want to hear from someone who studied there. The guide's experience matters more than seeing every building, and the Q&A is where you get real answers about what student life involves and how competitive the application is.

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Top questions

Which colleges will I actually get to visit inside on the tour?

It varies by day and by what's open. Balliol, Trinity, St John's, Lincoln, and Exeter are usually accessible during their posted hours (typically 2–4pm for several of them). If you're interested in a specific college before you book, tell the operator and they'll try to arrange entry: some colleges like Brasenose and Oriel don't normally open to the public but may for a prospective student. All entry fees are included in your tour price.

What's the difference between this tour and a regular Oxford sightseeing tour?

This tour is built around the application process and student life, not just the architecture. Your guide is an Oxford or Cambridge alumnus, so the Q&A session is a real conversation about what studying there is actually like, not a rehearsed talk. A standard tour covers more ground and more buildings. This one focuses on the colleges and spends time answering your questions.

Will I see inside the Bodleian Library and Radcliffe Camera?

No. Guiding is forbidden inside both buildings, so you'll see them from outside and the guide will explain what they are. The Bodleian is one of the oldest libraries in Europe and the Radcliffe Camera is its circular reading room. Both are iconic Oxford landmarks even from the street.

How long is the whole thing, and when does it end?

The walking tour is about two and a half hours, and the Q&A session adds up to an hour on top of that. So plan for roughly three and a half hours total, though it can run shorter depending on how much ground you cover and how long the questions run.

What if I'm interested in a college that doesn't normally let visitors in?

Tell the operator in advance which college you're considering. Colleges like All Souls, Brasenose, Oriel, and Queens don't normally open to the public, but they often make exceptions for prospective applicants. The guide will try to arrange access if you let them know what you're interested in studying.