Events and networking
Source: https://www.brookes.ac.uk/students/research-degrees-team/current-students/graduate-college/events-and-networking Parent: https://www.brookes.ac.uk/students/research-degrees-team
The Graduate College organise and support a variety of events for research students.
The Graduate College organise and support a number of social events across the academic year for the postgraduate research student community. This includes training and networking sessions to bolster skills, develop concepts and share ideas, along with the more socially orientated get-togethers for students to establish their own connections.
We are always interested in any feedback you may have regarding our social programme, along with any suggestions for future activities. In either case, please contact us via asa-gcevents@brookes.ac.uk.
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Upcoming social events
Oxford City Walking Tour - 15 October 2025
When: Wednesday 15 October 2025 at 15:00
Meeting point: Martyr’s Memorial, 13 Magdalen Street, Oxford OX1 3AE
Book now for Oxford City Walking Tour
Join Rob, our amazing tour guide, for a walking tour of historic Oxford and its colleges. Tours last approximately 1 hour.
Ghost Tour - 3 November 2025
When: Monday 3 November at 6:30pm
Meeting point: Martyr’s Memorial, 13 Magdalen Street, Oxford OX1 3AE
Book now the Oxford Ghost Tour
Our guide Rob, will take you through 1,000 years of gruesome Oxford history. You’ll hear about murderers, ghosts and body snatchers, in the creepiest, darkest streets and alleyways of the medieval City.
The tour will last approximately 1 hour.
Ashmolean Museum Highlights - 26 January 2026
When: Monday 26 January 2026, 3pm
Meeting point: 2:50pm Ashmolean Museum, Beaumont St, Oxford OX1 2PH in Gallery 21 - to the left of main entrance door.
Places are limited to 15 people.
Book now the Ashmolean Museum Highlights Tour
Come and join this great guided tour of highlights at the museum. We will see the Alfred Jewel, Guy Fawkes' Lantern, Jericho Skull, Powatan's Mantle and many more interesting displays.
Oxford University Museum of Natural History - 11 February 2026
When: 11 February 2026, 13:30-15:00
Meeting point: 13:20 outside the Museum, Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3PW
Places are limited to 15 people.
Book now the Natural History Museum Guided Tour
The award-winning Oxford University Museum of Natural History was established in 1860 drawing in one place scientific studies from across the University.
Highlights in the collections include the world's first scientifically described dinosaur – Megalosaurus bucklandii– and the world-famous Oxford Dodo, the only soft tissue remains of the extinct dodo.
Join us for an exclusive and personalised tour behind doors.
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Bodleian Library Printing press workshop - 18 March 2026
When: Wednesday 18 March 2026, 14:00-15:30.
Meeting point: Schola Musicae, Old Bodleian Library, Radcliffe Square, OX1 3BG
There are only 12 places available.
Book now the Bodleian Printing Press Workshop
The printing bibliographic press in the Bodleian Library is a must for all who love books. The workshop will show you how books were made using using technology from the 15th to the 21st centuries and you will have the chance to print your own keep sample.
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Oxford Botanical Garden Guided Visit - 13 May 2026
When:Wednesday13May 2026 from 3:00-5:00pm
Meeting point:2:50 pm at the garden's entrance, Oxford Botanical Garden, Rose Ln, Oxford OX1 4AZ
Places are limited to 15 people.
Book now the Oxford Botanic Garden Tour.
The Oxford Botanic Garden is the oldest in the UK with 5000 different plant species. The gardens have seven display glasshouses with plants from around the world, ranging from tropical to arid plant species. The first greenhouse was built more than 300 years ago to host exotic species such as citrus plants. The oldest part of the gardens is the Walled Garden, dating from 1621, housing Geographic Beds, Medicinal Plants and the Literary Garden. The Lower Garden holds several ornamental collections such as plants that have changed the world and the Gin Border.
We will be guided through the gardens by Dr Andrew Lack, Senior Lecturer in Environmental Biology at Oxford Brookes. We are very grateful to Dr Lack for giving of his time and for sharing his enthusiasm and extensive botanical knowledge with all of us.
Oxford Mini Plant Tour - 6 July 2026
When: Monday 6July 2026 from 12:20 - 14:00
Meeting point and time:11:50 outside Clerici Building - Gypsy Lane. We will be going by taxi as a group. Maximum 15 people.
We will see how all the different Mini parts are assembled, starting with the 'Body in white' facility where body panels, doors, bonnet and tailgate are assembled by more than 200 robots, in a highly automated process.
Every day, approximately 800 cars are finished to each owner's specifications. Do not miss this great opportunity!
Visiting the Botanical Garden
Natural History Museum
Christmas Party
Mini Plant Visit
Weekend day trips
Please see trips and social events organised by the International Student Advice Team.
If you are not an international student and interested in any of these trips, please email isat@brookes.ac.uk.
Academic networking events
Graduate College Writing Retreats 2025-2026
When: Approximately once a month on weekdays 9:30-16:30 and Saturdays 10:00-14:00
Where: Green and Music rooms, Headington Hill Hall weekdays, Saturdays NHHB 2.01
Are you working on a chapter of your thesis, preparing a presentation, organising your research literature or just need to work on something else? Join your peers from all faculties and get your work done in a quiet and friendly environment with a nice cup of coffee.
We have space for max 20 students in each retreat.
Book now your writing retreat for 2026.
Graduate College Annual Research Student Exhibition - 14 April 2026
When: Tuesday 14 April 2026 from 10:00am until 4:00pm
Where: The Forum, John Henry Brookes Building
Description: The Annual Research Student Exhibition is your chance to present your research in the format of your preference, as a poster, a demonstration, a video, or a paper to all your peers and research staff. There will be cash prizes for the winners.
Further information can be found in the Graduate College Annual Research Exhibition page.
Three Minute Thesis Competition - 3 June 2026
When:Wednesday 3 June, starting at 11:00 with presentations until 13:00.
Followed by prize giving and lunch from 13:00 - 14:30
Where:JHB 301 and 302
About the competition:Basically, you have to present your Doctoral research in just three minutes to a non-specialist audience, using just one static slide. The aim of this event is to help you develop your academic, presentation and research communication skills and to meet and network with students from all faculties.
The competition is both in person and virtual. Most students prefer presenting live, but if you are part time or distance learner, you can record your presentation and it will be shown on the day. Instructions on how to do this will be given in due time to those who request this option.
For further information and how to register please visit the Three Minute Thesis webpage.
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Three Minute Thesis Competition
Graduate College Annual Research Student Exhibition