Activities, clubs and groups

Explore your interests

There are over 200 clubs and societies to choose from at Oxford University.

You will almost certainly find a club that matches your interests, whether it’s in the arts, language, charity, politics, religion, music or culture.

How about joining the Oxford Union, the world's most prestigious debating society, taking part in the '24-hour play' or competing in the MBA Tournament? The choice is endless.

""

Enjoy an active social life during your time in Oxford

Oxford Business Networks

We have seven vibrant sector-based networks including finance, entrepreneurship and social impact. They align with our curriculum and promote the exchange of ideas and the interests of students. They are open to students of our MBA, Executive MBA, MSc in Finance and Economics and MSc Law and Finance.

Clubs

We have 17 student-led clubs which are organised around sectors or specific areas of interest for our community. When you join the School as an Oxford MBA, you have the opportunity to take over the management of an existing club, or form a new one. Club membership is also open to students of our Executive MBA, MSc in Finance and Economics and MSc Law and Finance.

The Alliances

Oxford Africa Business Alliance and the Oxford Women in Leadership Alliance

The Alliances were created to formalise and strengthen our focus on supporting more African and female candidates onto our programmes.

  • The Africa Alliance provides a platform to stimulate a vigorous dialogue about business, investment and entrepreneurship in Africa, and to drive our Africa Initiative.
  • The Women in Leadership Alliance exists to create an atmosphere of inclusivity, partnership, and allyship around the women of the Saïd Business School.

Competitions and pastimes

Take part in competitive events as well as more sedate pastimes, such as punting.

Academic competitions

A great way to put your studies to use while at the School is to take part in academic competitions. Such competitions take place across the globe as well as some right here in Oxford.

Previous achievements include:

The MBA Tournament

MBA students can take part in the annual MBA Tournament in Paris, an event that brings together students from top-ranked business schools around the world. This involves three days of competitions and festivities, with rugby, swimming, table football, rock climbing and salsa dancing! Above all, it’s great fun. Oxford Saïd were recently MBAT champions 2 years running!

Rowing

Founded in 1839, the Boat Club is possibly the University's most celebrated club. Its most famous race is the Boat Race against Cambridge University, held on the Thames in London each year and watched by million of people around the world. Colleges also compete against each other in a series of races known as The Bumps.

Ice hockey

Oxford has been battling Cambridge on ice for 100 years now, with Oxford MBAs regularly represented on the team.

Rugby

The annual clash against Cambridge in rugby is also another highlight. Known as the Varsity Match, it takes place each December at Twickenham Stadium in South West London.

Cricket

Cricket is a quintessentially English sport and a popular pastime at Oxford. Around 30 college clubs compete amongst themselves and against local and travelling sides.

Punting

What could be better than gliding down the river in a boat on a warm summer's day? The art of punting (propelling yourself along with a pole) goes back many centuries and it is an Oxford tradition. Punting does take some practice, though, so remember to pack some spare clothes as you will almost certainly get wet!

Students playing table tennis

Sport

Choose from a huge range of sporting opportunities on offer.

Sport has always played an important role at Oxford. The University and the School have extensive sports facilities across the city.

At the School's Egrove Park campus, you will find:

  • a gym
  • tennis courts
  • a snooker table
  • a croquet lawn
  • 37 acres of grounds – perfect for walking or running

If you enjoy running, why not take the Richard Marshall Walk or pick up a jogging map and choose a trail which takes you into the open countryside and along the river?

Some University colleges also have their own gyms, including Balliol, Keble, Worcester and St Catherine’s.

The University's Iffley Road Sports Complex has a running track, climbing wall, swimming pool, tennis courts, football pitches and sports hall.

At the University Parks there are rugby, football and lacrosse pitches, croquet lawns, grass tennis courts and cricket nets.

Students chatting

Clubs for partners and families

The School and University run lots of social activities for partners and families.

The Oxford Newcomers' Club is run by volunteers and it provides help and support to the newly arrived partners, spouses and families of students. It is based at the Oxford University Club on Mansfield Road.

To find out what's on, keep an eye on Cherwell, the University’s independent student newspaper and the weekly Oxford Student paper.

University of Oxford clubs and societies

Connect with your wider university community

Beyond the clubs and groups available within Saïd Business School, there are over 400 clubs and societies at the University of Oxford, which cover a wide variety of interests that you may wish to join. Take a look at the list from A-Z.