The Best Study Spots in Oxford

When writing about my study abroad experience, it’s easiest to write about travel or the fun things I did while abroad. However, writing mainly about those things is not at all an accurate portrayal of how I’ve spent my time in the U.K., so I’m going to show you another major part of my life at Oxford: studying in libraries. 

No matter what subject you study at Oxford, you’ll have fewer contact hours than you would in the U.S. system, so you’ll be spending a substantial amount of time working in a location of your choice. I didn’t find much online about the best study spots in Oxford when I looked it up, so here’s my list. I’m not much for studying in louder environments like coffee shops, so this will primarily be a list of libraries and other quieter spots. 

1. Radcliffe Camera (“The Rad Cam”)

 My “special occasions” study spot. 4/5

The Rad Cam is iconic Oxford, and you definitely need to go study there at some point if you’re a visiting student. However, it does fill up quickly, so get there early or be prepared to settle for a seat either on the lower floor or on the ground level of the upper floor. I think it is one of the most beautiful buildings in the world, but this is the main reason I don’t study there regularly - it’s so pretty, I can’t help getting distracted!

2. The (Old) Bodleian Library (“The Bod”)

Pretty on the outside, but the inside is a bit of a letdown. 3.5/5

Usually just called “The Bodleian” or “The Bod”, this building is almost as famous as the Rad Cam. If you rent a locker and put your bags and water inside, you can study in Duke Humphrey’s Library - which is basically the Harry Potter Library - on the weekdays, but this is the only really exciting study spot in the Bod. The rest of the building is pretty bland, plus open windows and noisy tourists outside can make it really hard to focus. 

3. Taylor Institution Library (“The Taylorian”)

One of my favorites. 4.5/5

The Taylorian is the library for modern languages, but don’t let that stop you from taking advantage of the high-ceilinged, gilded main reading room. I can usually find a seat there, although if you’re looking for a spot on the “balcony” area, good luck. I’ve yet to see one available, even fifteen minutes after the library opens at 9. Also has nice side rooms if the reading room is too full or intimidating (or pretty) for you to focus.
 

4. Radcliffe Sciences Library (RSL)

Not huge but calm and good for focus. Bonus: lots of STEM books. 4.5/5

I discovered this one a bit later in the semester, but it’s a real gem. If you’re at all a STEM person, it will make you feel at home. They also have all sorts of wellness events advertised, if you’re interested. It doesn’t have a lot of space, but you’ll likely be able to find a seat. You do have to use your bod card on literally every door you go through, so that can be a bit of a pain. 

5. Philosophy and Theology Faculties Library 

Convenient for maths students, quiet and cozy. 4/5

This library is in the Philosophy and Theology building (just turn right once you enter the building), right next to the Maths Institute, so it’s very easy to just pop over before or after lecture to do some work. The upstairs reading room isn’t grand, but on the (rare) sunny afternoon it’s pleasantly warm and cozy. The librarians are also super friendly - I only know this because I’m a rule followers, so I followed the instructions on the door to go talk to them if it’s your first time in the library.

A final note - the toilets (as the British say) are technically outside the library, so you’ll need your bod card to go out and back in through the “gates”.

6. Bodleian KB Chen China Centre Library

Small, peaceful, and unique. 4.75/5

This might be my favorite library. It feels so tranquil, and the fact that you’re surrounded by books written in Chinese and can see a little garden out the large windows makes it even more so. The only major downside is it is on the north side of the city center. Still, the ten minute walk from the maths institute or the twenty-five-ish minute walk from Catz has still been worth it to me from time to time. 

This is another case of the toilets being outside the library, since the library is housed within a larger building. Just make sure you bring your bod card with you, especially since you don’t have to scan it to get out of this library, but you do have to scan it to get back in!

7. Blackwell’s Bookshop

Great for a change of pace, but the coffee shop is noisy. 4/5

The Norrington Room or the 2nd floor next to the art books are my favorite spots to study at Blackwell’s. The enormous and famous bookshop is a must-visit in and of itself, especially the impossibly huge Norrington Room in the basement, so studying there just gives you another opportunity to go. I usually get a little distracted by books at some point when I’m there, but I learn something new every time, so I think that’s ultimately a good thing. (Also, don’t miss the rare books section on one of the upper floors - if you ask, they will let you take the books out of the case and look through them!)

8. Social Science Library

Very close to Catz, but it’s kind of ugly. 3/5

This is one of two libraries which have been adopted by Catz students at the loss of the college library. I’ve only been in there twice, but neither time did I find it particularly inspiring - it’s very gray and utilitarian. I only use it as a last resort.

9. Bodleian Law Library/English Faculties Library

Also close to Catz, but not particularly exciting. 3.25/5

I can’t speak for the English Library since I haven’t actually been in that part of the building, but the Law Library was just ok, in my opinion. It felt rather sterile, with a boxy wooden structure and hard white floors. There are some desks with decent views of the nearby New College Sports Ground, but other than that, I didn’t find it anything special.

10. Vere Harmsworth Library (American Studies Library)

Modern, not cozy. The American theme is fun. 4/5

This library is a bit out of the way, at least from where I usually walk, so I have only been once. But my first impression upon my visit was TEAL. It wasn’t a bright teal, but it felt like everything in the library was teal. I like the color, so I liked it, but it was definitely different. There was also a puzzle on a table downstairs which was a map of the US National Parks, which I thought was cute.

11. Maths Institute mezzanine and study room 

Noisy and sometimes depressing, but you can eat there. 3/5

The mezzanine is the huge common area in the Maths Institute. It’s convenient, but it does get pretty loud, if that bothers you. (On a side note, it’s called the “mezzanine,” but it’s basically just a basement which is semi-open to the floor above. I’m not sure why they called it a mezzanine.) The building’s modern style plus the hard, bright white chairs and tables don’t make it the most inviting study area either. You can bring your own food or buy food from the cafe though, unlike the libraries. 

The small study room off the main area is a better option for study in my opinion, since it’s quieter, but it’s a bit of a depressing place to park yourself for hours. If you like to be surrounded by math students with their heads in their hands, staring in despair at their problem sheets, then it’s the place for you. I have often used it between lectures though, so it’s really not that bad, short term.

12. your room

Sometimes allows for better focus, sometimes you just eat all your snacks. 3.5-4.5/5, depending on the day.

I’ve never been much for studying in my room, but at various points in the term, I’ve tried it out. Sometimes it was nice because there was no commute time, plus it let me focus solely on my work without thoughts of what others around me were working on. But at other times, I couldn’t focus on my work at all. It wasn’t a very exciting environment either, plus walking to a library is good for you, so I usually just went to a library. 

Oxford Library Culture

• People have no qualms about sharing a table
• it can be really hard to find a seat 
• The entire place is silent  - don’t expect the “stoplight” noise levels nonsense which American college libraries sometimes have
• you can’t go in other college’s libraries, but there are tons of Bodleian and faculty libraries which you can use 
• basically nothing is open before 9
• no 24/7 libraries here, except college libraries (which Catz currently doesn’t really have because of the RAAC issues, there’s only a temporary library in the JCR marquee) 
• you have to scan your ID card (“bod card”) to get in and sometimes out
• Most libraries have some kind of water bottle filler, but a few of the smaller ones don’t 
• A lot of libraries don’t allow paper coffee cups. They want you to use “keepcups”. There are also some areas that don’t allow anything but water (and a few which don’t even allow that - mainly Duke Humphreys, the Voltaire Room in the Taylorian)