Key Oxford Terminology

Clothing to be worn on formal, official occasions, normally consisting of an appropriate gown and sometimes sub fusc (see below).

The Lincoln sports ground, located on 'Bartlemas Close' in Cowley. If you’re interested in playing a sport for Lincoln, please get in touch with the relevant captain. Details of each will be given out at the beginning of term.

The termly charges made to you by College.

Various College activities throughout term are charged and go onto your Battels for next term, i.e. you do not have to pay in cash.

Student accommodation located on Bear Lane and referred to as such. This is a three-minute walk to the College and behind The Ivy restaurant on the High Street.

Short for Bodleian, the main university library. Although all Oxford Libraries belong to the Bodleian, the term Bod usually refers to the collection of university libraries that surround the Radcliffe Camera.

Student identification card and University library card, issued once you have signed and returned your university contract and delivered to College.

A large college party usually run in the bar or similar location. Undergraduate bops generally admit students from the college in question. Graduate bops are usually much larger and involve many colleges.

The College's chief financial officer. Our Bursar is Alex Spain.

The name for one bit of the river Thames which runs through Oxford and an independent Oxford student newspaper.

Termly college exams designed to check your progress

In the grand tradition of Oxford and Cambridge, Lincoln holds a College Ball every other year. In addition, you can attend other colleges’ balls. These are black tie (sometimes white tie) formal parties on a massive scale, taking over the entire college for a night.

Arriving at Oxford

Sports competitions between colleges.

A Fellow responsible for welfare and discipline.

The alternative name for Deep Hall, the College bar. Several social events will be held here or just come down in the evening and you’re sure to see a friendly face! Prices are excellent compared to the rest of Oxford.

Short for Entertainment. The Entz team organise events for undergraduates at Lincoln throughout the year.

The EPA or Mus Road (short for Museum Road) refers to the accommodation on Museum Road, about seven minutes’ walk from the main college site and located on a road opposite the Oxford Museum of Natural History. It is very close to many of the science departments.

The Examinations Schools, where the fresher’s fair, lectures and exams are held. This building is on the High Street.

Senior member of College. Many of our Fellows make up the Governing Body of the College.

The exams undergraduates sit at the end of their degree for Final Honours School.

The portion of your degree after Prelims or Mods, i.e., that which is examined by finals.

A traditional meal in the College Dining Hall. At Lincoln the term refers to the second Hall (i.e. the second dinner sitting) of the day where you must wear your gown in order to dine. Fellows and guests of the College dine at High Table during Formal Hall.

The undergraduate teaching period at Oxford. Eight weeks long, in Michaelmas, Hilary and Trinity.

Leaving Oxford.

Another name for the Classics degree.

The table at the end of the dining hall where the Rector, the Fellows, and their guests sit for formal meals.

Junior Common Room – can refer to the physical common room for undergraduates or the undergraduate student population as a whole.

The ‘posh’ part of Oxford, located towards the northwest of the town. Nicer restaurants, bars, and houses. Some students live here.

The main lodge is the reception of the College. It is located close to the front gate and is generally the first port of call for all sorts of questions and especially for emergencies. It is staffed 24/7. The EPA centre has its own lodge.

The vacation between Trinity and Michaelmas, over summer (mid-June to October).

The ceremony at which new students become members of the University. Takes place on the Saturday of 1st week in Michaelmas.

Middle Common Room - can refer to the postgraduate common room or the postgraduate population.

The first of the three Oxford terms (early October to early December).

A module you take for your degree.

This refers to your pigeon hole, which is located inside the Lodge. Any post you have delivered to the College will find its way here to you. If you receive parcels that do not fit into your pidge the Porters will send you an email for you to pick it up. Please collect your parcel as soon as possible, as space in the Lodge is limited.

Found in the Porter’s Lodge at the front of College. The porters are College staff who are combination of receptionists and security staff. They also know everything that goes on in College.

The first exams you sit for your degree – normally at the end of first year.

A fine Oxford tradition, essentially involving taking a boat onto the River Cherwell (and embarrassing yourself in front of friends and tourists by falling in). Each summer the JCR and MCR rent punts for the exclusive use of their members.

Short for quadrangle. The central square bit of a college. Usually grass and surrounded by buildings. Lincoln has three quads – Front, Chapel and Grove.

Abbreviation for Radcliffe Camera Library. The Rad Cam primarily holds History Faculty collections but it is a nice place to work regardless of whether you need to consult the books. It is located right behind Lincoln in Radcliffe Square.

Head of the College. May be called Warden, Principal, Master etc. at other colleges.

College staff who clean your room/flat/staircase.

Senior Common Room; both the room and the collective body of tutors, fellows, and lecturers.

Oversees the Academic side of the College.

Formal clothing worn by students for matriculation, exams and graduation. This can include dark suit, skirt or trousers, a white shirt or blouse and a white or black bow tie, black full-length tie or black ribbon, your black gown and a mortarboard.

The third Oxford term, in summer. From late April to mid-June.

An academic who gives tutorials to students in small groups.

Undergraduates attend at least one hour-long tutorial every week, either on a one-to-one basis or with one or two other students. Depending on your subject, you may write an essay or go through a problem sheet. Often shortened to ‘tute.’

Abbreviation of vacation.

A competition in any field between Oxford and Cambridge.