
Oxford Terminology
Oxford is a university full of grand traditions and a plethora of 'small' oddities. Not least of which is the entirely different vocabulary of words used within colleges and the University (see Oxford Glossary). Below is a guide to a few of the most commonly used terms.
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Clothing to be worn on formal, official occasions, normally consisting of an appropriate gown and sometimes sub fusc (see below).
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The Lincoln sports ground, located on 'Bartlemas Close' in Cowley.
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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.
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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.
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Short for Bodleian, the main university library.
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Student identification card and University library card.
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College party usually once or twice a term.
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The College's chief financial officer. Our Bursar is Alex Spain.
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The name for one bit of the river Thames which runs through Oxford and an independent Oxford student newspaper.
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Termly college exams designed to check your progress
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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.
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Arriving at Oxford
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Sports competitions between colleges.
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A Fellow responsible for welfare and discipline.
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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.
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Short for Entertainment. The Entz team organise events for undergraduates at Lincoln throughout the year.
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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.
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The Examinations Schools, where the fresher’s fair, lectures and exams are held. This building is on the High Street.
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Senior member of College. Many of our Fellows make up the Governing Body of the College.
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'Final Honour School'. The exams you sit at the end of your degree.
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The portion of your degree after Prelims or Mods, i.e., that which is examined by finals.
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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 whereby you must wear your gown in order to dine. Fellows, and guests of the College, dine on High Table during Formal Hall.
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The undergraduate teaching period at Oxford. Eight weeks long, in Michaelmas, Hilary and Trinity.
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Leaving Oxford.
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Another name for the Classics degree.
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The table at the end of the dining hall where the Rector, the Fellows, and their guests sit for formal meals.
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Junior Common Room – can refer to the physical common room for undergraduates or the undergraduate student population as a whole.
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The main lodge is the reception of the College. It 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.
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The vacation between Trinity and Michaelmas, over summer (mid-June to October).
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The ceremony at which new students become members of the University. Takes place on the Saturday of 1st week in Michaelmas.
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Middle Common Room - can refer to the postgraduate common room or the postgraduate population.
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The first of the three Oxford terms (early October to early December).
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A module you take for your degree.
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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.
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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.
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The first exams you sit for your degree – normally at the end of first year.
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Short for quadrangle. The central square bit of a college. Usually grass and surrounded by buildings.
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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.
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Head of the College. May be called Warden, Principal, Master etc. at other colleges.
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College staff who clean your room.
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Senior Common Room; both the room and the collective body of tutors, fellows, and lecturers.
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Oversees the Academic side of the College.
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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.
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The third Oxford term, in summer. From late April to mid-June.
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An academic who gives tutorials to students in small groups.
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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.’
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Abbreviation of vacation.
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A competition in any field between Oxford and Cambridge.