A dark end for Oxford's nightlife?
OXFORD IS ONE of the dullest universities in the country, according to The Virgin Alternative Guide to British Universities, edited by Piers Dudgeon. The guide offers a "student's eye view of the pubs, the clubs, the buzz", and slates Oxbridge on this score, ranking their social 'scenes' at only 12 out of 20, putting them on a with Essex, Keele and Portsmouth. The universities of Sheffield, Leeds and Manchester achieved full marks.
The guide uses a league table which ranks universities using five categories: the 'scene', the 'union', the quality of teaching, the graduate employment history and the dropout rates. The table ranks Cambridge eighth best overall with Oxford coming in at number eleven. The 'scene' is rated according to the social facilities offered by both the town and the campus and includes the student's union. The category headed 'union' refers to the number of clubs and societies on offer, the sporting success of the university and the number of national drama and media awards obtained. Oxford were more successful in its quality of teaching, determined by the number of graduates who have obtained a first and upper second. Oxford procured 16 points out of 20, beaten only by Cambridge and Nottingham. The guide does therefore draw on all aspects of university life, but Oxford plummets down the score board due to its social facilities, whereas Sheffield was judged the best all-round institution.
Editor Piers Dudgeon, whose specialities include the writer Catherine Cookson, emphasised strongly the heavy workload at Oxford compared with that of other universities: "You have twice the number of essays if you are studying arts subjects compared with other universities. The pressure is very much higher and some people want that, and the old school tie which goes with it."
Although the workload is undoubtedly high, one Oxford student voiced the views of many, commenting: "The people who work the hardest often play the hardest. Oxford may not have the coolest nightclubs but it has a lot to offer." This sentiment was echoed in The Times by Anthony Smith, President of Magdalen College, who defended the town's social life. "If you say that Newcastle has better nightclubs that's probably right but I don't regret that. There is a massive amount of music going on and it's probably a much more religious place than other universities."
Lori Candlish, a student at Sheffield University, the supposed hub of student fun, said: "I think it is true that you are given more work at Oxford so you probably can't go out as much, but you don't have to have amazing facilities to enjoy student life. I will say though, that Sheffield is wicked!"
Although Park End barely stands up to Gatecrasher, it is nonetheless soon to be featured on television. Producers of the series which includes Ibiza Uncovered have picked the club to highlight clublife in Oxford.
25th May 2000