Welcome to Oxford: A New Resident’s Guide

• Stages:
  • Nursery: Age 3–4
  • Primary: Age 5–11
  • Secondary: Age 11–16
  • Age 16–18: A-Levels. This can be done at the secondary school you finished from OR
  • College: Age 16–18 (A-Levels or vocational)
  • University: Age 18+
• Admissions: For primary/secondary school admissions, apply through Oxfordshire County Council or directly to private schools.
• Oxfordshire Schools Admissions – https://www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/schools/apply-school-place
• UCAS – University Admission – https://www.ucas.com/

• Global Grocery Stores: Cowley road and Headington shops has African, Asian and Middle Eastern shops.

• Online Stores: Try Morrisons World Foods, Asda International Aisles, Tesco, Saisburys, Lidle, Aldi or Spices of India.

• Farmers’ Markets: Great for fresh produce and local food. There is one inside Templar Square and another one in Town.

• African Food Stores: There are predominantly “African food” stores on Barns road (Manna Foods) and another one on Barns road side of Templar Square.

Covered Market – https://oxford-coveredmarket.co.uk/

• NHS Registration: Free under the NHS for residents.

• Find a Local GP: Use the NHS search tool to locate practices.

• Documents Needed: Proof of address and ID.

• Prescriptions: If a doctor prescribes medication, you can pick it up from a local pharmacy (chemist). Most prescriptions incur a standard charge (currently £9.90 per item in England), though some individuals (children, pensioners, low-income earners) may be eligible for free prescriptions.

Register with a GP surgery – https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/gps/how-to-register-with-a-gp-surgery

Legal Rules:

• Smacking that leaves a mark is illegal.
• Schools and social services investigate abuse reports.
• Always use non-violent, positive discipline strategies.

Social Services – https://www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/residents/social-and-health-care
NSPCC – Child Discipline Laws – https://www.nspcc.org.uk/

• Littering: Fines up to £150.

• Cycling at Night – In the UK, cyclists are legally required to have a white front light and a red rear light when cycling on public roads between sunset and sunrise. Failing to comply with this can result in a fixed penalty notice (on-the-spot fine) of around £50. Additionally, if involved in an accident, the absence of lights could be considered contributory negligence, potentially affecting insurance payouts and even leading to legal liability.

• Noise: Avoid loud music or disturbances, especially after 11pm.

• TV Licence: Required if you watch live TV or use BBC iPlayer.

• Public Behaviour: Queuing is culturally important; be respectful.

TV Licensing – https://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/
Anti-Social Behaviour Orders (ASBO) – https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/antisocial-behaviour-orders-asbos

• Main Operators: Oxford Bus Company, Stagecoach.

• Cost: Around £2 for a single fare, day passes from £4.

• Payment: Contactless card, bus app or cash.

• Routes: Buses run city-wide and to nearby towns (e.g., Abingdon, Kidlington).

Oxford Bus Company – https://www.oxfordbus.co.uk/
Stage Coach – https://www.stagecoachbus.com/

• Oxford is located in South-East England.

• Oxford is home to the River Thames and the historic University of Oxford.

• Oxford is surrounded by countryside and nearby towns like Abingdon, Witney, Bicester.

Oxford City Guide – https://www.experienceoxfordshire.org/

• City: A local urban area with a cathedral or city status (Oxford).

• County: A larger administrative area covering towns and rural areas (Oxfordshire).

• Oxford is a City while Oxfordshire is a County.

• Oxford Areas: Cowley, Headington, Summertown, Jericho, Botley, Rose Hill, Blackbird Leys, Greater Leys, Barton, Marston

• Oxfordshire Areas: Banbury, Witney, Bicester, Didcot, Wallingford, Chipping Norton, Bicester, Abingdon.

Oxford City Council: https://www.oxford.gov.uk/
Oxfordshire City Council: https://www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/

• The United Kingdom comprises England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

• Major cities: London, Edinburgh, Cardiff, Belfast, Birmingham, Manchester.

VisitBritain – UK Regions – https://www.visitbritain.com/en

Steps:

• Choose a business structure (sole trader, limited company, etc.)

• Register with HMRC or Companies House.

• Open a business bank account.

• Support: Oxfordshire LEP offers support and funding.

OxLEP Business Support – https://www.oxfordshirelep.com/business
Gov.uk Start a Business – https://www.gov.uk/set-up-business

• Steps:

1. Save for a deposit.
2. Decide if you are buying newly built or old house.
3. Get a mortgage adviser.
4. Get a mortgage in principle.
5. Find a property.
6. Make an offer.
7. Legal conveyancing.
8. Finalise the mortgage and move in.

• Terms:

1. Freehold: You own the building and land.
2. Leasehold: You own the property for a set period.
3. Stamp Duty: Tax on home purchases.

* Please speak to a mortgage adviser for an indept but step-to-step advise.

• Congestion Charges: Oxford is proposing a Zero Emission Zone (ZEZ) in the city centre. Some vehicles may be charged. https://www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/transport-and-travel/oxford-zero-emission-zone-zez

• Parking: Residential parking permits may be required. https://www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/transport-and-travel/parking/parking-permits/resident-parking-permits

• Speed Limits: Generally, 20-30mph in built-up areas.

• Driving Licence: Exchange your foreign licence after 12 months if it’s not from the EU. https://www.gov.uk/exchange-nongb-driving-licence
  You cannot exchange your licence immediately but you can drive for up to 12 months on your non-GB licence. After 12 months you’ll need to take a theory test (https://www.gov.uk/theory-test) and a practical test (https://www.gov.uk/driving-test). You’ll need to get a provisional driving licence (https://www.gov.uk/apply-first-provisional-driving-licence)before you can take the tests. You’ll get a full Great Britain issued driving licence when you pass the theory and practical tests.
  These are the designated countries: Andorra, Australia, Barbados, British Virgin Islands, Canada, Cayman Islands, Falkland Islands, Faroe Islands, Gibraltar, Hong Kong, Japan, Monaco, New Zealand, Republic of Korea, Republic of North Macedonia, Singapore, South Africa, Switzerland, Taiwan, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates and Zimbabwe.

• Road Awareness: Cyclists are common; be cautious and share the road.

• Driving with International Driving Licence – This is only permitted for a year, counting from the day of your arrival into the UK after which you’ll need to take a theory test (https://www.gov.uk/theory-test) and a practical test (https://www.gov.uk/driving-test). You’ll need to get a provisional driving licence (https://www.gov.uk/apply-first-provisional-driving-licence)before you can take the tests. You’ll get a full Great Britain issued driving licence when you pass the theory and practical tests. When you are successful, you will be issues a “FULL UK” licence for the tests you did, Manual or Automatic transmission.
  Please note; when you passed your driving test in an automatic car, you will only be permitted to drive automatic vehicles. You are not permitted to drive manual cars with an automatic license. To drive manual cars, you would need to retake your driving test in a manual vehicle.

• Provisional Licence: If you’re learning to drive, you can apply for a provisional licence from age 15 years and 9 months. You must be 17 to drive a car. A provisional licence is required to take driving lessons and your theory and practical tests. https://www.gov.uk/apply-first-provisional-driving-licence.

• Car Requirements: To be on the road legally, a car must:
  Be registered with the DVLA.
  Have valid road tax (Vehicle Excise Duty)
  Pass an annual MOT test (if older than 3 years).
  Be insured (at least third-party cover).
  Display legal number plates.

Road Tax: https://www.gov.uk/vehicle-tax
MOT: https://www.gov.uk/check-mot-history
DVLA (Driver & Vehicle Licensing Agency) – https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/driver-and-vehicle-licensing-agency

• Emergency Numbers: 999 (emergency), 111 (non-emergency NHS), 101 (police).

• Libraries: Free internet and community events.

• Weather: Rain is common; invest in waterproof clothing.

• Volunteering: A great way to meet people and give back.

Volunteer Connect – https://ocva.org.uk

Local Libraries – https://www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/oxfordshire-libraries

Oxford Westgate Library – https://www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/oxfordshire-libraries/find-library/oxford-westgate-library

Bodleian Library, University of Oxford – https://www.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/home