Oxford Alumni

As part of our newest alumni reflections, we asked Beth Barker (Worcester, 2023) what graduating from Oxford means to her.

‘Graduating from Oxford means everything to me because I wasn’t sure I would go to university.’

During her A levels, Beth became seriously unwell and deferred her place on medical grounds. Although medication improved her symptoms, her university experience was not without its challenges.

‘I am very grateful to Worcester College for allowing me to defer my place to improve my health. The disability support I received at Oxford was also outstanding. I owe particular thanks to Marion, my disability advisor, who helped me navigate my studies while living with a chronic illness.’

We also asked Beth how her time here has shaped what she hopes to do next.

‘Taking breaks from my studies was necessary to complete my degree. Walking round different colleges allowed me to discover the beauty of Oxford, so I set up my TikTok account to share aesthetic Oxford videos. This creative outlet provided a distraction from my studies and also helped motivate me to make the most of my Oxford experience.’

Beth also found opportunities to explore her interests beyond her degree. ‘I was lucky enough to join so many great societies at Oxford,’ she says. She managed the marketing for OxWIB, The Oxford Blue and oversaw sustainability in Fashion Society.

‘Oxford has been key in cultivating my creative passions. Whilst at Oxford, I realised I want to pursue a career in fashion marketing. I am really looking forward to starting a Marketing master’s course this September, but I will miss Oxford, and Worcester College, in particular.’

Congratulations, Beth. We’re delighted to welcome you to the Oxford alumni community.

A glimpse inside some of Oxford’s dining halls.

We know your own college might have your vote, but which hall is your favourite? Let us know in the comments 👇

📸 Instagram | elizasoxford

Congratulations to Lucas Colley (Christ Church, 2022), who has been awarded the H***e Prize for the best overall performance in Computer Science and Philosophy.

Alongside his studies, Lucas has contributed to open-source scientific software including SciPy, used by researchers around the world.

A brilliant achievement. Read more ⬇️

Congratulations to Christ Church graduate Lucas Colley! 🎓

Lucas has been awarded the H***e Prize for the best overall performance in the Final Honour School of Computer Science and Philosophy — an award given each year to the top student in the degree across the whole University.

It's the perfect end to four remarkable years. Alongside a first-class degree, Lucas became a maintainer of SciPy — one of the world's leading open-source scientific computing libraries — after first getting involved through a Christ Church Summer Bursary. This summer he travelled to Kraków to speak at the EuroPython and EuroSciPy conferences, and closer to home he served as co-president of the College men's football club.

Reflecting on the news, Lucas said: "It means a lot given that I didn't think I would even get into Oxford when I was applying, never mind graduate with a first-class degree. I'm pleased to have proved to myself that I could achieve something which I thought was unachievable."

Congratulations, Lucas — we're all incredibly proud. 👏

Read the full story: https://www.chch.ox.ac.uk/news/lucas-colley-awarded-prize-outstanding-performance-computer-science-and-philosophy

A golden Oxford sunset to carry you into the weekend 😍

Wherever you are in the world, we hope it never feels too far away.

📷 Instagram | juncao_oxford

Congratulations to Mansfield alumnae Amna Riaz and Nayantara Srinivasan, named among the UK’s Top 50 Women in Engineering 2026.

Their work spans laser-based space communications and advanced materials for next-generation technologies, reflecting the impact Oxford alumnae are making across science and engineering.

Read more ⬇️

Did you know that University of Oxford alumni can claim a 10% discount on Oxford River Cruises?

Leaving from Folly Bridge, the cruises offer a unique view of the city from the water, with routes including Iffley Lock and Port Meadow. You can choose from a range of tours, including options with afternoon tea or a picnic hamper.

To access this exclusive offer, log in to your My Oxford Online to receive the discount code and show your My Oxford Card on arrival. ⬇️

https://www.alumni.ox.ac.uk/my-oxford/offers/oxford-river-cruises

📸 Instagram | oxfordrivercruises

Manicured lawns and borders full of colourful flowers under a mackerel sky at Balliol College, Oxford. 😍

We hope this brings a moment of joy to your day.

📸 Lina Gibson (July 2026)

Huge congratulations to everyone graduating this week! 🎓

We’re delighted to welcome you to the alumni community. Wherever your next steps take you, we hope you’ll always stay connected with Oxford.

📸 Exeter College, DAE and Lady Margaret Hall

Do you want to discover something new this summer? There are plenty of fantastic activities in Oxford for you to enjoy.

Come for a visit and experience our new Wonder of Birds exhibition at the Weston Library or learn about crafting across cultures at the Pitt Rivers Museum.

Other options include exploring our magnificent collection of musical instruments at the Schwarzman Centre for the Humanities or trying out the new online tree map of University Parks.

Whatever you’re interested in, there’s something for you.

For more information, read our guide ⬇️

https://www.alumni.ox.ac.uk/article/your-summer-guide-to-oxford

📷 Instagram | linafromoxford

The University of Oxford’s Oxford Vaccine Group has vaccinated the first volunteer in the world’s first clinical trial of a vaccine designed to protect against Bundibugyo ebolavirus.

The milestone comes just weeks after the launch of the BD-Ebov study and marks the first time the ChAdOx1 BDBV vaccine has been administered to humans.

Read more: https://www.alumni.ox.ac.uk/article/ebola-first-vaccination