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Contact Us
Most enquiries are answered below. Our frequently asked questions cover membership cards, opening hours, guest access, and forthcoming events, and the departmental contacts on this page will help directly with private hire or the Library. If your question is not covered here, the General Office will be pleased to help.
Who to Contact
Private Hire & Events
Room hire, filming, and corporate events within our Grade II* listed buildings. Availability, rates, and booking details are set out on our Private Hire page.
Explore private hire events@oxford-union.orgLibrary & Archives
Borrowing, book suggestions, archive access, and the Library Committee are all handled directly by our library team, rather than the General Office.
library@oxford-union.orgMembership
Joining, eligibility, and membership fees are explained on our membership page. Lost cards are replaced through our online form, which is quicker than writing to us directly. Alternatively, our membership team is directly contactable below.
How to joinSponsorship
Partnership packages, event sponsorship, and advertising across our term cards (termly programmes) are handled directly by the Treasurer.
treasurer@oxford-union.orgCompetitive Debating
Tournaments, squad trials, and intervarsity competition are coordinated by the Chair of the Debate Selection Committee, who handles all enquiries relating to competitive debating.
cdsc@oxford-union.orgGeneral Enquiries
Before writing to the General Office, please consult the frequently asked questions below below and the departmental contacts on this page - this is usually the quickest way to an answer. For anything outside those areas, the General Office will be pleased to help or direct you to the right team.
St Michael's Street
Oxford, OX1 2DU
The General Office is open Monday to Friday; current hours are on the homepage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Visiting
Where is the Oxford Union?
St Michael's Street, Oxford, OX1 2DU. We are about twelve minutes on foot from Oxford railway station and five minutes from the Worcester Street and Gloucester Green car parks. The entrance gate is on St Michael's Street; look for the plaque reading ‘Oxford Union Members Only’.
When are you open?
Current opening hours for the General Office, Old Library, and Members' Bar are published on our homepage and kept up to date there, including any temporary closures.
Is there disabled access?
Portable ramps give wheelchair access to the Debating Chamber, Goodman Library, and Members' Bar, and there is a RADAR-key accessible toilet on the ground floor. Other rooms are reached by stairs and there is no lift. If you have specific access needs for an event, please let us know in advance.
Membership
Which membership am I eligible for, and how do I join?
All membership types, eligibility criteria, and fees, including the facilities fee payable when you collect your card, are set out on our membership page.
When and how do I collect my membership card?
Cards are ready three full business days after joining; we suggest allowing a calendar week. Bring your Bod card or other official ID to the General Office during opening hours, arriving at least fifteen minutes before closing. Cards are held for one year and are not posted. If you cannot collect in person, you may authorise someone else to collect on your behalf by emailing the General Office first.
I have lost my card. How do I replace it?
Complete the replacement card form and pay the associated fee. There is no need to email.
I have just joined. When can I start using my membership?
Three full days after your name is entered into the Society's records. If you would like to attend an event sooner, visit the General Office during opening hours and request a temporary membership card.
Events & Getting Involved
How do I find out about upcoming events?
The term card is published on our homepage shortly before or early in each term, with hard copies available from the Union. Follow @theoxfordunion for updates and changes. Speaker events and debates are first-come, first-served; there is no RSVP.
Can I bring a guest?
Please consult the guest policy; guest tickets may be purchased from the bar. In the Library, up to three guests may briefly view the room, though guests may not use it for study.
Is there a dress code?
For most speaker events and Thursday debates, no dress code applies to members, though committee officers dress formally at evening Public Business Meetings. Ticketed events may specify a dress code; check the event listing and our social media, or consult the current rules.
How do I get involved in debating or committees?
Start with our getting involved guide. For competitive debating and tournaments, email the Chair of the Debate Selection Committee at cdsc@oxford-union.org.
Library
Can I borrow books, and how many?
Members may borrow up to ten books for two weeks at a time, or for the duration of the vacation. A librarian will be happy to help if you need assistance.
Can I suggest books for the Library to buy?
Yes; email library@oxford-union.org. The same address is the right one for joining the Library Committee or supporting the Library.