Navigating Studies with a Family in Oxford

Adebisi Adenipekun (Master of Public Policy, 2022) writes

One of my best decisions about studying in Oxford was to come with my family – my wife and four-year-old daughter (who turned five in Oxford). I acknowledge that different people will have different experiences on this topic. However, in this short piece, I highlighted three main points from my experience and interactions with other couples that can help Graduate Students coming with their family.

The first and probably most significant pain point for families in Oxford is managing the transition and ensuring family stability as fast as possible. The challenge with transition includes obtaining visas (if applicable to you) as quickly as possible. Sometimes, like in my case, visa challenges are beyond applicants’ control, so do your best to keep your Department, College, and the University Immigration Team updated.

Another critical component of family stability is a suitable accommodation for your family. The UK has strict housing policies, and suitable accommodation depends on your family’s size. For me, a two-bedroom apartment from the college (GTC) works well. I recommend that prospective students decide on their accommodation plans early (by May/June) and contact Colleges and Property Agents for their preferences on time.

Closely related to accommodation is childcare or school for your children. My friends with children under four years old either paid for childcare support or had one of the parents stay home to save costs. Childcare in Oxford requires financial planning and time management skills, especially if you come from an African country with a rich community culture of support. For children older than four, they can get enrolled in school through the Oxfordshire City Council. It is best to initiate this school enrolment process before coming to Oxford.

Having settled the child(ren), agreeing with your spouse on the plan for the year is essential. Although spouses of students can work full-time, carefully consider your school commitments, and need for childcare in deciding the suitable roles for your spouse. Families’ options to navigate this include working morning shifts, night shifts, weekends only or working from home, depending on the sector.

Financial stability is another crucial part of coming to Oxford with family. Although many graduate students in Oxford have partial or full scholarships, it is essential to note that they rarely cover the family. This calls for rigorous financial forecasting to avoid financial pressure on you as a student and your family. If you have the capacity, explore positions that can get you additional income within the 20 hours per week of work permitted on the student visa.

Finally, as a Graduate student with a family, I was prepared to go the extra mile to cover my readings and sacrifice some social events to pick up my daughter in school or to be with my family in the evenings/weekends. These are value judgements that individuals will have to make but expect that your routines and experiences in Oxford will be unique to you and your circumstances.