The Examination Schools is Oxford’s largest city centre event venue. Designed by Sir Thomas Jackson and constructed in the late 1880s, this Grade II listed venue was originally built to house the University of Oxford’s examinations. Whilst still used for this purpose today, this historical space boasts 12,000m2 of floor space and a range of stunning original features.

The venue is ideally appointed for large events such as conferences, symposiums, exhibitions, fairs, dinners and functions, and can host up to 1,500 attendees at a time. There is also a range of smaller spaces suiting day meetings, workshops and training courses. We are experienced in a wide range of academic, corporate, association and leisure events.

To see more of the venue, view our venue guide video here.

The Examination Schools is part of the Oxford University Event Venues portfolio which also includes the Sheldonian Theatre, St Luke’s Chapel and the University Club.

Examination Schools 75 - 81 High St, Oxford OX1 4BG

This venue offers...

Conference / Meeting
Dinner
Drinks Reception
Wedding
Christmas Function
Summer School
Filming
Lunch
Garden party
Party

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Rooms

North Writing School
North Writing School A beautiful large meeting room in the heart of Oxford, ideal for exhibitions, catering and talks. This L-shaped room comfortably seats 330 people theatre style. It can be used by itself for talks, drinks receptions, lectures, or as exhibition and catering space in conjunction with South Schools. The room is equipped with data projection, screen, sound system and a range of microphones. Situated on the first floor, the room looks out onto the quad and has plenty of natural light, which can be adjusted via blackout blinds. It is accessible via lift and a hearing aid loop can be provided if required.
South Writing Schools
South Writing Schools Our largest room, South School can comfortably seat 440 people theatre style and is situated at the top of a sweeping central marble staircase. It is an ideal venue for large lectures or talks, or as the main plenary room for conferences when coupled with a series of breakout rooms. This T-shaped room is also suitable for large exhibitions either on its own or combined with North School. South School has an abundance of natural light, which can be adjusted via blackout blinds, and looks out onto the quad. The room comes with data projection, three large screens and has a full audio system with microphones. A hearing loop can be provided and the room, which is on the first floor, is fully accessible via lift.
East Writing School
East Writing School East School is a rectangular-shaped meeting room located on the first floor, which comfortably seats 100 theatre style. It is ideally located as an overflow room for large talks taking place in the adjacent South Schools, as a large breakout room during major conferences or as a main plenary room by itself. This beautiful room is lined with portraits of dignitaries and has an abundance of natural light on both sides which can be adjusted via blackout blinds. The room comes with projection facilities, laptop, sound system, and a series of microphones. Situated on the first floor, East Schools is accessible via stairs or lift and a hearing aid loop is available if required.
Quad
Quad Providing a beautiful side view of the building with its ornate clock tower, the quad provides an attractive outside space. Part gravelled, part grass, the gravel area can have marquees erected on it providing additional meeting room or dining room space for big conferences. The quintessentially Oxford quad – a four-sided courtyard or garden, enclosed by beautiful architecture so well associated with the University and its impressive buildings. The large quad in the Examination Schools is set in the centre of the schools, backdropped by impressive windows and traditional iron gating, providing flexible outside space. Use it as an area for guests to enjoy in between sessions, for a garden party or drinks reception, or as the main venue space with a marquee for talks, dinners, dancing, presentations, and much more!
Room 1
Room 1 Room 1 is ideal for small day meetings, AGMs, seminars, and workshops or as the catering room for a session taking place in the adjoining Room 2. With beautiful high ceilings, this light and bright room has flexible seating options that range in capacity from 20 people (U-shape) to 60 (theatre style) for both large and small events. If you require provision of catering with your booking, minimum numbers will apply.
Room 2
Room 2 Room 2 is ideal for small day meetings, AGMs, seminars, and workshops or as the catering room for a session taking place in the adjoining Room 1. With beautiful high ceilings and natural day light, this room has flexible seating options that range in capacity from 18 people to 60. If you require provision of catering with your booking, minimum numbers will apply.
Room 6
Room 6 The largest of our ground floor rooms, Room 6 faces on to the North West Hall (known as First Square) a beautiful marbled foyer area. This room is ideal for talks of up to 100 people and works perfectly when combined with a drinks reception across neighbouring Room 7 and First Square. The room is also suited to workshops, employer presentations, product launches, AGMs or as a parallel session room during large conferences.
Room 7
Room 7 Situated just off the entrance hall, Room 7 is an ideal meeting room for seminars, workshops, product launches or employer presentations. This room can also be coupled with First Square, a beautiful marbled foyer area for drinks receptions which can spill out into the quad during summer. With an abundance of natural light, which can be controlled via blackout blinds, this room has flexible layout options and comes with projection facilities, a laptop and a lectern.
Room 8
Room 8 Situated near the North/South staircase is Room 8. With capacity for up to 45 people theatre style or 18 people in a boardroom set up, this meeting room is suitable for smaller meetings, seminars, AGMs and workshops. The room is also ideal as a speaker room or conference office during larger events due to its proximity to South Schools.
Room 9
Room 9 Room 9 is one of three rooms clustered around the South West Hall (known as Second Square). With flexible room layout, its size makes it perfect for day meetings, employer presentations, talks or workshops. It is also ideal combined with Rooms 10 and 11 either as an added breakout room or catering space for refreshments, lunch or a drinks reception. Room 9 looks out onto the quad and has an abundance of natural daylight. The room comes equipped with projection facilities, a laptop and a lectern and is lined with portraits including one of Henry George Liddell, Dean of Christchurch College and father to Alice Liddell, the inspiration behind Alice in Wonderland.
Room 10
Room 10 Originally the Music School, Room 10 is one of three rooms leading off the South West Hall. It can accommodate up to 60 people theatre style and is ideal for meetings, seminars, and small talks or as a breakout room as part of a major conference. It comes equipped with projection facilities. Room 10 can also be used for drinks receptions either for an accompanying meeting in the neighbouring Room 9 or Room 11, or as an invite-only reception following a large talk in South School.
Room 11
Room 11 Facing the quad with an abundance of natural daylight, Room 11 can seat up to 70 people theatre style or 42 cabaret style. Room 11, when combined with neighbouring rooms 9 and 10 and the Second Square, is an ideal location for refreshment breaks, lunches and drinks receptions when required in addition to your event.
Room 12
Room 12 One of our smaller rooms, Room 12 can seat 20 people theatre style or 12 people in a board room set up. Equipped with laptop and plasma screen this room is also ideal as a breakout space for workshops taking place in one of the neighbouring rooms.
Room 14
Room 14 Situated at the end of the South Corridor and originally the Metaphysics Room, Room 14 is a beautifully light room suited to presentations, small product launches, talks and day meetings. It is particularly ideal for smaller events requiring catering, as the sliding doors between Room 14 and 15 provide easy access to refreshments, lunch service or a drinks reception. Looking out onto the quad, Room 14 has natural daylight, projection facilities and comes with a lectern and flipchart if required.
Room 15
Room 15 A light and airy meeting room accommodating up to 75 people either standing or seated theatre style. Ideal for workshops, away-days, talks or seminars, this function room is also perfect when used as the adjoining catering space for Room 14 or vice versa. The sliding doors between the rooms provides delegates with easy access to refreshments, a buffet lunch or an accompanying drinks reception.
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