The University upholds freedom of speech within the law, as outlined in the University’s Code of Practice on Freedom of Speech.
Free, open and robust discussion is essential to our academic community. However, such a culture can only be maintained when all participants engage with each other in ways which may be critical but which are courteous. The University does not tolerate harassment or victimisation in any form. We expect all members of the University community, as well as visitors and contractors, to treat each other with respect, courtesy, and consideration. Please refer to the University policy on harassment.
The University is committed to fostering an inclusive culture that promotes equality and which values diversity. The University has a responsibility to maintain a safe, effective, and welcoming environment for all our students, staff, and visitors.
A demonstration or protest will fall within the University’s procedures for meetings and events (as set out in section 6 of the Code of Practice on Freedom of Speech). As such organisers must contact the Proctors’ Office in advance, following the procedure set out in the Code, and a risk assessment will be required. The Proctors have a duty to facilitate protests and will work with organisers to ensure that protests can take place but do not violate the University Statutes and hence result in disciplinary procedures. The Proctors can be contacted through deputy.marshal@proctors.ox.ac.uk.
University members participating in protests are required to identify themselves to University officials when reasonably requested to do so. Failure to do so is a breach of section 5(1)(b) of Statute XI which all students with a contract to study at Oxford must abide by.
Students will face disciplinary investigation if the University Statutes are breached. The following extract from Statute XI are examples of clauses in the Statutes which are relevant to protests:
5. (2) No member of the University or student member shall (or shall attempt to):
(a) disrupt or obstruct any of the teaching or study or research or the administrative, sporting, social, cultural, or other activities of the University, or of its members, or its officers, employees and agents, including by disrupting or obstructing the lawful exercise of freedom of speech by any of those persons or by visiting speakers. However, it shall not be a disciplinary breach to engage in protests permitted by the Proctors under the Code of Practice on Freedom of Speech;
(b) deface, damage, or destroy any property of the University or any college or any other person, or knowingly misappropriate such property, including by its unauthorised occupation;
(c) engage in action which is likely to cause injury or to impair safety;
(d) engage in violent, indecent, disorderly, degrading, humiliating, or threatening behaviour or language, or in any harassment, bullying, or sexual misconduct towards any other person, or mistreat any animal;
Contravening any Statute may lead to the following possible consequences:
Category 1 Breach: conduct which is considered sufficiently serious to require disciplinary proceedings, but at the lowest end of the spectrum, including matters where an appropriate penalty or penalties is/are likely to be a written warning and/or a fine of up to £300.
Category 2 Breach: conduct where an appropriate penalty or penalties is/are likely to be: a formal warning (but only alongside other measures), a ban from particular premises (including a total ban from University premises for up to six months), an education programme, removal of alumni benefits, a limited period of suspension of up to one month and/or a fine of £300-£1000.
Category 3 Breach: a matter where an appropriate penalty or penalties is/are likely to be: a long-term ban including a total ban from University premises of over six months, a period of suspension for between one month and one year, removal of alumni benefits, a recommendation that a College do not approve supplication for the MA, or a fine exceeding £1000.
Category 4 Breach: the most serious matters, including conduct where the likely penalty is suspension for a year or more, expulsion, a recommendation that a College do not approve supplication for the MA, or asking Council to recommend expulsion from Ordinary or Convocation membership.
Further information is available in the Student Disciplinary Procedure: Non-Academic Cases.
In addition to actions that the University may take under its Statutes, unauthorised occupation of University land or buildings may lead to legal action including the University issuing court possession proceedings or exercising its common law power of removal.
Page last updated: Friday 19 September 2025
