Oxford University has instructed staff to avoid using phrases such as 'learn the ropes' and 'find your feet' to prevent confusion among international students. The university's official style guide emphasizes 'inclusive communication' and advises against the use of terms like 'blindspots.' It recommends the use of 'plain English' instead of jargon and unexplained acronyms, urging lecturers to use common words, short sentences, and familiar constructions. The guide advises staff to be mindful of idioms that may not be familiar to international readers or that may perpetuate stereotypes.
International students constitute 46 percent of the university's total population, with 23 percent being undergraduates and 65 percent graduate students. The Free Speech Union (FSU) criticized the guidelines, calling them 'mad' and labeling it as 'language policing.' Lord Young of Acton, FSU General Secretary, stated that international students come to Oxford to immerse themselves in the culture and learn colloquial English.
The style guide, last updated in May 2026, also advises against using gendered terms such as 'chairwoman,' 'mankind,' or 'spokesman,' recommending terms like 'current and respectful' language. It suggests using 'disabled students' instead of 'the disabled' and 'blind people' instead of 'the blind.' The guide also discourages the term 'neurodiverse,' while allowing 'neurodiversity' and 'neurodivergent.'
Additionally, the guide addresses language related to 'equality, diversity and inclusion' (EDI), advising against the use of 'DEI' and 'equity,' which are more common in the United States. It emphasizes the importance of maintaining consistent terminology in written communications regarding EDI.
The guide has been introduced amid financial pressures on universities to attract international students, who pay significantly higher fees than domestic students. Home students' annual fees for 2027 are capped at £10,050, while international students' fees range from £39,620 to £66,580 per year at Oxford. An Oxford spokesman stated that the style guide is designed to help staff write clearly and consistently for a diverse international audience, providing practical advice for written communications.