Estates Services is responsible for managing the University of Oxford’s estate within Oxfordshire. There are over 270 buildings that we use for teaching, research, administration, sport, libraries, museums and ceremonial events – called the functional estate – and another 200 properties that we manage commercially, including office space, warehouses and agricultural land and property.
The University estate contains some of the oldest and finest buildings in the city of Oxford – the oldest dating from 1326, and 20% is listed, including the Radcliffe Camera, Sheldonian Theatre and Old Bodleian Library.
We have masterplans in place for a number of key locations, such as the Radcliffe Observatory Quarter.
In recent years, we have constructed several state-of-the-art buildings, such as the Blavatnik School of Government and the Beecroft Building, and many have won prestigious awards.
What we do
- Devising and putting into action the University’s Estate Strategy which flows from the University’s Strategic Plan
- Planning the future development of the estate to make sure it meets the University’s long-term needs – this means we work closely with local councils and key stakeholders as well as the colleges
- Managing new building projects
- Refurbishing, repairing and maintaining University buildings and infrastructure and the spaces between them
- Providing facilities management services, like catering and cleaning, for a growing number of University buildings
- Making sure we use the spaces in buildings as efficiently as possible
- Looking after all the property records for the University’s estate
- Managing the University's commercial, agricultural and residential land and property
- Caring for our special green spaces across the City including University Parks and Wytham Woods
- Providing accommodation for our graduate students
- Creating an environment where staff, students and visitors can work, travel and study more sustainably
- Maintaining a safe and secure physical environment for staff, students and visitors
We look after the functional estate in conjunction with the departments that occupy them. Who is responsible for what is set out in the Estates Standing Orders.
We do not look after the University’s colleges, which manage their own buildings and facilities.
Mission, vision and values
Our vision is to be recognised as delivering world class facilities that support world class research, teaching and learning.
Our mission is to develop, maintain and manage the University estate in a safe, efficient and sustainable manner, ensuring the continued enhancement of our unique physical heritage and the provision of a world class research, teaching and learning environment.
Our values help us realise our vision and achieve our mission. You can expect us to demonstrate these values in all of our interactions with you.
We will:
- Consult to ensure the services we provide continue to meet your needs
- Listen to all feedback, comments and complaints
- Improve our services as a result of consulting with and listening to service users
We will be:
- Open about what we do and how we do it
- Fair to colleagues, staff and partners
- Timely in our responses and service delivery, keeping users up to date
There are also a number of ways that you can help us to deliver on our promises and provide you with the services you need, including:
- Telling us when we fail to demonstrate our values
- Providing us with requested information in a timely manner
- Communicating works to all staff within your building
- Responding to engagement and consultation with constructive feedback and suggestions
- Treating our staff with courtesy and respect
