Your first weeks

The University offers occupational pension schemes for eligible staff members. If eligible, you will automatically be enrolled into the appropriate pension scheme unless you give notice in writing within 1 month of being enrolled that you do not wish to belong to the scheme.

Check that you have completed all of the required forms and activities in the before you start list. Double check with your line manager or departmental or team administrator if there is anything else you need to do. 

Ask your departmental or faculty HR lead or Head of Administration for the name of your first point of contact regarding your employment rights and responsibilities. 

The HR Support pages provide information on all aspects of your employment and provide access to the HR Self-Service system 

All staff and academic visitors are issued with a University Card. Your employing department or college will arrange this for you in advance or provide you with an application form once you arrive. 

The University Card is used for security purposes, to provide access to buildings, and to identify your entitlement to use a range of University services, such as computing facilities and the libraries. It should be carried with you at all times. You can also use your University Card to enjoy a range of benefits, from discounts at local shops to free membership of the University Club. 

The Access Guide is an online guide to the accessibility of the University’s buildings, departments, gardens, galleries and museums.    

All staff are automatically registered for a Single Sign-on Account, which gives you access to an email account, the University's virtual learning environment (WebLearn), personal web pages, and other resources. Your username and activation code will be sent by internal mail to your department or college once your University Card has been issued.  

Get going with IT quickly with these tips. 

As a new starter you will be invited to provide your new starter details through the University’s HR Self-Service. Your HR Self-Service account will normally be created in your first week.

This online portal lets you access HR and payroll information, update personal details, and view and download your payslips from any device with an internet connection, either through the University network or Virtual Private Network (VPN) (not just the University WiFi connection).

The area code for Oxford is 01865. The main switchboard number for the University is 01865 270000. 

To find out what telephony options may be available to you take a look at the Chorus overview page. 

University staff are paid on a monthly basis, with payments made direct to your bank or building society account. Salary payments are normally paid on the penultimate working day of each month. Your payslip can be viewed online via the HR Self-Service portal.

If you hold a joint appointment, you have a combined university and college stipend. This means that you will receive two salary payments each month: one from the University and one from your college. 

Read more about the most common payroll-related support information for all University employees.

As part of the University's staff induction process, we provide essential training to equip new team members with the tools and knowledge necessary for success in their roles.

Please refer to the Essential Training section on the When You Start page. Each of the courses should be completed within your first few weeks at the University and repeated in accordance with your departmental policy.

The University’s compliance website provides polices and statements relating to compliance with University rules and regulations or with wider legislation.