The Oxford University Poetry Society, established in 1946, is one of the oldest and most active poetry societies in the UK. It aims to make Oxford a welcoming place for poetry lovers all, and nurture a vibrant hub of poetic life for them within the University of Oxford.
In recent years, OUPS has hosted the likes of A.E. Stallings, Sarah Howe, Don Paterson, Bernard O'Donoghue, Michael Longley, Alice Oswald, Andrew McMillan, Jack Underwood, Kei Miller, Vahni Capildeo, Mary Jean Chan or Jamie McKendrick. We organise workshops, socials, poetry readings, open-mics, competitions, and collaborate with other societies all year round, so please feel free to come along.
If you wish to stay up-to-date on all things poetry in Oxford you can sign up to our mailing list, and get in touch via email or social media if you happen to have any questions.
Membership
The Oxford University Poetry Society (OUPS) warmly invites you to become a part of our literary community by offering three membership options: Termly Membership, Annual Membership, and Friends of the Society. Each option is designed to provide access to our exciting events, publications, and workshops, depending on the level of involvement that suits you best.
Membership Benefits:
As a member of OUPS, you may enjoy free or discounted entry to events, as well as priority access to bookings and submission opportunities for society-run publications and competitions. Please note that these benefits may vary on an event-by-event basis, depending on availability.
Termly Membership
For those who prefer flexibility, the termly membership is available for £15 per term. This option allows you to engage with the society on a short-term basis, giving you access to all relevant events and activities during that specific term.
Annual Membership
At £40 per year, the annual membership offers the best value for individuals wishing to stay involved with the society throughout the academic year. With this membership, you’ll enjoy continuous access to OUPS events, workshops, and submission opportunities without the need to renew each term.
Friends of the Society
The Friends of OUPS membership is for those who wish to support the society beyond standard membership. There is no upper limit to contributions, making this tier ideal for patrons, alumni, and benefactors who are passionate about the arts and want to ensure the ongoing success of the society. Friends of OUPS receive all the benefits of annual membership, along with recognition of their generous support.
How to Join:
To become a member of OUPS, please fill out the form and transfer your chosen membership fee to the following account within 24 hours. Kindly use your full name as the payment reference.
Account Details:
Oxford University Poetry SocietyAccount Number: 55715893
Sort Code: 60-60-06Should you have any questions or require assistance with your membership, please don't hesitate to contact us at oxfordunipoetrysociety@gmail.com. We very much look forward to welcoming to the Oxford University Poetry Society!
Poetry in Oxford
It is impossible to walk the ancient cobblestones of Oxford without thinking of all the writers who once tread upon them as students: from John Donne to Philip Sidney, Shelley, Wilde, Hopkins and Arnold, Betjeman and Larkin, Auden and Eliot, Graves and Wendy Cope, Alice Oswald or Michael Symmons Roberts. It seems the city has inspired the written word and reshaped poetic form for most of its existence. OUPS hopes to provide a space in which to continue the tradition and reinvent it for the times.
The society itself has a long history. It was founded by Martin Starkie in 1946, and its past presidents have included Caroline Bird or Vidyan Ravinthiran. Over the years, it has hosted the likes of Ted Hughes, Dylan Thomas, Paul Muldoon, Daljit Nagra, Alice Oswald or Andrew Motion.
Another Oxford tradition is the Professorship of Poetry, which reaches back to 1708 and is presently held by A.E. Stallings. The post has been occupied in the past by W.H. Auden, Robert Graves, Matthew Arnold, Paul Muldoon, Seamus Heaney, and Geoffrey Hill. There are also many practising poets teaching at Oxford University, such as Bernard O'Donoghue, Peter McDonald, Jane Griffiths, Hannah Sullivan or Jane Draycott.
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