University of Oxford tells staff to avoid everyday British phrases in bid not to confuse international students

Max Thompson, Campaigns Officer

13 October 2026

If you thought that the priorities of some of our most prestigious universities could not get even more misguided, then you would be mistaken.

The University of Oxford has issued guidance to staff warning them to avoid everyday British phrases and idioms, such as “learn the ropes”, as they might confuse international students.

Oxford, one of the world’s leading academic institutions, has warned through its style guide that writers should be mindful that a number of British phrases and sayings could confuse foreign students, and that it is preferable to use gender-neutral terms such as “chair” instead of “chairwoman”, “humankind” instead of “mankind”, and “spokesperson” instead of “spokesman”.

The guide tells writers to use “plain English” and to steer clear of phrases such as “find your feet” and “blindspots”. It adds: “Be mindful of idioms that may not be familiar to international readers or that may use stereotypes. Use common words, short sentences and familiar constructions.”

A spokesperson for the University of Oxford said: “Like many large organisations, including newspapers, Oxford University has a style guide to help staff write clearly and consistently. Its inclusive writing guidance is advisory and supports staff in exercising their own judgment about the language they use and the audience they are writing for.”

This document lectures Oxford academics on inclusive language, emphasising that British sayings “may not be familiar to international readers or may use stereotypes”. It also suggests referring to “deprived” students as “lower income”.

Speaking to The Sun, the General Secretary of the Free Speech Union, Lord Young of Acton, said:

“Surely, one of the reasons international students come to Oxford is so that they can immerse themselves in our culture and master colloquial English. What’s next? Is Oxford going to insist all lectures have to be in Esperanto?”

Universities across the country are increasingly pressuring academics and students to adopt inclusive language and to subscribe to the progressive orthodoxies of the day. As a result, those who do not conform often face immense backlash, ostracisation, and punishment.

News of this language guide comes in the same month that universities have reportedly been encouraged to accept more foreign students from “less stable” countries in an effort to balance the books. British universities are becoming increasingly reliant on international students, who can pay up to seven times as much in fees as British students.

It is time for universities to pay more attention to their legal duty to protect free speech on campus, rather than policing the speech of its academics and students.

Read more in The Telegraph.