Who We Are
Oxford's student debating union, taking ideas seriously since 1934.
Our story
Ninety years of arguing well
Founded in 1934, The Oxford Debate Union has met every week during term to wrestle with the questions that matter — and a good many that simply don't. We debate in the British Parliamentary format: four teams, one motion, seven minutes a speech, and the clock ticking.
We're a home for anyone who likes thinking out loud. Each year our Oxford Open tournament draws 80+ teams from across the country, but most weeks it's just us — a room full of students testing arguments, taking points of information, and learning to disagree generously.
What makes us us
Three things we hold to, week in and week out.
Ideas taken seriously
We treat every motion as worth real thought — rigour first, point-scoring second.
Open to all comers
No experience needed: we coach first speakers from their very first POI to their first final.
Disagree generously
We argue hard and well, then go to the pub together — robust debate, warm community.