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The Oxford Debate Union
The spires of All Souls College, Oxford, against an evening sky

Take the Floor

No experience needed — just bring your arguments and your willingness to be proven wrong.

Come to a Thursday session

What it's really like

A room that takes ideas seriously

Every Thursday in term we set a motion in the British Parliamentary format, split into eight benches, and spend seven minutes each making the best case we can — sometimes for things we don't believe a word of.

You don't need to have debated before. Plenty of our members had never given a speech until their first week. What you'll find is a genuinely friendly crowd, honest feedback, and a steady route from your first nervous reply speech to the floor at the Oxford Open.

Your first motion is waiting

We meet every Thursday during full term. Turn up, watch a round or take a bench — first-timers are paired with an experienced speaker.

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