Follow the Money Tour – by Uncomfortable Oxford™
Overview
Available languages
1 hour 30 minutes
Mobile ticket
Can money ever be 'clean'?
This tour highlights the University of Oxford’s relationship with contentious sources of revenue.
Learn about historic and modern wealth distribution networks within the University and engage with conversations of wealth inequality in a city experiencing a housing crisis. We ask why billionaires keep investing in the historic university, how massive philanthropic donations should be handled, and what effects such income streams have on academic freedom and political neutrality.
All our tours are led by university researchers who have completed our official Uncomfortable Oxford training programme. Our guides combine expert knowledge and performance, ensuring each tour is a fun and educational experience.
Tour recommended for teens age 14 and older.
Additional Info
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Starts outside the Said Business School. Learn about Wafiq Said and controversies surrounding his large donations to the University.
Enjoy a lovely green space while discussing the on-going Oxford housing crisis
What‘s Included
Uncomfortable Oxford™ Trained Guide
Options
Private Tour (up to 15 people)
Private Tour (up to 15 people)
Follow the Money Tour – by Uncomfortable Oxford™
Reviews
7 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Thought provoking and eye opening
felicityp50,,Sep 22, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I know the city reasonably well but this painted aspects of it in a new light for me. Our tour guide was welcoming and knowledgeable. A great way to spend a couple of hours - I'd like to do more of the Uncomfortable Oxford tours.
Lifts the lid and invites you to peer into how some of Oxford University is funded. Sackler, Said, Blavatnik et al.
Boo73,,Sep 30, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Follow the money lifts the lid on Oxford funders and funding and invites you to peer into the murky depths. Walking tour starting at the Said Business School and finished at the Blavatnik School of Government. The tour leader was excellent and didn’t try to push an agenda, more a case of giving you information (which was well researched) and then asking the group for their thoughts. Good mix of views in the group. Left me thinking and continuing to ask questions- how far would go along a moral/ethical line to secure funding? Highlighted what appears to be quite an opaque system of discussions and judgements. Highly recommended.
Money and politics at Oxford
davidrK3902PI,,Nov 13, 2022
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Enjoyable tour...it gives you a new understanding and appreciation of money and politics at Oxford!!!
A great tour!
ag caid,,Oct 17, 2022
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Super interesting tour about the uncomfortable income sources that have founded the uni. And thanks to Hera Jay for facilitating the discussions and being a great storyteller!
The best way to gain a deeper understanding of Oxford
sophia-brehmX,,Jul 22, 2022
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00An excellent walking tour of Oxford that looks beyond the basic facts and challenges the traditional historical narrative through participant discussion. This tour is fabulously engaging, memorable and thought-provoking as information is not simply dished out to participants as they are instead encouraged to think critically about the physical environment and its links to the past. The best way to gain a deeper understanding of Oxford and truly engage with the city's history.
Oxford needs more of this
emmasS5751PY,,May 8, 2022
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Attended the Follow the Money tour with Julie as our guide. It was fantastic - very thought provoking, educational, well researched, and provided a safe space for discussion. An essential part of any visit to Oxford.
A great twist on typical medieval narrative, with Uncomfortable Oxford's touch in creating lively discussions!
116oliviad,,Apr 29, 2022
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Love all the Uncomfortable Oxford tours, but this one really has a twist that brings their discussion method to the early days of the University and propells you to the debate of medieval Oxford and England! It is so interesting, especially when we think about all the clichés circulated about the medieval times, but also how medieval symbols keep being utilised and reinvented in the present! I really liked the story of Oxford's Jewish past and how the colleges benefitted from the lands becoming vacant after they were expelled from England in the 1300s. A great twist on typical medieval narrative, with Uncomfortable Oxford's touch in creating lively discussions!
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