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Debating
The Oxford Union is the world's most prestigious debating society. Established in 1823 to uphold the principle of free speech, The Union is proud of its heritage as a forum for the exchange and debate of a wide range of ideas and opinions. Our members have the unique opportunity to challenge, question and interact with a broad range of speakers - some inspiring, others controversial.
Past debates have reverberated far beyond the Union's Chamber. In 1933, the Union passed its famous motion "This House would not in any circumstances fight for King and Country", an outcome that provoked public outcry and was described by Winston Churchill as "that abject, squalid, shameless avowal".
In 1975, just days before a national referendum on membership of the EEC, The Union debated the motion "This House Would Say Yes to Europe". With 493 voting for the motion and 92 against, this televised debate reportedly had considerable influence on the outcome of the referendum itself.
More recently, our members have debated alongside Nick Clegg and Nigel Farage as they clashed on the subject of EU membership, challenged or supported Medhi Hasan as he described why Islam is a religion of peace, and questioned Angela Davis as she argued that extremism in the defence of liberty is no vice, to mark the 50th anniversary of Malcolm X's address at the Union.
Details about our upcoming debates can be found in our online term card. In the meantime, we invite you to explore our YouTube channel and the below excerpts for a taste of an Oxford Union debate experience. For more information about the format of a Union debate, as well as how to participate, please visit Formal Debates. We encourage all members to take part and invite those interested in developing their speaking skills to contact cdsc@oxford-union.org for details of how to get involved.
The Oxford Union is committed to ensuring that all members find our events as accessible as possible. If you need any adjustments to access our events, please contact ccc@oxford-union.org who can help you to reserve space for a wheelchair, reserve space for guide dogs, or make any other necessary arrangements. We have a hearing aid loop in place which is accessed by switching to 'T'.
We look forward to welcoming all members, old and new, to a debate soon.
Sir Ronald Cohen Debating Bursary
We are hugely grateful to the generosity of Sir Ronald Cohen, who served as President of the Oxford Union in Hilary Term 1967. The Sir Ronald Cohen Debating Bursary funds bursaries and reduced registration fees for the Oxford Schools’ Debating Competition, underscoring the Oxford Union’s commitment to access and widening participation. In 2024, the Sir Ronald Cohen Debating Bursary has supported the participation of 200 non-selective state schools.
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Sir Ronald is Chairman of the Global Steering Group for Impact Investment and The Portland Trust. He is a co-founder director of Social Finance UK, USA, and Israel, and co-founder Chair of Bridges Fund Management and Big Society Capital.
For nearly two decades, Sir Ronald’s pioneering initiatives in driving impact investment have catalysed a number of global efforts, each focused on driving private capital to serve social and environmental good. These efforts are leading the global impact investment movement towards an Impact Revolution. He chaired the Social Impact Investment Taskforce established under the UK’s presidency of the G8 (2013-2015), the Social Investment Task Force (2000-2010) and the Commission on Unclaimed Assets (2005-2007). In 2012 he received the Rockefeller Foundation’s Innovation Award for innovation in social finance.
He is a member of the Board of Dean’s Advisors at Harvard Business School and a Vice-Chairman of Ben Gurion University; a former member of the Harvard University Board of Overseers; a former director of the Harvard Management Company and the University of Oxford Investment Committee; a former Trustee of the British Museum; and a former trustee of the International Institute for Strategic Studies.
In 2007, Sir Ronald published: The Second Bounce of the Ball – Turning Risk into Opportunity and today is authoring a book on the “Impact Revolution.” Sir Ronald lives in Tel Aviv, London, and New York with his wife of more than thirty years, Sharon Harel-Cohen, who is a film producer. They have two children, Tamara and Jonny.
Formal Debates
The Oxford Union has a rich history and a long tradition of bringing together world leaders, thinkers and influencers to debate issues and explore ideas across politics, religion, science, the arts and literature.
Format
Our debates are held every Thursday evening during term time and follow the same format each week. Guest speakers will argue in favour of or against a pre-determined motion, details of which are included in the term card.
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The first speaker for the proposition will always open the debate and introduce the other participants. The first speaker for the opposition will then introduce the first speaker and open the case for the opposition. A debate typically involves three to four speakers on each side, who alternate to present their case.
The debate result is determined by the number of individuals who depart the Chamber by walking through the doors marked ‘Ayes’ or ‘Noes’, in a similar manner to how votes are cast in the House of Commons.
Members can then gather in the bar to await the result of the night’s motion which will be announced once all have exited the chamber and voted - or even carry on the debate while taking advantage of our F&B promotions. Balloted members, committee, and student speakers in the debate are invited to a small drinks reception to thank the guest speakers for their participation.
Members have their say
Members can challenge a speaker at any time during the debate by raising a ‘point of information’, although it remains at the discretion of the individual speaker whether to accept an interjection. The Rules and Forms of the house are included on all order papers, available in the debating chamber, or can be viewed online here.
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Members are also encouraged to express their views by giving short 'floor speeches' when the debate is opened to the audience.
Those wanting to boost their public speaking skills and confidence in a more relaxed setting can also take part in an ‘emergency debate’ – this is a smaller scale debate held immediately before each of our main debates. The motion, usually drawn from the current news agenda, is decided at the start of each week.
Competitive Debating & Workshops
The Oxford Union is one of the oldest and most successful competitive debating societies in the world. Whether you are looking to compete in tournaments, develop your confidence, or find a causal hobby, the Oxford Union has something for you.
Details of our workshops can be found below, and range from casual beginner sessions to rigorous training programmes. All members are encouraged to participate and no prior debating experience is required.
For up-to-date information about competitive debating, relevant announcements, and updates on the timing and location of squads, please sign up to the Debate Announce mailing list by sending a blank email to debate-announce-subscribe@maillist.ox.ac.uk. If you have any questions, please contact cdsc@oxford-union.org.
Beginner Workshops
The Union holds debating workshops designed for those with little to no previous debating experience. No applications or trials are necessary, there is no expectation to attend every session, and there is no obligation to participate in practice debates. Attendees are taught the format, style and content of British Parliamentary debating, and workshops generally include:
- A 15 minute workshop on a debating skill or topic.
- A practice debate judged by one of our experienced coaches.
- A feedback session from top debaters.
Beginner Workshops are typically held in the Macmillan Room at 19:30 every Monday during term time. In Michaelmas Term, Workshops start in Week 2.
Training Squads
Intermediate Squads and Advanced Squads are intended for those with more experience. Debaters are allocated to these Squads according to their ability and prior experience, or by being promoted from Beginners Squads. The format across all levels is typically the same: participants are first given a brief workshop on a debating skill, followed by the choice to participate in a practice debate judged by one of our experienced coaches.
Squads are typically held in the Macmillan Room at 19:30 every Tuesday (Intermediate Squads) and Wednesday (Advanced Squads) during term time. In Michaelmas Term, Squads start in Week 2.
Hosting Competitions
The Oxford Union hosts competitions attended by school and university students from all over the world. Members are encouraged to judge and run these prestigious competitions, and help encourage school students to get involved in debating.
Each November, we welcome over 200 debaters to the Oxford IV, our flagship university-level competition. From January to March, we host Oxford Schools’, one of the world’s largest debating competitions for school students, involving over 1000 students and regional rounds across the world. Every alternate year, we host the International Competition for Young Debaters (ICYD) at the start of Trinity Term, the only international debating competition for students under the age of 15.
Compete
We select members to compete in debating tournaments across the UK and internationally. Travel to represent Oxford in Paris, Texas, Copenhagen and many more, with travel expenses paid for by the Oxford Union.
To maximise opportunities for all members, we also send teams to competitions specifically designed for novices and encourage the selection of ESL speakers.
Oxford Schools'
The Oxford Union is proud to run Oxford Schools', the largest British Parliamentary school-level debating competition in the world, and the largest debating competition in the UK, aimed at students aged 14-18. We aim to make debating accessible to as many schools as possible, an aim we have pursued for more than 20 years.
The Oxford Schools’ Debating Competition is kindly run with the support of Cherwell College Oxford, who provides the venue and rooms necessary to develop the public speaking skills of the next generation. Without them, Oxford Schools’ Finals Day would not be possible, and the Oxford Union is very grateful for their support.
To find out more please visit https://www.oxfordschools.net/ or you can email schools@oxford-union.org
Taking part in debate competitions has provided generations of school pupils with the confidence to think critically, engage across difference, and speak with clarity. For many, it is where they first find their voice.
Today, we are working to ensure that opportunity remains open to as many students as possible. To do so, we are seeking the support of alumni to strengthen and expand the Union’s debating programme.
Alongside our debates, the Union hosts speaker events throughout each term, welcoming guests from politics, science, business, sport and the arts.