Emory University closes most academic and administrative offices for Winter Recess, the three days between the Christmas and New Year holidays. The Office of Undergraduate Admission will be closed from Dec. 24, 2025 to Jan. 1, 2026, reopening on Friday, Jan. 2, 2026. Please check our FAQs Over Winter Break blog post for additional information and resources during this time.
Emory University Remains SAT/ACT Optional for 2025-2026. Learn more here.
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Students in front of a mural on a building in downtown Covington

Oxford: An Immersive College Experience in an Iconic Location

Oxford College is located in the small, historic town of Oxford. Just a few minutes away, Covington, Georgia, adds unexpected energy to the experience. Covington is a town you already know, without ever having been there. Its charming historic square and thriving local business district has been featured in countless films and television series, from Footloose to The Vampire Diaries. Together, Oxford and Covington offer a setting that feels both personal and dynamic.

Students spend most of their time on Oxford’s close-knit campus, while Covington’s restaurants, shops, events, and creative outlets provide a nearby backdrop for exploring, relaxing, and experiencing the culture of the region.

Personal by Design. Rich in Opportunities.

At Oxford College, students experience the welcoming environment of a small residential campus, with Covington’s creativity and iconic backdrop just minutes away. From film sets in its historic town square to farmers markets and service projects across the region, learning extends seamlessly beyond campus. It's a grounded and close-knit college experience, with more happening just beyond Oxford's campus than you might expect. Living and learning here means experiencing a place that feels both iconic and fresh, as well as distinctly your own.

students sit on a bench in downtown Covington

Covington Square

At the center of Covington is its historic square—a walkable downtown filled with locally owned restaurants, coffee shops, boutiques, and bakeries. It’s a place where students go to celebrate birthdays, grab coffee with friends, or explore on a free afternoon. Throughout the year, the square hosts events that bring the community together including:

  • Outdoor concerts
  • Seasonal festivals
  • Holiday markets and celebrations
  • Local arts events

With its string lights, historic courthouse, and lively storefronts, Covington Square has become one of the region’s most recognizable gathering places. Explore Covington, GA.

Students harvest greens at the Oxford Farm

Oxford Organic Farm: A Classroom in the Fields

Just across the street from the college’s main entrance sits Oxford College Organic Farm. Functioning as both a working farm and a living laboratory where students explore sustainability, environmental science, and food systems, the farm is a distinctive learning space.

The farm also connects directly with the surrounding community through:

  • Its Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program that provides produce to local residents
  • A seasonal farmers market open to the community
  • Volunteer opportunities and sustainability workshops

Students don’t just study here—they grow, harvest, and help distribute the food themselves.

Lights. Camera. This is Your Scene.

still from the film Vampire Diaries

The Hollywood of the South

Covington is one of Georgia’s most active filming locations. Just minutes from Oxford College, it has served as the backdrop for countless television shows and films, making it a place you and your family may already recognize. Explore Covington on a guided tour and experience its on-screen legacy firsthand.

Living and learning here means experiencing a place that feels both iconic and distinctly your own.

 

TV Series

  • The Vampire Diaries
  • Sweet Magnolias
  • In the Heat of the Night
  • Dynasty
  • The Dukes of Hazzard
  • MacGyver (reboot)
  • The Walking Dead (selected scenes)

Movies

  • Footloose
  • Remember the Titans
  • Sweet Home Alabama
  • My Cousin Vinny
  • Doctor Sleep
  • Selma
  • The Duel

Fun Facts

  • Covington’s historic square doubled as Mystic Falls in The Vampire Diaries.
  • Many film locations are within walking distance of Oxford College.
  • Guided film location tours make Covington a popular destination for fans.
  • It’s not unusual for students to see film crews transforming storefronts into movie sets.
  • The Cinelease Studies—Three Ring production facility is also located here.

From Curiosity to Career at Oxford

Through internships, partnerships, and experiential learning, Oxford students engage with professionals across diverse fields. Leveraging opportunities throughout the region, the Oxford Center for Pathways and Purpose helps students follow their curiosity and interests—bringing together academic excellence, industry insight, and the spirit of discovery.

Oxford student at an internship

A Local Economy That Connects Learning to Industry

Just minutes from campus, Oxford and Covington connect students to major companies shaping global industries. From biotechnology and health care to advanced manufacturing and food production, the region offers a firsthand look at how ideas move from idea into practice.

Organizations nearby include Takeda Pharmaceuticals, a global biotechnology leader with major manufacturing and research operations in Covington; Briggs and Stratton, a leading power equipment manufacturer; Archer Aviation, a next-generation aircraft manufacturer, and General Mills, with large-scale food production facilities in the region.

Through internships, partnerships, and experiential learning opportunities, students engage directly with professionals in these fields. Despite its a small-town setting, Oxford places students within reach of global companies and essential industries, offering an early view of how academic concepts translate into meaningful, real-world impact. Learn more about internships and practical training at Oxford College.

Oxford student working at a food bank

Service That Connects Campus and Community

Oxford students regularly contribute to the surrounding community through service and community-engaged learning. Many courses partner with local organizations, where students can apply classroom knowledge to real-world challenges.

Students work with:

  • Local schools and youth programs
  • Community organizations across Newton County, where Oxford is located
  • Nonprofits addressing food scarcity, education, and public health

These experiences allow students to engage with the region in meaningful ways while gaining perspective that extends beyond campus.

EMroey students visit the Georgia Aquarium

Discover Atlanta

With the rising phoenix as its symbol, Atlanta is a city shaped by reinvention. That spirit of momentum and growth will define your Emory experience as well.

Close to campus, students can visit the city's High Museum of Art, Alliance Theatre, and the Woodruff Arts Center, or bike the 22-mile Beltline trail connecting 45 neighborhoods and filled with art, music, and food. Atlanta also ranks among the top US cities for Fortune 500 headquarters and offers more than 3,000 internships across the health care, business, technology, and nonprofit sectors.

When you attend Emory, Atlanta is not just where you live. It's where you learn, create, and take meaningful steps toward what comes next. Learn more about Atlanta.