Oxford Colleges Prospectus

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11,724

This is the number of fully integrated undergraduate colleges at Oxford. Remember that while most are hundreds of years old, all were founded at different times. St Catherine’s, for instance, was founded in the 1960s while Balliol can date its history back to the heady days of the 12th Century AD.

This is how many undergraduates there are at Oxford University. This makes the university fairly small by national standards in terms of its student population. The universities of Birmingham, Leeds, and Manchester each have more than 25,000 undergraduates. And Oxford’s relatively small number of students gets spread out across the collegiate system into even cosier groups of around 300-400 (on average) at each college.

24,000

This is the staggering number of interviews conducted by all colleges every year during the admissions process.

colleges a complete guide

Not sure what college to choose? Or what a college even is? Well, it looks like this is the section for you...

the college system

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choosing a college

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colleges A-Z

34 34 36 38 40 42 44 46 48 50 52 54 56 58 60 62

Balliol Brasenose Christ Church Corpus Christi Exeter Harris Manchester Hertford Jesus Keble Lady Margaret Hall Lincoln Magdalen Mansfield Merton New

Oriel Pembroke Queen’s St Anne’s St Catherine’s St Edmund Hall St Hilda’s St Hugh’s St John’s St Peter’s Somerville Trinity Univ Wadham Worcester

64 66 68 70 72 74 76 78 70 82 84 86 88 90 92

permanent private halls

94 96 98 100

Regent’s Park St Benet’s Other PPHs

WHAT’S INSIDE Using this section should be fairly self-explanatory, but to make things even easier for you, here’s a handy guide to the pages. The coloured stripes represent the given college’s colours, by the way. In this case, it’s black and yellow for Brasenose.

Name of college. Underneath we’ve put the address, telephone number and website URLs of the college and the JCR.

Big ol’ pretty pictures of the college. These should give you an idea of what the place looks like.

A box with important facts about the college, like how much rent is per term. OXFORD UNIVERSITY ALTERNATIVE PROSPECTUS 2010-2012

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1

Living and Eating

THE COLLEGE

SYSTEM O

xford is made up of many colleges, 30 of which accept undergraduates. In addition to these 30 colleges, there are also six Permanent Private Halls which accept students and are very similar to colleges in most ways except their historical roots. Colleges vary greatly in shape and size – they range from those which have 200 undergraduates, to those which have nearly 400. Your college will play a major role in your time at Oxford, offering you far more than just accommodation and tuition. A constant bemusement to tourists who ask, “but where is the actual university itself?”, the college system undoubtedly makes Oxford what it is - and by that we mean, it’s a varied place. There is no central, standard university. It’s made up of a lot of different colleges, departments, laboratories, parks, libraries and other facilities. But for students on the ground, there are enough of these places to choose from and colonise that everyone soon finds the area they feel most comfortable in. This may not even be in their own college, remember. It’s quite possible that student societies or other groups will provide your true ‘home’ at university, so don’t get too hung up on the web of colleges alone. That said, it’s important to understand what colleges offer (a lot) - so we put together these pages to explain.

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Every Oxford college offers accommodation for first year undergraduates, so you don’t need to worry before you arrive about finding somewhere to live. Typically, colleges offer accommodation for at least two years, although you may wish to check which colleges offer rooms for the full three years. Rooms vary in quality both between colleges and within them – some colleges charge different rates for different rooms, with refurbishment programs meaning that some rooms in colleges are significantly nicer than others.

Socialising

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As well as providing housing, your college also feeds you. Each one has a Hall which caters for students at various prices and quality depending on which college you go to. The extent to which you eat there will depend both on access to kitchen facilities, and how good you consider Hall food to be. However, food provided in Hall is typically reasonably priced and provides a good social hub as many undergraduates eat two or three meals a day there. Although provision of facilities varies greatly between colleges, some also provide a range of services you may find useful. These can include music rooms, gyms, and – particularly if you’re an international student – storage space. Details of some of these are included in the colleges section later on in this prospectus, but for full details of college facilities you should contact colleges to which you’re considering applying.

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One of the most important functions which colleges fulfil is that of a social hub, with each having their own bar and Junior Common Room. The Junior Common Room (JCR) refers both to a literal room which undergraduates use and the undergraduate body. Involvement in college life can vary hugely – some students spend a lot of time in their college bar or JCR, while others spend more time with people from other colleges and get more involved in university-wide activities.

lost in a sea of faces. This is one of the best things about the college system; while the community feel is there when you need it, particularly early on in your time as a student, it’s by no means the only way to live. If you begin to find your college claustrophobic, there are thousands of other students in Oxford for you to meet. Colleges have their own sports teams, orchestras and film societies, but all these activities can be pursued at a university-wide level if you so choose.

At least initially, however, you’re quite likely to spend a fair amount of time in your college. Each college is a small community in and of themselves, which can really ease the settling in process when you arrive. Each undergraduate intake typically ranges from 50 to 150 students depending on which college you attend, so you won’t get

JCRs also put on “bops”, themed fancy dress parties in college which typically take place several times a term. They give you the opportunity to enjoy loud cheesy music while dressed as something suitably ridiculous and typically attract large numbers of people, but if that’s not you’re scene then don’t worry as you won’t be alone.

Factoid Since 2008, all colleges have accepted both men and women. Previously, we would have pointed out that only women could apply to St Hilda’s, but now the college has its fair share of male students too.

Tutorials

Welfare and Pastoral

Although lectures, laboratory work and exams are all administered by the university, the tutorial system is organised by your college. Most of your tutors will be based in colleges and work will be submitted to them. Although some of your tutorials will likely take place out of your college, you’re likely to have at least some in your own college, giving you a chance to get to know subject tutors and other people doing your course. Your tutors have a responsibility for your welfare and can be a good first port of call with regards to career advice, exam tips and any other issues you may have.

Welfare services are offered by the college, the student union and the university, but your college may be your first port of call if you have any difficulties. Many colleges have a ‘parenting scheme’ where every new student is given a volunteer college parent in the year above who’ll look out for you until you’ve settled in. They may do the same subject as you, giving you a good chance to find out a bit more about how exactly your subject works in your first weeks. College families often grow into lasting friendships, and help you settle into Oxford.

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CHOOSING YOUR

COLLEGE W

ith 30 colleges to compare, making a choice about which one to apply to can be a bit daunting.

But while there are differences between colleges, it’s important to remember that these are vastly outweighed by the similarities. The differences aren’t so great that you’d be disadvantaged by picking one college over another, and regardless of where you end up you’ll meet people you like. Around 25% of people who get offers each year get them from colleges to which they didn’t apply, so college choice may not ultimately matter. If you can’t decide which college you want to apply to then you can also make an open application, in

“choose the college you think you’d be happiest at“

which you’re allocated a college at random. Your chances of getting in are exactly the same, and the tutors by whom you’re interviewed won’t know that you didn’t choose their college. Incidentally, you’ll never be asked in an interview why you wanted to come to the college in question. Although it can be tempting to

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apply tactically to a college based on the numbers of applications it typically gets and the success of your school at sending students there, neither of these factors will impact your application. Colleges judge all applicants on their own merit, not on which school they come from. Numbers of applications to individual colleges also fluctuate each year meaning that guessing which colleges will be vastly oversubscribed isn’t an easy task. If a college is significantly oversubscribed then it will send some applicants to other colleges before interview. So, combined with the increasing tendency for applicants to be interviewed at more than one college, tactical applications won’t make a difference to your chances of getting in. It’s more important to apply to whichever college you think you’ll be happiest at. This section gives a brief overview of each college. All information has been supplied by college JCRs and we can’t guarantee its accuracy but if you’d like to find out more about an individual college then contact the college in question. College accommodation and facilities are regularly overhauled so collegespecific information may have changed between when you read this prospectus and when you take up a place at a college.

and Shape 1 Size Oxford colleges range from those which have been around for 700 years, to those which have been built in the last 50. Whether you’d rather be at a modern college or one which has existed since the time of Henry VIII, you’ve got plenty of options. Colleges also vary in terms of how many students they have and in terms of physical size.

25%

This is the percentage of people each year who get offers from colleges to which they didn’t actually apply. Choice, in the end, may be irrelevant.

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2,096

This is the number of applicants who didn’t specify a college when they applied in 2008. See, you don’t have to!

Location

You may want to apply to a college based partially on how close it is to your department building and anywhere in Oxford where you may want to spend time (sports grounds, music venues etc). Remember that Oxford is quite small, so even the furthest colleges are only 15 minutes away on foot from the city centre.

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4 Cost

Not all colleges cost the same to live in, with some variation between rent, food charges and other costs. We’ve included rent figures on college pages, but you should check with the colleges independently for exact ones – some of our figures are approximate, and colleges change their levels of rent every year, so in time the figures will go out of date. Colleges also offer differing levels of financial support, including book and travel grants, bursaries and scholarships. The only way to get full details of these is to speak directly to the colleges themselves.

Accommodation

All Oxford colleges offer accommodation to their students for part of their course, although only some offer it for the entire duration. Basic facilities such as Internet in your room and laundry are always provided. But some colleges are better equipped with regards to music and sporting facilities, and provisions for disabled access also vary across colleges. If you want to know more about levels of provision for disabled students then either contact the college in question or the University Disability Office on [email protected]

5 Overall

Don’t worry too much about college choice. You’ll find friends wherever you end up and your closest friends may well come from out of college anyway. So long as key needs (such as disabled access, or storage for international students) are met, the rest isn’t so important. A lot of people ultimately pick colleges simply by visiting a few that meet their key criteria and going with the one which feels best for them. Since you’re unlikely to be able to look around all colleges, the details in this section should give you a flavour of what’s on offer...

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BALLIOL

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Broad Street, OX1 3BJ 01865 277 777 www.balliol.ox.ac.uk www.ballioljcr.org One of the oldest colleges in the university, Balliol combines a long history with a tradition of political activism. Since an abortive coup in the 1960s which saw the college seized and renamed “the People’s Republic of Balliol”, the college has been able to add strong leftyliberal student activism to its list of raisons d’etre (with admittedly notable exceptions including Boris

“studens can walk on most of the grass at Balliol“

Johnson and Chris Patten). Unlike most Oxford colleges, gowns are never worn at Balliol and students can walk on most of the grass – even the college’s tortoise was named after a German Marxist until she (the tortoise, not the Marxist) disappeared in 2004. But in spite of its politi-

cal traditions, Balliol is in many other ways a normal – if very well resourced – Oxford college. If you’re musical, Balliol has a practice room, a non-auditioning chapel choir, and regular Sunday concerts.

In terms of student life Balliol has one of the few remaining studentrun bars in the university, with the bar manager being elected on an annual basis by current students. The JCR run pantry is another service which few other JCRs provide – it serves breakfast from 8am to 11:30am and also serves lunch, tea and dinner making it easy to get away from work at any point! The JCR also runs is own laundry and has a TV room with arcade games attached to the main JCR itself.

Sport at Balliol is also prominent, with the rowing squads regularly finishing in leading positions on the river, while students also can make use of football pitches, squash courts, netball courts and a cricket pitch. In recent years Balliol has consistently finished in the upper echelons of the ‘Norrington Table’ – the league table of academic performance in finals at Oxford. While this table should be taken with a pinch of salt, there is a culture of hard work at the college which is supported by a well-stocked college library and easy proximity to the Bodleian Library, which is within 2 minutes walk from the college.

College Facts Undergraduates 400 Rent Between £800 and £1,400 per term. Accommodation Most students can live in college accommodation, with rooms on-site for firstand third-years.

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Although some second years choose to live out, most students spend most of their time in Oxford living in Balliol provided accommodation. Although we’re a large college a combination of an active JCR and excellent facilities mean that you definitely won’t find coming here overwhelming. If you do end up at Balliol then you’ll be in for a time which will leave you with a lot of memories as well as new opportunities.

Library Approx. 9am - midnight most days.

Nosh Lunch and dinner are available in hall with breakfast served in the JCR Pantry. Kitchens Some kitchenettes are available to share. Bathrooms Mostly shared among five students. Famous alumni Adam Smith, Graham Greene, Herbert Asquith

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BRASENOSE

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Radcliffe Square, OX1 4AJ Tel: 01865 277 830 www.bnc.ox.ac.uk jcr.bnc.ox.ac.uk

Brasenose College, known to many simply as “BNC,” was officially founded in 1509 and sits right in the heart of Oxford in Radcliffe Square. The name comes from a brass (or “brazen”) door-knocker which now takes pride of place in the college Hall, along with an impressively-endowed unicorn.

One of the best things about Brasenose is the accommodation as the college guarantees residence right in the centre of Oxford for the entire duration of your degree should you want it. First years live on the historic college site and second years live in the Frewin Annexe which is a 5 minute walk away right in the commercial centre of the town. Third and fourth years can live in either site.

Brasenose is relatively small in size, but its lively student population certainly punches above its weight! Brasenose members generally don’t hesitate to get involved with the wider university, whether as part of sports teams and societies or just through being sociable outside the college walls. Brasenose’s central location makes being involved in university life really easy. With the shops of High Street on one side and the famous Kings Arms and Turf pubs only a stone’s throw from the college, there’s something for everyone right on the doorstep.

College Facts Rent Excluding meals, £890£1,330 per term

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well-attended bops (college parties), a lively bar and JCR, and active societies within the college. The bar and common room have also been completely refurbished this year as part of the 500 year anniversary, making these facilities arguably the best in Oxford. Next door to the swanky new bar is undoubtedly one of Brasenose’s best kept secrets: Gertie’s, the out-of-hours servery. Gertie’s offers cooked breakfasts “there’s something until 11.30am, and bafor everyone right on guettes, paninis, salads and smoothies for a the doorstep“ late lunch. It’s essentially like having your own café in college but for half the price. Brasenose is renowned for having a relaxed, homely Brasenose’s quirkiness lies not atmosphere where everyone only in the name but in the fun knows everyone. In fact almost traditions. We celebrate Burns the first thing that strikes night with a traditional Scottish ceilidh and every year at “ale everyone in freshers’ week is just how friendly the college verses” we write songs about the college and its people sung is and as a result we have to the tune of popular music as we pass a giant flagon of ale up and down the benches. These, amongst many other for about £1.50 and there things, make Brasenose truly is also a snack bar. unique.

Nosh In Hall you can get breakfast (approx. £1.50) and lunch (approx. £2.50) every weekday. Dinner (approx. £3) is available every day. Formal Hall is on three nights a week, and is a snip at £3.90. Brunch at the weekend is served

Kitchens None in college, one among four in Frewin. Library Open 24/7 Famous alumni Michael Palin, David Cameron and William Golding

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CHRIST CHURCH

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In the expansive grounds of the college you’ll find one cathedral, three quadrangles and graffiti on the door to Hall which is 180 years old.

St Aldates, OX1 1DP 01865 276 150 www.chch.ox.ac.uk www.chchjcr.org

Christ Church is an impressive survivor of the English reformation, having passed from St Frideswide’s Abbey to Wolsey’s “Cardinal College” to “King Henry VIII’s College”, emerging in 1546 as both a college and the cathedral of the diocese of Oxford.

where two bedrooms join to a sitting room, shared with a friend. Generally when living in these old rooms, bathrooms are shared with four or five others, however there is the option to live in recently renovated accommodation, in which ensuite rooms are guaranteed.

Rent is reasonably priced at £948 per term and food in Hall (college catered) is the cheapest available in Oxford, costing £1.90 for a three-course dinner every night. Unfortunately, there are “Christ Church is an no cooking facilities in college (there are a few exciting, challenging microwaves around, and creative college“ and only toasters and kettles are permitted in rooms) – however, with college food so cheap, it’s much more economical to eat in Hall. and journalism amongst its members, multiple drinking soChrist Church library is one cieties and sports clubs, Christ of the largest college librarChurch is an exciting, chalies, and boasts particularly lenging and creative college in impressive sections for which to live and to work. History and Classics. It’s As the largest college in Oxford, currently open until midChrist Church is able to provide night, however the library is undergoing refurbishaccommodation for every unment in the hope that the dergraduate for the duration of opening hours can be their course. It’s renowned for extended. Academic focus having top-quality accommois key to Christ Church and dation – the majority of rooms it manages to remain in the are oak-panelled and in “sets”, With an active JCR, a huge number of undergraduates (around 450), and a strong enthusiasm for drama, politics

top five of the Norrington Table, despite the apparently laidback attitude characteristic of the stereotypical Christ Church undergraduate! The list of famous Christ Church alumni reflects the intellectual ability and extracurricular enthusiasm typical among the college’s student body, including names such as William Ewart Gladstone, Sir Robert Peel, Richard Curtis, W. H. Auden, John Locke, Sir Alec Douglas-Home, Anthony Eden, Rowan Williams, Albert Einstein and Charles Dodgson (Lewis Carroll). But don’t be put off by this slightly overwhelming list, as behind its imposing grandeur, Christ Church is an accessible college and an easy-going and vibrant place to learn.

College Facts Undergraduates 430 Rent Approx. £948 per term. Accommodation All undergraduates can live in college accommodation. Library Open until midnight.

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Nosh All meals available in Hall.

Kitchens Limited, but kettles and toasters allowed in rooms. Bathrooms Many rooms are en-suite and others share between four or five people. Famous alumni William Gladstone, Lewis Carroll

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CORPUS CHRISTI

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Merton Street, OX1 4JF Tel: 01865 276 700 www.ccc.ox.ac.uk www.corpusjcr.org

Corpus Christi College is a great college. Why? Well, not only does the college have a central location and provide excellent resources for humanities and sciences, Corpus also provides accommodation for all years of your course, has cheap food, and fun traditions. Accommodation provision saves you the hassle of dealing with landlords, as well as saving you money. There are a mixture of on-site rooms for those with exams, and college houses and flats around Oxford, so you get the livingin-digs experience with all the convenience of cheap rent! Rent is about £950 per term, depending on the type of room you have (e.g. En-suite, in college, vs. a college house). This includes all utilities (including internet), so there are no extra bills to pay. Most accommodation has a kitchen shared between seven to ten people, and about forty people get en-suite facilities, with others typically sharing a bathroom between six people.

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Another reason why Corpus is fantastic is the cheap and hearty food. A typical meal costs just £2.50, and the kitchen staff are always trying new things, for instance, we recently had a special dinner with a themed Brazilian menu, and we have also had an entirely pink menu to raise money for Breast Cancer Awareness!

about 240 undergraduates and under 100 graduates, we have had some very prestigious alumni, including the Miliband brothers, author Vikram Seth, and philosopher Isaiah Berlin. We also are very proud of Gail Trimble, currently a PhD student who was a star in 200809’s University Challenge!

Corpus is also famed for the annual Tortoise Race, “Corpus is famed for where our two tortoises race tortoises from other the annual tortoise colleges to get the letrace“ tuce (and the glory)! In 2009, Blue Peter came to film it, and our tortoise, Oldham, won for the third year in a row. Our library is open 24/7, which means that you can study when For more information, please it’s best for you. It’s an incredgo to the official Corpus webibly well-stocked library, and has wireless internet so you site, www.ccc.ox.ac.uk, or, to see what the undergraduate can use your laptop with ease. body, the ‘JCR’ organise by Though Corpus is small, with themselves, such as societies and social events, please refer to www. College Facts corpusjcr.org. Here you will also find details of Undergraduates Library our student Subject Open 24/7 230 Representatives, who you can contact for Rent Kitchens information on your Shared kitchens available £1,036 per term. particular subject. in college. Accommodation Bathrooms Available for all undergraduates. Rooms are en-suite in college and shared between Nosh two to six in annexes. Typical cost of a meal in hall is £2.37 for two Famous alumni courses at lunch or £3.25 David Milliband, Ed MilOXFORD UNIVERSITY liband, John Ruskin for two courses at dinner. ALTERNATIVE PROSPECTUS 2010-2012

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EXETER

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Turl Street, OX1 3DP 01865 279 600 www.exeter.ox.ac.uk jcr.exeter.ox.ac.uk

Exeter is the oldest of the Turl Street Colleges, set right in the centre of Oxford near every shop, pub or convenience you could possibly want.

the college. Exeter is one of the few colleges to have an annual ball. It’s known as one of the best in Oxford while also being one of the cheapest. There is an American exchange program at the college, which attracts about 30 students from Williams College in Massachusetts every year. Sport is an integral part of college life

But walk through the college lodge and it’s another world! Exeter has one of the larger main quads in Oxford, and it is always full of Exonians eating lunch, chatting or just procrastinating. Carry on through Exeter College and you’ll see the gothic chapel, one of Oxford’s finest, and then the Fellows Garden, where students can be found sunbathing, playing croquet or having a picnic.

and Exeter’s success belies the college’s average size. The Boat Club is one of the largest and most successful on the river, and there is a range of popular and competition-winning sports teams, from rugby to ice-hockey! Exeter also has one of Oxford’s

College Facts

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Great food is always on offer – Exeter has won the Oxford college ‘chef of the year’ award for our food, and there is a range of food available from the sandwich bar from 12pm to 9pm. While rent may be above average, Exeter has one of the most generous financial support schemes in the university and any student can apply. Moreover, although not everyone can live in, most students really enjoy the opportunity to live out in a house.

Undergraduates 350

each kitchen is shared among fifteen people.

Rent Approx. £1,100 per term.

Bathrooms A handful of en-suite rooms. Shared bathrooms elsewhere.

Nosh Meals are available every day of the week. Breakfast £1, lunch £2.20, dinner £3.65. Lunch and ice cream can be bought at the sandwich bar. OXFORD UNIVERSITY ALTERNATIVE PROSPECTUS 2010-2012

There are frequent Open Mic nights, variety shows and music evenings, and the choir is one of the most famous in Oxford, frequently touring all over the world. And, Exeter runs the Turl Streets Arts Festival with Jesus and Lincoln colleges - a weeklong festival of music, drama and art.

“there’s something for everyone right on the doorstep“

There are several aspects of Exeter life that make the college stand out from others. Traditionally, Exeter’s hierarchy has been femaledominated, though men shouldn’t worry – this is more because of the modern attitudes that pervade the college than the suppression (or lack!) of male members. Exeter has its own JCR run charity – ExVac - which involves undergrads taking underprivileged children on a 2 weeks holiday near Windsor. The scheme is adored by students and children alike and is a source of great pride for

largest college ski trips for novices and experts alike.

Kitchens One shared JCR kitchen in college, while in annexes

Library 8am to 12.45am

With the majority of college inhabited by first-years, the atmosphere changes from year to year, though what always remains is an active, close-knit community where all are welcomed.

Famous alumni Philip Pullman, Imogen Stubbs, Will Self OXFORD UNIVERSITY ALTERNATIVE PROSPECTUS 2010-2012

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HARRIS

MANCHESTER

Mansfield Road, OX1 3TD 01865 271 006 www.hmc.ox.ac.uk www.hmcjcr.org

Harris Manchester is the only college in Oxford which caters solely for mature students, meaning that everyone here was at least 21 (and in some cases a lot older) when they started their course. After becoming a fully fledged Oxford college in 1996 there isn’t a long history

up dining on a regular basis with ex-judges, union leaders or international rugby stars. Harris Manchester is the smallest Oxford college in terms of the size of its undergraduate population, meaning that it can at times feel more like a family than a college. It also means that college life itself is very flexible – events and activities change year on year in response to the interests of the existing student body.

“you can end up dining on a regular basis with ex-judges and rugby stars“ of centuries-old feuds with other colleges. Instead there is an ethos which doesn’t just tolerate existing traditions but actively seeks to create new ones. One consequence of our status as a college for mature students is that we have what is probably the most diverse undergraduate body of any college. Although the majority of our students are in the 21-30 age bracket we have at times had students as old as their late 70s! Even within Oxford there are few places where you can end

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Societies include a wine society which competes with the university in Berkley, California, a weekly film society and a range of sports teams. While our rowers are affiliated with Wadham, our football and other sports teams do well in spite of our limited number of players. This may admittedly have something to do with the fact that we can put out a team with an average age of 26 against a bunch of 19 year olds. Students here have free access to the university gym on Iffley Roadand can

also take advantage of our well-stocked college library which has extensive opening hours. Although the nature of life in Harris Manchester is obviously a bit different to that in other colleges owing to the age and small numbers of our student body, it can be surprising to outsiders how similar we are to other colleges. Our social events have been thriving in recent years, with college ‘bops’ being as sweaty and fuelled by cheesy music as those at other colleges (this is, somewhat surprisingly, near-universally considered to be a good thing). Harris Manchester manages to succesfully walk the fine line between conformity with the rest of the University and a keeping of its individuality – the hallmark of an Oxford college.

College Facts Undergraduates 76

Nosh All meals available in hall.

Rent Approx. £1350 per term.

Kitchens Limited availability.

Accommodation Two years (often three) guaranteed on-site.

Bathrooms Majority are en-suite, some shared between two.

Library Mon-Fri 9am-1pm and 2pm to 4.30pm.

Famous alumni Joseph Priestly OXFORD UNIVERSITY ALTERNATIVE PROSPECTUS 2010-2012

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HERTFORD

Catte Street, OX1 3BW 01865 279 400 www.hertford.ox.ac.uk jcrweb.hertford.ox.ac.uk

Located in the centre of the city, just over the road from the famous Bodleian library, offering great value for money, and boasting a famous and well-loved bar, Hertford is a fantastic place to study.

Being particularly well represented in music, Hertford has an excellent orchestra, well received, non-auditioning choir, and JCR Live Nights are open for all Hertfordians to share their musical talents; whatever form (and level) they take.

Undergraduates have the opportunity to stay in wellfurnished college accommodation located close to the city centre for the duration of their course. Hertford is one of

Hertford has a wealth of sporting opportunities with competitive teams in the most popular sports. In rowing, both First VIIIs are in the premier division. Hertford Sports Pavilion boasts facilities for squash, football, rugby and hockey, and the JCR runs its own multi-gym.

“Hertford JCR is almost unique in running a studentoperated bar“ the more forward-thinking and progressive colleges in Oxford, being one of the first colleges to become co-ed and at the frontier in terms of widening participation. The friendly undergraduate population has one of the highest intakes of pupils from state schools, and a large (and vocal!) North of England contingent! The college has large cohorts in History, English, Geography, PPE, E&M, foreign languages, Law, and Physics and performs well academically; aided by the well-stocked and spacious 24-hour library.

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rowed” from around Oxford. Although Hertfordians need not venture outside their college for fun and frolics, Hertford students are widely involved across the university; the strength of the college in student journalism might well be related to the prominence of Hertford in newsreading; Fiona Bruce, Natasha Kaplinsky and Krishnan Guru-Murthy all being former Herford students. The range of activities that Hertford students get involved in might make it sound as though life at Hertford is particularly frenetic, however, Hertford cherishes its relaxed atmosphere with chilled-out events such as picnics in the park, hosted by the strong welfare network, sustaining the cohesiveness of the inclusive undergraduate body.

Hertford’s expansive range of teams includes a DanceSport team that won the recent intercollege competition, a talent that is (arguably) recreated across the nightclubs of Oxford. Numbers There is one famous ‘Bridge of On the social front, Sighs’ attached to Hertford, and Hertford JCR is the college rents three punts in the almost unique in summer. holding on to a student-run bar. The bar is underground and divided into five separate rooms, including one room complete with street signs “permanently bor-

College Facts Undergraduates 376 Rent Approx. £900 per term. Accommodation All undergraduates can have collge accommodation. Nosh All meals available in hall on a pay-as-you-go basis.

Kitchens Some kitchens to which most rooms have access. Bathrooms On average students share bathrooms between four. Library Open 24/7 Famous alumni Evelyn Waugh, Natasha Kaplinsky

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JESUS

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Turl Street, OX1 3DW 01865 279 700 www.jesus.ox.ac.uk jcr.jesus.ox.ac.uk As one of the smaller undergraduate colleges, friendships in Jesus extend both within and across all different year groups. It’s this sort of atmosphere which has given the college a reputation as being one of the friendliest colleges in Oxford. The social atmosphere in college is strongly promoted by the range of very active societies. These include the predictable – such as the football and rugby teams – but also those which you might not expect to exist. The “Arty Farty” society promotes the artistic talent of the college, which is particularly displayed annually in the Turl Street Arts Festival. This event takes place with Exeter and Lincoln, and is a great inter-college bonding experience as well as providing an exciting week of concerts, plays and parties. Jesus’ location on Turl Street means that the college is ideally situated next to the Covered Market and the main shopping areas within Oxford. Although this allows for easy access to sandwich

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shops and supermarkets, Jesus also provides three meals a day in Hall, providing great opportunities to socialise within the college.

There are a grand total of two music practice rooms with equipment like a drum kit and PA system.

While there’s a wide variety of food on offer it’s not compulsory, so there’s always scope for cooking yourself if you’re in the second or third year (or

College Facts Undergraduates 340 Rent £927 per term.

Regardless of what activities you want to take up “Jesus has in your time here, you’ll be able to take triumphed recently advantage of our JCR, which includes in various sports“ a free pool table, a flat screen TV, free newspapers and a Playstation 2. The JCR also has the infamous know people in these years). “hatch” where you can enjoy drinks and snacks throughout The college has also got very the day, all paid for with your good sports facilities near our university card. accommodation on Cowley Road, including a football and All in all, Jesus is well worth rugby pitch. In summer these looking at – with accomare converted into cricket modation available for the and tennis pitches, meaning entirety of your course, a 24-hour library and free access to the Iffley Road gym the combiKitchens nation of our facilities None for first-years, but and the atmosphere there are kitchens to share in college makes it an for second- and third-year amazing place to spend students. a few years.

Nosh All meals available in hall except Saturday dinner and Sunday breakfast. Hot meals cost around £2 or £3.

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Library Open 24/7

that there are opportunities to play college sport all year around. Jesus has squash courts close to the centre of town – unsurprisingly there have been recent triumphs by Jesus in sports including Gaelic football, rugby, fencing and hockey.

Bathrooms Usually shared, though some first-years get ensuites. Accommodation College accommodation (on- or off-site) for all students.

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KEBLE

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Parks Road, OX1 3PG 01865 27 27 27 www.keble.ox.ac.uk jcr.keble.ox.ac.uk

Despite being one of the biggest undergraduate colleges, Keble offers a closeknit community to all students within its distinctive red brick walls.

involved in new activities all the easier. The music society is very active, along with the choir, who have toured Japan and Korea in the past, and have recently been invited to tour South Africa. With one of the most vibrant drama scenes in the University, it’s only fitting that the college’s O’Reilly Theatre should be one of the best

Regardless of your interests or background, there will always be like-minded people to be found only a few doors away. It’s only a five-minute walk north from the city centre, so you can avoid the bustle of living right in the centre without having to walk far in order to get into town. Keble can accommodate nearly all of its students for three years. The rooms are spacious and well designed – some of them are Victorian, although refurbished and en suite, while others are more modern and slightly bigger, with floor-to-ceiling windows but a shared bathroom (with one other person). In your first year, you may find yourself in either. As far as college life is concerned, Keble has many student societies within college which make getting

“Skible, the college Snowsports trip, is always very popular“ in Oxford, hosting college and University-wide performances alike. Being a larger college, Keble students are involved in many different sports at various levels. Year after year, Keble boasts an array of impres-

College Facts Undergraduates 410 Rent £850-£1,050 Accommodation Two years guaranteed accommodation, three years for most.

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sive sporting achievements, although that’s not to say that novices are excluded. From the more traditional sports such as football or rugby through to more unusual activities such as Dancesport or Ultimate Frisbee, you’ll always be able to find a sport and level to suit you. Skible, the college Snowsports trip which in 2010 is going to Alpe d’Huez, is always very popular.

Nosh All meals available in Hall on a pay-as-you-go basis. Two courses for £3.50, three courses for £4.

Kitchens No kitchens. Limited microwaves on some corridors. Bathrooms Majority of rooms are ensuite, some students share bathrooms between two.

Keble’s JCR is large and active, with 15 elected committee positions. Free food is provided at JCR meetings, the twice termly BOPs are great fun and always well attended, and the JCR welfare team hold drop-in sessions regularly. Keble Arts Week, run by the JCR, is a highlight in Hilary Term. Keble is a large college that’s extremely active in all areas of university life. From the “littlest gym in Oxford” to Café Keble, from the biggest college bar to the bustling JCR, there’s always something to do in Keble, and an extremely friendly, welcoming group of people to do it with.

Library Open 24/7 Famous alumni Ed Balls, Imran Khan

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LADY MARGARET HALL

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Norham Gardens, OX2 6QA 01865 274 300 www.lmh.ox.ac.uk www.lmhjcr.co.uk LMH is one of Oxford’s most progressive colleges, pioneering women’s education in 1879 we continue with a tradition of equality and diversity. The college boasts both a 1:1 male-female ratio as well as equal state to independent school students. Both teaching staff and students share a committed approach to academic excellence, but moreover a supportive one, which reflects the famously friendly reputation across the university. This allows LMH-ers to work hard and play hard! LMH doesn’t have one distinctive label but many distinctive talents. Students’ artistic endeavours range from directors receiving rave reviews to thought-provoking journalism or art installations to name a few. There have also been a number of Union and Law Society presidents in recent years. From Blues Captains and champions, to team players, from short film directors to national stage musicians the college truly has a varied group of students. LMH is nestled on the edge of the beautiful university parks (a 10 minute walk or 5 minute cycle into town). The location provides an escape from a sometimes claustrophobic tourist hub and puts the college in good proximity to Jericho with

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alternative areas to eat, drink and listen to live music. LMH’s Georgian style buildings are set against 12 acres of some of the prettiest gardens in Oxford. Interestingly, the college chapel was designed by Giles Gilbert

Despite the college’s involved and hardworking JCR, they manage to maintain a closeknit community. The JCR bar is well-equipped with a flatscreen TV, games, a pool and foozball table with comfortable leather booths opening onto the garden.

“LMH is the ultimate summer college from the garden party to live music or a simple BBQ“ Scott who also brought red telephone boxes to England. You’ll find benches and deckchairs spotted across the grounds which play host to netball and tennis courts, a football pitch and the college’s very own punt house looking over the winding river Cherwell. If sport isn’t your thing then there are several exhibition and theatre spaces as well as music practice and performance halls. LMH is the ultimate summer college. Whether it’s the garden party with gourmet foods, live music and bouncy castles or a simple BBQ or picnic, it’s Pimms all round.

Whether it’s X-Factor, the rugby, an acoustic or open mike night the bar is a lively meeting place. Bops are also a great success and usually more fun than the porters would like. Luckily for LMHers, there is a generous welfare team that cooks a hot post-bop brunch in the JCR.

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The college has a punt called Audrey and a main corridor called Hell’s Passage.

College Facts

Rent £1,182 per term

Nosh Meals available in Hall: breakfast, lunch and dinner on weekdays and Sunday lunch on Sunday.

Accommodation Students can live in college for the duration of their course.

Bathrooms Many rooms have en-suite facilities. Freshers usually have to share.

Kitchens Kitchens on every floor of accommodation.

Famous alumni Nigella Lawson, Benazir Bhutto

Undergraduates 424

Library Open 24/7

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053

LINCOLN

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Turl Street, OX1 3DR 01865 279 800 www.lincoln.ox.ac.uk www.lincolnjcr.com

Lincoln is a small, friendly college, ideally located in central Oxford. The college is yards away from Radcliffe Square, as well as the Covered Market and Cornmarket Street and is also within easy walking distance of most faculty buildings. Lincoln is relatively unusual in guaranteeing accommodation for three years (you’ll most likely get four if you want it) and has a range of centrally located accommodation. Most first-years live in college (all rooms actually in college are en-suite) while most third-years live in recently refurbished houses on Museum Road, with en-suite bedrooms and shared kitchens. Happily for scientists, this site is just across the road from the science area. The college itself was founded in 1427, and has a front quad that is special because it hasn’t changed very much since then. Some other colleges had unfortunate periods during the

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In a special Lincoln College tradition, students ascend the library spire to throw over three thousand pennies at passing school children. We kid you not.

twentieth century where they extended their medieval colleges using concrete. Lincoln didn’t, and as a consequence retains much of its medieval character. The college library is also on the main college site and is housed in a spectacular eighteenth century converted church. The library is open from 8.30am to

Lincoln is renowned for the quality of its food, and has a formal sitting every night after its normal sitting. This just means you get nice food, but with candles too and if you miss first hall for whatever reason, it’s ideal. There is a JCR kitchen that provides free tea, coffee and bread adjacent to the common room, and in the third year “Lincoln is renowned you’ll generally share a kitchen with about for the quality of its five other friends.

food“

Lincoln’s alumni vary from Lord Florey (figured out 2.30am daily, so there’s plenty the therapeutic properties of penicillin) to Dr Seuss (yep, of time to work when you’ve finished admiring the building! that one) to the novelist John le Carre, and this diversity and individuality is mirrored Meals are served in the 15th in the current student populacentury hall (which again, hasn’t changed much) and tion, which is in turn reflected in the wide range of activities breakfast, lunch and dinner they undertake. From the are available very reasonably. Lincoln Players, to our outstanding choir, to College Facts the bops in our underground bar (Deep Hall) Rent and then through the Bathrooms Approx. £1,100 per term. broad range of sporting First-years usually get teams, Lincoln punches en-suite rooms. All finalists Nosh well above its weight have en-suite rooms. All meals are available in in all spheres and is a hall. Breakfast is £1.10, fantastic place to live Accommodation lunch £2.20 and dinner and study. Rooms in college buildings £3.96. Kitchens Available to finalists only. They share one between six.

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Library Open 8.30am-2am.

are available for all undergraduates. Famous alumni Dr Seuss, John Le Carré OXFORD UNIVERSITY ALTERNATIVE PROSPECTUS 2010-2012

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MAGDALEN

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High Street, OX1 4AU 01865 276 000 www.magd.ox.ac.uk www.magdjcr.co.uk

There is rarely a dull moment at Magdalen. The college has a wide variety of things to offer ranging from superb sports facilities, brilliant student accommodation, a vibrant social life and of course the deer park and accompanying herd of deer. There is a strong sense of community within the student body at Magdalen- partly the result of the college having enough accommodation for all students to live in the college during their time of study here. In addition to that, the JCR and MCR provide an exciting timetable of social events during each term and ensure that there is really is never ‘nothing to do.’ The accommodation at Magdalen is good- ranging from the famous Waynflete building where you will live in your first year to the plush ensuite rooms in Grove. We have a flat rate of rent which is a little higher than average (just over £1000 per term) but every room has access to a bathroom (if it isn’t ensuite) and a shared kitchen, as well

as there being an internal phone and internet access. In short, the college is a great place to live for your time here and you will be very comfortable.

“the food has improved a lot over the last few years“

In addition to the kitchen facilities we also have a dining hall and a bar for students where meals can be purchased at very reasonable prices (for example, you can usually get a two course dinner and a drink for around £3.50). The food has improved a lot over the last few years and there is very rarely anything but praise! Eating in hall means you get to meet a wide range

of other people and doesn’t make too much of a dent in your bank balance. Magdalen is also a very strong academic college and we have a well stocked library that is open 24 hours a day so there is no need to worry about not having access to books. Whilst the college takes your academic wellbeing seriously, there is a lot to do when you aren’t in the library or the lab. The college has strong men’s and women’s teams in football, hockey, cricket, netball and rugby just to name a few. If sport isn’t your thing then there are many many other societies to be involved in, such as the Stokesley Society (a current affairs debating group) or the Magdalen Players.

College Facts Undergraduates 400 Rent Approx. £1,000 per term. Accommodation Guaranteed accommodation for all undergraduates.

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Nosh All meals available in Hall. Lunch also available in the college bar.

Kitchens One per staircase. Of varying quality. Bathrooms Most first- and some second-years have en suites. Other students share bathrooms. Library Open 24/7 Famous alumni William Hague, Ian Hislop

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057

MANSFIELD

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Mansfield Road, OX1 3TF 01865 270 999 www.mansfield.ox.ac.uk www.mansfieldjcr.org Mansfield College is small but perfectly formed: with only about 70 people in each undergraduate year, being at Mansfield College means knowing lots of friendly faces. The college’s open quad and youthful roots welcome one and all. In Oxford terms, Mansfield is young – the college was set up here in 1886 to train Nonconformist ministers and it retains that knack for not adhering to stuffy traditions. Mansfield students do like to celebrate what they’re good at though – which recently has included rowing, cricket and football success at the top levels! Mansfield students are well represented in different university-wide areas, whether it be student journalism, drama or charity-involvement. Visit Mansfield and it’s likely you’ll come across the friendly adopted cat, Erasmus wandering into the buildings (the honour of naming her was recently auctioned off for charity). If it’s the summer term you might find students playing croquet (with varying levels of success) on the quad. Studying can take place in the beautiful

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It costs zero pounds to use the Iffley Road gym and there is one recently refurbished JCR.

library with its distractingly pretty painted ceiling (although distractions can be numerous depending on the lateness of the hour and the subject matter!), and socialising often happens in the large JCR or red-brick basement bar.

“you’ll come across our adopted cat, Erasmus, wandering into buildings“

Mansfield has admitted female students since 1913 and also has a female ‘head-of-house’; that’s the Principal, Dr. Diana Walford. The most recent recorded ratio of men to women is about 60:40, although this swings A pint of Carlsberg in the cosy, student-staffed bar is just £1.50, about quite frequently due to the college’s small size. And while Strongbow is £1.90. women are well represented Suggestions for new drinks are with the current female JCR always welcome as there is a President and Vice-President. lovely bar manager and lots of The college has approximately student involvement in running 220 undergraduates, 35 the bar. There’s always lots of visiting students, and 50 graduates. There College Facts is always a good social mix between Rent year groups and Kitchens Approx £917 per term. inclusiveness of the Three kitchens available visiting students from to everyone. Accommodation the US. Mansfield All first-years and thirdalso has a very high Bathrooms years can live in. percentage of students Nearly all first-years have who went to state en-suite facilities and Nosh school, so there’s the most you’d have to Breakfast, lunch and certainly no snobbery – share with would be five dinner are available on just friendly faces and a students. weekdays with brunch on black and white cat. Saturday and dinner also available on Sunday.

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choice in Hall when it comes to food, including the Friday favourite of fish and chips, or the mysterious ‘Crème du Barry’ soup. Formals, twice a week on Wednesday and Friday, are also good examples of the college’s culinary attractions. Many would agree that Mansfield food deserves a 5* rating!

Library Open 24/7

Famous alumni Guy Hands, Stephanie Holland

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MERTON

Merton Road, OX1 4JD 01865 276 310 www.merton.ox.ac.uk www.metonjcr.org In Oxford, Merton is generally famed for its consistently strong academic performance. But inside the college, Mertonians are proud of being part of a small, warm community where all your needs - from entz to welfare are well catered for. Reputedly the oldest college in Oxford, Merton is also the only college which has the peculiar task of keeping the universe going! Every Michaelmas the Time Ceremony takes place where students walk

“at the Time Ceremony, students walk backwards drinking for an hour“

backwards round Fellows Quad drinking for an hour - this is to stop disruption to the space-time continuum when the clocks go back. If you think that this sounds both wacky and fun, you’d be spot on. Mertonians certainly know how to have a good time, and there is a good helping of clubs and bars nearby. However, if you want a relaxing night in then Merton is ideal. At the heart of the college social scene, the bar and games room both form part of an easy-going and welcoming environment with legendary barmen who are always up for banter. Bar quizzes, outstanding bops (college parties) until the early hours of the morning, karaoke, film nights - you name it, Merton will have something for you.

The college also boasts some of the lowest accommodation charges in the University along with very generous hardship grants available to all students. In addition, the welfare team includes undergrads who are trained to listen to any worries that might be playing on your mind. Welfare Tea is a regular event where there are free cakes and biscuits on offer every Sunday.

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Merton has a music room with one grand piano. The college owns two punts. There is one gym and one squash court. The pool table and table football cost nothing to play. There are three flavours of toastie in the college bar. Yum.

College Facts Undergraduates 270 Rent Approx. £780 per term. Nosh Breakfast, lunch and dinner are available every day. Formal Hall is served Sunday to Monday from 7.15pm.

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Kitchens There is a JCR kitchen for

The college has many exciting societies including a flourishing Chapel Choir. The politics society is also very successful, with many famed personalities addressing students in recent years. For the more artistic, there is an Art Society and Merton Floats, the drama society. On the sports field, Merton offers a wide variety of sports at almost any level of participation. Last year, the Merton-Mansfield cricket team won the league, this year the 1st football team gained promotion to the Premier League of JCR teams and the rowers (both men and women) continue to go from strength to strength. Additionally, Merton has a great reputation for bar sports such as pool and darts. all members, a kitchen for In short, everything at Freshers and some others Merton is conducive to available for those in third an environment where or fourth year. students are really able to make the most of their Library short but memorable Open 8.30am to midnight time at University. except Sunday; 10.00am to midnight. Famous alumni Sir Roger Bannister, TS Eliot, JRR Tolkein, Mark Thompson

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NEW

Holywell Street, OX1 3BN 01865 279 555 www.new.ox.ac.uk www.newcollegejcr.org.uk Welcome to New College – ironically, one of the oldest colleges in Oxford (a source of amusement for many). As well as being a fantastic place to learn, we’ve got some of the most beautiful buildings and distinctive features in Oxford – take a look at the Cloisters, where Harry Potter was filmed, or

“the college choir is particularly wellrenowned“ try clapping in front of the ‘squeaky’ garden mound steps. New College prides itself on its welcoming, friendly and laid-back atmosphere. Being a big college, it’s home to over 400 students of all backgrounds, beliefs and cultures, who work hard, but also know how to enjoy themselves. Regular social events, garden parties and even lavish commemorative Balls are hosted within the college’s old stone walls, and being a college which spends a lot

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of money on its students, we can afford to have fun.

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A few minutes away you’ll find one cricket pavillion owned by the college.

Our college coffers are among of the fullest in Oxford, which means we can afford to support our students, whether this be academically, with well-stocked libraries and tuition grants, or in their personal pursuits, with travel and sporting awards. We offer high quality accommodation and meals at very affordable prices, and our hall meals are top-rated amongst Oxford colleges. New College has a keen enthusiasm for sport, as well as a fine reputation for rowing; but there’s no pressure to be sporty, or even exercise at all (our common room’s Wii is just as popular a pastime). The college’s musical reputation is also widely renowned, with the classical

orchestras, student initiated bands and jazz groups. New College Choir is particularly renowned – known as arguably the best mixed voice choir in Oxford, it provides a great opportunity for the more musically gifted students at New. There’s even a college newspaper that’s entirely student written and produced. We have the facilities to accommodate whatever you’re interested in. These facilities include our library which has a massively popular DVD collection, a recently refurbished kitchen which has vastly increased the quality of college food and generally good accommodation – around half of the rooms are en suite and shared bathrooms are not excessively crowded. There is no stereotypical ‘New College’ student – the atmosphere of the large college means that it’s easy to find like-minded people and make close friends, but still small and cosy enough that you can know nearly everyone. For many, the college becomes a home away from home.

College Facts Rent £971 per term

To eat there three times a day will cost you in the region of £10.

Accommodation Available for freshers, thirdand fourth-years and a few second-years.

Kitchens Access to reasonable kitchens for all students.

Library Open 24/7

Bathrooms Shared between three to ten.

Nosh All meals are available in hall on a pay-as-you-go basis.

Famous alumni Hugh Grant, Tony Benn, Angus Deayton

If you want to know more, come to one of our many Open Days throughout the year, or find out more online.

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ORIEL

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Merton Road, OX1 4EW 01865 276 555 www.oriel.ox.ac.uk www.orieljcr.org

Oxford’s fifth-oldest college, Oriel was founded in the fourteenth century by the infamous Edward II and is located in a prime position just off the High Street.

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In the college bar there is one pool table, one darts board, one juke box and pints for one pound and seventy pence.

There are three quads, a chapel, a traditional dining hall featuring the largest painted portrait of the Queen, and well-equipped library which is open 24 hours a day.

is held six times a week, a rarity in Oxford. The bar is open every night and acts as a focal point of the college social scene. Bops take place here, and there is a pool table, dart board, and ever

“The JCR is a quiet and comfortable space for relaxing“

Accommodation is provided for all students, either on the main site, the adjacent ‘Island’ site, or at James Mellon Hall, a short walk away in Cowley. Many of the rooms are en-suite, and some flats are available for second- and third-years. Rent costs vary, and the rooms are ranked on a scale of D to A* so that each student can choose a type of room based on their preferences and budget.

popular quiz machine. The JCR is a quiet and comfortable space for relaxing, and has an annexe often used for play rehearsals, parties and other meetings. Oriel also has a sizeable TV room with a Sky subscription. On the extra-curricular side Oriel offers a number of varied opportunities. Musicians enjoy a well-equipped music room, and

All meals are available in hall, but there are also a number of kitchens located throughout the college. Formal Hall, a three course dinner,

College Facts Rent £790-£1,070 per term. Nosh All meals are available in hall. Breakfast is £1.86, lunch is £2.38 and dinner is £3.41. Kitchens Generally not provided.

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Library Open 24/7

the choir and orchestras are extremely active. An annual highlight is the Christmas concert in the University church. Many Orielenses enjoy drama, and a play, usually directed by a member of college, is held in the beautiful second quad each summer. Speakers frequent the college societies each year, Phillip Pullman being a notable example in 2009, and there are enthusiastic philosophy, history and literature groups. The latter, the Ralegh society, is named after Oriel’s most famous alumnus, Sir Walter Raleigh, although Rachel Riley, the new Carol Vorderman on ‘Countdown’ is currently giving him a run for his money. Oriel is often viewed as a keen sporting college, and the facilities and opportunities are indeed excellent. There is a proud rowing tradition (Oriel dominated the river during the 1980s and 90s), and rugby, football and cricket are all popular.

Bathrooms Many en-suites are available for all years. Accommodation All undergraduates can live in college buildings, with students in first- and second-year housed on site. Famous alumni Thomas Arundel, Dan Hannan, Sir Walter Raleigh

Therefore Oriel covers all the bases, from academic achievement to activities, and social stuff to sports and societies. There’s even plans in the next year to reintroduce a college tortoise.

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PEMBROKE

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St Aldate’s, OX1 1DW 01865 276 444 www.pmb.ox.ac.uk www.pembrokejcr.com

Pembroke’s colour is pink, a shade which is loud enough to drown out all the bells in Oxford. However, the pink sports shirts strike fear into the hearts of our opponents, the bar’s pink cocktail energizes a night out like nothing else, and the pink panther mascot costume all go to show that pink is an appropriate college colour. Yup. Pembrokians

“our legendary bar is run by equally legendary barman, Len“ are as proud of their colour as they are of their college. So what inspires Pembroke pride? There are too many reasons to list, really, but here are a few: 1. The location is awesome. Right on St Aldates, we’re seconds from the Westgate Centre, Cornmarket Street and High Street. 2. Founded in 1624, the college itself is a beautiful place to spend your time. Chapel quad, with its breathtaking hall, is a hidden gem of the university. 3. The active and progressive

JCR provides a hub of community life and inspires an atmosphere of inclusiveness and friendliness, as do traditions such as ‘Three Kings’ in which hundreds of Pembrokians descend on other colleges during the festive season to fill their bars with carol singing. The JCR committee does a grand job of organizing events from the religiously-attended fortnightly JCR meetings to the annual college ski trip. Pembroke provides a great environment in which to pursue your academic interests and studies. The college offers a wide range of subjects including minority choices such as Oriental studies, Economics and Management and Arabic as well as specializing in more traditional subjects such as History.

hang out. There are plenty of opportunities to get involved with art, music and drama via the choir or the annual college musical and play. Pembroke boasts an impressive collection of post-war British art housed in Oxford’s only student-run gallery. Sport plays a big part of college life. The boat club has established itself at the heart of Oxford rowing. Success on the river is matched on the field by the rugby, football, cricket and netball teams. Casual sporting pursuits run alongside competitive efforts with the infamous 3rds football team and the beer and bikini boats. So, as you can see, Pembroke gives its students a reason to wear pink with pride.

Undergraduates 400

At Pembroke, time spent outside the library is as important as time spent inside it. Our legendary bar, Len’s, run by our equally legendary barman Len, is a fantastic place to

Rent Between £1,000 and £1,600 per term. Accommodation All freshers live in college. Second-years live out and third-years live in an annex.

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College Facts

It takes just ten minutes to get to the sports fields. The male-female ratio of undergraduates is fifty-fifty.

Library Open 24/7 Kitchens One kitchen between fourteen students.

Nosh Breakfast and lunch available on a pay-as-you-go basis. Dinner costs £4.95 and is pre-paid for freshers. Bathrooms Half of the rooms on-site are en-suite, the other half share bathrooms between six. Famous alumni Samuel Johnson, Michael Heseltine, Roger Bannister

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QUEEN’S

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High Street, OX1 01865 279 120 www.queens.ox.ac.uk www.queens.ox.ac.uk/jcr Queen’s used to be a home for Northern students at Oxford. These days, the college retains a vague association with the North, but Queen’s is probably better known for being cosy and well insulated socially.

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In the college bar there is one pool table, one darts board, one juke box and pints for one pound and seventy pence.

Accommodation is provided for the duration of your course. Unlike most colleges, in Queen’s you start in the annexes and work inwards, eventually upgrading to the best bedrooms in college with en-suites and reception rooms. The first-year accommodation looks like a giant spaceship, but every bedroom has a glass wall and faces inwards which means you always know what’s going on, which creates a fantastic social environment. Most of the accommodation doesn’t have kitchens. College is working on that, but at least it makes meals in college fun and busy, and for a relatively cheap price. Eating and sleeping are

sorted, leaving social pursuits, which are also integral to Queen’s. The beer cellar is popular with students and offers some of the

well-catered for too as the college has every sort of pitch or court you can imagine, as well as squash courts and a gym.

“the beer cellar is popular with students“

Everyone can get involved with the Eglesfield Music Society, which regularly puts on choral and instrumental concerts. On top of this, Queen’s rightfully boasts one of the best chapel choirs in Oxford. Despite all of the above, it’s very easy to get involved in university-wide activities, and the brilliant location of the college means lots of its members do so. Queen’s is situated bang on the High Street and is hard to miss, standing out thanks to its striking frontage and giant columns.

cheapest drinks in Oxford. JCR Tea, ‘Neighbours’ on the bigscreen TV, table-tennis after lunch, and pool and darts in the beer cellar, are all essential fixtures of the day. The stunning, wellstocked, 24-hour library is also a much-appreciated facility. Sport is

College Facts Rent £1044 per term Accommodation All undergraduates can get college accommodation, in annexes or on the actual college site. Library Open 24/7

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Nosh All meals are available in hall on a pay-as-you-go basis.

Breakfast and lunch cost between £1 and £3 while dinner is £3.50. Kitchens Limited availability. Bathrooms Half of the rooms are ensuite, the other half are shared between five to eight people. Famous alumni Henry V, Rowan Atkinson

As a result, it’s really well positioned, directly opposite the Exams Schools and right next to all the shops within its four walls, the college’s ideal location, buzzing social scene and fantastic facilities mean it’s also popular with outgoing types as well.

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St ANNE’S

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Woodstock Rd, OX2 6HS 01865 274 800 www.st-annes.ox.ac.uk www.stannesjcr.org

Founded in 1879 as the Society of Home Students, initially as a place to provide affordable education for women, St Anne’s was granted a university charter in 1952 as a women-only college. In 2009, St Anne’s celebrates 30 years since it became coeducational, having first admitted

“St Anne’s is one of the most modern colleges in Oxford“

where every room is en-suite! Among undergrads, the college is known for its lively socials, its strong sense of community spirit and 1960s architecture, which is best represented by the former entrance to college and current Freshers’ building, The Gatehouse. The college is also proud of its ‘College Mascot’. The irrepressible beaver, which holds legendary status with undergrads, and is immortalised in the name of our termly bog-sheet!

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The college’s lively student body is home to many college-based societies, ranging from the St Anne’s Film Society, to the typical assortment of sports teams (both male and female), including Football, Cricket, Hockey, “Ultimate Frisbee” and many more.

St Anne’s students are blessed with a satisfyingly well-stocked library – it’s one of the largest college libraries in the university and, since Hilary 2009, is open 24/7. Students also enjoy 24/7 access to the college IT room. Both these facilities are used constantly, especially when there’s an outbreak of essay crises!

men in 1979. The college now has a roughly even gender split. St Anne’s is one of the largest undergraduate colleges in the university, but fortunately for its undergrads it can house As one of the most modern almost all of its students on-site. colleges in Oxford, St Anne’s Particularly sought-after rooms are to be found Numbers in the newly-built (2005) The college bar is Ruth Deech Building, open from seven until eleven thirty every night and there are four hundred and seventy five undergraduates at St Anne’s.

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considers itself one of the most forward-looking, and in the coming years it intends to expand its on-site facilities significantly, with plans to build a new library and IT resource centre. This project is even more significant given that St Anne’s is situated opposite the site of the new Humanities centre which is being built in the Radcliffe Observatory Quarter, just across Woodstock Road.

College Facts Rent £1,051 per term Accommodation Almost all undergraduates can be housed in college for the duration of their course. Library Open 24/7 Nosh Breakfast, lunch and dinner are available in hall Monday to Friday with Brunch

Although about 5-10 minutes from the city centre, ‘Stanners’ (as they’re known) are spoilt for choice when it comes to eating and drinking out. The nearby district of Jericho is home to a wide range of restaurants, pubs and trendy cocktail bars- many of which are available at weekends. On situated on the renowned average, meals cost £2.40. Little Clarendon Street, which is only a 2-minute Kitchens walk from college. All accommodation blocks have kitchens shared among eight or fewer students. Bathrooms Nearly half the rooms in college are en-suite. Famous alumni Polly Toynbee, Helen Fielding, Edwina Currie

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St CATHERINE’S

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Manor Road, OX1 3UJ 01865 271 700 www.stcatz.ox.ac.uk jcr.stcatz.ox.ac.uk St Catherine’s College – known affectionately around the city as ‘Catz’ – breaks the Oxford mould like no other. You will be taken aback on your first encounter. The architecture is not traditional, romantic Oxford – that is if your vision of ‘romantic’ is stone walls and gargoyles. That said, St Catz is entirely Grade I listed as all the buildings, including the dining hall and even the cutlery, were designed by innovative Danish architect Arne Jacobsen. It is a light, airy college with plenty of glass and grass.

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It takes just ten minutes to walk to the sports grounds, there are two music practice rooms and it costs only eighty-eight pence for a cider in the college bar.

Catz has traditionally been labelled a quite insular, apathetic college, with its students failing to get involved in the wider university

“Catz students talk about the college like a big family“

Its history is brief, but a story of idealism: the college was established largely as a place for bright workingclass boys, but has since grown and is now one of the most diverse student bodies in the university. We have had more Nobel Prize winners than any other college, and among our alumni is rowing legend Matthew Pinsent.

life. However these days the college is making great leaps in the life of Oxford. Many of our current students play important roles in university sport, drama, music and politics. Our new

College Facts Undergraduates 469 Rent Approx. £1,050 per term. Accommodation Undergraduates can live onsite for three years. Library 8am until midnight on weekdays, 9am until midnight on weekends.

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Nosh Breakfast is £1.89, Lunch is

college Music Society has taken off in the past year and already has a reputation for being one of the best of its kind in Oxford – our much-loved Master even appeared on stage in a Catz musical showcase singing Gilbert & Sullivan! Moreover we are known for our spirit of fun: college bops have been described as the best in Oxford, and club nights are typically filled with Catz students.

However, if we ever seem reluctant to leave our little piece of heaven down Manor Road it’s easy to understand. Catz students talk about the college as though it were a big family. There is a great deal of talent here but about £3 and dinner in the none of the inflated canteen is roughly £2.50 egos you might find while dinner in hall is £3.24. elsewhere. The typical Catz student tends to be Kitchens fairly down-to-earth and Shared among ten. easygoing, and people get on very well. Our Bathrooms bar is always vibrant, Second-years have en-suite and visitors frequently rooms while others share say just how good the among ten. atmosphere is in the JCR. Famous alumni Benazir Bhutto, Peter Mandelson, Sir Matthew Pinsent OXFORD UNIVERSITY ALTERNATIVE PROSPECTUS 2010-2012

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St EDMUND HALL

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Queen’s Lane, OX1 4AR 01865 279 000 www.seh.ox.ac.uk jcr.seh.ox.ac.uk Better known by its nickname, Teddy Hall (you’ll have trouble finding someone who refers to it by its full name), this is a proudly buzzing College. Its students enjoying a reputation for getting out and making the most of their university experience without worrying too much about those college league table scores.

“St Anne’s is one of the most modern colleges in Oxford“

Having said that year upon year Teddy Hall easily falls mid-table, not sweating it too much except on the sports pitches, the river, the stage or just the dance floor at Park End (a nightclub) or at one of their own legendary bops. Teddy Hall isn’t just a party college, though - it’s arty too. In fact, it’s got the largest intake of fine art students across the university and as a result there are some stunning exhibitions to see. Still, you might hear

Teddies coming out with their simple but effective “HAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLL!!!!” chanting, guaranteed to silence all rival sports spectators. At our annual Christmas Dinner a slightly inebriated rendition of The Teddy Bear’s Picnic is likely to take priority. The unique Hall spirit is evident in each of our (many) songs.

Numbers There is one college punt which is free for students to use in the summer and there is even one underground video games room.

The smallness of the Teddy Hall site, in contrast to its large number of undergraduates – the second highest in the university – means that it’s impossible not to be familiar with most of your fellow Teddies and we quickly bond. Because there’s one main route through the College, after just a few days you’ll feel quite at home passing those same friendly faces everyday in the front quad. It’s certainly not a college that you’ll get lost in for days, but why would you want to, with our enviable location on the High Street?

College Facts Undergraduates 400 Rent £1,095 per term Accommodation Most years can live in, although the majority of second-years live out. Library Open 24/7

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Nosh All meals available including brunch at weekends and formal hall on Wednesday

Nipping out for a coffee, dashing to the pub in time for last orders or to Ahmed’s kebab van in the middle of an all-nighter are luxuries that we can afford to be complacent about! The Norman church (which houses the library) and beautiful front quad are both reminders of the college’s past as a medieval Hall, allowing Teddies the rightful claim that, being founded in 1262, it is the University’s oldest seat of learning, despite not gaining official collegiate status till more recently in 1957.

The summer term always sees our graveyard fill up nicely with picnickers, Pimms drinkers and those wanting to sunbathe or simply revise against headstone headrests. As an outdoor space it’s much more practical and conducive to relaxation than others – you won’t see many colleges with students sitting around strumming guitars in the middle of big front quads! Fortunately the graveyard feels more an extension of our common evenings. Breakfast £1.70, room than anything else, lunch roughly £2.50 and albeit a prettier, sunnier, dinner £3.85. grassier extension. Kitchens Roughly shared among ten. Finalists have reduced access to kitchens. Bathrooms A few en-suites for finalists, otherwise bathrooms are shared among ten. Famous alumni Terry Jones, Al Murray, Emma Kennedy

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St HILDA’S

Cowley Place, OX4 1DY 01865 276 884 www.sthildas.ox.ac.uk www.hildasjcr.co.uk

St Hilda’s is different to most colleges. It was the last of the all- female colleges having recently allowed men in through its doors. This shouldn’t scare you off though; it’s friendly, warm and probably one of the most relaxed of all the colleges in Oxford As a college it’s very open to mingling with other colleges: having joint bops is something of a tradition, and we’ve produced three Student Union Presidents and Vice Presidents in the past six years.

town, where there’s a huge range of shops, restaurants, bars and clubs that are cheaper than in other areas of town. Because women were originally barred from using the Bodleian, our college library is very well developed, especially in English, Politics and Philosophy, and there are book grants for all first and second years.

We have an annual arts festival incorporating photography, drama, music, art and dance, and a lot of partying “it’s not ugly, either. in the gardens. The College Choir There are several regularly performs at beautiful Victorian the fantastic on-site Jacqueline Du Pre buildings“ Music centre. This modern building gives all students the use of practice rooms and It’s not ugly, either. We have a large auditorium. use of several beautiful With two tennis Victorian buildings on the river, courts on-site, and with well-kept grounds. Out the closest college to the east of Oxford, Hilda’s to the University has the River Cherwell flowing sports ground, we through it, with college punts can cater for all available to relax on in the your fitness needs. summer. It’s also close to the There’s also a bustling Cowley Road area of triennial ball which

attracts around a thousand students. The bar, which is one of the few remaining student-run ones, has the best juke box of any college bar, a pool table, quiz machine and stays open all night for May Eve. It hosts termly events too, from the infamous End-of-Term Party (formerly know as ‘Drink the Bar Dry’) to jazz and cocktails. It’s regularly packed with students from outside of college – for obvious reasons! St Hilda’s is a multinational place, with more than thirty countries represented among our members, and we place a strong emphasis on student welfare. Friendly, vibrant, individualistic and diverse, most of our members confidently say they couldn’t imagine being happier at any other college.

College Facts Undergraduates 400 Rent Approx. £900 per term. Accommodation Provided for 1st and 3rd years.

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Library 8am - 12.45am

Nosh All meals available in Hall, along with snacks. Kitchens Shared among about 14. Bathrooms 50-100 ensuites, others share. Famous alumni Wendy Cope, Kate Millett

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St HUGH’S

St Margaret’s Road, OX2 6LE 01865 274 900 www.sthughs.ox.ac.uk www.hughsjcr.com St Hugh’s was once an allfemale college and is huge, with accommodation for every undergraduate on site, large gardens, and one of the biggest college libraries in Oxford. The fact that everyone lives together means that you become friends with people in all the year groups, rather than just your own. It also means that you make new friends throughout your time in Oxford, rather than deciding who your friends are in first-year and then moving out with them. The gardens at St. Hugh’s are amazing, and easily make up for the buildings not quite hitting the ‘Oxford college used for Harry Potter’ standard, and are entirely open to students. You can walk, run, play croquet, and (if you must) study on the lawns. This is actually quite rare, as most Oxford Colleges have a “not on the grass” policy. It also reflects the general atmosphere of Hugh’s, as the College is your home, and sees itself as such, rather than just your school. Hugh’s is further out of town than most other colleges, but is still only a 15min walk or 5min bike ride into the town centre,

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which means that going to a lecture also counts as your daily exercise! If you’re someone who’s a little more energetic, there are tennis/basketball/ netball courts and a gym on site, while use of squash courts at Wolfson College is allowed and there’s beautiful Port Meadow just up the road if you want somewhere to run.

fortnight, a RAG ball at the end of Michaelmas, open mic nights and more - there’s something on every week, and we have the best brunch in town every weekend, to help you recover from your week’s activities!

When it comes to work, St Hugh’s is fairly relaxed (by Oxford standards), though Hugh’s has recently jumped

“St Hugh’s is fairly relaxed - by Oxford standards“ College Facts quite high in the Norrington table, and is clearly a very good college academically. You can push yourself and find the support to be academically brilliant here, but you’re not made to feel that your other activities are inferior; students in college are very active in student politics, drama, music, sport and drinking tea! Not sold yet? Hugh’s also has a great social life, with bops (college parties) every

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with brunch available at weekends.

Rent £1,075 per term.

Kitchens Every student has access to a kitchen.

Accommodation All undergraduates can live on-site. Library Open 24/7 Nosh Available on a pay-asyou-go basis. All meals are served on weekdays

Bathrooms Freshers generally have to share, but about 40% of rooms have en-suite facilities. Famous alumni Barbara Castle, Joanne Trollop and Joe Goddard.

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St JOHN’S

St Giles’, OX1 3JP 01865 277 318 www.sjc.ox.ac.uk jcr.sjc.ox.ac.uk

Ask about St John’s and the first thing most people will tell you is that it’s Oxford’s richest college. If that’s all they tell you, though, you’ve been massively shortchanged. Founded in the mid-15th century, John’s is a college with great variety and a fantastic place to live. The first college to accommodate students for the full length of their degree, it still houses all students right in the heart of Oxford throughout their stay. It’s a factor that’s contributed to John’s having one of the highest intakes of state school students in the University. John’s is also known for its strong academic reputation, but don’t think that it’s a college full of bookworms! Out of the classroom college members get involved in a whole array of activities, from sports to journalism and student politics. The highly acclaimed International Relations Society was recently founded by John’s students, while the college is also the only one in Oxford to have

their own TV station – SJCTV! John’s also has a great range of facilities for you to enjoy, from three computer rooms to one of the best-stocked libraries in Oxford. There is a

choir singing a Latin Grace beforehand. The gardens are gorgeous - perfect for a relaxing stroll. If chess is your thing then there’s a giant set to entertain you.

“if chess is your thing there’s a giant set to entertain you“

games room fully kitted out with pool and table tennis, music practice facilities and a TV lounge complete with an enormous plasma widescreen and games consoles. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served every day in the beautiful dining hall at good value prices. On Sundays you can enjoy three courses for as little as £3.14, with the

The sports facilities are also first class: there is a huge gym and two 24 hour squash courts onsite, while the boat club is one of the most successful on the river. The practice grounds and sports pavilion are just a ten minute walk up the road. The University Parks are even closer; ideal for a quick game of five-a-side or a picnic in summer. There really is something for everyone. Wherever you’re from, whatever your interests, John’s could be the place for you.

College Facts Undergraduates 370 Rent Approx. £985 per term. Accommodation Guaranteed accommodation on-site for all undergraduates.

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Nosh Breakfast (82p), lunch (£2) and dinner (formal; £3.14)

available every day. Kitchens Shared among about five people on average. Bathrooms Shared among five on average during the first two years. Finalists share bathrooms between two. Library 9am to 12am.

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St PETER’S

New Inn Hall St., OX1 2DL 01865 278 900 www.spc.ox.ac.uk www.spcjcr.co.uk

St Peter’s College is the laid-back teenager of the Oxford college family. As one of the youngest colleges in Oxford, there is a more relaxed and carefree atmosphere than in many others. You will notice that everyone at St Peter’s college is downto-earth and friendly; from the Porters to the furry Squirrel mascots. Students at St Peter’s (Peterites) love to have fun and make the most of life. College bops will get you dressed up in everything from your favourite TV cartoon characters to anything but clothes… There are many dedicated sports teams ranging across all major and minor sports. Peterites are active in the majority of Oxford societies and all college members are encouraged to get involved with something they enjoy. You can get involved with the student newspaper (the ‘Peterphile’), Open Mic nights which showcase the best in musical and vocal talent, the annual play for drama cuppers, an alternative choir and much more! The social facilities at St Peter’s are among the best in the university. There is a common

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“the college has one of the most diverse student bodies in Oxford“ room kitted out with sofas, a sky TV, pool table, table tennis table, quiz machines, games machines, a Nintendo Wii... the list is endless! The student bar has recently been renovated and is a fantastic place for social gatherings and sampling the infamous college drink, ‘The Crosskeys.’ Peterites are also active outside of college and you’re always likely to spot a contingent of St Peter’s students in local clubs, pubs and bars. When you finally get down to work, you won’t be disappointed. Unlike many colleges in Oxford, St Peter’s offers 24hr access to our college library and has enough public computers to cater to the needs of students 24 hours a day. While some colleges may seem intimidating because

of their size and age, you will notice the warmth that comes with the relatively smaller and younger St Peter’s. Finally, the college has one of the most diverse student bodies within the University. It was founded with the purpose of allowing the best students from all backgrounds to have an Oxford University education. On a practical note, we can guarantee accommodation for 3 years and the sense of community within the college means that meals and college events are always well attended.

College Facts Rent This varies - check with the college before you apply. Accommodation Available for most students for three to four years. Library Open 24/7 Nosh All meals are available on a pay-as-you-go basis.

Kitchens These vary depending on where you are in college - though there is one large communal kitchen. Bathrooms A few en-suite rooms, but more commonly there are bathrooms shared among three or four. Famous alumni The Revd. Wilbert Vere Awdry, creator of Thomas the Tank Engine.

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SOMERVILLE

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Woodstock Rd., OX2 6HD 01865 270 600 www.some.ox.ac.uk students.some.ox.ac.uk/jcr Somerville may not be the easiest college to find, but hidden away behind an unassuming entrance on a main road, the huge grass quad and surrounding red brick buildings are some of Oxford’s best hidden treasures. The town centre is only a few

“one of the best college libraries in Oxford“

minutes walk away, but if the hustle and bustle ever gets you down, the peaceful atmosphere inside the college grounds provides a welcome nearby retreat. The Science Area is a fiveminute walk away, and any map of Oxford will show just how conveniently placed Somerville is in relation to other faculty buildings. This makes getting to those early morning lectures just a little more bearable! The college is also well situated for Oxford’s main

nightclubs, and with the bohemian Jericho district on our doorstep, there is a wealth of bustling city life to enjoy right outside the college gates. The accommodation inside the college is extremely comfortable, and those who ‘live out’ in second-year mostly take up resident in student properties in Jericho or the more northerly Summertown area. This makes for a very good balance between a closeknit college community and broader integration with the rest of the town and University. The Dining Hall in college is competitively priced and very well attended, though students also make good use of the many surrounding restaurants, pubs and cafés. For those who like to cook

for themselves, there are kitchens at the end of almost every corridor. Somerville has one of the best college libraries in Oxford, with an enormous collection of books for every subject. The library is open 24/7 with very generous borrowing rights and a book request system, by which students can ask the library to buy a book they want. Apart from the bar and JCR rooms, the main social hub of college is the enormous quad, which lacks the ‘Please Keep Off The Grass’ signs found in other colleges, and becomes a hive of activity as soon as the sun comes out.

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There are four pianos that students can use in different rooms, two JCR rooms and one college cat called pogo.

College Facts Rent £971 per term Accommodation Available for freshers, thirdand fourth-years and a few second-years. Library Open 24/7

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Nosh All meals are available in hall on a pay-as-you-go basis.

Somerville is many things, but above all it has a liberal, tolerant and friendly attitude, based on the original founding ethos of the college. Despite the large size of the student population, there is a definite sense that everyone knows each other, regardless of which social group they belong to. College staff and tutors are just as warm and supportive as the students, and every member of the college To eat there three times a really does contribute day will cost you about £10. towards the unique and special atmosphere of Kitchens Somerville. Access to reasonable kitchens for all students. Bathrooms Shared among three to ten. Famous alumni Margaret Thatcher, Iris Murdoch, Indira Gandhi. OXFORD UNIVERSITY ALTERNATIVE PROSPECTUS 2010-2012

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TRINITY

Broad Street, OX1 3BH 01865 279 900 www.trinity.ox.ac.uk www.trinity.ox.ac.uk/jcr

Trinity College, founded in 1555 by Sir Thomas Pope, is well-known throughout the University for its beauty: idyllic lawns provide the perfect summer haunt for Trinitarians sprawled in the sunshine, and its golden stone buildings were designed by Sir Christopher Wren. If you’re lucky enough to come at the top of the room ballot you might even find yourself on Garden Quad with a double bed and en-suite facilities, living in a room once graced by the likes of Cardinal Newman. The college is also widely renowned for its food: places for Friday guest night - four sumptuous courses from our award-winning kitchen – are harder to get hold of than Glastonbury tickets. However, it’s not just the lovely gardens, delicious food and amazing architecture that make Trinity an incredible place to spend three, four or more years. The tightknit student body, with its welcoming atmosphere, means that you are guaranteed to feel like you belong here even before you’ve had your first tutorial.

Plus, all students can usually live on-site for the first two years and in college-owned accommodation for the entire length of your course. This

to play before. The college may not always come top of the leagues, but it always manages to get a team out! The rowing club is also very active both on and off the water; it welcomes all standards of rowers and is currently the on top undergraduate en- boat club on the river.

“you might find yourself in a room garden quad in an suite double room“ fosters a real bond between the years, making the Trinity student community feel like one big family. With its own sports ground and great team spirit, getting involved is never difficult at Trinity, whether you’re going for a Blue or trying a sport you’ve never had the chance

Off the sports field, Trinity has a strong choir and its own orchestra. Trinity is also one of few colleges lucky enough to have its own student newspaper and a vibrant drama society which stages two plays a year. Outside college, Trinitarians are active in the Union, on the stage and in the Blues teams, providing plenty of opportunities to meet students from other colleges.

College Facts Undergraduates 294 Rent Approx. £1,200. Accommodation Accommodation available both on- and off-site. Nosh Available in Hall. Breakfast £1.80, Lunch around £2.80 and Dinner for £3.60.

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Library Open 24/7

Kitchens On-site there’s one recently refurbished kitchen and off-site there’s one kitchen shared among three to four people. Bathrooms There are 25 en-suite rooms in colleges. Students in other rooms share. Famous alumni Lord North, Peter Stothard, Henry Ireton

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UNIVERSITY

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High Street, OX1 4BH 01865 276 602 www.univ.ox.ac.uk Univ is a medium-sized college, so we are a close community and support each other at every level - perhaps more than they do at some bigger colleges.

“Stavertonia” in North Oxford. Rooms in college are spacious and comfortable, compared to student accommodation at other colleges or universities, and rent is reasonable at around £900 per term. In second-year you can choose to live in shared rooms where you get your own bedroom but share a living area. Every room has a sink, fridge, a fast internet connection and a telephone and bathrooms are usually shared among 3-5 people.

Brunch at the weekends is especially popular; maybe it’s the waffles or the scrambled eggs with salmon! For a more traditional experience there’s formal hall six nights a week which has three courses, is waiter-served and gowns are compulsory. It’s great as a special but good-value evening for birthdays or visitors, and also a chance to get involved with Oxford “Every room has a tradition, which is a lot more fun than it is sink, fridge and a fast stuffy!

However, Univ is big enough to avoid a claustrophobic “everyone knows everything about everyone” feel! Both first- and second-years live in College, meaning we have lots of interaction and friendships between year groups. Univ is beautiful! You get the traditional Oxford setting, living and studying in stunning quads and buildings, but it’s not as imposing as some colleges in Oxford; you’re not going to feel like a tourist in your own home. The college, although peaceful, is right on the High Street and close to anywhere you might need to be, including the University libraries, exam schools and science buildings. It’s a two-minute walk from Christ Church meadow where you can relax in the sunshine, get away from the crowds of the centre and clear your head. Univ provides all students with accommodation for the duration of their course, in College for the first two years and afterwards in

internet connection“

There are a few kitchens dotted around college, but most students eat their meals in Hall. This year saw the opening of our new Buttery

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Meals are paid for with your University card on a pay-asyou-go basis and are very good value considering the variety and quantity - £2.30 for a vegetarian main course and just 50p for soup. The staff in Hall and the buttery get along with everyone and cater for all dietary needs.

College Facts Undergraduates 400 Rent £900 per term. Nosh Formal Hall is available six nights a week. You can also eat at the Buttery. All meals are on a pay-asyou-go basis.

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and the chefs are very responsive to our suggestions, meaning at the food at Univ is of a very high standard.

Bathrooms Usually shared among three to five people. Kitchens A few in college. Library Open 24/7 Famous alumni Bill Clinton, Clement Attlee, Stephen Hawking

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WADHAM

Parks Road, OX1 3PN 01865 277 900 www.wadham.ox.ac.uk su.wadham.ox.ac.uk

Wadham isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. The patch of grass outside the common room is called the Bar Quad, not Ho Chi Minh Quad. The wine cellar is one of the largest in Oxford, while the majority of the college’s gardens are off limits to undergraduates. And you’re just as likely to find ‘I love Thatcher’ than ‘I love Lenin’ scrawled in the loos next door. While at another college you might be strung up from the nearest chandelier for expressing any kind of featherruffling views, Wadham loves whatever you’re thinking, and is keen to hear it. There is a football-obsessed maths tutor, a student union that sends out emails addressed ‘Comrades!’, and a bar with both mounted rugby photos and an open-air patio for ‘al fresco dining’. It’s true that the college shows a certain disdain for convention: there is no ‘formal’ hall (gowns and suits at dinner) and a joint Student Union for both under- and postgraduates (the only one of its kind in Oxford). But as these examples suggest, in

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most of the areas it has chosen to differ, Wadham does so for a reason. Wadhamites get fully involved in university life, and any newcomer will notice the difference this makes to accessing opportunities in drama,

“Wadham is not a quiet little institution full of bespectacled dons“

sport, journalism, politics and social organisations. It’s rare for a year to go by without a handful of students in charge of major societies, taking top roles in plays that attract audiences from across England, or heading up the University

newspapers and magazines. Those with rooms on site should expect to leave promptly at the end of term to make way for more profitable inhabitants, and a number of everyday services suffer from limited maintenance. On the other hand, the college library – open 24/7 – is an exceptionally wellconceived and welloperated asset. Wadham is not a quiet little institution, full of bespectacled dons and tucked away down some secluded lane. People who enjoy life here have a lot of energy and like to put it to use – but they are also unusually accepting and open-minded. Straight, gay, black or Red, Wadham wants you as you are.

College Facts

Rent £1,050 per term.

Kitchens One large JCR kitchen and all modern buildings in college have kitchens. Older buildings only have some.

Accommodation First and final years are spent in college, other years live out.

Bathrooms Only a handful of en-suite rooms. Usually bathrooms are shared among four.

Nosh There’s no formal hall but you can get dinner in hall for about £3.60 and lunch in the canteen for about £3.00.

Library Open 24/7

Undergraduates 460

Famous alumni Melvyn Bragg, Rowan Williams

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WORCESTER

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Walton St., OX1 2HB 01865 276 602 www.worc.ox.ac.uk jcr.worc.ox.ac.uk Worcester College has a welldeserved reputation as one of Oxford’s best-kept secrets. Tucked behind a rather uninspiring façade, many people walk past Worcester without a second glance. However, venture through its gates and you’ll find one of the most beautiful quads in Oxford, set in extensive parkland and spacious grounds all inhabited by a student body as funloving and enthusiastic as they are friendly.

conveniently situated by the very cream of Oxford’s nightlife. Worcester has fantastic facilities. There are three libraries, two computer rooms and a large hall serving some of the best and most reasonably-priced food in Oxford. Worcester’s JCR is comparable to a huge living room with plenty of comfy seats, a television and DVD player, and is often the venue for raucous JCR meetings, groups watching a big sports match, pizza nights or just hanging out with friends.

Although some may consider Worcester a little out of the

The bar itself is the true social hub of college and comes alive at night, hosting everything from bops, to karaoke and quiz evenings, while there is a pool table and games room located next to it. Additionally, the infamous Buttery lures students in with its warm fire, chocolate and coffee and becomes a haven for those avoiding work.

“the buttery lures students in with a warm fire, chocolate and coffee“ way given that it is not part of the main cluster of colleges, it’s a mere 5-minute walk from the centre, is the closest undergradate college to the bus and train stations, and is

There really is something for everyone at Worcester, whatever their interests may be. From

Buskins Drama Society for budding actors, poetry for Wordsworth wannabes, choral groups, the Christian Union, Ultimate Frisbee and Fair Trade endeavours - you name it, Worcester has it. The college also have an excellent reputation for sport, a status helped by being the only college with playing fields on site. Worcester has outstanding sport facilities including squash courts, tennis courts (grass and hard-court), a netball court, cricket nets and a gym which college members can use for free. While the combination of facilities, enthusiasm and involvement has given Worcester the reputation as the most sporting college in Oxford, there’s something for everyone, whatever you want to get involved in!

College Facts Undergraduates 411 Rent £900 to £1,100 per term Accommodation Accommodation is provided for all years.

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Nosh Breakfast, lunch and dinner served seven days a week. Average costs are breakfast £1.90, lunch £2 and dinner £2.20.

Library Open 24/7

Kitchens 70% of first-years have their own kitchen while in later years all students have access to a kitchen.

Bathrooms Almost all rooms are ensuite.

Famous alumni Rupert Murdoch, Anton Oliver, Lord Sainsbury.

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PERMANENT

PRIVATE HALLS I

n the same way as differences between colleges are often overstated, so too are the differences between colleges and Permanent Private Halls (PPHs). Students at PPHs go through a stringent selection process, graduate with an Oxford degree,

in 2008, the PPHs of Oxford today consist of the larger St Benet’s Hall and Regent’s Park, along with the smaller Blackfriars, St. Stephen’s House and Wycliffe Hall. Until recently, Mansfield and Harris Manchester Colleges were also PPHs.

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PPHs exist at Oxford, five of which offer undergraduate courses.

1221

was the year a group of Dominican friars arrived in Oxford to start Blackfriars Hall.

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PPH, Regent’s Park, was originally located in London but moved to Oxford in 1927.

House and Wycliffe Hall only admit students who are 21 or above at the start of their course. Although friars and ministers eat with the students every day at most PPHs, they aren’t just for religious people. The comparatively small numbers of students at PPHs is one of their strengths. Most have a close-knit community of students who study arts-based subjects, making it incredibly easy for friendships to be developed. They also feature a very close level of integration between Fellows and students, owing again to the small numbers of people at each PPH.

If you are considering applying to a PPH, it is worth being aware that PPHs typically “today, PPHs are no offer fewer subjects than many colleges do– longer exclusively for some offer only courses the religious“ associated with Theology while others have a broader range of subjects available. Similarly, some PPHs include students who are and are part of the university training to be priests alongside community in the same way as undergraduates studying for are students at colleges. a full range of degrees, while others have very few – if any – The differences between undergraduates training for the PPHs and the colleges can priesthood. (unsurprisingly) be largely found in centuries-old history. PPHs Most people don’t put down were initially set up as private PPHs as a choice on their UCAS houses of education in the form. In part this is because sixteenth century when Christians PPHs aren’t very well known. who weren’t part of the Church It’s also worth remembering that of England were banned from this stems from the students studying at Oxford. These days, who PPHs choose to admit. St. PPHs are no longer exclusively Benet’s Hall is Oxford’s only allfor the religious although they do male constituent organization, retain their religious heritage. while Blackfriars, St. Stephen’s Following the closure of one PPH

While there are differences between Permanent Private Halls and the colleges, the most important thing to remember is that they’re all part of the University. Students at PPHs overwhelmingly enjoy their time there, and have access to all the facilities that other members of the university do. They’re often described as “Oxford’s best kept secret,” but if you’re considering applying to a PPH then it’s well worth scheduling a visit to one to see for yourself whether you may be interested in the benefits that they offer.

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Left: St Benet’s. Right: St Stephen’s

Above: Regents Park

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REGENT’S PARK

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Pusey Street, OX1 2LB 01865 288 120 www.rpc.ox.ac.uk www.regentsjcr.org.uk “Regent’s Park? Isn’t that in London?” Actually, Oxford’s best kept secret is tucked behind J.R.R. Tolkien’s favourite pub, the Eagle and Child except our bar’s considerably cheaper, at only £1.40 a beer. Regent’s isn’t a college but what’s known as a Permanent Private

“the college is an incredibly eclectic place“

Hall (or PPH for short) which basically means that Regent’s is the same as a college apart from small differences in the way that it is governed. Originally the college taught Theology to students training to become Baptist ministers but these days, while still continuing this tradition, it is a far more eclectic place. It offers various subjects including, but not only, Geography, Classics, PPE and History. Its English, Theology and Philosophy departments are particularly strong - the top mark for Theology in the University was awarded to a Regent’s student and all English finalists in 2009 got 2:is or above. Regent’s has a close knit atmosphere, with

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only 120 undergraduates and free tea and biscuits twice a day. The college also welcomes about forty American visiting students each year and has a vibrant MCR. And how could we forget Oxford’s oldest JCR member, the college tortoise Emmanuelle who competes annually in the University tortoise race. She’s not alone in her sporting success. Over the years, dozens of Regent’s students have represented the University winning the prestigious Oxford Blue, most recently in Athletics, Rugby and Fencing. We’ve got a strong boat club too, men’s and women’s football teams and the most successful college basketball team in the history of the University. All first-year and finalist students live in college accommodation,

most of which is on-site. Accommodation comes in various shapes and sizes, from individual rooms to shared flats, and costs £944 a term. The college library is open 24 hours too, useful for late night cramming. Lunch and dinner are both waiter-served, which isn’t bad, considering that at only £3.40, a 3-course dinner is the most expensive meal on offer. However, Regent’s is far from being a stuffy place: staff sit with students and in the summer term you can walk (or lie, or drink Pimms’) on the grass in the Main Quad. When not partying on the Quad, Regent’s students are found all around the University. In fact being a smaller college offers the best of both worlds: an intimate, friendly atmosphere which allows you to get out and about. Regent’s students are particularly active in the University Law Society, the Christian Union and student journalism, but also in more surprising areas like Gaelic football and a cappella singing. Surprising, but then again Regent’s is Oxford’s best kept secret.

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St BENET’S

St Giles’, OX1 3LN 01865 280 556 www.st-benets.ox.ac.uk www.st-benets.ox.ac.uk/jcr

More than any other institution within Oxford, St. Benet’s Hall resembles the old traditional Halls of study which were first set up when the University was founded. As well as being rather small and homely (like the other PPHs), St. Benet’s is the tallest building on St. Giles, giving it one of the finest views in Oxford. Although we have a small number of undergraduates, St. Benet’s is a lively place. The JCR provides free table football and pool, with the Benedictine ethos of hospitality showing itself in many positive ways. Students at Blackfriars are welcome to dine in our hall, students may invite guests to any meal at no extra charge and free beer is provided by our JCR. Students here soon become accustomed to fine dining – there are three formal meals every week, and it is a tradition for each of these to be followed by coffee, which in summer is served over croquet in the gardens. On top of this, tea is also served daily at 4pm.

living with the monks who play a key role in the life of the Hall. It may seem odd at first, but you’ll quickly find that they’re not only very normal people, but are also incredibly kind and accommodating. The student experience here is very

“there’s free table football and pool in the JCR“ successful, both academically and in other ways, in spite of our small number. In recent years our rowing team has consistently punched above its weight, bumping boats from colleges with 10 times the number of students. We have also provided elected officials within university-wide

societies including the Oxford Union and currently have two sportsmen who represent the university; one in golf, the other in football. All our facilities are open to students all the time. We have a 24 hour library, round-the-clock access to computers, and a kitchenette which students are free to use whenever the fancy for more food takes them! Although we are open to students of all faiths, the Hall takes its Benedictine ethos seriously – our tradition of hospitality is matched by our custom that for meals there is one common table at which everyone sits; a situation found in few (if any) colleges in Oxford.

The community within St. Benet’s is strengthened by

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OTHER

PPHs

In addition to St. Benet’s Hall and Regent’s Park, there are three other PPHs which accept limited numbers of undergraduates. Blackfriars, St. Stephen’s House and Wycliffe Hall only accept students who will be over 21 at the start of their course, but you may wish to contact them if you fall into this category and wish to be part of the community which they offer.

“today, PPHs are no longer exclusively for the religious“

Below left: St Stephen’s. Below right: Wycliffe Hall. Below: Blackfriars entrance.

bbbbbbbbbbbbbbb Blackfriars St Giles’, OX1 3LY, www.bfriars.ox.ac.uk Blackfriars is run by Dominican friars and admits students for Theology, Theology & Philosophy, PPE and Classics. Blackfriars has existed in several forms since its founding but originally dates from 1221, making it one of the oldest bodies in Oxford. Blackfriars currently has seven undergraduates, some of whom have accommodation provided for them.

Those that do also have self-catering facilities and all students also have the option of taking meals at St. Benet’s Hall. Like all Oxford colleges, Blackfriars has its own library, consisting of 35,000 volumes on theology and philosophy. It has also recently become the home of a new institute on ethics, governance and social justice.

St Stephen’s House 16 Marston Street, OX4 1JX, (0)1865 613 500, www.ssho.ox.ac.uk St. Stephen’s House is an Anglican establishment, which admits students for Theology and its associated courses. Founded in 1876, it was given its current status as a PPH in 2003, making it one of the newest recognized bodies within the university. It currently has 5 undergraduates and 31 postgraduate students, with undergraduates offered accommodation for all three years of their course. All students have access

to catering facilities in addition to the meals which are provided in Hall. For those students who are sportinglyinclined, St. Stephen’s House is also ideally situated – it’s directly opposite the university sports centre on Iffley Road. Its location also places it near the more multicultural Cowley Road, making it ideal for students wishing to live out of central Oxford for their entire course.

Wycliffe Hall 54 Banbury Road, OX2 6PW, (0)1865 274 200, www.wycliffe.ox.ac.uk Wycliffe Hall is an Evangelical establishment, which offers Theology and Philosophy & Theology to its students. Accommodation is provided to all first-year undergraduates, with the option of a second year depending on whether rooms are available. Although accepting only students who will be over the age of 21 at the beginning of their course, it has a larger

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undergraduate community than the other 2 ‘smaller’ PPHs, currently having 21 undergraduates. An arrangement with The Queen’s College means that many students at Wycliffe play sport for Queen’s, providing another opportunity for participation within university life on top of those which are typically available. Famous alumni include former Conservative MP Jonathan Aitken.

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