Choosing an Oxford College

What are the tutors like?

A good way of narrowing down your college selection list is to look into the tutors resident at the college. On most courses, a lot of your teaching will take place in the college, so these will end up being the tutors taking your supervisions or tutorials. Researching tutors on the college/department webpage and attending open days to talk about them will help you identify if their areas of research and interests align with yours as you would like them to. However, do remember that for a lot of students your teaching will occur cross-colleges, so you shouldn’t base your college selection solely on the college’s teaching faculty.

Is anyone else from your school applying for the same subject?

Although it’s highly likely that your school or college will already have something in place to make sure this doesn’t happen, it’s always worth double checking that there aren’t too many students from your school all applying to the same college for the same subject. Whilst colleges don’t have hard rules or quotas on how many students to accept from a certain school, tutors are often looking to assemble a group of students with diverse backgrounds, interests, and influences, and students from the same school tend to have been taught in a similar manner, meaning that colleges are likely to only accept one.

What’s the most important thing to you?

While we can give you a long list of things you should look out for, or our top aspects to consider, ultimately you need to consider which things mean the most to you as an individual; there is no right or wrong answer when it comes to this. While in many ways, colleges can appear to be very similar, there are significant differences between them. For example, if you have your heart set on St Hilda’s because it’s nice and close to the University sports pitches, be prepared for a potential 30-minute walk to lectures every morning. Similarly, if you really want to live in the centre of everything, be prepared for the accompanying rush of tourists if you choose to do so!

Can you picture yourself living there for the next few years? Do you like it on an academic and personal level? Whilst it is important to remember that your choice of college does not limit your social experience at Oxford, colleges do often have different things to offer their students, whether that be a central location, on-campus undergraduate housing, an in-college theatre, or a close-knit student body. It can be easy to get drawn in to looking at application statistics and picking a college that you don’t really like the look of because you think that it will mean you have more chance of getting an offer. However, knowing that you’re excited to attend the college you’ve applied to may help you in interviews and with your application in general - Since you’ll be interviewed by tutors at your chosen college (unless you’re applying through an open application), showing an interest in the college itself, including the research produced by tutors belonging to that college, will demonstrate your passion and commitment as a potential student.

What is the college pooling system?

‘Pooling’ is a system through which the Oxford colleges share applicants who have not been offered a place at their chosen college (perhaps because they have run out of room) but whom are very strong applicants. This allows for situations in which lots of strong applicants in a certain subject have applied to the same group of colleges, where it would seem unfair to turn very strong applicants away simply due to their college choice. Somewhere between 20% and 30% of successful Oxbridge candidates are placed at a college they did not apply to, so it is very common and certainly not an indication of your college not being interested in you.

Which colleges specialise in my interests?

Finally, when thinking about your college choice, it is important to consider which colleges cater to your specialist interests. Below is an overview of which colleges are renowned for their rowing, sport, drama or politics societies to help you to narrow down your college choices:

ROWING: (Oxford), Oriel, Pembroke, Wolfson.

SPORT: Keble, Oriel, Pembroke, St Edmund Hall, Worcester.

DRAMA: St John’s, Trinity, Worcester.

POLITICS: Balliol, St Catherine’s, Wadham.

MUSIC: Exeter, Lincoln, New, St Hilda’s, Wadham.

Whilst these special interests are certainly worth considering, it is also worth bearing in mind that a great deal of university societies are cross-college, so it is not the be all and end all for your interest in, say, drama if you do not end up in one of the above-mentioned colleges.

College Snapshots

Below is a rundown of all the Oxford colleges and PPHs with a quick snapshot of some of the headline facts, figures, and general vibe of each college. We’re not suggesting that you base your college choice off this, but it could be a useful place from which to start considering where you might be most interested in studying.

Balliol:
Founded: 1263
Size: Large (370 undergraduates)
Words that best describe it: Unpretentious, liberal, energetic, high-achieving
It might not be for you if… You want all the Oxbridge trimmings – there is a lack of formal hall and formality in general.

Brasenose:
Founded: 1509
Size: Large (375 undergraduates)
Words that best describe it: Old, stately, warm, easy-going
It might not be for you if… You are looking for a modern outlook.

Christchurch:
Founded: 1524
Size: Large (432 undergraduates)
Words that best describe it: Prestigious, grand, proud, beautiful, traditional
It might not be for you if… You don’t like tourists or Harry Potter fans.

Corpus Christi:
Founded: 1517
Size: Small (252 undergraduates)
Words that best describe it: friendly, supportive, intellectual, quaint, compact
It might not be for you if… You want lots of space – the small size can get a bit claustrophobic.

Exeter:
Founded: 1314
Size: Medium (346 undergraduates))
Words that best describe it: Central, open-minded, chilled, beautiful, close-knit
It might not be for you if… You want to spread out – the college grounds are a bit cramped.

Harris Manchester:
Founded: 1889 (full college status granted in 1996)
Size: Small (113 undergraduates)
Words that best describe it: Friendly, liberal, mature, homely, small
It might not be for you if… You’re under 21 – Harris Manchester only accepts mature students (over 21s).

Hertford:
Founded: 1282 (full college status granted in 1874)
Size: Large (403 undergraduates)
Words that best describe it: Democratic, unpretentious, central, social, relaxed
It might not be for you if… You’re a foodie – the college meals are not always amazing.

Jesus:
Founded: 1571
Size: Medium (346 undergraduates)
Words that best describe it: Small, close-knit, welcoming, sleepy, central
It might not be for you if… You want to live in the city centre for the duration of your course – the external accommodation is quite far away from college.

Keble:
Founded: 1870
Size: Large (425 undergraduates)
Words that best describe it: Friendly, buzzing, gothic, fun, traditional
It might not be for you if… You want to be in the middle of Oxford – it’s a tad far from the city-centre bustle.

Lady Margaret Hall:
Founded: 1878
Size: Large (401 undergraduates)
Words that best describe it: Pretty, friendly, scenic, lively
It might not be for you if… You don’t like cycling – the college is a 15-20 minute walk from the centre.

Lincoln:
Founded: 1472
Size: Medium (300 undergraduates)
Words that best describe it: Friendly, small, busy, close-knit, high-achieving
It might not be for you if… You’re looking for a big college – Lincoln is a relatively small college.

Magdalen:
Founded: 1458
Size: Large (390 undergraduates)
Words that best describe it: Big, inspiring, beautiful, surprising, challenging
It might not be for you if… You want friends from outside college – they may all suffer from college envy!

Mansfield:
Founded: 1886 (full college status granted in 1995)
Size: Small (239 undergraduates)
Words that best describe it: Unpretentious, small, friendly, accommodating
It might not be for you if… You want access to funds and bursaries – Mansfield is not the richest of colleges.

Merton:
Founded: 1264
Size: Small (291 undergraduates)
Words that best describe it: Small, central, academic, pretty
It might not be for you if… You don’t really love your subject – over-indulgence in extracurricular activities is not encouraged

New College:
Founded: 1379
Size: Large (430 undergraduates)
Words that best describe it: Social, big, active, diligent, supportive, fun
It might not be for you if… You like cooking – the facilities are limited.

Oriel:
Founded: 1326
Size: Medium (300 undergraduates)
Words that best describe it: Sporty, small, old, traditional, central, warm-hearted
It might not be for you if… You’re a foodie – the college food is not that good.

Pembroke:
Founded: 1624
Size: Medium (365 undergraduates)
Words that best describe it: Inclusive, busy, sporty
It might not be for you if… You want to live cheaply – the rent is more expensive than at other colleges

Queen’s:
Founded: 1341
Size: Medium (343 undergraduates)
Words that best describe it: Cosy, friendly, down-to-earth, old-fashioned
It might not be for you if… You plan to spend a lot of time outside college – it can be quite insular.

St Anne’s:
Founded: 1879 (full college status granted iin 1952)
Size: Large (444 undergraduates)
Words that best describe it: Sociable, relaxed, down-to-earth, spacious
It might not be for you if… You want a picture-perfect college – it’s not the prettiest.

St Catherine’s:
Founded: 1963
Size: Large (528 undergraduates)
Words that best describe it: Social, friendly, sporty, vibrant, peaceful, modern
It might not be for you if… You take an instant dislike to the architecture. It’s a marmite affair – you either love it or you hate it!

St Edmund Hall:
Founded: c. 1371 (full college status granted in 1957)
Size: Large (376 undergraduates)
Words that best describe it: Sociable, small, sporty, intimate, relaxed, central
It might not be for you if… Food is very important to you – it’s not great at Teddy Hall.

St Hilda’s:
Founded: 1893
Size: Large (400 undergraduates)
Words that best describe it: Relaxed, friendly, spacious, inviting, fun, supportive
It might not be for you if… You want the ‘Brideshead’ experience – it lacks the traditional Oxford trimmings (cloisters, quads, etc.)

St Hugh’s:
Founded: 1886
Size: Large (420 undergraduates)
Words that best describe it: Spacious, unpretentious, chilled-out, friendly, calm
It might not be for you if… You want to live in the city centre – it’s quite far out

St John’s:
Founded: 1555
Size: Large (385 undergraduates)
Words that best describe it: Friendly, rich, big, academic, diverse, high-achieving
It might not be for you if… You’re looking for an undersubscribed college – entrance is highly competitive.

St Peter’s:
Founded: 1929 (full college status granted in 1961)
Size: Medium (350 undergraduates)
Words that best describe it: Open, friendly, grounded, central, caring, cosy
It might not be for you if… You want to live in college accommodation for the duration of your course.

Somerville:
Founded: 1879
Size: Large (437 undergraduates)
Words that best describe it: Friendly, open-minded, homely, supportive, untraditional
It might not be for you if… You want delicious food – it’s not great at Somerville.

Trinity:
Founded: 1554
Size: Medium (308 undergraduates)
Words that best describe it: Spacious, inclusive, friendly, warm, beautiful, open
It might not be for you if… You want to cook for yourself – there are poor self-catering options on the main college site.

University:
Founded: 1249
Size: Large (410 undergraduates)
Words that best describe it: Relaxed, fun, diverse, welcoming, cosy
It might not be for you if… You want to stretch out – it’s a bit of a squish.

Wadham:
Founded: 1610
Size: Large (462 undergraduates)
Words that best describe it: Alternative, open, political, sociable, friendly, unpretentious
It might not be for you if… You want guaranteed college accommodation for the duration of your course.

Worcester:
Founded: 1714
Size: Large (412 undergraduates)
Words that best describe it: Beautiful, friendly, relaxed, sociable, welcoming, sporty
It might not be for you if… You want very grand and glorious surroundings – Worcester is beautiful, but a little hectic!