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Self Catering at Oxford

Hi!! Thinking of applying for Philosophy and Spanish at Oxford. I like the sound of the dining hall aspect, but I also love cooking and want to save money. Does anyone know what colleges have the best kitchen facilities? I know after first year most people have kitchen access, but what colleges are best for largely self catering first years? Thank you!!
You're applying to Oxford and you're basing your application on the catering facilities? Nice.
Original post by cleveranimal56
You're applying to Oxford and you're basing your application on the catering facilities? Nice.

The OP hasn't said that they are basing their application on catering facilities, so this response isn't very helpful given what they are asking for.


Original post by Anna Crowley
Hi!! Thinking of applying for Philosophy and Spanish at Oxford. I like the sound of the dining hall aspect, but I also love cooking and want to save money. Does anyone know what colleges have the best kitchen facilities? I know after first year most people have kitchen access, but what colleges are best for largely self catering first years? Thank you!!

This is something that's going to need considerable research. There are a lot of colleges.
Is catering the only important thing for you in terms of college preference, or are there other factors that you would also prioritise? Age of college? Location? Size?
Original post by 04MR17
The OP hasn't said that they are basing their application on catering facilities, so this response isn't very helpful given what they are asking for.



This is something that's going to need considerable research. There are a lot of colleges.
Is catering the only important thing for you in terms of college preference, or are there other factors that you would also prioritise? Age of college? Location? Size?

No catering is only a small part. I would like a progressive, friendly community that also has nice grounds. I was thinking Hertford or LMH? I’ve also looked to see if the tutors are interested in areas that I enjoy as well.
Original post by Anna Crowley
No catering is only a small part. I would like a progressive, friendly community that also has nice grounds. I was thinking Hertford or LMH? I’ve also looked to see if the tutors are interested in areas that I enjoy as well.

I'm not sure if Worcester (Woosta) offers that particular joint honours course, but we have lovely grounds (including a LAKE with DUCKS :awesome: and luscious lawns you can actually walk on :ahee: ) and 72% en suite rooms with access to good kitchen facilities for undergrads. I'm not sure what percentage of that is available to first years (it's vastly expanded since I was a first-year there, in 2007-8) but if you ask for kitchen access when they ask you about room preferences, it should be fairly straightforward to get that! :yep:
Original post by The_Lonely_Goatherd
I'm not sure if Worcester (Woosta) offers that particular joint honours course, but we have lovely grounds (including a LAKE with DUCKS :awesome: and luscious lawns you can actually walk on :ahee: ) and 72% en suite rooms with access to good kitchen facilities for undergrads. I'm not sure what percentage of that is available to first years (it's vastly expanded since I was a first-year there, in 2007-8) but if you ask for kitchen access when they ask you about room preferences, it should be fairly straightforward to get that! :yep:

So helpful! Thank you!
Original post by Anna Crowley
No catering is only a small part. I would like a progressive, friendly community that also has nice grounds. I was thinking Hertford or LMH? I’ve also looked to see if the tutors are interested in areas that I enjoy as well.
My advice would be to create a table with the colleges on one axis and your factors on the other axis. Give each college a score out of five for...
Community
Grounds
Tutor specialisms
Catering
Modernity (in terms of your progressive preference)

You should end up with a score /25 for each college you consider.
Original post by 04MR17
My advice would be to create a table with the colleges on one axis and your factors on the other axis. Give each college a score out of five for...
Community
Grounds
Tutor specialisms
Catering
Modernity (in terms of your progressive preference)

You should end up with a score /25 for each college you consider.

I made a table but I'll add in the scoring system. thank you!
Original post by cleveranimal56
You're applying to Oxford and you're basing your application on the catering facilities? Nice.

I mean this was literally my main motivation for choosing my college and 6 years on I regret nothing

Also just FYI OP, hall food is usually subsidised and might be a lot cheaper than you expect. I'm actually spending (substantially) more money on food cooking for myself than when I used to eat in halls.
(edited 2 years ago)
The OUSU has a college suggester tool here:
http://apply.oxfordsu.org/colleges/suggester/ which includes "kitchen facilities to self-cater" as one of the options :smile:
Original post by Plagioclase
I mean this was literally my main motivation for choosing my college and 6 years on I regret nothing

Also just FYI OP, hall food is usually subsidised and might be a lot cheaper than you expect. I'm actually spending (substantially) more money on food cooking for myself than when I used to eat in halls.

Thank you for the help, I’ll keep that in mind 😁😁
The college suggester tool is great! Though it can sometimes be a bit outdated. As far as I know LMH, St Anne's and St Hugh' have pretty good kitchen access. :smile: (Also ignore OP, kitchen facilities are something important to think about if it matters to you!)

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