Choosing an Oxford College

Yeah some colleges have more tutors, so can have more students, etc. The numbers below are approximately the total number of theologians you can expect in the college. The second number is the number of joint courses (Phil+Theo or Theo+Oriental)

Oriel 5+7
St John's 3+5
Worcester 14+5
Pembroke 12+1
St Peter's 7+6
Mansfield 11+4
Christ Church 3+2

What sort of thing are you thinking for music?

Ooh, I see, thanks

For music, I'm a classical musician by training but not afraid to branch out! Will need to brush up my piano skills, though

I assume all of those colleges have a choir, right? Well I guess Christ Church choir will be too serious, given that it's got the cathedral.

I'm thinking of applying to Oxford for music next year, are there any colleges that are better for music than others from your knowledge (sorry if this was mentioned earlier in the board, there's 160 posts and it'd be a bit tedious to get through em all!). Also does Oxford tend to take mature students on their Music BA?

I'm 22 and will be 23 in the fall, and am thinking of applying in the fall for 2014 (missed the deadline this year).

Thanks!

Yes, although the quality of the chapel choirs will vary (not that it's easy to find out which are good before coming! If you live nearby you could come to a service and find out. I can vouch for the St John's choir...) I think Christ Church has two choirs - the high commitment male main cathedral choir, and a lower commitment mixed choir of students. I think Worcester has an all male choir and a mixed choir. You could apply for a choral award - from your list then Christ Church, Oriel, St John's, St Peter's and Worcester offer them.

There are college non-auditioning classical ensembles, but most of these are generally open to students from all colleges. Perhaps more important is checking your college has some practise rooms (I suspect most do, but a quick google should tell you).

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I'm not good enough to be a choral scholar I've only had a few lessons, and that was a while ago.

I've found out that St Peter's has a college harpsichord

At St John's we have a harpsichord room in St Giles' house I'm not sure if non musicians can just wander in though

What's St Giles' house?

St Peter's is in an anonymous practice room

It's the place in college where we have subject dinners (although atm I don't think our theologians have these... )

And what are subject dinners supposed to be?

(Obviously they're dinners for people who do a particular subject but apart from that I have no idea. )

Social events, four course meals, with tutors as well. Some subjects have a speaker come talk as well.

Ah right.

You say you go to SJC - how generous are they with grants etc?

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Everyone gets £260 a year to spend on academic matters - books/laptops/tablets/etc Rents and food prices are definitely among the lowest in Oxford and we also get 21 days a year to stay free in college during the vacations. There's a number of other travel grants, etc which can be very generous.

I thought Oxford didn't like people taking gap years?

I think gap years are fine with almost most subjects. Maths didn't use to like them but now I think they say it's fine. You must have heard an urban myth

Well, hello to you, John's.



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Glad to see you're coming round The other great thing about St John's is the location, and the fact you get to live together in that central location for all three years of your course

Whilst Woosta is far superior to St John's, I will concede* that it is a very nice college

*Just about

Does everyone hate it though, like John's, Cambridge?

I thought Oxford didn't like people taking gap years?