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Choosing an Oxford College

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I see. However, one important factor in terms of the availability of the rooms is how many years they can accommodate you 'living-in' so I should think that is quite important. Any idea on the music front or is it mainly university-wide stuff?
(edited 13 years ago)
St Hildas by miles
If you are a serious musician then university-level stuff is probably where you should be aiming. If you're a bit more casual\nervous then college will suit you better, but there isn't a great deal to choose from between them and things are hugely variable from year to year. College orchestras generally aren't exclusive so if you don't like the one at yours and hear about a better one elsewhere, it's perfectly easy to swap over. Chapel choirs are a bit different.

Typically, the larger, newer colleges further from the very centre of Oxford are a better bet for living in for the entire degree: e.g. St. John's\Anne's\Hugh's\Catherine's\Somerville. The ones in the middle tend to have less space, though you might have the option of a college annexe rather than completely private accommodation. For detailed information check out the TSR College Pros & Cons wiki.
Original post by Huw Davies
If you are a serious musician then university-level stuff is probably where you should be aiming. If you're a bit more casual\nervous then college will suit you better, but there isn't a great deal to choose from between them and things are hugely variable from year to year. College orchestras generally aren't exclusive so if you don't like the one at yours and hear about a better one elsewhere, it's perfectly easy to swap over. Chapel choirs are a bit different.

Typically, the larger, newer colleges further from the very centre of Oxford are a better bet for living in for the entire degree: e.g. St. John's\Anne's\Hugh's\Catherine's\Somerville. The ones in the middle tend to have less space, though you might have the option of a college annexe rather than completely private accommodation. For detailed information check out the TSR College Pros & Cons wiki.


Thanks for the reply. I suppose I am quite serious about it so I would probably be looking at university-level stuff and bit of laid back college stuff if it's there as well on the side. Thanks for clearing that up. Not interested in the choirs just ensembles/orchestras.

I see what you mean about the accommodation. I'd kind of like to be fairly in the centre so can't have everything I suppose. I'm thinking about Brasenose as they are pretty much THE centre and have an annexe near by for 2nd and some 3rd years. Also, the likes of New look good as well.
Bear in mind that the furthest colleges from the centre of town are 15-20 minutes' walk, and most people have a bike - compared with practically any other university it's nothing!
Original post by Huw Davies
Bear in mind that the furthest colleges from the centre of town are 15-20 minutes' walk, and most people have a bike - compared with practically any other university it's nothing!


Yeah, I see what you mean. Oxford's fairly compact so it doesn't make a lot of difference. Might look into St. John's as well but I would really like to be quite central as if you have to walk the same 20 minutes every few days or something like that every minute makes a difference especially as a lazy - albeit an Oxford (:tongue: :wink:) - student!
Very difficult to describe St. John's as anything other than "quite central"! From the front door it's probably about as far to the far end of college as to the covered market.
Reply 1547
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TuskSE
Hildas also is £150 prepaid meal credit a term. And I'd be pretty surprised if you didn't use it all up. Eating fairly liberally, I get through the initial £150 by halfway through the term.

Any college you go to, you'll be able to get financial help if you need it. They're not going to let anyone go hungry or drop out because they don't have the money. Besides, food is only a fraction of the cost you spend on tuition fees and accomodation, and probably doesnt vary too much from college to college. Im told some colleges dont have any kitchen facilities, so it might be worth checking that would if you want to save money cooking your own stuff.

*wherever* you apply, theres a good chance (i think its about 1/3?) that you get pooled somewhere else. And as others have said, everybody ends up being happy where they end up. I really wouldnt worry too much about applying to a more oversubscribed college. The pooling system, is I think, about as good as it can reasonably be.
Original post by Huw Davies
Very difficult to describe St. John's as anything other than "quite central"! From the front door it's probably about as far to the far end of college as to the covered market.


I see! Yeah they're all - most of them - quite central really. I'm looking at fairly large colleges with a good social life so I'm thinking about: New, Christ Church, St. John's, Brasenose, Lincoln (quite small though from what I hear). :smile:
Original post by duggs95
I see! Yeah they're all - most of them - quite central really. I'm looking at fairly large colleges with a good social life so I'm thinking about: New, Christ Church, St. John's, Brasenose, Lincoln (quite small though from what I hear). :smile:



"Looking at fairly large colleges..." "Lincoln...."

Lincoln is tiny!
Original post by shewasdeleted
"Looking at fairly large colleges..." "Lincoln...."

Lincoln is tiny!


Oh right! Thanks - I knew it was smaller, just didn't know how small.
Can I ask what college you are at? I see you're doing law which is what I intend to apply for. Do you have any advice? You don't need to have, just if you did. :wink:
(edited 13 years ago)
Have a look at Worcester. You can live in all years (and by 'in' I mean within the college grounds or less than 30seconds walk from the front door, not some annexe a mile up the road) and apart from some of the old first year rooms on main quad all the accommodation is fairly new and ensuite with kitchens etc. Altho formal is really good and cheap too. And the music society is pretty active. Plus it's beautiful and really well located (for clubs, bus and train stations, supermarkets, libraries etc etc). I'm there and I love it but even just on paper it's a pretty good bet. We're very social too (being so close to the clubs, Jericho pubs and cocktail bars might have something to do with that!)
Original post by dinkymints
Have a look at Worcester. You can live in all years (and by 'in' I mean within the college grounds or less than 30seconds walk from the front door, not some annexe a mile up the road) and apart from some of the old first year rooms on main quad all the accommodation is fairly new and ensuite with kitchens etc. Altho formal is really good and cheap too. And the music society is pretty active. Plus it's beautiful and really well located (for clubs, bus and train stations, supermarkets, libraries etc etc). I'm there and I love it but even just on paper it's a pretty good bet. We're very social too (being so close to the clubs, Jericho pubs and cocktail bars might have something to do with that!)


Thanks for your reply. Sounds good! I'm hoping to come down to Oxford at some point probably at an open day to have a look at all the colleges that I've researched. I think the best way is to just get the 'feel' of the different colleges in order to decide. But with the pooling system, you never know where you'll end up!
Original post by duggs95
Oh right! Thanks - I knew it was smaller, just didn't know how small.
Can I ask what college you are at? I see you're doing law which is what I intend to apply for. Do you have any advice? You don't need to have, just if you did. :wink:


I'm at Exeter :smile: It's slightly larger than Lincoln, but certainly looks much larger as it's less 'compact' feeling. It's great, I love it here!

As for advice, that's quite broad! Any area specifically you have any concerns about? :smile:
Original post by dinkymints
Have a look at Worcester. You can live in all years (and by 'in' I mean within the college grounds or less than 30seconds walk from the front door, not some annexe a mile up the road) and apart from some of the old first year rooms on main quad all the accommodation is fairly new and ensuite with kitchens etc. Altho formal is really good and cheap too. And the music society is pretty active. Plus it's beautiful and really well located (for clubs, bus and train stations, supermarkets, libraries etc etc). I'm there and I love it but even just on paper it's a pretty good bet. We're very social too (being so close to the clubs, Jericho pubs and cocktail bars might have something to do with that!)


This! I did law here, imo it is one of the best Oxford colleges for studying law, particularly now there is accommodation for all three years. To cap it off although there are beautiful grounds (and a lake! with ducks!), and it really is reasonably central, it doesn't seem to feature on most tourist trails, therefore is nice and peaceful. And the chapel is wonderful, make sure you go in if you are touring the Colleges.
Reply 1555
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Original post by Huw Davies
If you are a serious musician then university-level stuff is probably where you should be aiming. If you're a bit more casual\nervous then college will suit you better, but there isn't a great deal to choose from between them and things are hugely variable from year to year. College orchestras generally aren't exclusive so if you don't like the one at yours and hear about a better one elsewhere, it's perfectly easy to swap over. Chapel choirs are a bit different.

Typically, the larger, newer colleges further from the very centre of Oxford are a better bet for living in for the entire degree: e.g. St. John's\Anne's\Hugh's\Catherine's\Somerville. The ones in the middle tend to have less space, though you might have the option of a college annexe rather than completely private accommodation. For detailed information check out the TSR College Pros & Cons wiki.


Somerville students definitely don't live in for the entire degree and it isn't particularly large, and I would describe St John's as neither "new" or "far from the very centre of Oxford", so I'm not entirely sure about your point here. In addition, Merton students all live in college provided accommodation, and although our second (and fourth year scientists) accommodation is not in college, it's on Holywell Street, which is bang in the centre of town and only a couple of minutes walk from college, which is perfect.

On the music front, we've just started a brand new joint orchestra with University College, the Fidelio Orchestra (to replace the old, reasonably successful Merton Orchestra), which rehearses in the Merton Chapel, which is just awesome. We're doing really challenging and exciting music as well. The chapel choir is very very good indeed, and there's also a non-auditioning more fun choir. There is a weekly recital series for anyone who wants to perform.
for accommodation, definitely new! you get at least 2 years living in college (and that's actually in college, not college-owned places outside of college).
1st year accommodation: 90% get ensuite, about 20% get double beds, the rooms are seriously huge -we're talking GIANT. with sofas and fireplaces and ensuite studies etc.
Original post by Festina lente
This! I did law here, imo it is one of the best Oxford colleges for studying law, particularly now there is accommodation for all three years. To cap it off although there are beautiful grounds (and a lake! with ducks!), and it really is reasonably central, it doesn't seem to feature on most tourist trails, therefore is nice and peaceful. And the chapel is wonderful, make sure you go in if you are touring the Colleges.


It sounds really nice! I'll try and fit in having a look round Worcester at some point when I'm down there at some point (which to be honest, probably won't be until July for the open day :frown:)
I can't believe how difficult it is to choose one! Although I do think all will be resolved when I visit and get the 'feel' of the colleges.

Original post by shewasdeleted
I'm at Exeter :smile: It's slightly larger than Lincoln, but certainly looks much larger as it's less 'compact' feeling. It's great, I love it here!

As for advice, that's quite broad! Any area specifically you have any concerns about? :smile:


I see. I think the last thing I really want is to be in a sleepy college where nothing much happens - I know this doesn't really exist in any colleges but I suppose that's why I'm put off the smaller colleges.

Also, I don't fancy the idea of being all the time with exactly the same small group of people that you've found you get on with - there might be a larger group of people of your type at a larger college??

Mainly, what I'm looking for is:
1. decent accommodation for all years with one or two 'in-walls' years
2. a buzzing a sociable atmosphere with plenty of guest nights and a generally hectic social side - but, I suppose, only so much that it can be fit in around all the work!
3. Really quite a central location
4. A fair amount of societies: e.g. music, debating etc. although this comes under social atmosphere.

Now, I know most of the colleges meet this criteria so I think once one has produced a shortlist the only thing to do is to visit them!

What is your view on the small colleges thing?
(edited 13 years ago)
st johns is the worst for car parking, dont apply there
seems Somerville can provide most student 3 years accommodation from this year

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