Choosing an Oxford College

Hi everyone,

I know it's kind of early to be considering what college to apply to, but I need to book open days! My top 3 at the moment are Keble, ChCh and Lincoln, but I'd love some other ideas too.

I'm looking for a fairly old college with nice buildings but I don't really have any specific requirements other than a friendly and not too claustrophobic atmosphere. What can you suggest?

Hi everyone,

I know it's kind of early to be considering what college to apply to, but I need to book open days! My top 3 at the moment are Keble, ChCh and Lincoln, but I'd love some other ideas too.

I'm looking for a fairly old college with nice buildings but I don't really have any specific requirements other than a friendly and not too claustrophobic atmosphere. What can you suggest?

Exeter. At interview I found it to be really friendly and not at all impersonal or claustrophobic. It also has a beautiful chapel and the Fellows' Garden is quite stunning, with -- arguably -- the best view in Oxford (although that particular photo was taken from just inside the Divinity School looking out onto the Garden).

You criteria covers pretty much every college (especially if you are counting keble as 'fairly old'). Does 'not too claustrophobic' equate to a bigger college, or is it a purely atmospheric thing that every college will claim to have ( i notice you have both big and small colleges on your list). If you mean physically claustrophobic, then the further out you go the bigger colleges get, generally speaking.

If you have any small preference you may as well make it known! If you want to preview the 'nice buildings', take a look at the Oxford Virtual Tour which has excellent panoramic photos of most colleges.

I don't really have any specific requirements, and I really love keble's architecture so it was more the buildings than the age i guess. I'm leaning towards the bigger colleges but I thought I should give small and central a chance so that's why lincolns there. You sound as though you might have an idea- does keble live up to its sciency/male stereotype? Thank you

Can anybody recommend any oxford colleges to apply to. i would like somewhere friendly and not too pressured academically (although that sounds silly for oxford). I was thinking about brasenose and possibly St Hughs as i dont really mind about the distance.
Also can anybody tell me whether it is actually true that some colleges are easier to get into than others or whether it all equals out.
Thank you very much

Can anybody recommend any oxford colleges to apply to. i would like somewhere friendly and not too pressured academically (although that sounds silly for oxford). I was thinking about brasenose and possibly St Hughs as i dont really mind about the distance.
Also can anybody tell me whether it is actually true that some colleges are easier to get into than others or whether it all equals out.
Thank you very much

Can anybody recommend any oxford colleges to apply to. i would like somewhere friendly and not too pressured academically (although that sounds silly for oxford). I was thinking about brasenose and possibly St Hughs as i dont really mind about the distance.
Also can anybody tell me whether it is actually true that some colleges are easier to get into than others or whether it all equals out.
Thank you very much

I'd like to advertise Brasenose, very friendly, and all the tutors I've come across have been lovely (although that's not many yet, but friends also say similar of their tutors). I don't think you're going to find anywhere that's not a pressure academically but it's certainly no Merton or any stereotypical seriously more work than anywhere else! Also ignore the fact it is a bit of a nasty building site at the moment, by the time you'd want to be getting in it will be fabulous and beautifully oxford again, they are just refurbishing kitchens and some of the higher common room facilities.
I don't think any particular college choices are gonna affect you getting into Oxford overall, they do chat to each other and make sure the right people are getting in, but I guess if it's oversubscribed then you have more chance of being offered a place at another college. However popularity changes year on year, last year Brasenose was the second most popular college, and it's not been that high before, and is likely to be a lot lower this year since people on the open day will be seeing it in its building site state!

(100%) 1: Keble College (1870)
(98%) 2: Worcester College (1714)
(97%) 3: Balliol College (1263)
(97%) 4: University College (1249)
(95%) 5: Jesus College (1571)
(94%) 6: Hertford College (1282

Which one sounds the best?

(100%) 1: Keble College (1870)
(98%) 2: Worcester College (1714)
(97%) 3: Balliol College (1263)
(97%) 4: University College (1249)
(95%) 5: Jesus College (1571)
(94%) 6: Hertford College (1282

Which one sounds the best?