ergre by David Wadham

2008â&#x20AC;&#x201C;2010

oxford university

oxford university student union

Editor TJ Hertz Chief Content TJ Hertz James Lamming Design TJ Hertz Project Manager Rich Hardiman Publications Assistants Cat Clark Tom Foster Gavin Abbs Chief Photography Andrew Singer Sarah Parlour Peter Huggins James Coglan Scott Harrison Gerard Estadella (icanteachyouhowtodoit.com)

the

Oxford University

alternative prospectus

Cover Design TJ Hertz Printing Stephens & George

Oxford University Student Union Thomas Hull House New Inn Hall Street Oxford, OX1 2DH

Published by Oxford Student Services Limited â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the commercial arm of Oxford University Student Union Chairperson: Rich Hardiman

2 0 0 8 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 2 0 1 0

Foreword

he OUSU Alternative Prospectus is exactly that: the Student Union’s complement to the (useful, but rather dry) Undergraduate Prospectus published by the University itself.

foreword

Oxford, of all places, needs an Alternative Prospectus. It’s steeped in history, both as a university and a town, and shrouded in so many myths it’s sometimes surprising anyone applies at all. Perhaps it’s quite revealing that even I, as Editor, seriously doubted whether I wanted to come to Oxford myself: like so many of my friends here, I loathed the idea of going to the Oxford University that I had in my head. But my imaginary Oxford was vastly different from the one I arrived at two years ago, and now I struggle to think of anywhere I’d rather be. The Alternative Prospectus exists to give a students’ view of studying at Oxford University. We’ve covered all the courses and colleges open to undergraduates, but more importantly, we’ve tried to give you an idea of what to expect from three years of Oxford life – from going out, shopping and getting involved in what interests you, to welfare provision and what help is on offer when life is being difficult. Above all, we’ve tried to address some of the ancient folklore that too many would-be applicants take as the truth: gowns (hardly ever worn), curfews (nonexistent), public school snobbery (not since a long time ago) and so on. Oxford is markedly different to how it was 50, 20, even 10 years ago. This has been a particularly challenging project because studying at Oxford is a difficult experience to sum up. If at times the Alternative Prospectus seems apologetic for some of Oxford’s more idiosyncratic features, that’s because Oxford students are divided on just how much of Old Oxford they’d like to relate to. A few eat at Formal Hall every night, take to black-tie like fish to water and party like it’s 1899. A few apply to Wadham, grow their hair and distance themselves as far as possible from any last vestige of tradition. Most simply reach a happy equilibrium and accept that some things, like matriculation and calling our terms Michaelmas, Hilary and Trinity, are just inconsequential oddities in an otherwise quite normal Oxford life. That Oxford offers “something for everyone” is a recurring cliché that seems to have unintentionally threaded its way through every section of this AP, but it’s true. If you’ve got the academic potential, Oxford could offer you so much more than just a world-class education. Hopefully, this Alternative Prospectus will help you decide for yourself.

TJ Hertz Editor

Table of Contents

table of contents introduction why oxford? true or false: oxford myths busted applying to oxford getting into oxford finance and fees money matters careers oxford for everyone colleges

4 6 10 12 14 18 20 22 24 26

the college system choosing a college colleges A–Z

28 30 32–91

permanent private halls the main PPHs other PPHs

92 94–99 100

courses which course? courses A–Z

102 104 106–181

oxford life out and about: things to do in oxford going out: clubnights live music getting involved sport music drama journalism politics welfare disabilities ethnic minorities international students lesbian, gay, bisexual & transgender mature students religion student parents women finding out more glossary and index map contact and thanks

182 184 188 190 192 194 198 202 206 210 214 216 218 220 222 224 226 228 230 232 234 236 240

Why

Oxford?

or centuries, Oxford has been one of the most distinguished centres of education in the world. Its facilities and teaching are consistently top-notch and it has an academic reputation to match. Not only that, Oxford is a vibrant, exciting city to live in, as you’ll hopefully see from reading the later sections of this prospectus. However, to many potential applicants, Oxford is shrouded in enough myths and archaic traditions that they’re dissuaded from applying on the basis that Oxford “isn’t for them”. Many people assume that alongside academic rigour must be staunch tradition, and that the applications procedure is wrought with public school snobbery and Old Boy glory. Well, it’s not true. That may have been the case years ago, but today, what makes it a realistic entry on your UCAS form is that your application only ever depends on your potential to succeed and your willingness to work hard. The school you went to, how much money you have and how many of your ancestors went to Oxford count for nothing; getting into Oxford is about academic potential. Don’t be put off applying by thinking you’re not a “genius” or an “Oxford type”. Too many talented students don’t give Oxford enough consideration. If you’re passionate about your subject and have the ability to do very well at university, you’re most of the way there. If you need convincing, read on. Oxford’s catalogue of “reasons to apply” is long and compelling, and academic rigour is only the tip of the iceberg.

Why Oxford?

Introduction

tutorials Unlike most universities, teaching at Oxford is built around the tutorial system. Tutorials are a meeting with your tutor, alone or with one or two other students, and are generally an hour long. They involve discussion of the week’s work, building on the independent work you’ve completed throughout the week (generally in the form of essays or problem sheets). This might sound a bit daunting at first, but everyone gets used to the system and learns to appreciate it very quickly. It’s the immediate feedback of the tutorial system that makes an Oxford education so sought-after. Often, your tutor will be the person who literally “wrote the book” on the subject you’re studying, and being able to discuss topics with them, in depth, every week, is an invaluable experience.

libraries Oxford students have access to the Bodleian, a copyright library, which means it has a copy of every book, pamphlet, journal, magazine – you name it – ever published in the UK. It’s non-lending, so you’ll never have to wait more than twenty four hours to get your hands on what you need. From The Economic History Review to Cosmopolitan (and a rumoured Playboy collection in the stacks), you’ll have library resources that virtually no other university can compete with. If you need to borrow any books, there are also more than a hundred other libraries in Oxford, including at least one for each faculty and college. The subject departments in Oxford consistently achieve the highest grades for both teaching and research, making us reputedly the top research university in the country.

– continued overleaf...

Why Oxford?

Introduction

the college system – continued from “Why Oxford?”

people It’s not just about academia. Oxford will give you the best education you could hope for, but just as important are the people you’ll meet, and Oxford is unlike anywhere else in this respect. Oxford students run the gamut of diversity, whether in background, interests or personality. You’ll find people who are into art, music, sport, going out, staying in, working hard, playing hard or, indeed, not doing much at all. You’ll find people who are rich, poor, black, white, from private or state schools or from abroad; you’ll find people who want to live the Oxford dream and people who hate the idea of traditional Oxford (but who are enjoying themselves nonetheless). Wherever you turn, you meet some really fascinating, intelligent and fun people, with something interesting to say. Whoever you are, whatever you’re into, there’ll be people like you – and people decidedly not like you.

Hand-in-hand with the tutorial system goes the college system. Explained in more detail on p28, the college system makes it much easier to meet people and settle in.

employment Having a good degree will improve your employment prospects more than any other factor. Employers are always impressed by an Oxford degree because in studying for it, you’ll have gained skills not taught at other universities. Oxford graduates have the confidence, intellect and skills that employers are looking for, as well as the benefit of at least three amazing years behind them before entering the world of work.

f you look hard enough while you’re here, you’ll still find traces of the stereotype that you see in the media: boater-wearing, rowing, punting, Pimms-drinking rah students. This isn’t what regular life here is like, though, unless you want it to be – and in fact, by the time you’ve settled in, you might even find that a summer term hanging around the river in the sun isn’t so bad anyway.

surroundings There’s a reason Oxford city centre is so touristy. It’s beautiful: most of the city centre is built around the college buildings, many of which are hundreds and hundreds of years old. The colleges are stunning, whether you’re into ancient architecture or modern chrome and glass. But Oxford is also a thriving modern city with lots going on – far from being a university with a town attached, Oxford is a major city with a university built in.

finance Oxford has some of the most generous bursary schemes in the country. If you’re worried about not being able to afford to study here, think again – have a look at p.18 for more information.

The official Oxford University Undergraduate Prospectus is a useful directory of entrance requirements and college facilities, but the Alternative Prospectus is intended to give a wholly student perspective on this university: colleges, courses and what life here is really like. You don’t, of course, have to take our word for it – once you’ve read the prospectus, come to an open day and see what it’s like for yourself. Oxford is definitely worth your best shot. Many people think they have no chance of getting in when they apply. Huge numbers of those people are proven wrong every year.

Oxford Myths

Myth #1:

Everyone’s posh and rich

True

Statistics don’t lie – Oxford does have a disproportionately large number of students from private school backgrounds. In practice, though, Oxford is an incredibly diverse place, and long gone are the days when you had to speak like the Queen in order to get in. Nowadays, not only is every demographic well-represented, but people mix with whomever they want. Any private school snobbery is confined to small groups of people you probably wouldn’t want to hang out with anyway.

or False

Oxford myths busted

Myth #2

Nobody goes out/everyone spends all the time in the library/Oxford students are all geeks

Oxford’s workload can be heavier than that of other universities, but it’s generally not your social life that suffers – there’s just less of the sitting around in your pyjamas watching daytime TV with a beer in one hand and Heat magazine in the other. Oxford is quite an intense example of work hard, play hard. While, like everywhere else, there are some students who choose to spend all their hours working, you’ll find that few people who enjoy socialising allow work to stand in the way.

Myth #3

People wear gowns

Every Oxford student owns a cap and gown, but that’s only because you need one for matriculation (the start-of-your-degree ceremony). The only other times you’re only ever required to wear academic dress are University exams and when you’re in really, really serious trouble. If you actually enjoy wearing a gown, though, nobody’s stopping you...

Myth #4

People speak latin Not unless they do Classics.

The whole University is made up entirely of head boys and girls who were sports team captains, play piano to Grade 8 standard, speak ten languages and spend their free time saving the world

Myth #5

Oxford University is home to rather a lot of people with more than their fair share of talents, but not everyone here is a musical, sporting, debating and academic wunderkind. You’ll make some incredibly interesting and talented friends, but most of the people you’ll meet will be, generally, normal – just like anywhere else.

Myth #6

Introduction

You’re not allowed out after midnight

We have no idea where this came from, but it’s definitely not true in any way. If you live in college accommodation, the worst that can happen is for the porters (college staff who work on the door) to show up at especially loud room parties and shut them down early. If you’re living out, you’re your own boss.

Myth #7

They make you do bizarre things in interviews

It would be wrong to claim that Oxford’s interviews are just like any other university’s – they generally have much more of a lateral thinking slant, and you’re likely to be asked questions about your subject that you didn’t expect. But if there was ever a time when the interview process had anything to do with highsociety etiquette, sporting ability or any weird rituals, it was long, long ago. See Getting into Oxford for more information.

Applying to Oxford

Introduction

Applying to

Oxford

For more information on colleges, see the The College System section

ike most other UK universities, Oxford applications are made through UCAS. Because of UCAS’s blind system, none of your other chosen universities or institutions will know where else you’ve applied. However, you can only choose one course at Oxford, and you can’t apply to both Oxford and Cambridge in the same year. When you apply, you can either choose a college or make an open application (this is explained in more detail on p.30). There are a couple of extra steps you’ll need to take if you apply. First of all, your UCAS form MUST be submitted early, usually by the 15th of October, though it’s worth double checking on the website (www.ox.ac.uk). This is so that the University can organise interviews and request written work. Secondly, when making your UCAS application, you’ll also need to complete and return a separate Oxford Application Form, usually available from your school or, if not, from www.admissions.ox.ac.uk/forms, along with a fee of £10.

The separate application form gives you an opportunity to provide any other relevant information not mentioned in your UCAS form. Bear in mind that many people say nothing, and if you decide that you haven’t got anything to add to your UCAS application, it definitely won’t be held against you. If you have detailed motivations for applying, however, particularly if your course is specific to Oxford, this is a good place to go into further detail. The form also has a section for your referee to provide more information about your educational background in order to help Oxford have a better understanding of your particular circumstances. Don’t explain your college choice – applications aren’t judged on this basis. After you’ve submitted your application, some (not all) subjects may ask for samples of written work or require you to sit a pre-interview test. Written work is typically required by early November. Check the official prospectus for detailed instructions, but applicants usu-

ally submit marked work that they feel reflects their best ability. It’s a good idea to pick work that demonstrates some flair and evidence of personal research, but there’s no need to write anything specially. An increasing number of courses with large number of applicants, such as Medicine, English and PPE, now require you to sit pre-interview written tests. These are designed to test general aptitude, meaning that you can’t prepare for them, so don’t panic or worry about revising. More information and sample tests can be found

at www.admissions.ox.ac.uk. You may have to register separately to sit the tests so check the official prospectus for more information. Tutors tend to interview a large proportion of students who apply. More information about interviews can be found on the next page. You’ll generally hear from Oxford in December or January with the results of your application. Conditional offers are usually AAA at A-level.

Getting into Oxford

Getting into M

Oxford

uch has been said about getting into Oxford. Competition is fierce, and myths about the application procedure abound. In general, it’s certainly true that Oxford interviews are more challenging than those at other universities. It’s also true that you may well be asked questions you didn’t expect. However, a lot of people prepare needlessly for questions that they’re definitely not going to be asked. The interview process is designed to assess your academic potential, giving the tutors a valuable opportunity to meet you in person, discover how you think and decide whether or not they’d enjoy teaching you over the coming years.

James Lamming

Vice President (Access & Academic Affairs) Oxford University Student Union

had three interviews at Oxford. My first, in economics, felt like a disaster, so I went home not expecting to get in. Nonetheless, I enjoyed myself immensely, socialising with the other interviewees, exploring the city, having a go at a bar quiz organised by the current undergraduates (where I was on the same team as the youngest ever Who Wants To Be a Millionaire winner) and getting some exam revision started. My advice is not to be afraid to ask questions clarifying terms and ideas if you don’t understand, think for a second before you start speaking, and read anything that looks interesting in your field, such as journals or books before arriving. Best of luck!

preparing for interview

after you apply The timetable for the interviews in your subject can be found at the back of the official prospectus or on the admissions website. It is vital you keep this period free of other commitments. You’ll receive a letter towards the end of November indicating whether you have been invited to Oxford for an interview. Not everyone gets to the interview stage, and if you don’t then try not to be disappointed. That you’re in a position to consider apply-

Introduction

ing for Oxford is a fantastic achievement in itself. If you’re invited to interview, the letter will explain which college you’ll be staying at. This will tend to be at the college at which you applied, unless you made an open application or if the college at which you applied is significantly oversubscribed (this will be explained in the letter inviting you to interview).

Oxford tutors aren’t looking for applicants

with an encyclopedic knowledge

of all the textbooks they’ve read

Oxford tutors want students who display enthusiasm for their subject, along with a natural flair and ability. They’re not looking for applicants with an encyclopaedic knowledge of all the textbooks they’ve read, nor people who won’t be any fun to teach. One of the best ways to prepare for an interview, and demonstrate an interest in your subject, is to read widely from lots of sources. Wading through textbooks is not especially helpful, but interesting-looking newspapers, websites, journals, magazines, books and other publications in your chosen subject are worth spending some time on. This is especially important if you are applying for a course not normally studied at school or college so that you can show a little bit of background knowledge (you won’t be expected to have a detailed understanding of specific or technical topics). It’s good practice to take a critical view of the ideas and arguments you encounter, not just when reading, but also in school, college and the media. Though you can’t prepare for interviews as such, many students find it helpful to practise with someone willing. This gives you some experience in talking about yourself and your work, and constructing arguments in an un-

familiar setting. Good people to ask include a teacher or someone else reasonably versed in your subject, but preferably not someone with whom you’re already very friendly. Some schools and private companies offer interview crash courses to help you prepare. While they probably won’t harm your chances, there’s certainly no proof that they’ll help. There is no “Oxford type” that you can learn how to become, and more often than not the information is already provided at no charge on the University website. If you submitted any written work as part of your application, re-read it, thinking about how you could expand upon what you wrote. Look over your personal statement again. Both of these may be discussed in your interviews, and you’ll do a lot better if you can remember what you originally said. Have a look at the admissions criteria for your course (www.admissions.ox.ac.uk/courses/criteria. shtml); it may serve as an indication of what your tutors will be looking for. Finally, think about obvious questions that are often asked at the beginning of an interview to help you settle, and how you might answer them (Why do you want to study at Oxford? Why do you want to study your subject? And so on). – continued overleaf...

Getting into Oxford

– continued from “Getting into Oxford”

when you arrive Oxford interviews generally happen over a couple of days, usually because you’ll have more than one interview (at more than one college). Not many people expect to enjoy their Oxford interviews, but in fact lots of applicants end up having a great time whether or not they get in. When you arrive in Oxford, you’ll most likely be greeted by a team of interview shepherds (usually current undergraduates), who’ll show you where you’re staying, give you a tour of the college including where to get food and find other interviewees, and explain what activities are being arranged by way of entertainment. These are usually in the form of bar quizzes, film nights, trips to the cinema or tours of Oxford. However, only your interviews and official meetings or academic tests are compulsory, so if you’re not feeling social, it’s perfectly fine to spend time alone. All your food and accommodation is provided for free. It’s worth bringing a copy of your written work and personal statement, as well as a book or some coursework to keep you occupied as most of your time will not be spent in interviews. You don’t need to wear smart clothes to interview, and there’s no advantage to wearing a suit. The best clothes are ones you feel comfortable in – after all, you’re being judged on your mind, not your fashion sense!

Introduction

the interview itself Interviews differ from subject to subject and from college to college. There are, however, some common themes. Tutors will want you to be yourself and demonstrate your skills and abilities during the interview. They’re not trying to trick you or catch you out, but rather to see if you’re genuinely enthusiastic about your course (this is largely for your own good, as three years of hard work on a course you don’t enjoy can be a miserable experience). They’ll ask you questions about your subject and questions that will help them assess you as a candidate. In some subjects, especially the arts, you might be asked questions on a passage of text which is given to you before the interview. In science subjects, you could be asked factual questions. The tutors will tend to want to stretch your knowledge, and may focus on topics of which you have no experience to see how you respond to new ideas. You probably won’t know the answer to everything you’re asked. If your mind draws a blank, allow the tutors to guide you if necessary. There are rarely simple ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ answers; instead the questions are designed to encourage you to think for yourself and develop an argument. Remember to be yourself and ask for help if you need it. The tutors are assessing your ability to

learn in an Oxford environment. Teaching in Oxford is centred around small classes and tutorials, and tutors will want to make sure you respond effectively to this style of learning. Clarity, along with concise and relevant arguments, is all-important in these situations, as is listening carefully to tutors’ questions. Tutors are looking to see whether you can explain what you do know, and whether you can work your way through new problems or argue your position. Though you might be asked about extracurricular activities, and tutors may be interested in how you currently balance your studies and other activities, they’re primarily interested in your academic potential. Extracurricular activities therefore don’t form any of the selection criteria in any subject. Finally, the number of interviews you’re offered essentially means nothing – there are true stories of students who are interviewed at six different colleges, yet end up at a seventh that never interviewed them. Such interviews are often arranged before you arrive and may be so that colleges can compare the quality of students in other locations. Don’t try to second-guess everything that happens, and it’s best to ignore the people that do – you won’t find out how you’ve done until you get the letter from your tutors, and neither will they.

what happens next? Whatever the result, you’ll be contacted in late December or January (usually by post). If you’re successful, the offer will usually be conditional, and may be for your first choice college, for another college, or an open offer, where you have a guaranteed place but will be allocated a college after A-level results are published in August. Every year, 10,000 people are not lucky

enough to be offered a place. These inevitably include many talented and highly motivated candidates. Many people reapply to Oxford after a gap year, or applying for graduate studies after their undergraduate degree at a different university, and are successful. If you don’t get into Oxford, do remember that there are many other fantastic universities where you’re just as likely to have a wonderful time.

Finance and Fees

Finance and O

Fees

xford is no more expensive than any other university in the country. With the huge array of support and bursaries on offer, applying to Oxford is a choice anyone can make, whatever their financial background. Over the next few pages, we’ll run through what it costs to go to any UK university, and the extra support Oxford has to offer all its students.

financial support All UK students are eligible for a student loan. Whatever your household income, you’re entitled to receive at least £3,385 per year, though this can increase on a sliding scale up to £4,510 depending on your household income. Your loan is generally paid back automatically through the tax system, and repayments only start when you’re earning over £15,000 per year (£288 per week). You’ll be required to pay at least 9% of your total income above the threshold (so that’s 9% of what you earn over £15,000, not 9% of your total income). Interest is subsidised by the government and is fixed at a level equivalent to the rate of inflation. The real value of any loans will, therefore, not increase over time. It’s the cheapest loan you’ll ever get! Around two-thirds of all students starting University in 2008 will also be eligible for a maintenance grant, which doesn’t have to be paid back. The amount you receive depends on the household income and your year of study. If your household income is less than £25,000, you’ll receive the full maintenance grant of £2,825. If your household income is between £25,001 and £60,000, you’ll receive a partial grant, the amount declining from the full grant as your household income increases towards the upper threshold.

Due to devolution, this governmentfunded support does vary slightly depending on what part of the country you live in. The information provided here is broadly correct for students living in England and Northern Ireland. At the time of going to print, students living in Wales and Scotland are eligible for slightly less government funded financial support. For more and up-to-date information, visit:

Introduction

tuition fees Whichever institution you go to, and whatever your circumstances, you’ll probably have to pay tuition fees of £3,070 per year. These can be deferred until after you graduate, so that you pay nothing upfront – instead, the fees are simply added to your student loan.

financial support (oxford-specific) All UK students receiving a maintenance grant will also automatically receive an Oxford Opportunity Bursary (www.oxfordopportunity.com). These are currently the most generous in the country, worth up to £13,000 over the course of a degree. The bursary aims to help UK students meet their maintenance costs, so that students receiving the maximum Oxford Opportunity Bursary and the government-funded Maintenance Grant should have sufficient funding to cover their basic living

costs during term-time without taking out a separate student loan for maintenance. Like the Maintenance Grant, the Oxford Opportunity Bursary works on a sliding scale based on household income, and doesn’t have to be repaid. Most colleges can also offer considerable financial support. This includes hardship grants and loans for students in financial need, scholarships and exhibitions awarded for excellent academic achievement, tutorial prizes for consistently good work, study grants towards accommodation if staying in Oxford over the holidays for any academic reasons, book grants and travel grants for trips related to academic work. If you have any questions about student funding in Oxford, check out the website (www.admissions.ox.ac.uk/finance) or email student.funding@admin.ox.ac.uk.

All students: www.direct.gov.uk/studentfinance English students: www.studentsupportdirect.co.uk Welsh students: www.studentfinancewales.co.uk Scottish students: www.student-support-saas.gov.uk Northern Irish students: www.studentfinanceni.co.uk International students should refer to the official University prospectus and University website for details about financial arrangements.

According to the Times Good University Guide 2007, Oxford is the 8th most expensive city in the UK to live in, coming after London, Cambridge, Dublin and St Andrews

Money

Matters M

oney shouldn’t put you off applying to Oxford, particularly with the range and amount of financial support available to Oxford students. What’s more, there are some unique factors to Oxford that also help with living costs.

accommodation First of all, you’ll be staying in college accommodation for at least one year of your course, depending on your college. This tends to be of a high standard, subsidised and usually you only have to pay for the six months that you’re living here. This is a big selling point, especially compared to other universities where you’re often expected to rent privately for two years. Rent varies between colleges, but usually works out to about £3,000 per year, over around 24 to 27 weeks.

Money Matters

In addition, many large firms offer summer internships, where you can get valuable work experience and generally be paid very well. Many Oxford students are able to finance their studies just by working in the summer vacation, but with six weeks’ holiday at Christmas and Easter, there’s plenty of time to earn some cash.

food and drink Hall food is cheap and usually available for at least three meals a day (every day), although quality can vary across colleges. Formal Hall, whose popularity among students endures, is typically a later sitting of dinner where you’re provided with a (usually) delicious three-course meal and waiter service for less than £5. Outside of Hall, many colleges provide some kitchen facilities so you can cook for yourself. With 30,000 students in the city, many of the local eateries, cafes and restaurants provide discounts, so while it’s possible to spend a fortune at le Petit Blanc, you can easily feed yourself on a budget elsewhere. College bars, as well as being popular social centres, range from ‘ridiculously cheap’ to ‘much cheaper than the pub’, while guaranteeing a safe atmosphere with friendly and familiar company. The Student Union organises regular club nights with cheap tickets and drinks so you can have a great night out without blowing your student loan in one go.

books

jobs Terms at Oxford are only eight weeks long, and therefore very intense – there’s not really any time to have a separate job, and tutors don’t usually like it if you do. That said, many colleges do have bar or library shifts during term time, and with some of the longest holidays in the UK, you’ll have more than enough time at home to find a job.

Introduction

transport Almost everything useful in Oxford is within a mile from the city centre, and since most students live right in the middle it’s rare that you’ll ever have to walk for more than about 20 minutes. Bikes are very common (there are dozens locked up on every street corner). Transport costs are therefore minimal, as you won’t need to invest in bus passes or fork out for taxis after a night out.

Oxford probably has the best provision of libraries in the country. The Bodleian is a copyright library, meaning it has the right to a copy of every published book in the UK. Faculty and college libraries often have multiple copies of key texts that you can borrow and consult, so you won’t have to buy too many books. Colleges often have funds to buy books if you can’t find what you’re looking for. Overall, you can save a substantial amount of money on study materials at Oxford compared to at other universities with less comprehensive libraries.

Careers

Careers H

aving enjoyed student life, survived finals and emerged from the student underworld back into daylight, many graduates are struck with the question: what next? Well, an Oxford degree may not answer that for you, but it’ll certainly help you get wherever you want to go. An Oxford degree teaches you transferable skills valuable to any employer. Having developed the ability to organise time efficiently in order to meet deadlines and work well both on your own and in a group, door after door will open for you. With your intellectual ability demonstrated in your academic work, and your interests and activities giving evidence of your practical and social skills, companies literally queue up to persuade you to work for them. Oxford graduates have gone on to lead the country, win Nobel Prizes, run large companies, charities and international nongovernment organisations, write best selling books, become media, music and film stars and much more. The amount of choice in potential careers is daunting. We won’t lie – while some people are lucky and know exactly what they want to do, lots of other people have no idea where to even start. Available for all students is the Oxford University Careers Service, who are there to help you explore your skills and motivations, what options you have and provide you with the information to make and achieve your choice.

Introduction

The Careers Service offers a number of useful services including individual discussions with Careers Advisers (who are available most days for drop in queries, interview and application training), an information room with material on a vast array of careers and regular vacancy bulletins with temporary and permanent jobs. They also help to organise employer presentations and careers conferences, where you get to meet your potential employers in person and ask them exactly what it’s like to work for the company. Many of these events offer free drinks and often food, so finding out where you might want to work isn’t really that bad. The Careers Service also offer advice and information on how to use your vacations. Many Oxford students gain work experience through paid internships, allowing them to test whether a job or career really is the one for them. Many other students volunteer right across the world: stories of friends teaching English in outer Nepal all summer are not uncommon. Not all students want a 9 to 5, and many are tempted by further study. About a third of students every year continue exploring aspects of their degree in more depth and undertake original research on masters and doctorate courses around the world. As a graduate of one of the World’s best universities, you’ll have the choice of either staying in familiar surroundings or moving on to other world-class universities like Cambridge or the Ivy League. So whatever you dreams or career plans, Oxford will help you get there. And even if you’re not sure what you want to do after university – after all, not many of us are – the skills and experiences you’ll gain from Oxford make it a fantastic place to start.

Oxford for Everyone

Oxford

for Everyone

Introduction

target schools Target Schools is a student-run scheme based in the Student Union (OUSU). It provides information, runs open days, arranges student visits to schools and organises conferences to encourage students from state schools to consider applying to Oxford. For more information, or if you have any questions about Target Schools, feel free to email access@ousu.org or ring 01865 288464.

xford University is about educating students with the greatest academic potential. Oxford students come from every background right across the world – in fact, you could say that academic potential is the only thing that every Oxford student has in common. Excellent students come not only from affluent private schools but also state schools, poorer areas and minority groups. In order to encourage applications, Oxford University has dedicated extensive resources to reaching out to many groups who might be put off applying by popular misconceptions about what Oxford is like. Myths abound, and the vast majority of them are either completely false or several decades out of date. By actively reaching out, the University is hoping to give potential applicants the correct information about Oxford, and let them make the decision to apply based on their own knowledge and experience.

the oxford access scheme The Oxford Access Scheme is a student-led charity that works to raise aspirations among students in inner cities and minority groups to apply to higher education in general, and to top universities like Oxford in particular. It runs open days, information evenings, shadowing schemes, conferences and school visits. For more information visit www..oxford-access.org.uk.

Oxford is an elite university, not an elitist one. Whatever your background, if you’re interested in your subject and successful academically, Oxford is a university you can consider. The University and constituent colleges are home to various student-run groups who organise open days, provide information and visit secondary schools and Sixth Forms. You can always contact these groups to see if they can provide you with any support and information to help you decide whether you’d like to apply.

the undergraduate information office The University Undergraduate Information Office deals with the administration side of applying to study at Oxford. You can contact them for copies of the official University Undergraduate Prospectus, course literature, interview leaflets and other helpful publications. Their website is www.admissions.ox.ac.uk and they have a central office, called the Admissions i, on Little Clarendon Street in the centre of Oxford. Whatever your questions, however small, they’ll always be happy to help.

Colleges

colleges the college system

choosing a college

30 32–91

colleges A–Z balliol brasenose christ church corpus christi exeter harris manchester hertford jesus keble lady margaret hall lincoln magdalen mansfield merton new

permanent private halls (PPHs) greyfriars regent’s park st benet’s other PPHs

32 34 36 38 40 42 44 46 48 50 52 54 56 58 60

oriel pembroke queen’s st anne’s st catherine’s st edmund hall st hilda’s st hugh’s st john’s st peter’s somerville trinity university wadham worcester

62 64 66 68 70 72 74 76 78 80 82 84 86 88 90

92 94 96 98 100

The College System

Colleges

The College System

xford University is made up of several colleges, of which 30 are for undergraduates. They come in many shapes and sizes, typically ranging from 200 to 500 undergrads and from a few decades to almost a millennium old. Your college will play a major role in your time at Oxford, offering more than just accommodation and tuition.

living and eating First of all, your college is where you live in your first year. You will generally be offered college accommodation for at least two years (first and third being the most common, depending on your college). First years almost always live on-site whereas it’s common for others to live in college-owned property elsewhere in Oxford. Rooms vary in quality but are usually impressive by student standards, and some of the older colleges’ rooms are palatial. As well as housing you, your college also feeds you – each one has a cafeteria (known as Hall, usually because that’s exactly what it is), catering for its students at varying prices and quality depending on where you go.

Whether or not you choose to eat there will depend both on your access to a kitchen and on how good you consider your Hall food to be. However, in colleges with limited kitchen facilities, eating in Hall every evening is standard and you’ll be sure to see most of your college friends there.

learning While lectures, labs and exams happen at a university level, the real learning experience takes place in tutorials. The tutorial system is college-centric: your tutors are based there and most of your work will be submitted to them. With two tutorials per week, you’ll get to know them – and the people doing your subject at your college – pretty well (there

are usually around four to ten students per subject, per college). Your tutors have a responsibility for your welfare, and are a good first point of contact when it comes to career advice, stress and illness.

socialising Your college is a social hub, with its own bar and JCR (“Junior Common Room” refers both to the room and the undergraduate student body). Involvement in college life varies widely – some people spend a lot of time in the bar or JCR,

lege system: the community spirit is there when you need it – which is especially nice when you’re starting out – but it’s by no means the only way to live your life. If in time you begin to find your college claustrophobic, not cosy, you have Oxford’s 30,000-strong student population at your disposal. Most colleges have some societies of their own – sports teams, orchestras, film societies – but these activities can usually be pursued further at a University level anyway. JCRs also put on “bops” – sweaty, debauched, themed fancy dress parties in college with loud

The community spirit is there when

when you need it... but it’s by no means the only way to live your life

while others find friends at different colleges and spend more time in the city. However, the University currently has no central student venue (ie a Student Union bar) so if nothing else, your college bar is at least likely to feature heavily in your first few weeks while you’re still getting to know the people you’ve just met. A college is a small community in itself, and this really eases the settling-in process at Oxford. Much like in a hall of residence, you’re grouped with a smaller pool of people to meet (typically 50 to 150 undergraduates per year, plus some graduate students, and then tutors), so you won’t get lost in a sea of faces. At the same time, if you ever want to meet more people, you’re part of a much larger student community across Oxford – it’s the best of both worlds! This is one of the great things about the col-

cheesy music and cheap drinks. They’re usually packed – and lots of Oxford students take them very seriously indeed – but if that’s not your scene then don’t worry, you wouldn’t be alone.

welfare and pastoral care Welfare services are offered both at the collegiate and University level, by college nurses, doctors and peer supporters, and the student union (OUSU) respectively. A welcome feature of most colleges is the parenting scheme, which caters for the incoming freshers: everyone is given a volunteer college “parent” (or two) in the year above, who’ll look out for them until they’ve settled in. It’s a good chance to relax and meet new people, and college families often grow into lasting friendships.

Which College?

Paul Stuart

For more information on applications, see the Applying to Oxford section

hoosing a college can be daunting when you’re confronted with 30 to compare. However, while they do differ in a number of ways, and do all have a slightly different atmosphere, if your first choice isn’t clear then don’t worry! The differences generally aren’t such that you’d be vastly disadvantaged by picking one college over another – and no matter where you end up, you’ll meet people you like. If you can’t decide, you could always make an open application, in which you’re allocated a college at random. Your chances of getting in are exactly the same, and the tutors who interview you won’t know that you didn’t choose their college. Incidentally, you’ll never be asked “Why do you want to come to this college?” in interview. The following section offers only a brief look at each college. All the information was supplied by the college JCRs, and we can’t necessarily guarantee its accuracy. If you’d like to find out more, check out the college or JCR websites, or if you want to talk to a current student, just email one of the JCR committee members at any college you’re interested in.

For general admission queries, contact a college’s Admissions Tutor or the University Admissions Office. You may want to consider a few key points when deciding on a college:

Now graduated, Merton College

was encouraged to apply at Merton owing to its high academic achievement – something that indeed comes with the expected pressure to maintain those standards. However, no college is comprised exclusively of intensely competitive, unsociable people. Rather, the work ethic translates into real team spirit, with students seeking to widen their own understanding alongside their peers, rather than at their expense. I would encourage anyone to look for a college that is academically driven, wealthy, pretty and well-located, with accommodation for all three years.

size and shape Oxford colleges range from ancient to very modern. What would you rather have at your front door: red brick or Hogwarts? Do you like small gardens or rolling meadows? Oxford has plenty of both. Colleges range from about 200 to 500 undergraduates, and also vary widely in physical size (though this doesn’t necessarily correlate to number of students).

location How far is your college from your department building (where you’ll have lectures) and anywhere in Oxford you’re likely to want to spend time at (sports grounds, parks, music venues, shops)? Remember that Oxford is small, and even the furthest colleges are only 15 minutes away from the centre on foot.

Mike Brown

Third year, New College

Colleges

he main reason I applied to New College is because it’s central. It’s also near the English faculty, and I’m lazy. There are more important benefits, though. Accommodation is good. There’s a great mix of people, and being a large college, the atmosphere isn’t too claustrophobic. We’re very sociable – as well as going out a lot, the college entz (ie bops) are rammed. The food, though, is pretty rank. The gardens are attractive, the cloisters were used in filming Harry Potter… while college choice may seem like a big deal now, in the end, people settle down and find their niche wherever they end up.

cost Not all colleges cost the same to live in. The most significant factor is room rent, but meals and other charges (eg laundry, fines for lost keys etc) all contribute. Be careful when comparing rent figures, because every college seems to have a unique way of stating the cost – some include meals in the rent, for example. In this section we’ve provided rough figures for each college, but you should check these directly before basing any decision on cost, as they are subject to change. Colleges also offer different levels of financial support to their students, from academic scholarships to bursaries and grants. The only way to get accurate details of these is to speak to the colleges directly.

accommodation All Oxford colleges offer a good standard of accommodation, usually for two years but often more. Basic facilities such as internet (via an Ethernet socket in your room) and laundry are always provided. Every college has a bar and JCR (Junior

Common Room). However, some colleges are better equipped than others when it comes to music and sports facilities. Provisions for disabled access vary widely across colleges, as many college buildings are hundreds of years old. If you have any special requirements, it’s best to check with the respective college or JCR.

a word on the (non-)importance of college choice DON’T WORRY ABOUT IT. College choice is unlikely to completely make or break your time at Oxford. While the colleges are different, you will find people you get on with in any college you pick, and most people eventually find their best friends in other colleges anyway. As long as your basic needs (such as disabled access or storage for international students) are satisfied, the rest isn’t so important. If you wanted to, you could always ask a current student (preferably at another college!) what they think about your choices – JCR committees are usually happy to help in this respect, and their contact details are on each JCR’s website.

Balliol

Colleges

No. undergraduates 401

Accommodation provision 1st and 3rd years, but 2nd and 3rd can live in nearby accommodation

ince Balliol’s abortive coup by its students in the ‘60s in which the college was seized and renamed “the People’s Republic of Balliol”, the college has been able to add strong lefty-liberal student activism to its list of raisons d’être (notwithstanding alumni such as Chris Patten, Boris Johnson and Ted Heath). Balliol has swept away much of the pomp of other colleges; formal hall has been abolished, gowns are never worn and students can walk on most of the grass. Music is popular, and we have a practice room, a fun non-auditioning chapel choir and free Sunday teatime concerts, as well as an Arts Week. Sport at Balliol also offers something for everyone. We have facilities at the Jowett site including a football pitch, squash courts, cricket nets and pitch, a croquet pitch and netball courts. First and third years are housed on the main site, and second years can be housed at Jowett Walk, 5 minutes from college, though some second years choose to live out. This can be expensive, but financial assistance is available

Rent per term £750 – £1321, graded rooms Food provision Lunch and dinner in hall, breakfast available from JCR Pantry Kitchen facilities Some kitchenettes available Bathroom facilities Mostly shared between about 5 Library opening hours Approx. 9 am – midnight usually Famous alumni Adam Smith, Graham Greene, Herbert Asquith, William Beveridge

Balliol College Broad Street, OX1 3BJ 01865 277 777 www.balliol.ox.ac.uk www.ballioljcr.org

The bar is one of the only two student-

managed bars in Oxford, making drinks cheap – shots are 75p on Tuesdays

from college. College rooms have telephones and Internet points, and many staircases have kitchens. Balliol has a hall serving food but we never have formal hall. At dinner, a main course and dessert will cost you around £3 but you can choose to pre-pay your meals for a discount. What makes us unique in terms of food is the JCR-run Pantry; here you can get breakfast from 8am until 11:30am – the longest in Oxford – and also lunch, tea and dinner, so avoiding an essay has never been easier! Balliol has a computer room, one of the largest college libraries, a free gym and a JCR run laundry. The bar is one of the only two student-managed bars in Oxford, making drinks cheap: shots are 75p on Tuesdays. It’s a great space and the centre of a vibrant college life. The JCR has a big film screen and hosts the fortnightly bops. Also attached to the JCR is the TV room (with arcade games).

Brasenose

Colleges

No. undergraduates 378

rasenose College, known to many simply as “BNC,” was officially founded in 1509 and sits right in the middle of Oxford in Radcliffe Square. Its somewhat bizarre name comes from the brass (or “brazen”) doorknocker which now takes pride of place in the college Hall, along with an impressively endowed unicorn. Brasenose is relatively small in size, but its lively student population certainly punches above its weight! Brasenose members generally don’t hesitate to get out into the wider university, whether as part of sports teams and societies or just through being sociable outside of its walls. Its central location makes being involved in life outside of college really easy. Being right next to the Bodleian library and around 200 metres from the famous Kings Arms and Turf pubs means there’s something for everyone right on the doorstep. Brasenose is known for its sporting tradition and it continues to live up to its reputation. However, it’s by no means one-faceted and is also extremely active in other areas. In Trinity term, Brasenose holds its Arts Festival, which is currently the most extensive in Oxford. This involves a number of plays, recitals and workshops along with a lively outdoor bar which becomes the heart of

Accommodation provision Usually provided for all years Rent per term £812 plus fixed Hall charge Food provision Hall, along with “Gertie’s” buttery Kitchen facilities In some accommodation Bathroom facilities Mostly shared Library opening hours 24/7 Famous alumni Michael Palin, William Golding, Field-Marshal Douglas Haig

Brasenose College Radcliffe Square, OX1 4AJ 01865 277 830 www.bnc.ox.ac.uk jcr.bnc.ox.ac.uk

Brasenose’s best kept secret is definitely the

buttery, known as “Gertie’s”, which serves cooked breakfasts, hot paninis and cakes college for the week. Brasenose offers some of the best accommodation across the colleges. All first years live in and around New Quad. Second years move out into Frewin, our annexe which is just as central as the college itself, situated just off of Cornmarket street, right next to the Oxford Union. Third and Fourth years tend to spread themselves between college and Frewin. It is rare that anyone who wants accommodation in college is refused it. Brasenose does well at ensuring its members are well watered and fed. It provides Formal Hall three times a week along with all the usual meals. However, its best kept secret is definitely the buttery, known as “Gertie’s”, which serves cooked breakfasts, hot paninis, salads and cakes. You’ll undoubtedly find to be one of the greatest ways of procrastinating during any work crisis. Next door to Gertie’s is the college bar, which opens at 7.30 every night. It always has a great atmosphere and is most certainly one of the best-loved features of BNC.

Christ Church No. undergraduates 430 Accommodation provision Usually all years for all undergrads Rent per term £900 (approx) Food provision All meals in Hall Kitchen facilities Limited, but kettles and toasters allowed in rooms

Colleges

Bits and bobs:

wealthy, - Big, beautiful, historic, touristy

on - Good accommodation provisi rsary bu s rou ne ge and rs, yea for all schemes And a - Has a built-in cathedral. meadow

Bathroom facilities Around 1 in 3 rooms are en suite Library opening hours 11 am – 11 pm Famous alumni William Gladstone, Lewis Carroll

Christ Church St. Aldate’s, OX1 1DP 01865 276 150 www.chch.ox.ac.uk www.chchjcr.org

he first thing to strike many about Christ Church is undoubtedly its beautiful architecture and impressive history. In many ways it’s like a college on steroids – for example, the college chapel is actually the Cathedral of Oxford, and the expansive Meadow (complete with cows) is the only one of its kind in the city. Christ Church Hall was used in Harry Potter. It has the biggest quad in the University, presided over by Tom Tower, a true Oxford landmark (complete with tourists). It’s fair to say that Christ Church students in general aren’t the most hard-working bunch; though as it’s Oxford there are always going to be a few exceptions. Nonetheless, the col-

lege does very respectably in finals. The library is generally well-stocked and readily buys any books that are missing, though it’s not open 24/7. Christ Church almost always offers at least three years of accommodation. All rooms are well decorated and a decent size, with en suites in around a third. Most second year rooms (in the palatial Peckwater Quad) have mahogany panelling on the walls. Kitchen facilities are unfortunately very limited, but food is cheap and eating in hall every night (or indeed for any meal) gives students a break from work and builds a sense of community. Christ Church has two very cheap college

Christ Church is a large, wealthy college with

a broad community, extensive financial benefits and light academic pressure

bars. Although not the busiest in Oxford, the facilities include a pool table, jukebox, dartboard and TV. The JCR has a recently-decorated TV room, a top-of-the-range table tennis table, pool table and games machine. The bops (which take place in the JCR) have become increasingly popular, fuelled by £1 drinks. Christ Church does well in sport, particularly rugby. The sports grounds are among the best in Oxford and there are also squash courts on-site. Be warned, Christ Church takes rowing very seriously and has its own boathouse. Music is also a major strength, with the famous male Cathedral choir having recently sung the theme tune for the most recent Bean movie.

Art is a large part of college life – the art room and regular life-drawing classes attract students from all over the University. Many Christ Church students delve into politics, both at the Union and in various political parties. If you can’t find what you are looking for within college, funding can be granted to start a new society – financially, Christ Church shares its wealth with its students by giving very generous bursaries and grants. Christ Church is a large, wealthy college with a broad community, extensive financial benefits and light academic pressure. It’s a place that can be busy if you want it to be, but also somewhere that you can find peace.

Corpus Christi

No. undergraduates 230

Colleges

orpus Christi, or “Corpus”, is one of the smallest and oldest undergraduate colleges, giving it a warm and close community and a strong sense of identity. Corpus’ size lends a supportive atmosphere to all of its members, and makes it very easy for everyone to get involved in (and be enthusiastic about) a vibrant college life. Corpus sits right in the heart of Oxford – it’s less than five minutes walk from the main Bodleian library and town centre shops, and 10 minutes from the science area. It’s noted by tour guides for its beautiful garden, built on the old city wall, gazing peacefully across the Christ Church meadow. Accommodation is offered for all years of a three or four year course, either on the main site, in the New Building across the road on Merton Street, in the Liddell Building (which features a grand piano) or in College-owned houses. The college has good facilities: a well equipped computer suite, a squash court, a basketball hoop, a music room with practice and performance facilities and a beer cellar with a pool table, a dartboard and table football. The JCR has two TV rooms, including Sky, a DVD library and a Playstation 2 so there’s never a shortage of fun things to do!

Accommodation provision All years guaranteed Rent per term £750-900 depending on room Food provision All meals in Hall Kitchen facilities Kitchens off-site, some on-site Bathroom facilities On-site ensuite, off-site shared between 2-6 Library opening hours 24/7 Famous alumni David Milliband, Ed Milliband, John Ruskin, Vikram Seth

Corpus Christi Merton Street, OX1 4JF 01865 276 700 www.ccc.ox.ac.uk www.corpusjcr.org

Corpus is noted by tour guides for its beautiful

garden, built on the old city wall, gazing peacefully across Christ Church meadow Corpus students are heavily involved in sport and societies at a college and University level. Within college, “Owlets” is the college drama society, which puts on several plays a term, as well as the Christmas panto. Corpus also has an excellent non-auditioning choir, literary society, music society and debating society (called “the Hive”). Notable competitive successes of recent years have come in women’s rugby and men’s cricket, not to mention the champion University Challenge team, but despite our achievements, enthusiasm is usually more important than unmatched talent if you want to get involved with Corpus clubs. Corpus is a particularly good place for female students – there is a “women’s tea” (cake, basically) every Sunday, as well as a Tutor for Women. Despite all this activity, Corpus is one of the more academically successful colleges, generally placed in the top ten of the Norrington table. Corpus’ impressive library, which the classical scholar Erasmus once called a ‘wonder of the world’, is well stocked, well run (by helpful librarians) and is a fantastic place to work.

Exeter

Colleges

No. undergraduates 350 Accommodation provision All first years, 30-40% of finalists Rent per term £1003 Food provision All meals in Hall Kitchen facilities One in college, 1 between 15 off-site

Bits and bobs:

nded 1314 - Fourth oldest college – fou

visiting - Continuous programme of ir, Lord Bla Ian Sir speakers – e.g ston Win ert Rob ic practice room - Newly re-equipped mus

the Year Award” - Oxford college “Chef of

Bathroom facilities A handful en suite, most shared Library opening hours 24/7 Famous alumni Roger Bannister, Alan Bennett, Philip Pullman, J.R.R. Tolkein

Exeter College Turl Street, OX1 3DP 01865 279 600 www.exeter.ox.ac.uk jcr.exeter.ox.ac.uk

xeter is the oldest of the three Turl Street colleges, situated dead in the centre of Oxford near all University facilities, shops, pubs and everything else you could need. We have our share of history and quirky anecdotes (we are the “real” Jordan College of Pullman’s Northern Lights and Inspector Morse died on our quad), but we are more proud of the here and now! While an estate agent might describe our grounds as “intimate”, they house some of the most beautiful spaces in Oxford – our gothic chapel is one of Oxford’s finest, and students from other colleges are often found lounging in our Fellows’ Garden.

There are a few aspects of life at Exeter that mark us out from the pack. Traditionally, our hierarchy has been female-dominated, though men should not worry – this is more because of the modern attitudes that pervade Exeter life than suppression (or lack) of male members! We have our own college charity, ExVac, which involves undergrads taking underprivileged children, selected by social services, on holiday to, well, somewhere near Slough. The scheme is adored by students and children alike, though, and is a source of great pride for the college. Our authorities seem to be among the most benevolent in Oxford. While academic work is

We are the “real” Jordan College of

Pullman’s Northern Lights, and Inspector Morse died on our quad

taken very seriously, extra-curricular activities are well supported and our Freshers’ Week has been seven days long for years (which, even now, is not always the case elsewhere in Oxford). In addition, while our rent isn’t cheap, financial support for students in need is extremely generous. Sport is an integral part of college life and our success belies our average size. Our Boat Club has flourished in recent years and we have active rugby and football teams, while other sports range from hockey to Gaelic football, netball and darts. We also have one of Oxford’s largest college ski trips. At Exeter, a sense of balance is clear

(whether in relation to subjects, backgrounds, political views or anything else), and refreshing in a city where the stereotypes can become tired. The combination of community and individuality is perfectly struck, with the supportive atmosphere more associated with smaller colleges never giving way to claustrophobia, and the social opportunities of a larger one never breeding isolation. With the majority of college inhabited by first years, the atmosphere changes from year to year, though what remains constant is our active, close-knit community where all are welcomed and particular talents developed to the full.

Harris Manchester

Colleges

No. undergraduates 76

s the only college catering solely for mature students, Harris Manchester sits uniquely amongst its University neighbours. Becoming a fully-fledged college in 1996, it doesn’t have any history of 500-year feuds with the town (or other “gownies”, for that matter), but instead is made up almost entirely of students not only tolerant of Oxford traditions but also determined to establish new ones. Founded in Manchester in 1786 to provide education for non-Anglican students, HMC’s inclusive ethos abides today with just about all sectors of society thriving within its grounds. The starting age is 21 with the majority in the 20-30 bracket, extending sometimes, through, to students in their late 70s! This makes for the most diverse student body of any Oxford college – there are few other places where you might dine beside an ex-judge or an international rugby star. Situated across from New College on Mansfield Road, HMC is Oxford’s smallest undergraduate college in terms of population. This allows for a caring environment, feeling more like a family at times than a college. It also means that events are contingent upon students themselves,

Accommodation provision 2 years, often 3, guaranteed on-site Rent per term £1310 per term inc. all meals Food provision All meals in Hall Kitchen facilities Limited Bathroom facilities Majority en suite, some shared between two Library opening hours Mon-Fri, 9 – 1 and 2:00 – 4:30 Famous alumni Joseph Priestly

Harris Manchester Mansfield Road, OX1 3TD 01865 271 006 www.hmc.ox.ac.uk www.hmcjcr.org

There are few other places where

you might dine beside an ex-judge or an international rugby star

with activities varying each year and adapting to current interests. There is a hugely popular and debauched wine society which competes annually with Berkley in California, a weekly film society that shows the most eclectic films in Oxford and a variety of sports teams including basketball, pool (with some of the University’s top players) and rowers affiliated with Wadham. The main gate shuts at 6.30pm so visitors must be brought by members of the college. Guests are always welcome, however, especially in Hall (which is generally a high-quality affair) and at bops, which are reassuringly similar to those at other colleges: burlesque and sauna-like but, almost despite themselves, managing to be fun. Indeed, much of life at Harris Manchester seems to successfully walk that fine line between correspondence with the University and a keeping of its individuality – the hallmark of an Oxford college.

Hertford

Colleges

No. undergraduates 370 Accommodation provision All years for all undergraduates

Bits and bobs:

the - JCR rents 3 punts from r term me Cherwell boathouse all sum

Rent per term £800 (approx)

to be - Only college bar in Oxford erwell e Ch th by ing rat tar 5-s a n give student paper

Food provision All meals in Hall, pay as you go Kitchen facilities Some kitchens, but most rooms have access to kitchen facilities Bathroom facilities Shared between 4 on average Library opening hours 24/7 Famous alumni Jonathan Swift, Evelyn Waugh, Natasha Kaplinsky

Hertford College Catte Street, OX1 3BW 01865 279 400 www.hertford.ox.ac.uk jcrweb.hertford.ox.ac.uk

ertford is one of the more forwardthinking and progressive colleges in Oxford. The JCR has a higher ratio of women to men (51:49), one of the highest intakes of pupils from state schools, and a large (and vocal!) North of England contingent. A fantastic college in terms of value for money, Hertford not only provides its undergraduates with well-furbished accommodation for all years of study (along with optional breakfast, lunch and dinner in Hall every day), but has the second lowest termly rent in Oxford. Hertford is sometimes known as the “Irish college” – not least because of the presence of Irish fellows such as Roy Foster and Tom Paulin, tutors

in two of the college’s strongest subjects, History and English. Hertford also has large contingents in Geography, PPE, foreign languages, Law and Physics, with no real weak subjects. The academic success of its students is bolstered by the spacious library (it was once the chapel), which is open 24 hours a day. In sport, Hertford has a proud football heritage, in both the male and female leagues. The cricket and rugby sides are competitive, while the hockey team reached the cup final in 2006 and 2007. In rowing, both First VIIIs are in the premier division of competition, while croquet is strangely popular, with at least eight JCR teams. Hertford Sports Pavilion boasts facilities for squash, foot-

According to one student newspaper,

Hertford has the only bar in Oxford worthy of a 5-star rating

ball, rugby and hockey, and the JCR runs its own multi-gym. Hertford is full of musical talent, with an excellent orchestra, and a well-received, non-auditioning choir. There are music rooms for bands to practise in, with one group of students recently putting together an a capella group (the Gargoyles) and being crowned European Champions 2007! On the social front, Hertford JCR is almost unique in holding on to a student-run bar – heading dtb (“down the bar”) remains the best way to meet people and have a great night. The bar is underground and divided into five separate rooms, including one room complete with street signs “permanently borrowed” from around Oxford.

According to Cherwell, the student newspaper, Hertford has the only bar in Oxford worthy of a 5-star rating. Famous recent alumni of Hertford demonstrate the diversity of students at the college, and include a Mercury Music Prize-nominated musician (Soweto Kinch), a Labour Party Home Secretary (Jacqui Smith MP), a modelling mogul (Calvin Cheng), and a plethora of newsreaders (Fiona Bruce, Natasha Kaplinsky, Krishnan GuruMurthy). Hertford has a reputation for being friendly, open, inclusive, academic, sporty, and musical. If that sounds too good to be true, come down for an open day and see for yourself!

Jesus No. undergraduates 340

Accommodation provision All years guaranteed

ne of the fantastic things about Jesus that its members are from all walks of life, all educational backgrounds and as a result there is no such thing as a “typical” Jesus student. This gives rise to a unique, friendly atmosphere in college which Jesus is known for across Oxford. We are one of the smallest colleges, so everyone tends to know everyone else and friendships extend across the year groups. We are perfectly located in the city centre next to the Covered Market and the main shopping areas. The college provides three meals a day in Hall, with the exception of Saturday evening and Sunday morning, providing great opportunities to socialise, especially on Friday evening when Second (Formal) Hall often precedes a night of debauchery in the college bar. There’s a wide variety of good food on offer (payment is via University card), but it’s not compulsory and there’s always scope for rustling up a toastie in your room, or staggering to one of Oxford’s many excellent restaurants, kebab vans or sandwich shops. The college has a strong financial position enabling it to offer extensive facilities to its students. The library is open 24 hours a day and the helpful librarian will often be able to get books in for you at short notice. The I.T. room is fully

Rent per term £900 Food provision Most meals in hall, pay as you go Kitchen facilities None on-site, full kitchens in off-site Bathroom facilities Shared between 4 Library opening hours 24/7 Famous alumni Harold Wilson, Magnus Magnusson, Lord Skidelsky

Jesus College Turl Street, OX1 3DW 01865 279 700 www.jesus.ox.ac.uk jcr.jesus.ox.ac.uk

Bits and bobs:

gym - Free membership to Iff ley sports ive and pool, along with extens facilities s, one - Two music practice room PA and kit with drum

Colleges

College spirit is extremely strong and

this results in strong representation at all events from sporting to musical

stocked with up to date computers and printers, there’s free access to the Iffley Road gym and Jesus has its own sports pitches, tennis and squash courts at external sites. The college spirit is extremely strong and this results in strong representation at all events from sporting to musical – these are always accompanied by a barrage of fans, ready to show their appreciation for the college’s participants. One of the huge advantages of being a Jesus undergraduate is that accommodation is guaranteed throughout your time in Oxford. All first years are guaranteed a room on site building a strong foundation for your time in college. Second and third years live off site in nearby college accommodation. The recently refurbished JCR is an ideal location for chatting or reading the free newspapers, watching the Sky TV on the flat screen or 8ft by 6ft projector screen (complete with surround sound), or honing your pool skills on the free pool table. If that’s not enough, the JCR has its very own Playstation 2, dartboard and the infamous “hatch” where you can enjoy drinks and snacks throughout the day all, paid for via your University card.

Keble No. undergraduates 440 Accommodation provision 2 years guaranteed, usually 3 Rent per term £900-1000 Food provision All meals in Hall, pay as you go Kitchen facilities No kitchens, limited microwaves Bathroom facilities Majority en suite, some shared between two Library opening hours 24/7 Famous alumni Imran Khan, Chad Vara

Keble College Parks Road, OX1 3PG 01865 27 27 27 www.keble.ox.ac.uk jcr.keble.ox.ac.uk

Colleges

espite being one of the biggest undergraduate colleges, Keble offers a close-knit community to all students within its distinctive red brick walls. Regardless of your interests or background, there will always be like-minded people to be found only a few doors away. It’s only a five-minute walk north from the city centre, so you can avoid the bustle of living right in the centre without having to walk far in order to get into town. Keble can accommodate nearly all of its students for three years. The rooms are spacious and well designed – some of them are Victorian, quite traditional and en suite, while others are more modern and slightly bigger, with floor-to-ceiling windows but a shared bathroom (with one other person). In your first year, you may find yourself in either. As far as college life is concerned, Keble has many student societies within college which make getting involved in new activities all the easier. The music society is very active, along with the choir, which recently toured Japan and Korea. With one of the most vibrant drama scenes in the University, it’s only fitting that the O’Reilly Theatre should be one of the

The O’Reilly Theatre is one of the best

in Oxford, hosting college- and University-wide performances alike

best in Oxford, hosting college- and University-wide performances alike. Being a larger college, Keble students are involved in many different sports at various levels. From the more traditional sports such as football or rugby through to more unusual activities such as dancesport or ultimate Frisbee, you’ll always be able to find a sport and level to suit you. If you take sport really seriously then you can set your sights on the first team, whereas if you’re simply up for a kick around with your friends, or looking to take up a sport for the first time, University Parks is just across the road, where the college thirds teams offer anyone a chance to play. Keble’s sports ground is a mere 10 minute cycle ride up the Woodstock road, or just catch one of the very frequent buses. Keble is a large college that’s extremely active in all areas of university life. From the “littlest gym in Oxford” to Café Keble, from the newly renovated bar to the bustling JCR, there’s always something to do in Keble, and a friendly, welcoming group of people to do it with.

Lady Margaret Hall

Colleges

No. undergraduates 440 Accommodation provision All first years, most third years Rent per term £1060 Food provision All meals available in Hall, pay as you go Kitchen facilities Shared kitchens available Bathroom facilities Most first year rooms are en suite Library opening hours 24/7 Famous alumni Nigella Lawson, Ann Widdecombe

Lady Margaret Hall Norham Gardens, OX2 6QA 01865 274 300 www.lmh.ox.ac.uk www.lmhjcr.co.uk

t seems strange that a college can have a “personality”, but LMH’s reputation as one of the friendliest and most relaxed colleges in Oxford endures. This is perhaps because of our history and location, both of which distinguish LMH above the rest. As a pioneer of women’s education at Oxford, the spirit of equality and diversity of 1879 has persevered and come to characterize LMH. Today, we’ve got a 1:1 male to female ratio and an equal proportion of students from state and private schools. This, coupled with a famously laid-back attitude, means LMHers deal admirably with the stresses and difficulties you might expect from life at Oxford.

Our location (a ten minute walk through the parks or five minute bike-ride) is more of a help than a hindrance. Though you’ll have to get up five minutes earlier to make it to lectures, you won’t get tourists peeking through your windows in the summer. We’re lucky enough to have the north-Oxford area of Jericho as our playground, packed with bars and restaurants less touristy than those in the centre. Being further out of town is secretly great for the social life; LMHers make a big contribution to University-wide clubs and societies. Participation in politics, music, sports, drama and everything else is unusually high, and encouraged by all. Despite being a relatively large undergradu-

LMH is the place to be in summer:

Pimm’s parties, picnics, tennis and punting don’t get better than this

ate body, our location means we’re pretty tight knit – the college bar is always busy, and LMH societies are well established, particularly the popular Law Society. The social side of things is a priority among our JCR (the SCR ensures that your academic life is at all times healthy), with a dedicated team of social secretaries organizing events, including bops, black tie “do”s, summer parties, the odd excursion (think school trip with all the university embellishments) and so on. We’re also keen on promoting talented LMHers, so concerts and productions are supported financially and well attended. Sport is important to us too, and we have strong teams in rugby, football and rowing, for

males and females. Our up-to-date gym, combined tennis, basketball and netball courts, and the parks serve us well; Blues-level sportsmen and women do well from our facilities and, again, financial support. Our facilities, location, and ethos make LMH a wonderful home for your time at Oxford, but no account would be complete without a word about the college grounds. Set in twelve acres of well kept gardens and backing onto the picturesque river Cherwell, LMH is the place to be in summer: Pimm’s parties, picnics, tennis and punting don’t get better than this. LMH and LMHers, in short, are the among the funnest and friendliest in Oxford.

Lincoln No. undergraduates 280 Accommodation provision All years Rent per term £810 Food provision All meals in Hall. 24 dinners per term must be prepaid, no refund Kitchen facilities Available for some second years and all third years and above Bathroom facilities Most first and third years have en suites, the rest are shared Library opening hours 8:30 am – 2:00 am Famous alumni Dr. Seuss, John Le Carré

Lincoln College Turl Street, OX1 3DR 01865 279 800 www.lincoln.ox.ac.uk www.lincolnjcr.com

Colleges

ounded in 1427, Lincoln’s medieval beauty is untarnished by grotty annexes arising from the zeal of Sixties planners. With a cheeky stone imp as its mascot, this centrally-located college has its fair share of bizarre traditions, including the annual ritual of throwing hot pennies to (or rather, at) school children. Lincoln offers free high-speed internet access in all student rooms, as well as in the absolutely beautiful library. The recently modernised kitchens provide great Hall food, with two dinner slots per day. Lincoln’s small size lends it a feeling of warmth and intimacy that makes it an extraordinary place to spend three (or more) years of your life. The relatively small number of undergraduates creates a cosy, familiar atmosphere which, of course, has the effect of causing gossip to spread like wildfire! As a result of this tight-knit community there is always informal support available to students, especially from older students who are keen to help their younger counterparts. This is strengthened by an excellent welfare network, with a JCR Welfare Officer who holds a ‘drop-in’ hour three times a week, women’s, men’s and LGB reps, and trained peer supporters. The sporting life of the college is very healthy, with students involved in a

Everything you could want from three years here

and more: beautiful, central surroundings, a friendly, active JCR, and really good food! wide variety of activities. These range from the likes of rugby, cricket, rowing, netball and football to the much more eccentric, such as trampolining, kayak polo and ultimate Frisbee. Members of both sexes are heavily involved in this side of college and although many of the first teams punch above their weight in terms of college size, the increasing number of second teams means there is always room for those who see themselves as participators. Lincoln student life is not always focused inwards, though – despite its supposedly detached reputation, the college continues to turn out students who contribute greatly to University life as a whole. From Blues rowers to student newspaper editors, from Union hacks to OUSU sabbatical officers, Lincolnites are heavily involved in University-wide activities, particularly in recent years. Despite being neither the largest nor the most famous of the Oxford colleges, Lincoln gives you everything you could want from three years here and more: beautiful, central surroundings, a friendly, active JCR, and really good food!

Magdalen

Colleges

No. undergraduates 400 Accommodation provision All years Rent per term £997 Food provision All meals in Hall. Lunch also available in the bar Kitchen facilities One per staircase, of varying quality Bathroom facilities Most first and some second years have en suites, the rest are shared Library opening hours 24/7 Famous alumni Oscar Wilde, John Betjeman, William Hague, Louis Theroux

Magdalen College High Street, OX1 4AU 01865 276 000 www.magd.ox.ac.uk www.magdjcr.co.uk

ny description of Magdalen (pronounced “maudlin”) has to begin with its beauty. Set in 100 acres of breathtaking grounds, Magdalen is uniquely spacious and peaceful, with its own deer park (complete with much loved herd!), water meadow, and winding riverside walk, as well as a magnificent tower and striking quads. Unrivalled facilities (a JCR-run off-licence and grocery store, squash courts, DVD library, free pool tables, twice weekly film projections, fleet of punts, barbecues, a darkroom and more…) can keep you happily ensconced in college for weeks on end. Should you ever need to leave, though, Magdalen is only a sleepy crawl across the road from the main lecture and exam venue, and just a short walk from the science faculties, Iffley Road sports facilities, and the centre of town. All students at Magdalen are guaranteed college accommodation for the duration of their degree; rooms vary from straightforward student rooms to impressive sets with living rooms and ensuite bathrooms. All rooms have access to kitchens but, for quick and easy (if not inspiring!) fare, Hall serves every meal and the bar offers decent lunchtime food from 11:30 am until 5:30 pm. Despite being one of the larger colleges in Oxford, everyone based on-site

...deer park... water meadow... winding riverside

walk... magnificent tower... striking quads... twice weekly film projections... darkroom... means that faces become familiar very quickly, from undergraduates to fellows, postgraduates and staff, and the community spirit that this creates is a real bonus of this college. Despite consistently making it into the top five colleges academically, Magdalen buzzes with activity in other spheres, with a dynamic drama society, celebrated music society (and Grammy-nominated choir), and a successful film society, as well as clubs for debating, poetry, knitting and, yes, drinking. Our rugby, football, hockey and netball teams are all in the top division of the inter-college leagues, our dancers were silver medallists in Cuppers this year and, on the river, our men’s First VIII lead the field while our women are steadily climbing the top division. Magdalenses are also active across the University, with many of our sports players gaining University Blues and, at the time of going to print, the Presidents of the Oxford Union, the Oxford University Drama Society and the Oxford University Music Society all herald from Magdalen. So, whatever you’re into, you’re bound to find an outlet for it here!

Mansfield

Colleges

No. undergraduates 200 Accommodation provision All first years, most third years Rent per term £820 Food provision All in Hall except Sunday breakfast and lunch, pay as you go Kitchen facilities Kitchens in one building, but most choose to eat in Hall Bathroom facilities Most first year rooms are en suite Library opening hours 24/7 Famous alumni Adam von Trott (Tried to assassinate Hitler. Failed.)

Mansfield College Mansfield Road, OX1 3TF 01865 270 999 www.mansfield.ox.ac.uk www.mansfieldjcr.org.uk

espite only gaining full college status in 1995, Mansfield has built up a reputation as one of the friendliest institutions in Oxford. Even though it is the smallest (and, dare we say, the poorest) of all the Oxford colleges, it’s all the better for it, with a close-knit student body and real sense of community spirit. Mansfield has a good set of libraries, all of which are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, as is the computer room. The main library is a worthy centrepiece, with its wood panelling and unique layout; on a recent visit, former US President Jimmy Carter described it as the most

beautiful library he had ever seen. The college also has separate libraries for law and theology. All first year students live on-site. Roughly half of these rooms have en suite showers. All second years live out of college, although arrangements can be made for those with mobility or funding issues. The on-site rooms that do not go to first years are distributed to third years who put their names into a ballot. Other third years and fourth years are housed in offsite college accommodation. All rooms have an internet connection and a free internal phone – the phone can be linked up to the outside

Despite only gaining full college status in

1995, Mansfield has built up a reputation as one of the friendliest institutions in Oxford

world for an extra charge. The food in Mansfield is among the best in the University, with the canteen voted second in a recent University-wide survey. Formal hall happens twice a week, where a three course meal is served at the table. Gowns must be worn but the dress code is quite easygoing. Twice a term there is a black-tie meal or “formal formal” which is £6.50 per person. This is a four course meal (plus coffee) and is quite an event. Hall is not compulsory – you can always cook your own food in one of the three kitchens in The Hands Building. Mansfield is not famed for its sporting tra-

dition but that reputation has been shifting over recent years. Like everywhere else in Oxford, rowing is incredibly popular and Mansfield has been reasonably successful – our Women’s First VIII won blades this summer and the college was home to Donald McDonald, the hero of the film “True Blue”. In many other sports Mansfield shares facilities and teams with Merton but we can boast our own (highly successful) teams in smaller sports such as croquet, darts and pool. Perhaps our success at pool owes something to the fact that the pool table is situated in the largest JCR in Oxford!

Merton

Colleges

No. undergraduates 270 Accommodation provision All years Rent per term £740 Food provision All in Hall except Sunday breakfast and lunch, pay as you go Kitchen facilities JCR kitchen, plus a few kitchens for second years Bathroom facilities En suites in third year only Library opening hours 8:30–midnight (Sun. 10–midnight) Famous alumni T. S. Eliot, Alister McGrath, Siegfried Sassoon

Merton College Merton Road, OX1 4JD 01865 276 310 www.merton.ox.ac.uk jcr.merton.ox.ac.uk

ithin Oxford, Merton is famed for its consistently strong academic performance. Yet within the college, Mertonians are proud of being part of a small, warm community that tends to all your needs, from entz to welfare. Entz in Merton are very well organised and creative, ranging from casino nights to bops that boast their own venue and a late closing time. Located in the city centre, Merton is ideally situated for going to clubs, parties or the theatre. If you just want a relaxing night in, Merton delivers. Whilst it isn’t a big party college, this reputation reflects a social life that is easygoing

and inclusive. At the heart of this are the bar and games room – a warm and welcoming environment with outstanding barmen who are always up for some banter, as well as bar quizzes, karaoke and bingo (all strangely enjoyable). In terms of finance, Merton tops another University table with some of the lowest accommodation charges around. What’s more, there are very generous hardship grants available to all students, and many opportunities for all members to recoup some of their expenditure (book grants, for example). The welfare team includes undergrads who are trained to listen to any worries that might be playing on your mind. Welfare Tea, which

Merton’s high level of academic achievement

has never come at the expense of enjoying everything that Merton, and Oxford, offer

takes place every Sunday, consists of a generous spread of sandwiches and cakes (all free), where hoards of Mertonians get together to chat and relax. The college has many vibrant societies: musicians do especially well. The choir’s high standard is maintained through individual lessons for those who want or need them. The politics society is also very successful, with many famed personalities addressing students in recent years. For the more artistic, there is an Art Society and Merton Floats, the drama society (details of which are on the JCR webpage). In addition, every subject has its own annual black tie dinner, which is guaranteed to be a

good laugh. In sports, Merton hovers in the lower divisions (although darts, pool, women’s rugby and rowing all have enviable reputations). This lack of sporting prowess is a Good Thing, however, as it means all are welcome to partake and the emphasis is on having fun. If you’d like to develop your skills further, there are always University teams, and financial support can be sought from college where necessary. Merton’s students are involved in just about every aspect of University life, and the college’s high level of academic achievement has never come at the expense of enjoying everything that Merton, and Oxford, offer.

New No. undergraduates 430

Colleges

Bits and bobs:

Accommodation provision 1st and 2nd years guaranteed, some 3rd years also live in

earsal - Fully equipped band reh etc room with drums, amps, PA

g - Some of the best sportin a few facilities in the University, illion mins away, with cricket pav and bar

Rent per term £840 Food provision Most meals available. Dinner is prepaid, with partial rebate on opt-out

- World-famous choir

Kitchen facilities Available to about 30% of rooms Bathroom facilities About half en suite. Most shared between max. 4 Library opening hours 8:30 – midnight Famous alumni Hugh Grant, Kate Beckinsdale, Isiah Berlin

New College Holywell Street, OX1 3BN 01865 279 555 www.new.ox.ac.uk www.newcollegejcr.org.uk

ew College is one of the bigger colleges. Its size means that there‘ll nearly always be other people on your course – especially important in the first few weeks when you’re still finding your feet (and the lecture theatre). As a large and long-established college, we tend to attract some of the best tutors in the field. The library keeps the core bibliographies, as well as a phenomenally popular DVD collection. We have great computer facilities – albeit up several flights of stairs – and both the library and computer room are open until midnight. Accommodation is guaranteed for at least two years and the standard is generally very good indeed:

around half the rooms are en suite, and few share any facilities with more than four people. Hall food is generally unremarkable but edible enough, except for the Guest Night Dinners every fortnight which are very popular and exceptionally tasty. Despite consistently impressive performance in the league tables, we’re not considered to be an overly academic college, undoubtedly because of how active we are in our extracurricular interests. Sport is hardly a college way of life, but we’d like to think we’re pretty good at it – we’re strong in rowing, with a thriving Boat Club, and we also have a formidable presence in rugby, cricket and football – men’s and women’s. We’ve

Our bops see the miraculous transformation

of the bar from rustic underground cavern to themed, glittery lair of debauchery

got lively teams in less sweaty pursuits, such as table football, pool and darts, and weekly yoga classes. The New College Choir is world-famous but we’re also home to the non-auditioning Wykeham Singers and the New College Orchestra. We have our own Music Society, which organises regular concerts. On the other side of the coin, we have probably the best-equipped band rehearsal room of all the colleges, with a full set up of drums, amps, PA and decks: bands from across Oxford sneakily befriend New College musicians in order to use it. Probably our most famous alumnus is Hugh Grant, and we like to think we keep up his dra-

matic tradition. Every week at least one student production across the University has some New College involvement, and in the summer, we put on a JCR play in the ancient Cloisters. For the journos, the Newt (the college paper) contains everything from serious investigative journalism to “Fit Northerner of the Week”. This might all sound like a bit too much like hard work, which is where New College Entz come in. Our JCR is lucky to receive an exceptional amount of college funding, so as well as being able to afford lots of shiny new facilities on a regular basis, our bops see the miraculous transformation of the bar from rustic underground cavern to themed, glittery lair of debauchery.

Oriel

Colleges

No. undergraduates 306 Accommodation provision First and second years on-site, third years in off-site annex Rent per term £845 Food provision Most meals available in Hall Kitchen facilities Kitchens generally not provided Bathroom facilities Many en suites available Library opening hours 24/7 Famous alumni Sir Walter Raleigh, Cecil Rhodes, A J P Taylor

Oriel College Merton Road, OX1 4EW 01865 276 555 www.oriel.ox.ac.uk www.orieljcr.org

he House of the Blessed Mary, The Virgin in Oxford, Commonly Known as Oriel College of the Foundation of Edward II of Famous Memory, Sometime King of England (whew!) was the first college to be founded by an English monarch. This is reflected in our coat of arms, Edward II’s three lions, now more commonly seen adorning England’s cricket and football shirts. Many will tell you that the college is incredibly right-wing in its political outlook. Do not let this fool you. Apart from some notable college characters, the student body is overall quite apathetic in its outlook and no single

agenda will be rammed down your throat. There is a healthy level of banter at meetings, where such issues as the Oriel College Space Programme are discussed. The college is definitely not apathetic in the sporting arena, which provides a strong means of identity, regardless of whether you are directly involved or shouting from the sidelines. Some may tell you that Oriel is most concerned with it’s rowing; it’s certainly the sport that we’ve had the most success in over time and both First VIIIs are currently both Head of the River in the annual Torpids Regatta. However, we’ve also had plenty of success in other

Oriel is definitely not apathetic in the sporting

arena, and rowing is certainly the sport that we’ve had the most success in over time

sports, not least football, rugby and cricket. Participation is a very strong theme in all of Oriel’s sports activities and the college fields sides of all abilities from those who want to train five times a week, to those who are happy to run off the hangover on a Saturday morning! Success on the sporting battlefield is complemented by knowing how to celebrate our triumphs. Our bops are the stuff of legend, being held in the college bar, directly beneath the Hall and boasting one of the most hospitable bar managers in Oxford. The bar is also blessed with the full array of essentials: pool

and table football, darts, an array of arcade machines and a jukebox which will (it can be guaranteed) play Queen’s classic anthem and Official Oriel JCR Song, “Don’t Stop Me Now” at least once a night. Unusually in Oxford these days, Oriel still offers Formal Dining in college six days a week, Sunday to Friday, with food quality of the highest order. All first, second and third years are guaranteed rooms, many of which are en suite, in college-owned accommodation, with help provided for fourth years who may have to live out. All in all, you will be very well looked after by Oriel.

Pembroke

Colleges

No. undergraduates 408 Accommodation provision 1st year on-site, 3rd year off-site Rent per term £740 – £1263 depending on room Food provision Lunch pay as you go, dinner paid and compulsory in 1st year Kitchen facilities Available to all undergraduates in college Bathroom facilities Mostly shared, some en suite Library opening hours 24/7 Famous alumni Samuel Johnson, Michael Heseltine, Roger Bannister

Pembroke College St Aldate’s, OX1 1DW 01865 276 444 www.pmb.ox.ac.uk www.pembrokejcr.com

embroke’s compact size and largerthan-average student body combine to create an extremely tight-knit college community. Pembroke also ranks as one of Oxford’s prettiest small colleges and, with its sizeable international student population, as one of the more diverse. The college is down St Aldate’s, just a few minutes’ walk from the city centre and the main shopping areas, and more importantly, just a stone’s throw away from Sainsbury’s. In terms of accommodation, all first years and most third years live in, with the newbies on the main site and third years in an annexe on the river called the Geoffrey Arthur Building (GAB).

College rooms are, unfortunately, a bit pricey – and this is one of Pembroke’s drawbacks – but accommodation is banded, and students on full bursaries are always given priority on the less expensive rooms. All second years live out which, while a bit of extra work, is usually lots of fun, gives you more freedom and makes you more self-reliant. Set against this backdrop, Pembroke is a great learning environment. We have excellent tutors and thrive in many subjects, particularly Economics and Management, Oriental Studies and History. Ethernet points are provided in every room and our computer room and library are open 24/7, which is very useful during the exam

Pembroke JCR possesses a remarkable

collection of post-war British art season and that occasional 3 am essay crisis! As well as having the opportunity to thrive academically, though, Pembroke places great importance on the non-academic aspects of college life and has several rapidly-developing dramatic, artistic and musical groups. Whatever your level of expertise, there are sure to be a number of clubs and societies to interest you, and over the past few years in particular Pembroke has seen the formation of several successful societies, including film, drama, wine and music, which continue to win popularity and success. Pembroke also has a strong sporting tradition, particularly in rowing, having been the first

college to win both the men’s and women’s summer regattas in the same year. Elsewhere, there are highly successful rugby, cricket, basketball and football teams. Students are also supported by a notably progressive and inclusive JCR. As well as representing the student body to the college and University, the JCR also provides a number of student services, from welfare to drama, from bops to recycling. It also possesses a remarkable collection of post-war British art, housed in Oxford’s only student-run art gallery, the Emery, the investments in which allow the JCR to fund a considerable hardship and travel grants programme.

Queen’s

No. undergraduates 320

Colleges

ituated in the heart of Oxford, Queen’s is ideally placed for new students to take advantage of all the opportunities available at the University. Before getting onto all of those though, you’ll be wanting to see what it is that Queen’s has to offer – and that may end up taking quite some time. Although Queen’s is smaller than other colleges, you’ll still find something to throw yourself into here. The stereotype of Queen’s students being insular is (quite rightly) fading, but it’s true that for many people, Queen’s provides them with a wide enough range of activities that they don’t feel the need to branch out to see what the University as a whole has to offer. In all college activities, whether sports teams or the Eglesfield Music Society (EMS), Queen’s provides opportunities not just for the most talented to excel, but for everyone to participate. In recent years accommodation has also been improved, so joining Queen’s now means that, for two years of your degree, you have a very good chance of living in recently renovated rooms. Queen’s provides accommodation for the duration of your course, so you won’t ever have to worry about landlords and actually being responsible for cleaning your own room (though you’ll still spend your first year living in a building which has drawn unfavourable comparisons

Accommodation provision Provided for all years Rent per term £898 Food provision All meals in Hall, pay as you go Kitchen facilities None Bathroom facilities Half en suite, half shared between 5 and 8 people Library opening hours 24/7 Famous alumni Rowan Atkinson, Edmund Halley, Jeremy Bentham

Queen’s College High Street, OX1 4AW 01865 279 120 www.queens.ox.ac.uk www.queens.ox.ac.uk/jcr

Queen’s provides acommodation for

the duration of your course, so you won’t ever have to worry about landlords

with a crashed spacecraft). In addition to this, the recent renovation of Queen’s Lane Quad (next door to college) has included the installation of a new music practice room and gym, which all students will be able to use. Every student room has free Internet access provided. If you don’t have a computer then there are always computers available in college. Queen’s also has a 24 hour library: while this may not sound interesting now, after you’ve been at Oxford for three weeks you’ll come to appreciate being able to get books at any time of day or night. Life at Queen’s certainly isn’t all work, though – most students will find themselves with fond (if hazy) memories of the college beer cellar, around which much of the college social life revolves. There’s no certain “type” of person who comes to Queen’s. If you end up here then you’re guaranteed to fit in – such is the friendly, laid back atmosphere of this college.

St Anne’s

Colleges

No. undergraduates 432 Accommodation provision Available for all years Rent per term £1116 Food provision Three meals a day during the week, brunch at weekends Kitchen facilities Kitchens available in all blocks, shared between 7-8 Bathroom facilities Many en suites, the rest shared Library opening hours 8:30 am – 2:30 am Famous alumni Edwina Curry, Libby Purves, Baroness Young

St Anne’s College Woodstock Road, OX2 6HS 01865 274 800 www.st-annes.ox.ac.uk www.stannesjcr.org

t Anne’s was established in the nineteenth century, known then as “The Society of Home Students, to champion equality in education and widen educational opportunities”. Becoming a fully-fledged college in the 1950s, St Anne’s is quite young by Oxford standards. Its relative youth leaves it largely unburdened by tradition or stereotype, with the focus instead upon the genuine diversity and friendliness that the college cultivates. We’re in an excellent location 5-10 minutes walk from the centre of town, allowing a certain breathing space. Living in affluent North Oxford also brings excellent advantages

in terms of the restaurants, pubs, bars and cafes surrounding the college. The college is also adjacent to the university parks; a fantastic place for jogging, Frisbee and relaxing walks to feed the ducks. Perhaps the college’s strongest attribute is its accommodation. All undergraduates are on site throughout their degree, a claim few colleges can make! Furthermore, 174 of the rooms are en suite, so all fourth, third and some second years needn’t even bother to leave their rooms for a shower. The food is generally very good, but should you not fancy college food each and every night, the provision of kitchens for students is another strong point.

It’s possible to renew a book 99

times, which if done over a term, allows you to hang on to a book for 33 years

St Anne’s has the second largest college library in the University. It has excellent coverage of all undergraduate subjects, with particular strengths in PPE, Law and English, and continues to expand, purchasing new books constantly. The lending arrangements are also fantastically generous. It’s possible to renew a book 99 times, which if done once a term, allows you to hang on to a book for 33 years! At St Anne’s, social activity revolves around the recently refurbished bar, the TV/table tennis room with its wide-screen television and surround sound, and the larger Hartland Room which has another TV, all the day’s newspapers and four networked computers. All provide

a relaxed atmosphere in which to chat with friends, read the paper or watch your favourite soap. There has been a recent proliferation of college societies, including a new choir, film society and drama group. The college also has a very strong sporting record, both in terms of participation and achievement. All sports are catered for, from female and male football, rugby and rowing teams all the way to croquet, Frisbee and even a small cabal of bodybuilders. Sporting facilities in college are not bad, with a small gym and table tennis table on site, and a large college sports field ten minutes’ cycle away.

St Catherine’s No. undergraduates 469

Bits and bobs:

Accommodation provision All 1st and 3rd years, most 2nd and 4th years

- Music house for practice and performance

Rent per term £875

rts, - Sports pitches, tennis cou use gym, squash courts, boatho Oxford - Largest bar of all the s college

Food provision All meals are available, pay as you go

JCR - High-definition TV in the

Kitchen facilities One on every staircase Bathroom facilities Mostly shared, 2nd years en suite Library opening hours Approx. 9 am – midnight usually Famous alumni Joseph Heller, Sir Matthew Pinsent, Peter Mandelson, A A Milne

St Catherine’s Manor Road, OX1 3UJ 01865 271 700 www.stcatz.ox.ac.uk jcr.stcatz.ox.ac.uk

Colleges

t Catherine’s, or St Catz, is Oxford’s newest-built college. It is also the biggest, baddest, meanest and most rectangular. It is a place of superlatives; a place where nothing is done by halves. Except football matches, in a token nod to convention. We’ve had more Nobel Prize winners in our short history than any other college in Oxford and our alumni are world leaders in their fields, be they sporting, academic or anything else. In recent years we’ve won “Sports College of the Year” and dominated clubnights like no other! These are the facts, but we’re not just impressive statistics; we’re a group of people who truly enjoy Oxford and you will find us inhabiting almost every aspect of University life. Being the biggest undergraduate college in Oxford means that we’re able to ensure that most of the opportunities in Oxford are available right at your doorstep, with a huge range of sports clubs, societies, and general activities run by the college. It also means that all first, second and third years are able to live on site, as well as most fourth years. We have the largest bar of any Oxford college, which is linked to our JCR, open 24 hours a day. We also boast some of the most exquisite and yet affordable cuisine in Oxford, with a three course

St Catherine’s is a place where nothing

is done by halves. Except football matches, in a token nod to convention

dinner served every night of the week for less than £3. All the buildings in Catz, including all of the fittings in them, were designed by the Danish architect Arne Jacobsen (as was the chair in the Big Brother diary room). The buildings’ design means that one wall of your room will be completely glass, so as well as giving you plenty of light to read, it means if you want you can just sit and watch the world go by from the comfort of your room. We’re a relaxed and friendly college, but at the same time pretty competitive – students here tend to take a lot of pride not only in their work but in any other activities they’re involved in. We take the view that graduating with a good degree and enjoying your University experience are not mutually exclusive. If ancient architecture is what you’re looking for, run for your life! But if you’re interested in a broad and full Oxford experience, then St Catz should be at the top of your list.

St Edmund Hall

Colleges

No. undergraduates 400 Accommodation provision 1st years live on-site, 3rd and 4th years also accommodated Rent per term £970 Food provision Most meals available in Hall. JCR Grotto sells toast, chocolate etc Kitchen facilities Kitchenettes available in most accommodation Bathroom facilities Mostly shared between about 4 Library opening hours 8:30 am – 1 am Famous alumni Samira Ahmed, Terry Jones, Stewart Lee

St Edmund Hall Queens Lane, OX1 4AR 01865 279 000 www.seh.ox.ac.uk jcr.seh.ox.ac.uk

ne of the smaller colleges in Oxford, St Edmund Hall is also beautiful, friendly and ambitious, with a unique atmosphere. Teddy Hall, as it’s universally known, is the oldest Oxford college-type institution, founded in 1262. Teddy Hall students excel in sports, and success is not limited to our first teams. But Teddy Hall students don’t just do sport; we also get involved in drama, music, journalism at college and University level, with the JCR organising an annual Arts Week promoting not only fine art, but also music, drama and poetry. Our small and dense city-centre location

forces everyone to get to know each other, resulting in a much-envied student community. Student accommodation is available for first years (who live onsite), third and fourth years as well as some second years. There is a (much-maligned) college catering service available to all the students, and small kitchenettes are usually available if you don’t fancy eating in hall. You can also find food at the JCR Grotto – a small shop managed by the appointed student “JCR Butler”, selling toast, crumpets, chocolate bars along with unlimited free tea and coffee. There are few prettier college libraries to

Teddy Hall students excel in

sports, and success is not limited to our first teams

work in Oxford than the Teddy Hall library. Housed in an old church, St-Peter-in-the-East, with accompanying graveyard, it is stacked full of books and high, painted ceilings. However, the centre of the community is undoubtedly the college bar, unashamedly positioned in front quad and adorned with trophies of glories past. Twice a term the debauchery of the bar is multiplied and expanded on a much larger scale, in the form of some of the best bops in Oxford – so good, in fact, they’re worthy of banning. The graveyard is a favourite haunt in the summer time. Often known to confuse people

with lines like “we’re hanging out in the graveyard if you want to join us”, the graveyard is the only area of grass in college you’re allowed to walk on, and is a nice place to work in the sun, helped by the wireless internet connection. On a more regular basis, the JCR is a very sociable place, open all day and most of the night, and is equipped with a big TV, Sky, DVD and video player, as well as a projector for watching films and big sports events. We also have a pool table, accessible all day, and an underground games room with various video games.

St Hilda’s No. undergraduates 400

Colleges

t Hilda’s is different to most colleges. It was the last of the all-female colleges and has recently allowed men in through its doors. This shouldn’t scare you off, though; it’s friendly, warm and probably one of the most relaxed of all the colleges in Oxford. As a college, it’s very open to mingling with other colleges: having joint bops is somewhat of a tradition, for obvious reasons, and we’ve produced three Student Union Presidents and Vice Presidents in the past six years. It’s not ugly, either. We have use of several beautiful Victorian buildings on the river, with well-kept grounds. Out to the east of Oxford, Hilda’s has the River Cherwell flowing through it, with college punts available to relax on in the summer. It’s also close to the bustling Cowley area of town, where there’s a huge range of shops, restaurants, bars and clubs that are cheaper than other areas of town. Because women were originally barred from using the Bodleian, our college library is very well developed, especially in English, Politics and Philosophy, and there are book grants for all first and second years. We have an annual arts festival incorporating photography, drama, music,

Accommodation provision 1st and 3rd years Rent per term £891 Food provision All meals available in Hall, along with snacks Kitchen facilities Shared between about 14 Bathroom facilities 50-100 en suites, the rest shared Library opening hours 8 am – 12:45 am Famous alumni Wendy Cope, Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein, Kate Millett

St Hilda’s College Cowley Place, OX4 1DY 01865 276 884 www.sthildas.ox.ac.uk

Bits and bobs:

facility - Jacqueline DuPres music on-site

versity - Five minutes away from Uni sports ground

for rowing, - Next to the river, ideal punting and relaxing

As a college it’s very open to mingling

with other colleges: having joint bops is somewhat of a tradition

art and dance, and a lot of partying in the gardens. The College Choir regularly performs at the fantastic onsite Jacqueline Du Pre Music centre – this modern building gives all students the use of practise rooms and a large auditorium. And with two tennis courts on-site, and the closest full college to the University sports ground, we can cater for all your fitness needs. There’s also a triennial ball which attracts around a thousand students. The bar, which is one of the few remaining student-run ones left, has the best jukebox of any college bar, a pool table and a quiz machine and stays open all night for May Eve. It hosts termly events too, from the infamous End of Term Party (formerly know as “Drink the Bar Dry”) to jazz and cocktails. It’s regularly packed with students from outside of college – for obvious reasons! St Hilda’s is a multinational place, with more than thirty countries represented among our members and we place a strong emphasis on student welfare. Friendly, vibrant, individualistic and diverse, most of our members confidently say they couldn’t imagine being happier at any other college.

St Hugh’s No. undergraduates 450

Accommodation provision All years

t Hugh’s was founded by Elizabeth Wordsworth, the great-niece of the famous poet, in 1886. The college went fully mixed in 1986 and in 2002 appointed its current principal, Andrew Dilnot CBE, who became the first ever state school-educated Principal of an Oxford college. Today, St. Hugh’s is one of the largest colleges in the University, located in North Oxford amongst 14 acres of truly beautiful partially wooded grounds about 15 minutes’ walk (5 minutes bike or 2 minutes bus ride) from the city centre. It’s further out than some of the others Colleges so if you really hate walking/biking then this probably isn’t the College for you. However if you do enjoy a short stroll, there are a lot of advantages to the slightly out-of-town location, not least the stunning site itself. The nearby “North Parade”, with its shops, restaurants and pubs, provides everything you could need while Hugh’s itself tends to be bothered less by annoying tourists than some of the other colleges (something you quickly become immensely grateful for). More importantly, the location and the fact that JCR and MCR alike tend to live on site helps produce a very close college community. People very quickly make a lot of

Rent per term £969 Food provision Most meals are available (brunch and dinner at weekends) Kitchen facilities Everyone has access to a kitchen Bathroom facilities About half en suite Library opening hours 24/7 Famous alumni Barbara Castle, Aung San Suu Kyi, Emily Davidson

St Hugh’s College St Margaret’s Road, OX2 6LE 01865 274 900 www.sthughs.ox.ac.uk www.hughsjcr.com

Bits and bobs:

s - Several music practice room

tor, - Large bar with huge projec le, tab le, tab l poo , dartboard arcade machines tennis - On-site basketball and rts cou

Colleges

We generally host a lot more social

events than the other colleges, with something happening most weekends good friends, and in general soon get to know most people in college fairly well. Hughsies themselves tend to be an exciting bunch, with a diverse series of interests and hobbies. While in exams we perform averagely by Oxford standards and generally come somewhere in the middle of the Norrington table, it’s in extracurricular activities that we really excel. Sport, politics, journalism, music and drama are all well catered for and there is a strong tradition of University involvement at the top level in all fields with OUSU presidents, Union presidents, editors, Blues sportsmen and top directors frequently emerging from Hugh’s. This isn’t to say that you have to be really serious about something to get involved though, with all interests and abilities being catered for from the popular Pudding Society to kicking a football around with friends on the grounds. We generally have a lot more social events than the other colleges, with something happening in college most weekends from the amazing fortnightly bops to garden parties, BBQs, cocktail parties and charity balls. In short, Hugh’s is a great place to study!

St John’s No. undergraduates About 400 Accommodation provision All years Rent per term £630 – £750, graded rooms Food provision Most meals are available, pay as you go

Bits and bobs:

- Music practice rooms

- Fully-equipped auditorium

gym, sports - Squash courts, on-site th nor e grounds a mil

Kitchen facilities All 1st years, some others Bathroom facilities Shared between about4 Library opening hours Mon–Sat 9–11, Sun 10–10 Famous alumni Tony Blair, Robert Graves, Kingsley Amix

St John’s College St Giles’, OX1 3JP 01865 277 318 www.sjc.ox.ac.uk jcr.sjc.ox.ac.uk

Colleges

t St John’s, Oxford is quite literally on your doorstep. As the college offers accommodation for the entire duration of your course, lectures, tutorials, libraries, shops, clubs, restaurants, and everything else Oxford has to offer are always within about 10 minutes’ walk from your room. As with any large college, St John’s has a varied student body with many societies, social groups, and events. However, because all students are housed in college, we’ve formed a close-knit community other large colleges don’t necessarily have. Our extended JCR area has a massive TV, lots of comfy chairs and a pool table, and the college bar is usually full of students having fun. Even the shyest freshers quickly find themselves surrounded in friendly faces. The college attracts a wide range of applicants from a range of backgrounds. We have the largest proportion of state school applicants in the University (2006 admissions statistics) after Harris Manchester, helped by our healthy grant scheme. Many international students choose John’s for our accommodation and extensive vacation storage facilities. You can’t help but know people from across the world. We are also a very strong college academically, generally sitting in the top five of the Norrington Table. This is helped along by our libraries, open till 11 pm

We have the largest proportion of state school applicants in the University, helped by our healthy grant scheme most nights and stocked with the major course books, multiple computer rooms with free printing, free high-speed internet in all rooms, and numerous grants for books and other supplies. The college even gives cash awards for strong performance in exams or tutorials. But as the saying goes, we also play hard. John’s is one of the best equipped colleges for sport with a gym, squash courts, and table tennis tables on site and large pitches for football, etc just up the street. We have teams in virtually every sport that accept everyone from pro to beginner. The college also supports student drama through the Mummers, one of the largest student drama societies in the University, even holding its own pantomime every year on the college’s stage. There are even music practice rooms and we have an orchestra with St Anne’s College. The JCR runs regular events to eat up any time you aren’t already filling. Everything from barbecues to speed dating, miniature golf to cocktail parties, pub crawls to chocolate appreciation night – it’s surprising how hard you have to try to be bored.

St Peter’s No. undergraduates 400 Accommodation provision All years usually available Rent per term £800 plus compulsory £400 meal charge per term in first year Food provision All meals in Hall. Prepaid in first year, pay-as-you-go subsequently Kitchen facilities Some off-site Bathroom facilities Mostly shared between 3 Library opening hours 24/7 Famous alumni Ken Loach, Matt Frei, W. V. Awdry

St Peter’s College New Inn Hall Street, OX1 2DL 01865 278 900 www.spc.ox.ac.uk www.spcjcr.co.uk

Bits and bobs: - Gym

- Large music practice room

Colleges

t Peter’s is known as one of the friendlier colleges in Oxford, and every student here loves it. One of its major strengths is its location. Hidden in plain sight bang in the centre of Oxford, it is very close to the Union and Cornmarket Street, Oxford’s main shopping district. Accommodation for first years is modern and spacious and the rooms are located on the main college site right in the centre of town. The majority of second years opt to live out, meaning college accommodation is usually available for the duration of your course if you want it. Finalists live in completely new en suite accommodation a few minutes’ walk from the college. First year students pay a fixed Hall charge at the beginning of term, and can then eat in Hall as many or as few times as they want. The food varies from day to day, but has improved lots in the last year. Particularly popular is formal hall, which take place three times a week. There is also the option of Piazza, a café which serves sandwiches and jacket potatoes at lunchtime. The college has good academic resources, most notably a well-stocked library open around the clock every day. There are a number of computers for general use, and every college room has an internet connection.

We have squirrels in our quad. What better reason to apply?

The JCR organises a packed programme of events each term, a highlight of which is Arts Week each summer. We have a vast array of sports teams; with participants ranging from Blues to people with nothing better to do on match days. The rugby team has a University-wide reputation. There are also a whole host of other ways to play a part in college life, from singing in the chapel choir, to acting in Drama Society productions, or writing for the college newspaper, the Peterphile. Most major University clubs have a Peter’s presence. St Peter’s has something for everyone; it’s an extremely friendly college with a diverse student body and a wide range of opportunities available to its students. The college facilities are excellent, college loyalty happens surprisingly quickly. There really is something for everyone here. And... we have squirrels in our quad. What better reason to apply?

Somerville

Colleges

No. undergraduates 400 Accommodation provision All years available but most live out in second year Rent per term £815 Food provision All meals available in Hall, pay as you go Kitchen facilities Access to reasonable kitchens for all students Bathroom facilities Shared between 3 to 10 Library opening hours 24/7 Famous alumni Margaret Thatcher, Vera Britain, Iris Murdoch

Somerville College Woodstock Road, OX2 6HD 01865 270 600 www.some.ox.ac.uk students.some.ox.ac.uk/jcr

omerville is outside the main tourist area and therefore (in between frisbee matches and picnics on Oxford’s largest garden quad) offers a fairly peaceful environment. It’s by no means out of touch, however, as it’s only a few minutes walk from the centre. The Science area and Engineering faculty are a five minute walk away (just across the Woodstock and Banbury Roads) and we’re also well situated for Oxford’s main nightclubs. The only places that Somerville is quite a distance from are East Oxford (Cowley Road) and the University sport facilities (Iffley Road). However, with a bike this is a non-issue, and with bohemian Jericho on our doorstep, few second year

Somervillians opt to live in East Oxford anyway. 95% of accommodation is on-site, and although the rooms vary in quality and there aren’t any en suites, there are some self-contained two-bed flats for third year. The ever-popular Formal Hall is weekly (usually Tuesday) and the dress code is smart, not gown. Hall food is competitively priced and improving in quality but, surrounded by pubs and cafés, there’s no reason to eat in hall every night. Somerville has one of the best college libraries in Oxford, with an enormous collection of books for every subject, with no particular bias in its holdings. The library is open 24 hours, seven days a week, with generous borrowing rights.

Unlike many other colleges, Somerville

has no overwhelming political inclinations – if you’re open-minded, pay us a visit

The bar is in the centre of the college and has table football, a pool table and a big screen TV with Sky. Apart from the JCR, Somerville’s primary social area is the quad. Lacking the “Please Keep Off The Grass” signs prevalent in some other Oxford colleges, the enormous quad becomes a hive of activity the moment the sun comes out. It’s also played host to some of the best snowball fights in living memory. Bops, which are much hyped and well attended, are held a few times a term. Drama is a big interest and we enter a play into Cuppers most years. Somerville fields teams in football (men’s and women’s), rugby, and hockey, often quite successfully. We’ve also got

surfers, gymnasts and a myriad of other athletes competing at a University level. Rowing is a popular sport, but not a religion, and the small gym is a social centre in its own right. There’s an active, vocal JCR which isn’t afraid to fight for students’ rights on issues such as rent. Somervillians have, over the past few years, played an active part in OUSU, the Labour Club and the Union debating club at every level (right up to President). It’s a liberal, tolerant and friendly college that embraces diversity, and a significant bulk of students are completely apolitical. Indeed, unlike many other colleges, Somerville has no overwhelming political inclinations – if you’re open-minded, pay us a visit!

Trinity

Colleges

No. undergraduates 294 Accommodation provision Guaranteed for all years Rent per term £1020 Food provision All meals in Hall Kitchen facilities Well-equipped JCR kitchen. Offsite facilities are self-catering Bathroom facilities Most shared, a few ensuite Library opening hours 24/7 Famous alumni Lord North, William Pitt, the Earl of Wilmington

Trinity College Broad Street, OX1 3BH 01865 279 900 www.trinity.ox.ac.uk www.trinity.ox.ac.uk/jcr

rinity provides the ideal forum for achievement, creativity and enjoying those few precious years before we’re all gobbled up by the graduate employment juggernaut. For some time, Trinity students have managed to enjoy success in University exams without ever sacrificing the relaxed atmosphere that’s characteristic of life in one of the most attractive and conveniently situated colleges in the University. Trinity punches significantly above its weight in terms of representation on the University society scene and it is also the venue, once every three years, for one of the largest college balls

held anywhere in Oxford. Though the days of students being thrown out for keeping bears in their rooms or discharging firearms out of windows are sadly no more, the undergraduate body strives to uphold the noble spirit of our forbears in all our endeavours. An award has even been endowed to preserve this distinctive style. At the same time, the importance of mutual support is not something that is lost on Trinity students. Several generations of Welfare Officers have pioneered going-out formulae to promote interaction between year groups which are the envy of many other colleges.

Trinity is a college with a relentlessly

positive attitude, where achievement is recognised and applauded

Our Open Mic night attracts an audience from across the University. College societies include a successful orchestra, jazz group, a thriving debating group and our own newspaper editorial team as well as a surprising number of sports teams. The college sports ground is about a mile from the centre of town, but there is a squash court on site to let off steam when works gets too much. The college offers high quality accommodation for the duration of all undergraduate courses, either in the historic buildings on the main site or the annexes in North Oxford. Our food is regarded by many, including the President of

Magdalen, to be the best in the University. It’s made available to members of the college at an affordable price either at the lunch canteen or the regular dinners in Hall. There is no such thing as a typical Trinity student. The JCR is a body which unites people from all walks of life and which values rather than discourages eccentricity. Everybody looks out for one another and it is difficult if not impossible to be left behind. It is a college with a relentlessly positive attitude, where achievement is recognised and applauded and where you’ll make friends who will stay with you for the rest of your life.

University No. undergraduates 400

Colleges

niversity College, usually known as Univ, was founded by William of Durham in 1249, making us the oldest academic institution in Britain. Today, having despite buildings that date back to the seventeenth century, we’re modern, friendly and inclusive, with undergraduates and graduates from a wide range of backgrounds and countries. We offer an extensive range of college bursaries and funds to ensure that whoever you are, it won’t be money that stops you from coming here. Life at Univ can be however you want it to be – many students fill every waking moment with activity, while others choose simply to do their academic work and spend the rest of their time relaxing with friends. If you do want to be busy, there’s a massive range of extracurricular activity to immerse yourself in, from every sport you can think of (we have a squash court on site and a sports ground a short distance away) to filmmaking, debating and Oxford’s largest non-auditioning choir, the Univ Chorus. You can live in College accommodation for all of your degree if you want to, and all rooms have a high-speed internet connection and access to a kitchen. Our buttery is being refurbished and from 2008 will serve food throughout the

Accommodation provision All years usually available Rent per term £835 Food provision All meals are available, pay as you go Kitchen facilities All rooms have access to kitchens Bathroom facilities Mostly shared Library opening hours 24/7 Famous alumni Clement Attlee, John Radcliffe, Bill Clinton, Stephen Hawking

University College High Street, OX1 4BH 01865 276 602 www.univ.ox.ac.uk

Our old members include Clement Attlee

Stephen Hawking, Bill Clinton and Prince Felix Yusupov, aka Rasputin’s assassin day, including hot breakfast, lunch and dinner, as well as sandwiches, cereal, fruit juice, tea, coffee, flapjacks, muffins, yoghurts and fruit. Our three course formal evening meal is great value at £4.10, and you can bring your own wine! There is a computer room with printers for student use, a 24 hour library and separate law library, and a College bar with very reasonably priced drinks. We take student welfare very seriously, with a wide range of people students can turn to in times of need: two elected student Welfare Officers, fifteen students trained as Peer Supporters, the College Nurse, a Dean and two Junior Deans, a Disabilities Officer and the Chaplain. We have many distinguished old members, including former British Prime Minister Clement Attlee, Stephen Hawking, former US President Bill Clinton and Prince Felix Yusupov (aka Rasputin’s assassin). Univ is an inclusive community where you can enjoy your study and an excellent extracurricular and social life. If you want any more information, visit our website or come see for yourself!

Wadham No. undergraduates 460

Colleges

Bits and bobs:

Accommodation provision 1st year on-site, 3rd year off-site

for being - Longstanding reputation inking -th ard forw the most liberal, eges coll the all of rse dive and

Rent per term £862

- Music practice room

dstock - Annual music festival, Wa

Food provision Most meals provided. No gowns are ever worn. Kitchen facilities Limited kitchens available Bathroom facilities Shared Library opening hours 24/7 Famous alumni Melvyn Bragg, Michael Foot, Christopher Wren, Rowan Williams

Wadham College Parks Road, OX1 3PN 01865 277 900 www.wadham.ox.ac.uk su.wadham.ox.ac.uk

onceived by a childless couple and priding itself on being unconventional, liberal and unstuffy, the lively People’s Republic of Wadham has a strong reputation for politics, drama and music. Wadham is insistently welcoming to everyone – male or female, gay or straight, state or privately educated, and from any ethnic group. It’s not just the students who are friendly and welcoming – so are all the tutors and staff, with a particularly strong JCR-SCR relationship and lovely porters. Us, we’re even friendly to Older People: together with the MCR, we have our own combined miniature Students Union. We also provide disabled access.

Food is unexciting but fulfilling enough (brunch on a Saturday is actually quite good), which is more than made up for by the beautiful Jacobean hall and ultra-relaxed informal attitude – no gowns, ever. The sandstone front quad is simple, elegant and beautiful, and the hidden treasures of the garden surpass anything else that central Oxford has to offer. Yes, we have our obligatory modern blocks round the back, but they’re well hidden. Accommodation is available to students in college for their first and third years. First years get allotted rooms, and you can ask to share a double room. Second years live out, though there’s some College accommodation in Summertown.

Wadham is insistently welcoming to

everyone – male or female, gay or straight, from any education and ethnic group

Boasting our own theatre, squash and badminton courts, a gym, the Holywell Music Room (the oldest purpose built music room in Oxford), a large JCRs, an impressive modern library open 24/7 and the largest collection of privately-owned Persian works in Europe, Wadham still manages to be most famous for its partying. The annual celebration of all things alternative, QueerBop, attracts a diverse group of people from across the University united by one thing: cross-dressing carnage. In the summer, the open air music festival known as Wadstock boasts a lineup of college, University and national bands along with charity barbecues, cheap cocktails and usually offensive

compering. The summer also brings Shakespeare in the Gardens and cinema in the quad, along with a biannual ball. The college’s best feature is probably its suntrap of a bar quad, honest-to-God called the Ho Chi Minh Quad. The bar, known affectionately as the Railway Carriage (you’ll understand when you see it), hosts fortnightly karaoke and quizzes. Inhabitants generally go against the grain of the traditional Oxford stereotypes – yes, we’re proud of former Labour leader Michael Foot, but also current Bond beauty Ros Pike. And yes, we do well in most sports, and have lots of teams, but are quite content that sport doesn’t overwhelm the college atmosphere.

Worcester

Colleges

No. undergraduates 411

ORCESTER COLLEGE HAS a well-deserved reputation as one of Oxford’s best-kept secrets. Tucked behind a rather uninspiring façade and outside the main cluster of colleges, many people walk past Worcester without even knowing it’s there. However, venture through its gates and you’ll find one of the most beautiful quads in Oxford, set in extensive parkland and grounds all inhabited by a student body as fun-loving and enthusiastic as they are friendly. Although one of the oldest colleges, Worcester is not as central as the cluster of Broad Street colleges are, but don’t let the map fool you. The college is very close to the main shopping area, five minutes’ walk from the train station and is certainly in staggering-home distance from a night out at all the major clubs. We’ve also got fantastic facilities – three libraries, two computer rooms and a large hall serving some of the best food in Oxford (the sous-chef from the Randolph Hotel is rumoured to visit on Wednesday evenings). Worcester’s JCR is basically a huge living room with plenty of comfy seats, a television and DVD player, and is the venue for raucous JCR meetings, watching sports, doughnut days or hanging out with friends. In the Morley Fletcher room you can enjoy a bit of table

Accommodation provision All years usually available Rent per term £880 Food provision All meals are available, pay as you go Kitchen facilities Some rooms have access Bathroom facilities Mostly shared Famous alumni Rupert Murdoch, John Sainsbury, Richard Lovelace

Worcester College Walton Street, OX1 2HB 01865 276 602 www.worc.ox.ac.uk jcr.worc.ox.ac.uk

Worcester has a good reputation

for sport, helped by being the only college with playing fields on-site

tennis, while there’s a pool table and games room located next to the bar. The bar itself is the true social hub of college, and comes alive at night, hosting a range of bops, karaoke and quiz evenings. The infamous Buttery lures us students in with its warm fire, chocolate and coffee and becomes a haven for those avoiding work. There really is something for everyone at Worcester, whatever your interests. From Buskins Drama Society for those budding thesps to poetry for Wordsworth wannabes and choral groups to Christian Union, Ultimate Frisbee and fair trade endeavours, you name it, Worcester has it. We also have a good reputation for sport, helped by being the only college with playing fields on-site. Worcester has outstanding sport facilities, including squash courts, tennis courts (grass and clay), a netball court, cricket nets and a gym which college members are free to use. While the combination of facilities, enthusiasm and involvement means that we might be one of the sportier colleges in Oxford, there’s something for everyone whatever you want to get involved in!

Permanent Private Halls

PPHs

Permanent

Private Halls (PPHs) P

ermanent Private Halls are almost the same as very small colleges in that students enjoy the same quality of teaching and share access to the same University facilities, ultimately in order to gain the same Oxford degree. Their members are still selected for their high academic ability.

he differences between PPHs and colleges are largely historical. Originally set up as private houses of eduction after the Tudor Reformation, when Christian denominations other than the Church of England were forbidden from studying at Oxford, PPHs are now no longer exclusively for the religious.

Manchester are examples of colleges that were, until fairly recently, PPHs as well. In some, undergraduates training to be priests study alongside students who are atheists or of any other religion. In others, very few if any of the undergraduates are involved in this training at all. At most PPHs, friars and ministers eat with

PPHs are typically very friendly, and there

there is a greater emphasis

on the individual

Today the PPHs of Oxford are the Benedictine St Benet’s Hall, the Baptist Regent’s Park College and the Franciscan Greyfriars Hall, along with the smaller, Dominican Blackfriars, Jesuit Campion Hall, Anglo-Catholic St Stephen’s House and evangelical Wycliffe Hall. Mansfield and Harris

the students every day, but there is no pressure at all to become involved in this side of things (services or social events) if you don’t want to. Most people don’t put down a PPH as the first choice on their UCAS form, or, indeed, any choice. They don’t immediately spring to mind

as colleges you might pick, because they aren’t very well known. But these days they aren’t just for religious people. The small size of most PPHs is their strength: most only have around fifty undergraduates studying a narrower, usually arts-based range of subjects, and, after just a few days, freshers find they know absolutely everyone. PPHs are typically very friendly, and

there is a greater emphasis on the individual. No one gets lost in the crowd. Students do also enjoy university life to the full, participating in a range of cross-campus activities (most recently, drama and student journalism) which means being part of them often places you at the hub of the gossip. To steal Greyfriars’ unofficial motto, they’re “Oxford’s best kept secret”.

Greyfriars

PPHs

reyfriars is located on the Iffley Road near the sports complex and river, in beautifully tranquil gardens. Accommodation is provided in nearby large houses, for all first years and those third years (the majority) who want to live in. Second years live out, although Greyfriars does provide help for all students who do so. Three meals are provided every day, seven days a week, and any diet can be catered for, although with one kitchen between six, eating in Hall is far from necessary. At present, meals are reasonably inexpensive (ie ÂŁ3 for formal Hall) although students living in are levied half of the meal charges regardless of whether they eat, a situation that the JCR is campaigning to change. More importantly, from 4 pm to roughly 5 pm everyday, the college provides free tea and toast for everyone! The Greyfriars library is open 24 hours a day and the current commitment to expansion of the library should ensure that the quality of this facility improves noticeably throughout the year. A number of computers in the library, as well as in a separate computer room, offer IT provision to all

No. undergrads

Greyfriars Hall Iffley Road, OX4 1SB 01865 243 694 www.greyfriars.ox.ac.uk www.greyfriarsjcr.org

Since Greyfriars is a small community,

students find themselves with the impetus to get involved in a wide range of activities students, and both printers and photocopiers are available for student use. Equally important to the welfare of students is the large JCR, comprised of a TV room, games room and kitchen providing free soft drinks. Facilities include Sky, free pool and a dart board. The JCR supports a number of different societies including football and rugby teams. Greyfriars is also heavily involved in journalism and drama. Since Greyfriars is a small community, students find themselves with the impetus to get involved in a wide range of activities across the University while at the same time knowing that there will always be a place for them in college. Although it does not have its own gym, its immediate proximity to the University gym means Greyfriars can offer excellent facilities in excellent and safe conditions. The complex, which is just around the corner, has a swimming pool and tennis courts as well as the gym and all manner of sports pitches.

Regent’s Park

PPHs

egent’s is all about community. Whatever you want to get out of your Oxford experience, it provides a massively friendly and supportive environment. You get used to the fact that few other students know where Regent’s is or have ever heard of it – it’s just one of the Uni’s best kept secrets. Don’t worry about the fact that the year groups are small, because you’ll mix lots with the other years and the MCR. The SCR are nice people and make sure that the JCR have far more say in how the college is run than at other colleges. Most people get stuck into everything on offer in terms of social life, sport, drama and music. Unless you have a serious aversion to water and/or exercise, you’ll probably become a rower (at least for a term), which is arguably a plus as it’s a great chance to experience one of the staples of Oxford life from the perspective of a successful but not scarily competitive team. The football team has also been storming through the league and seems to be good for male bonding (it is closely linked to the lads’ drinking society). We’re located near the Jericho end of town, which is famous for its

No. undergrads

Regent’s Park Pusey Street, OX1 2LB 01865 288 120 www.rpc.ox.ac.uk www.regentsjcr.org.uk

You get used to the fact that few other students

know where Regent’s is or have ever heard of it – it’s just one of the Uni’s best-kept secrets wonderful atmosphere. We still remain central enough for students to make it to pretty much any club without a taxi. The Royal Oak and the Eagle and Child – where Tolkien and Lewis used to drink – are our locals of choice, and both have the old-man charm of all proper Oxford pubs, serving some damn fine beer. The social life is pretty chilled out; think big group of mates, rather than high-pressure social scene. We are all arts students, so tthere’s lots of talking and philosophising, but we’re from a pretty representative range of backgrounds, socially and geographically. Regent’s is not fiercely competitive or academically pressured (by Oxford standards, anyway). There’s usually a big group of Theologians in each year; this factor and the well-stocked college library and nearby faculty make it a great place to study Theology. Other subjects are mostly tutored outside Regent’s, but there are tight subject families within college.

St Benet’s

PPHs

t Benet’s Hall preserves the best of old Oxford and resembles, more than any other, the old traditional Halls of study set up when the University was first founded. The college is also the tallest building on St Giles and thus has one of the most beautiful views in Oxford. Despite its small size, it’s a very lively place. The JCR is very comfortable, with the free table football and pool being of great importance. The Benedictine ethos of hospitality manifests itself in many positive ways; students may invite guests to any meal at no extra charge and free beer is provided by the JCR. There are three formal meals per week and it is a tradition for every meal to be followed by coffee which, in the summer, takes place in the garden with croquet. Tea is also served daily at 4pm. Living with monks may seem odd at first but this rapidly disappears when one realises that they’re very normal, ordinary people and very accommodating and caring. They also take a very active role in the JCR and make the St Benet’s experience truly unique. After a while, no student would deny that the opportunity to live and study with them is a privilege. As well as being rather small and homely, St Benet’s is also a very success-

No. undergrads

St Benet’s Hall St Giles’, OX1 3LN 01865 280 556 www.st-benets.ox.ac.uk www.st-benets.ox.ac.uk/jcr.htm

Living with monks may seem odd at first,

but this quickly disappears when one realises that they’re very normal, ordinary people ful and dynamic community both academically and in other ways. Students are very active in university life: for such a small number, we boast a strangely high proportion of presidents of societies. We compete well in sports and the rowing club is particularly strong, having won blades three times consecutively recently, bumping boats belonging to colleges sometimes ten times our size. It is a tradition always to compete in Croquet cuppers (a University-wide competition) and we also have an internal St Benet’s Croquet cup (the Cathcart cup). All the Hall’s facilities are available to students all the time, including the library, computers and scullery (kitchenette). St Benet’s knows no closing times. The Hall takes its Benedictine ethos very seriously, not only in its hospitality and traditions, but even in its terminology: instead of a dining hall we have a Refectory and instead of a sitting room we have a Calefactory. Of course, in true Benedictine fashion, there is one common table at which everyone sits, and students take turns serving.

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Other PPHs

PPHs

blackfriars hall Blackfriars is primarily a hall for Dominican friars. There’s no accommodation or meals for non-friars, but the atmosphere is friendly. Students (men and women) usually study Theology, Philosophy or Literature. It’s old – very old – even by Oxford standards: the first friars arrived in 1221. Blackfriars generally prefers mature students and overseas visitors. It’s on St Giles’, ones of the main thoroughfares of the city.

campion hall

Other PPHs

Most Campion students are priests or members of Roman Catholic religious orders studying postgraduate degrees – first-time students hoping to read an undergraduate degree would probably be better off elsewhere. However, it may be worth contacting them directly if you have a particularly compelling connection to the Jesuit community – two undergraduates have studied there in the past few years. Students receive accommodation, telephone and broadband access, two computers and stationary free of charge (as well as a bicycle loan).

s well as the three major PPHs, there are also a handful of lesser known Halls that tend not to accept many undergraduates, if any at all. However, if you have particularly strong ties to a particular religious community it may be worth getting in touch with one of these PPHs directly.

st stephen’s house The very newest of all Oxford institutions, in the heart of multi-ethnic, vibrant East Oxford, St Stephen’s mostly caters for students training for ordination in the Anglican Communion. Almost everyone studies Theology or related subjects. Many are over 25, and some are from overseas. The Hall provides itself on its friendliness and pastoral support, and offers all the facilities you’d expect from an Oxford residence (24-hour library, bar, Common Room and computer facilities etc).

wycliffe hall This evangelical college specialises in theology, and most students here are preparing for ordination. With around 25 students each year reading for undergraduate BAs, you’ll actually have a lot more company within your own college for your subject group than anywhere else. Though the college does take school-leavers, many other students and graduate members are considerably older, often with families, which makes the atmosphere particularly diverse.

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Courses

courses 104

which course?

106â&#x20AC;&#x201C;181

courses Aâ&#x20AC;&#x201C;Z archaeology & anthropology biochemistry biology chemistry classical archaeology & ancient history classics with english with modern languages with oriental studies computer science earth sciences economics & management (E&M) with engineering (EEM) with materials (MEM) engineering english with modern languages experimental psychology fine art geography history (modern) history (ancient & modern) with economics with english with modern languages with politics

106 108 110 112 114 116 118 118 119 120 122 124 126 127 128 130 130 132 134 136 138 140 141 142 143 144

history of art human sciences law materials maths with computer science with statistics with philosophy medicine modern languages european & middle eastern languages with linguistics music oriental studies philosophy with politics & economics (PPE) with physics with modern languages with theology physics physiology with psychology & philosophy (PPP) theology

146 148 150 152 154 156 157 158 160 162 163 163 164 166 168 170 171 172 174 176 178 180

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Which Course?

Which Course

t’s meant to be the reason you go to university. You’ll have contact with world experts in classes and tutorials each week. And you’ll be given a place at Oxford on the strength of the interest you show in it. Getting your subject choice right is important. Changing once you are here is possible, but not as easy as at other institutions. Don’t get talked into doing what your teachers or parents or friends insist you should do, though their opinions are of course worth considering. Work out what it is that you find interesting. Some people come for degrees like Classics having never taken the subject formally before, but nonetheless show aptitude and interest. If you’re interested in doing a course for which you haven’t done obvious feeder A-levels, it’s worth checking to see what the requirements are. Remember, many of the degrees offered at Oxford don’t exist at A-level at all. Never thought about Archaeology before, but it takes your fancy? Start thinking about it. You’ll notice that with the exception of Medicine, Law and EEM (Engineering, Economics and Management), few of Oxford’s degree courses are directly vocational. Remember, though, that employers are increasingly interested in the fact that you have a good degree, not the subject of it. Even the most obscure of subjects (take, for example, Oriental Studies) is impressive to the most hard-nosed banking firm. Remember, too, that if you want to practise law one day, the conversion course (admittedly said to be a hellish twelve months) can be done after you’ve got your undergraduate degree, and you can always talk in your

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law CV about “the additional thinking skills and diverse knowledge base” that Engineering (or History, or Maths) gave you. Read on for the individual subject profiles. When you find a subject that takes your fancy, find out more on the departmental websites, and talk to the current students at open days.

joint schools courses Studying for a joint honours degree involves taking two complementary subjects at once, but – and this is important to note – not double the workload! You’ll follow individual requirements for each subject in line with students who are just doing a single honours degree, and also usually taking some compulsory overlap or “bridge” papers. The courses are produced by the relevant two departments co-operating, and as many of the courses have been operating for some years, this co-ordination has grown very tight in many subjects (though there isn’t as much in the way of formal inter-disciplinary options as elsewhere). Joint honours students are in the minority and often find that they have to take a lot of personal responsibility for their studies. But this option offers a terrific way of combining more than one passion you may have. Whether it’s Physics and Philosophy or History and English, students find that there’s much more common ground than they think, and it usually increases their understanding of both.

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Archaeology

Archaeology and Anthropology

Courses

Anthropology 36 Beaumont Street, OX1 2PG 51/53 Banbury Road, OX2 6PE

+44 (0)1865 278246 +44 (0)1865 274624

ouglas Adams once said, “Life is a level of complexity that almost lies outside our vision.” Welcome to Archaeology and Anthropology! A&A is the study of people, and the different ways that people choose to live in societies, both past and present. It’s a massive subject that explores almost every aspect of human behaviour. It’s also, unsurprisingly, an incredibly diverse subject that incorporates bits of philosophy, psychology, sociology, geography, history, linguistics, biology and physics – and almost anything else you can think of.

www.arch.ox.ac.uk www.isca.ox.ac.uk

The balance between archaeology and anthropology within the course is fairly even, with two archaeology papers, one social anthropology paper and one physical anthropology paper in your first year. In your second and third years, you also choose options papers, which give you the opportunity to explore areas of personal interest in more detail. First year A&A students typically have four lectures a week and three tutorials every fortnight. Although the level of scheduled work is low in comparison to most other subjects, A&A keeps you busy read-

ing, writing and thinking about the complexity of human existence in every part of the world across 6 million years. As part of the course requirements, you’ll also need to gain a minimum of five weeks’ fieldwork experience of your own choice. Re-

Though the course does not have any official entry requirements, a mix of arts and sciences at A-level can help you answer essays from both perspectives. Archaeology and Anthropology is the kind of subject that tends to get you odd looks, but

Archaeology & Anthropology tends to

get you odd looks, but in fact it’s one of the most relevant subjects around

cent examples include primate studies in Sri Lanka and Buddhist anthropology within a Tibetan monastery, although the vast majority of people end up participating on archaeological excavations in places as disparate as Russia, Israel, the Caribbean and South Africa. Funding can be obtained from colleges and the Institute.

in fact it’s also one of the most genuinely relevant subjects around, because it’s relevant to everything we do as people (including A&A itself). It gives you an amazing sense of perspective about yourself and your place in the world, and while that’s not exactly what you get a degree in, you can consider it an added bonus.

Applying What you need to study: No formal requirements Col l eges not offeri ng t hi s subj ect : Arch&Anth is offered only by Harris Manchester, Hertford, Keble, Magdalen, St Hilda’s, St Hugh’s, St John’s and St Peter’s

Though the course does not have any official entry requirements, a mix of arts and sciences at A-level can help you answer essays from both perspectives.

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Biochemistry

Biochemistry South Parks Road, OX1 3QU

+44 (0)1865 275263

iochemistry at Oxford is a demanding but hugely interesting course, and at the end of it you have the opportunity to go much deeper into whichever area you enjoy the most. It develops your hands-on research skills that really allow you to see what real-world Biochem-

Jobina Talib Hardy Third year, Balliol College

www.bioch.ox.ac.uk

if you did Maths, but it’s not impossible to get by without them. You will probably have around 10-12 lectures a week, and one full day of labs, but the latter are likely to finish as early as 2pm if your experiments go according to plan. There’s also an hour long maths class, and an hour long class in either

Many of the lecturers – who are

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“In some of our lectures, the subject material was literally only discovered and published the month before”

’m about to start my third year, and I love the fact that I can still enjoy another two years of Oxford life before I hit the real world. There’s such a variety of material being taught, and by the end of my course I really feel like we’ll have a good knowledge of all today’s Biochemistry. I remember writing in my personal statement that I was looking forward to being at the cutting edge of the field,

and I didn’t really understand how true that was until I got here: it’s really amazing that in some of our lectures, the subject material was literally only discovered and published the month before. I’ve also had plenty of time to do all sorts of other activities during term-time – Biochemistry gives you so many more hours in the week, since on most days I’m out of bed and finished with timetabled work by lunch!

leaders in their field – will be happy

to hold tutorials with you about their lecture series, so you can really get to know the material in depth

istry is like. The only “required” A-level is Chemistry, so you spend your first year catching up on the basic Biology, Chemistry and Mathematics that you may not be familiar with when you arrive. Studying all three at A-level makes the first year a lot easier, especially

Biophysical or Biological Chemistry where you will be given a problem sheet that will be marked and explained. These lessons, on top of your college-based tutorials, are very helpful when it comes to revising for your Prelims (first year exams), since you already have practice in problem solving and

recalling information from lectures. You’ll sit five Prelims papers over the course of a week in the summer, including an essay paper. The classes finish by second year, but the material and tutorials step up in difficulty as you prepare for Finals – six papers at the end of the third year. You won’t take any exams in second year, which is great, but does mean you have to revise in the summer so that you have any chance of being prepared for the following term. Many of the lecturers – who are leaders in their field – will be happy to hold

tutorials with you about their lecture series, so you can really get to know the material in depth. The fourth year has a large research component, and you work in a lab that focuses on a Biochemistry subject in which you are especially interested. There are lectures in the second term, and you get a choice of two courses from a really interesting range of options – you’ll sit a paper in each of these. Finally, you write an extended essay reviewing existing papers in a subject of your choice.

Applying What you need to study: Chemistry A-level Col l eges not offeri ng t hi s subj ect : Balliol, Harris Manchester, Keble, Lincoln, Mansfield

The University recommends studying more than one science subject at A-level, and studying Maths to at least AS.

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Biology

Biology South Parks Road, OX1 3PS

+44 (0)1865 281214

he first year of the Oxford Biology course is broken into three: Organisms is a quick tour of life, covering microbiology, invertebrates, vertebrates and plants. Cells and Genes looks at enzymes, genetics and other topics familiar from A-level Biology, while Populations zooms out to look at interactions between organisms. Expect two lectures a morning, two practical afternoons and one tutorial a week – lots,

Imran Khan

Now graduated, Christ Church

www.biology.ox.ac.uk

more than other large subjects and strong bonds are formed across the University. Since super-geniuses tend to opt for medicine and science-geeks for Biochemistry, biologists tend to be remarkably normal. In your second year, you’ll study Evolution, along with Quantitative Methods and three further options from animals, plants, disease, cells and environment. Statistics is the only course everyone must do for three years

The relaxed department and very social

social year group help keep your feet on the ground and your head above water

but manageable, especially with the departmental cafe serving wonderful tea and toast to hungover undergrads. Practicals are compulsory and you should go to lectures, but nobody notices the odd missed one, especially if someone grabs you the notes. Highlight of the first year is the week-long jaunt to Wales featuring bughoovers, sand dunes and pubs with scant regard for closing time. This trip, plus the trauma of dissections, brings biologists together much

Courses

and involves a weekly lecture and computer practical. Nobody enjoys it, but it’s useful for dissertations, further study and employability, so everyone just knuckles down. At the end of this year you sit finals in Evolution and one of your options. In the summer of your second year, you produce a dissertation on the topic of your choice. About half the year don their white coats for lab placements in Oxford; others do exciting field studies like butterflies in Mada-

“There’s a great camaraderie across the department – a stark contrast to other subjects”

hat I enjoyed most about the biology course was the enormous range of stuff I ended up doing, and could specialise in. Everyone starts off with the same modules, but by the second year you can choose to concentrate on things as small as cell nuclei or as large as entire populations

gascar or Bahaman sea life. A dissertation is a challenging introduction to being a “real” scientist, but you’re well supported by your supervisor. In third year you study pretty specialised stuff. Lectures drop to a few a week but there’s much more independent reading (think journal articles, not books) and one or two quite intense tutorials. It’s exciting to hit cutting edge science, with tutors explaining new discoveries, asking you to analyse scientific controversies or inviting you into their lab for practicals. You’ll produce an extended essay for each course, and this plus the dissertation and second-year finals mean 50% of your degree is done before “proper” finals at the end of year three.

of animals, so you’re guaranteed to be able to follow your own interests. There’s also a great camaraderie across the department – a stark contrast to other subjects, where you only know the people in your own college! It’s definitely one of the friendliest subjects, students and tutors alike.

What’s different about an Oxford Biology degree? In many ways it’s more traditional than others, focusing on whole beings and their interactions rather than cellular biology more familiar from A-level. A very broad first year means you’ll probably end up studying something you don’t like, but there’s more choice later on. Continuous assessment suits some people but not others. The relaxed department and very social year group help keep your feet on the ground and your head above water when it gets tough. About half the year love Biology so much they go on to a Masters or PhD; those that don’t often choose diverse, often ethical careers. If you love the natural world, then Biology at Oxford could end up being three years of thoroughly good fun.

Applying What you need to study: Biology at A-level

Though not a course requirement, the University recommends studying another science (or Maths)

Col l eges not offeri ng t hi s subj ect :

at A-level. It would also be helpful to study Maths

Corpus Christi, Exeter, Harris Manchester, Lincoln, Mansfield, Oriel, St Edmund’s Hall, Trinity, University

to at least AS-level.

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Chemistry

Chemistry South Parks Road, OX1 3QH

+44 (0)1865 275906

ooking for a varied, exciting, versatile and challenging degree? Chemistry could be just the thing, but make sure you know what you’re letting yourself in for! Chemistry is a four-year course, divided between two “Parts”. Your first three years, called Part I, is split loosely into organic, physical and inorganic chemistry. Some areas may already be familiar to you – organic chemistry,

Nicola Davis

Now graduated, Merton College

www.chem.ox.ac.uk

cially “pure” topics such as calculus. Physics can also be a useful asset; and a Chemistry Alevel or equivalent is an obvious requirement. Teaching is divided between lectures and tutorials, and maths/physics classes in first year. Lectures rigorously cover the syllabus requirements; however, with 10-12 lectures a week, usually beginning at 9am, the rigid structure of the course can leave you envious of arts students!

You’ll be rewarded with a degree that develops

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“It’s wonderful when you can start to make links between the various concepts and techniques”

he Oxford Chemistry course is very diverse, with the fourth year consisting entirely of a research project. This is a brilliant chance to put into practice all the knowledge that you’ve gained over the first three years as well as learning about reaction conditions and practicalities that are never encountered on paper. The course is highly structured but there’s some choice for your final papers in the third year – you choose

three advanced papers that cover a wide range of topics including spectroscopic techniques, wet and dry interfaces and synthetic methods. I’ve really enjoyed myself – the Oxford course is challenging but very rewarding and although it can all seem a little daunting in the first year it’s wonderful when you can start to make links between the various concepts and techniques that you encounter in the different branches of Chemistry.

your mind hugely and demands respect from future employers and fellow students alike

for example, the never-ending quest to understand more organic reaction mechanisms, or in inorganic chemistry, the theory of transition metal complex formation. However, other topics can initially be quite a surprise: how do separate maths and physics courses in the first year sound to you, or lectures on quantum mechanics and statistical thermodynamics? For this reason, it’s essential to have a good command of maths before you arrive, espe-

Exam wise, Prelims must be passed in first year (virtually everyone does, don’t worry), and there are Finals to be taken in both second and third years, which count for 75% of your degree. You’ll also have labs, which can be pretty good fun (when you’re not spilling liquid nitrogen on your hand). For half of first year, two afternoons each week are spent in labs, while in second or third year there’s more flexibility about when to go and which experiments to

attempt. After first year you can opt to take a “supplementary subject”, choosing from pharmacological, quantum and aromatic courses, or from less obvious alternatives such as history and philosophy of science, and sometimes language courses. Passing allows you to miss a few labs, which would usually be considered a good thing. The delights from Part I prepare you for the fourth year (imaginatively called Part II) in which you’ll join a research group, working with a research fellow (usually recognisable as one of your lecturers) or occasionally abroad. There’s a

huge choice in areas to study, culminating in a thesis worth the final 25% of your degree. On the social side, though the rigidity of the timetable can limit spontaneity, there’s enough time for any diversions you enjoy. In short, if you’re prepared to work hard within a well-structured course, you’ll be rewarded with a degree that develops your mind hugely and demands respect from future employers and fellow students alike.

Applying What you need to study: Chemistry at A-level

Though not a course requirement, the University recommends studying another science (or Maths)

Col l eges not offeri ng t hi s subj ect :

at A-level, and suggests that studying more than

Harris Manchester, Mansfield

one would be helpful.

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Classical Archaeology and Ancient History

& Ancient History

Classical Archaeology 36 Beaumont Street, OX1 2PG 66 St Giles’, OX1 3LU

Tim Chubb

Third year, Somerville College

“Because it’s such a small course, you really get to know everyone doing the subject”

+44 (0)1865 278246 www.arch.ox.ac.uk http://www.classics.ox.ac.uk/clasarch/index.asp

relatively new course to be offered at Oxford, Classical Archaeology and Ancient History (CAAH) is a really interesting alternative to Classics for those interested in the Ancient World. Prospective CAAH students will realistically need to achieve AAA at A-level but aren’t required to have taken any subject related to the Classical world. Unlike Classics, CAAH places no em-

Study in the first year is divided equally between Roman and Greek, and history and archaeology, and gives you a really good general interdisciplinary understanding of all aspects of the classical world so that at the end of the year you’re able to choose six courses in which you’re really interested for your final two years of study. In the first summer of the course, students are required to participate in a dig and

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ne of the best things about doing CAAH is that because it’s such a small course, you get to really know everyone doing the subject. The advantage of this is not only that everyone is really eager and willing to share essays, but also that you have a ready-made social circle of like minded people outside of college. The downside is that, as is my case, there

may be no other CAAH first years at your college – so finding your way around to begin with can be a bit daunting. Despite being called “Diet Classics” by Classicists, CAAH should not be seen as a soft option or an easy way into Oxford and, in fact, CAAH students will be expected to do the same amount of work in eight tutorials that Classics students cover in twelve.

The strength of the CAAH course is

that it was custom designed by some of the world’s leading Classics scholars

phasis on the relentless study of the Ancient languages or philology and philosophy. Instead, you’ll be offered a perspective of the ancient world entirely balanced between a historical and an archaeological approach. In the first year you’ll take four courses, two taught in classes of 6–10, two in tutorials.

do some field work. The Classics and Archaeology departments have links with lots of digs in Britain, as well as in Greece, Italy and the Med, so it’s an opportunity to participate on really interesting digs at important sites. You’ll usually be with a friend or two from Oxford as well. The other requirement

outside of tutorials and classes for the course is the completion of a site or museum report, which is submitted halfway through the third year. Lying somewhere between a dissertation and a research paper, the site/museum report gives you the opportunity to write on a subject of your own choosing and, of course, to visit the museum or site in question. Faculty, University and college travel grants enable students to do whatever interests them for both the excavation and the site/museum report, regardless of cost. Aside from the obvious advantage of offer-

ing no shortage of travel and adventuring opportunities, the strength of the CAAH course is that it was custom designed by some of the world’s leading Classical scholars. As such, students of the ancient world can analyse and consider it objectively, without the archaeological or historical bias that is the affliction of any study of the past.

Applying What you need to study: No formal requirements

Though the course does not have any official entry requirements, a mix of arts and sciences

Col l eges not offeri ng t hi s subj ect :

at A-level can help you answer essays from both

Harris Manchester, Hertford, Jesus, Mansfield, New, Pembroke, Queens, St Catz, St Edmund Hall, St Hugh’s, St Peter’s, Trinity

perspectives.

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Classics

Classics 66 St Giles’, OX1 3LU

Jenny Rossdale Third year, Jesus College

www.classics.ox.ac.uk

lassics offers the opportunity to submerge yourself completely in every aspect of not one but two civilizations, and as a result is one of the most varied and challenging degrees on offer at Oxford. For your first five terms you’ll be studying for Mods, a set of exams which are apocryphally among the hardest you can take at the University. On the plus side, they don’t count

als, and language tuition happens in classes, which contain roughly ten to fifteen students. You’ll also have reading classes in similarly sized groups to help you get through the quite prodigious amount of texts you’ll be expected to read in the original language. The exact amount you’re expected to read will depend on how much Latin or Greek you came to Oxford with.

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“Classicists take a certain quiet pride in knowing that their subject is considered one of the most challenging around”

pplying for Classics at Oxford is the best decision I ever made. The course here is flexible, varied and hugely enjoyable, and the faculty boasts some of the biggest names on the scene. Classicists are asked to justify their degree more often than pretty much anyone else, but in truth the enormous influence of the classical world on ours means that classics is never irrelevant, and the beauty of ancient

art and literature means that it’s never boring. The official term for Classics at Oxford is “literae humaniores” (“more advanced studies”), and Classicists take a certain quiet pride in knowing that their subject is considered one of the most challenging around. Employers, too, know this to be a degree that produces intelligent, well-rounded individuals with a capacity for original thinking.

As a Classics student you

get three exam-free Oxford summers, a fantastic perk

towards your final degree grade, and nothing beats the post-Mods feeling! As a Classics student you also get three exam-free Oxford summer terms, a fantastic perk. For Mods you sit four language-based papers, four literature-based papers, one philosophy paper and one special subject (literary/historical, archaeological, philological). The literature, philosophy and special subjects are taught through lectures and tutori-

Although it may seem daunting, the volume of texts set is actually one of the best things about the Oxford course: a confident familiarity with the ancient languages is absolutely crucial if you are to really enjoy Classics, and the best possible way to do this is to read texts in the original language. After Mods comes the freedom of “Greats”, your final set of exams. You can choose any eight options which take your fancy from more

than eighty possible subjects, which means you can create the perfect blend for yourself of archaeology, literature, history, philosophy or philology. Choosing your options for Greats is good fun, and there’s guaranteed to be something for everyone. Don’t worry too much about what Latin and Greek A-levels and GCSEs you have; the interviewer won’t mind so long as you show a genuine enthusiasm for the classical world, and in any case, there are four different courses depending on your qualifications. When you come up for interview, you’ll have to sit a language test in whichever ancient language(s) you do know,

or a language aptitude test if you don’t know either. The interview itself will vary hugely depending on the individual tutor involved. Remember that they don’t expect you to know everything, just to seem like you want to! Your A-level texts and the two essays you send in are a likely starting point, but they’ll try to deliberately coax you beyond the areas you’re used to discussing, not to expose what you don’t know but rather to see how you think. They’ll want to see that you have an independent interest in Classics that goes beyond what you might have learnt at school, and which will stay with you throughout your time at Oxford.

Applying What you need to study: No formal requirements Col l eges not offeri ng t hi s subj ect : Harris Manchester, Hertford, Keble, Lincoln, Mansfield, Pembroke, St Catz, St Edmund Hall, St Peter’s

Though not a course requirement, the University would recommend studying Latin or Greek at A-level.

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Classics Joint Schools

Classics

j o i n t schools

Classics and English

lassics and English students are a rare breed. Although the course is primarily literary, there is the opportunity to do some history and philosophy; also, you learn how to apply the two disciplines’ radically different academic methodologies to each other, which is great fun, very stimulating, and a relatively new approach, especially in Oxford. You’ll follow a different course from the single honours English and Classics people, which can be lonely at times: this makes going to the (semi-optional) Critical Commentary classes a good idea, because there you get to

meet other C&E students. However, the first year course (which is basically Renaissance literature minus Shakespeare, and set books in Greek or Latin) is very coherent because it allows for some crossover between your essays in each discipline. After your first year exams, you choose options very freely – only two of the papers are compulsory. At this point it’s really up to you, and your tutors should help you to decide. Make sure you jump and scream and shout at your tutors, by the way, because you might get missed – being a joint schools student, you’ll have to make a lot of your own arrangements.

Classics and Modern Languages

ou’ll do particularly well out of this course if you take up its opportunities to do crossover subjects, like French love poetry with Latin love elegies (your tutor of French will be impressed beyond belief by your knowledge of its origins). Knowledge of classical myths will also stand you in invaluable stead for many European authors’ work. This degree allows you to take either a four year or five year course, including the year abroad. For five years, you will spend the first five terms concentrating on the Classics side, like any other Classicist (see above). Then you’ll start on your modern language. More popular seems to be the four year

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option, which makes an attempt at being balanced. The workload is also temptingly light for the first year, though seems to increase dramatically after that. The literature side of both languages tends to take priority during term time, but you’ll find your year abroad an excellent opportunity to prepare for your oral and aural exams. In any case, you get the best of both worlds: more or less as much actual literature as many Classics undergraduates, depending on which course you do, and the far greater freedom of choosing your own literature as a Modern Linguist. And, you don’t have the textual burden of up to eight ancient text-based finals papers.

Classics and Oriental Studies

ith this option, you get to explore areas of the ancient world not normally open to Classicists – and will always have one up, therefore, on the fulltimers. However, you’ll also have access to cultures that frequently get left out of Oriental Studies degrees. Double bonus. Hooked yet? Go read the Oriental Studies section. The first five terms of this four year course are the same as the first five terms of the four year Classics course, and the same rules apply – you don’t have to have done Latin or Greek before, but you do have to satisfy a Language

Aptitude Test. Unsurprisingly, then, you don’t need to have studied the Oriental language you intend to read either. Tutors will look for your linguistic ability and commitment (yes, the course is pretty tough) at interview. After your first five terms, you can combine subjects taken from the Classics options with one of eleven Oriental languages – from Persian, to Hebrew, via Egyptian, Akkadian, Arabic, Aramaic and Syriac, Armenian, Coptic, Old Iranian, Pali, Prakrit or Sanskrit.

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120

Computer Science

Computer

Chris Allan

Science Parks Road, OX1 3QD

+44 (0)1865 273838

he Oxford Computer Science course is much more theoretical than most, which can come as a shock at first. The course is strongly mathematical, and involves far more time with pen and paper than in practical labs. This gives a good understanding of the principles behind the

Now graduated, Somerville College “Lecturers generally have the decency not to start before 10 am, so you at least get more sleep than many Oxford scientists”

www.comlab.ox.ac.uk

Computer Science courses, ending with exams. Most of the teaching is done via tutorials of two or three people. In the second and third years there is a relatively wide range of options, ranging from the very theoretical to the vaguely practical (check out the Department website for details of individual cours-

The interviews tend to consist mainly of maths-based problems to solve, so there’s not much you can do to prepare for them latest technologies (and future technologies), but perhaps less practical experience than you would get at other universities. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, as most current technologies will be obsolete in a few years anyway, but it’s definitely worth being aware of. The first year is split between Maths and

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es). After the first year, more of the courses are taught in larger classes (10-15 people), and in the third year one of your options will take the form of a fairly large individual project, which takes up several hours a week throughout the year. There are exams at the end of each of the final two years, and the results of these and the project are combined to

he Oxford Computer Science course is one of the most respected in the country, and because the course is focused around the Department’s research interests you have the chance to be taught by and work with some of the world’s top computer scientists. My workload is about average for an Oxford science degree, and lecturers generally have the decency not to start lectures before 10

give your degree class. In your third year, you’re now given the option to continue on a fourth year to get a Masters’ degree, but this won’t affect your application or first few years. Work wise, each week you can expect around 8-12 hours of lectures, 4-6 hours of practicals and 2-3 hours of tutorials/classes, with around 18-20 hours of study in your own time. The official entry criteria of the course are detailed on the Department website, but in general the only necessary A-level (or equivalent) is Maths. Further Maths at A-level will make life easier in your first year (it’s not essential though;

am, so you at least get more sleep than many Oxford scientists. For me, the most satisfying part of the course was the third year project – my project on Aspect Oriented programming was later turned into a paper to be presented to an international conference. If you’re prepared to put in the effort, you really can work on cuttingedge research, even as an undergraduate.

without it you’ll just need to spend more time reading maths textbooks). If you’re selected for interview, you’ll have to sit an exam and will probably have around 2-5 interviews over the course of three or four days, usually spread over at least two different colleges. The interviews tend to consist mainly of maths-based problems to solve, so there’s not much you can do to prepare for them.

Applying What you need to study: Maths A-level Col l eges not offeri ng t hi s subj ect : Brasenose, Christ Church, Corpus, Exeter, HMC, Hertford, Jesus, Magdalen, Pembroke, Queen’s, St Hilda’s, St Peter’s, Trinity

Though not a course requirement, the University would recommend studying Further Maths or another science to A-level.

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122

Earth Sciences

Earth Sciences Parks Road, OX1 3PR

+44 (0)1865 272000

arth Sciences at Oxford is an interesting, inspiring and fun subject that would suit anybody who has a general interest in all the sciences and the way in which they interact to make the world go around, both today and in the past. It covers not only the traditional fundamental disciplines of geology, but also new theories, techniques and subjects only created in the past few decades. The department is one of the smallest in the University, with about 30 students each

www.earth.ox.ac.uk

year, but this serves to make the Department more open, close knit and friendly. The course covers a wide range of different topics in the Earth Sciences, with structural geology, geophysics, geochemistry, petrology and the history of life all covered in some depth, with opportunities to specialise in the third and fourth years. Much of the course is practical, with three or four practical classes a week, practical exams at the end of the second year, several field trips each year and an assessed mapping project in the summer

of second year. The field trips visit several parts of the British Isles, and culminate in trips to Southeast France and to Greece in the second and third years respectively. The theoretical side of the course is taught mainly through lectures, supported by practical classes and tutorials. Within the department there’s a state of the

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maths lectures. The maths course is detailed and intense, has its own exam paper at the end of the year, and although often disliked, is vital for later parts of the course such as seismology. Useful A-level subjects for the course include Maths and Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Geology, Geography and Further Maths, and there’s

Nowhere else offers such a special

combination of rich geological heritage, cutting-edge research and high quality teaching and resources

art computing lab, a well-stocked library and a vast collection of maps and thin sections. Next door sits the University Natural History Museum and the Radcliffe Science Library. Practical classes take place in well-equipped teaching laboratories containing hundreds of rock, mineral and fossil specimens. You usually get just one tutorial a week, although in first year there’s a weekly maths tutorial to go through problem sheets from the

no “ideal” combination. In summary, Earth Sciences at Oxford is great – nowhere else offers such a special combination of rich geological heritage (several of the most important figures in the history of geology were at Oxford), cutting-edge research and high quality teaching and resources, all in a stimulating yet friendly environment.

Applying What you need to study: Maths A-level Col l eges not offeri ng t hi s subj ect : Only offered by Exeter, Hertford, St Anne’s, St Edmund Hall, St Peter’s, University, Worcester

Though not an official entry requirement, the University recommends studying Chemistry and/ or Physics, and suggests that Biology, Geology orFurther Maths might be helpful.

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124

Economics and Management

Economics &

Ailbhe Menton

Management Park End Street, OX1 1HP

www.sbs.ox.ac.uk

he E&M course structure is quite straightforward. In your first year you sit three papers – Introductory Economics, Introduction to Management and a Mathematics and Statistics paper. In your finals, which are sat all at once at the end of your third year, you’ll take eight papers, com-

The department itself is a real perk of

this course – the Saïd Business School is modern, beautifully designed and heavily subsidised when it comes to food and drink

prised of two macro- and microeconomics papers and at least two management papers from a choice of seven. The remaining four are up to you to choose from a whole swathe of options, including a thesis. Some people choose to concentrate more on Economics, some Management, some 50–50. In your first year, you’ll have lectures in Economics, Management and Maths; tutorials are organised by your college, and maths

Third year, St Hilda’s College

“I found plenty of time for other activities such as as being JCR President”

www.economics.ox.ac.uk

classes organised by the Economics Department. In your second and third years, you’ll have core Economics with people in your college but Management tutorials will tend to be arranged through the Department. There’s a lot of work, no doubt about it, although the actual intensity can sometimes depend on which

paper you take. Lectures and learning finish the term before exams, which is really useful as you have a clear schedule for revision. The Department itself is a real perk of this course – the Saïd Business School is modern, beautifully designed and heavily subsidised when it comes to food and drink (the food is great and there’s even a bar). It’s quite exclusive as it’s restricted by swipe card to those who do a business-related course, and the li-

Courses

found E&M both interesting and intellectually challenging. I went for an equal balance between Economics and Management for my final exams, as I found this provided me with insights into how these elements of my degree complemented and reinforced each another. The Management modules are based in the fantastic Said Business School, whose library and lecture theatres are state of the art. The Economic modules take place in the modern

brary facilities are excellent. E&M offers flexibility in that that you can opt to specialise further in either economics or management depending on where your interests and career plans lie. The University provides amazing resources in terms of the tutors and reading materials. What’s more, because of the arrangement of the management tutorials in the second year, you get the chance to meet other Management students across the University, which is a great way to meet people outside your college if you’re

Social Sciences Library. In a typical week, I’d prepare two tutorial essays and go to around six lectures. E&M is highly regarded in many sectors, particularly financial and management consultancy firms, and is a great degree from which to begin a career. Finally, despite its reputation for hard work and academia, Oxford has a great social life, and I found plenty of time for other activities such as being JCR President.

usually quite shy. The downside can sometimes be the work pressure. The tutors do push you, but they’re only trying to get you to do your best, and ultimately they’re a great source of help and advice. You’re still, after all, left with enough time to pursue whatever extracurricular interests you have.

Applying What you need to study: No formal requirements Col l eges not offeri ng t hi s subj ect : Corpus Christi, Magdalen, Mansfield, Oriel, Somerville

Though not an official course requirement, the University would strongly recommend taking Maths at A-level.

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126

E&M Joint Schools

Economics &

Courses

Management joint

schools

Engineering, Economics and Management

EM has a reputation for being the hardest subject at Oxford. Whatever. It’s the one that comes closest to being vocational, and was originally viewed as a quasi-MBA. It’s designed to provide tailor-

Science (indeed, in many colleges you can change from Engineering to EEM, subject to exam results, at the end of your first year). Name notwithstanding, engineering does dominate the course even after this year, with

EEM is designed to provide tailor-

made graduates for the upper strata of engineering management

made graduates for the upper strata of engineering management. The idea is to provide future leaders for British industry, where mega-bucks and burn-outs await you. You have to take modules in all three options. The first year is the same as Engineering

75% of your time being devoted to it. The course leads to an MEng, with accreditation by the engineering institutes dependent on the type and number of papers you take. Whichever ones you choose, the workload is considerable.

Another feature of the course is its two industrial placements, the first lasting six to eight weeks in the summer break following your second and third years. The second is six months in your fourth year, complete with a 20,000 word report. Fortunately, most students end up undertaking a “project of value to the host company” which can often be genuinely interesting and avoids excessive bin-emptying. The practical experience of real engineering problems gained by this work experience serves to complement what’s otherwise a largely theoretical course. Although it doesn’t always seem like it when both sets of tutors expect you to do as much work as if you only had one subject, EEM proves that when it wants to, Oxford can produce courses that are innovative and even relevant to that “real world”.

Materials, Economics and Management

s with EEM, you can apply to read MEM either on entry or after your first year, and the first year is common to Materials Science. The relationship between MEM and Materials is analogous to that of EEM and Engineering, and MEM suits ambitious, hard working Materials applicants who’d like a more vocational, businessorientated degree.

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128

Engineering

Engineering Parks Road, OX1 3PJ

+44 (0)1865 273000

ngineering at Oxford is a four year course leading to a Masters’ degree, accredited by the major engineering institutions (depending on your module options). Throughout the course, the lectures given on the core material are supplemented by practical work and tutorials. The first year is geared towards giving you a good grounding in the fundamentals and making sure everyone, including those

You can spend a week in a brewery

learning about Chemical Engineering, or make a solar-powered car

who didn’t take Further Maths at A-level, is on the same level. The first year exams (Prelims), don’t count towards your final degree class but you do need to pass them to stay on the course. In many colleges, subject to your Prelims results, you can decide to take up EEM at the end of your first year. In your first two terms you’ll have two lectures each day (first year lectures often start at 9 am unfortunately) and six full days of practicals spread across the term. You can get away

Mose Ogunsekan Fourth year, New College

www.eng.ox.ac.uk

with skipping a few lectures since attendance isn’t taken, but you’ll find the tutorial work a lot more difficult unless you’re prepared to spend time in the library doing your own research. In the second and third years, all Engineers study core papers in Mathematical Methods, Electrical Systems, Dynamics & Control, Structures & Materials and Fluids & Thermodynamics. You’ll continue having two

lectures a day, albeit with much fewer early ones. There are no exams in your second year, only a couple of extended coursework essays and week-long assessed practicals which are pretty fun – you can spend a week in a brewery learning about Chemical Engineering, for example, or make a solar-powered car. You start to specialise in the third year when you choose two options from Mechanical, Civil, Information, Chemical, Electrical and Biomedical Engineering. You also under-

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“As an EEM student, I’m currently currently living and working in London on a six-month placement”

he one thing that struck me about Oxford is the fact that there really is something for everyone. University clubs and societies are a great way to meet people from outside your college. Whatever you enjoy, chances are there’s someone out there doing the same, and if you can’t find them, it’s really easy to set up your own society. I wanted to sing but I wasn’t great at sightreading so I

take a group design project, which can involve anything from offshore wind farms to wireless communication systems. This prepares you for your fourth year, when you work on an individual project worth four papers. On the whole, the Oxford Engineering course is quite theoretical. The lectures provide a strong basis for learning new topics and it’s possible (though not very efficient) to get through the course without ever taking any books out of the library. The tutorial worksheets – one per tutorial, usually twice a week – generally take about ten hours each to get through and are covered in depth during the tutorials themselves (along

found a choir that didn’t require you to. I also joined the Afro-Caribbean Society and worked for my college newspaper. In my third year, I joined a team of five other students to organise the Oxford Careers Day. As an EEM student, I’m currently living and working in London on a six-month placement. It‘s a wonderful opportunity to gain industry experience and apply my knowledge to real-life situations.

with broader discussion on related topics). It’s quite a structured course that allows for a good amount of free time if you put the work in during the day. The Engineering department has great facilities – the obligatory department library along with labs and workshops for all areas of Engineering (computing, thermodynamics, electronics, you name it), and a decent café. It’s a pig-ugly building, but the view isn’t as bad from inside.

Applying What you need to study: Maths and Physics at A-level

Contrary to popular belief, you don’t need Further Maths to get in, though it’s helpful in your first

Col l eges not offeri ng t hi s subj ect :

year. Inclusion of the Mechanics modules in Maths

Corpus Christi, Harris Manchester, Merton, Queen’s, St Peter’s

is strongly recommended.

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130

English

English Manor Road, OX1 3UQ

+44 (0)1865 271055

Cat Clark

Third year, Somerville College

www.english.ox.ac.uk

“Given that I eventually chose my college on the basis that there was a black cat in the quad, it’s safe to say I sort of fell into this course”

These days, even if you really hate

Old English you can always memorise

a few lines of Beowulf and fool your friends into thinking

you’re fluent in Elvish

nglish at Oxford. It’s kind of a big deal. You’re studying in a city groaning with literary history, being taught by world experts, and enjoying access to the Bodleian’s exhaustive collection of titles – you might even be living in T. S. Eliot’s old room. Or Iris Murdoch’s. Or Shelley’s. If you have even the slightest affection for the subject, you’re probably going to be pretty happy for three years. The English course at Oxford is entirely what you make of it. Not for you the dreary 9-to-5 of those dead-eyed, laboratory-bound science students: obviously, there’s quite a lot of reading but if you’re applying for an English degree that’s probably not going to bother you too much. The college, University and faculty libraries are all brilliant resources, as are the (optional) lectures, and

your tutors will also be on hand to help with reading lists. Firm emphasis is placed on a broad coverage of historical periods of writing, meaning you get quite wide-ranging insight and quickly start to notice overlapping styles and influential trends. Chronological progression is pretty much ignored and you tend to jump around a bit from term to term, but the contrasts this method throws up can actually be quite illuminating and it’s nice when you fill in a gap and everything starts coming together. One or two essays a week is pretty standard, and tutorials are normally taken alone or in pairs. Scary though they will inevitably be to begin with, they really are a good opportunity to challenge yourself and what you’ve learned; it’s best to think of them as conversations rather than as tests. The course

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s someone who nearly opted out of the Oxford dream before even applying (there was a distressing Open Morning experience involving the Covered Market butchers and twenty gutted fallow deer), and given that I eventually chose my college on the basis that there was a black cat in the quad, it’s safe to say I sort of fell into this course. However, if you’re one of those people who lives to read and knows that they have to study literature and language to degree lev-

is pretty flexible, notably in your third year when you’ll get to choose specialist subjects and authors, and can elect to write an optional thesis if there’s something you’re especially interested in. Oxford’s libraries being what they are, you’re in the best position possible when it comes to researching something like this. Finally, lots of people seem to worry about

el, then you can probably embark upon the rather grand sounding “English at Oxford” with a little more confidence than I did. Over the last two years I’ve really warmed to both the city and the course. The onus to learn is placed squarely on your shoulders which is much more liberating than being spoon-fed through your degree, and tutorials, far from being the terrifying ordeals you’d expect, genuinely are enjoyable chances to test out your own ideas.

taking Old English in your first year. Don’t. It’s much more accessible (and enjoyable) than you’d think and even if you really hate it, these days you can always memorise a few line of Beowulf and fool your friends into thinking you’re fluent in Elvish.

It’s also possible to study English and Modern Languages as a joint honours course – see the Modern Languages page for more information.

Applying What you need to study: English Language or Literature at A-level Col l eges not offeri ng t hi s subj ect : Queen’s

Studying a language can be helpful in areas of the course, as well as having studied History.

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132

Experimental Psychology

Experimental

Psychology South Parks Road, OX1 3UD

+44 (0)1865 271444

nfortunately, studying psychology carries a terrible curse: every single person you meet will either 1) ask you if you can read their mind, or 2) suggest that you psychoanalyse them because they’re “really mental”. Fear not though, because the experience of studying Experimental Psychology at Oxford more than makes up for this slight annoyance. The first thing that you might notice that

Stefano Belli

Third year, Queens College “I dropped both Biology and Maths like horrible weighty stones after GCSEs.”

www.psy.ox.ac.uk

This may seem a bit daunting at first (especially when your neurophysiology lecturer shows you a picture of a microscopic roll of protein and tells you that it’s the basis of every single thought and feeling you’ve ever experienced), but it’s a really excellent way of making you think about what you’re studying: evaluating everything as you go along and taking nothing for granted (like the Matrix. But without that guy from Bill

Courses

onsidering I dropped both Biology and Maths like horrible weighty stones after GCSEs, I was a little nervous when Oxford told me they would make up two thirds of what I would be studying for the next six months. Fortunately my fears were unfounded when it turned out that most people were in the same boat, and the first two terms of the Oxford course are basically to get everyone up to standard and make sure that

you are well and truly ready for the cheekily eclectic world of Psychology. Though the course here is admittedly heavily scientific and you get a fair few glowers if you ever mention Freud or Jung in tutorials (as I discovered the hard way), most of the work is essay-based and all the tutors encourage you to really get involved with evaluating the material you’re covering and come up with new ideas.

Every single person you meet

will either 1) ask if you can read their mind, or 2) suggest that you psychoanalyse them

sets this course apart from other universities is that curious word “experimental” tacked onto the front. Far from anything sinister involving putting people in boxes full of snakes and electrocuting them until they say they hate their mother, what this means is that Oxford treats psychology as a scientific discipline and as such puts a great deal of emphasis on studying, criticising and formulating experiments.

and Ted). Accordingly, the University suggests that you take some sort of science at Alevel and while this isn’t essential, it will probably be very helpful. Psychology, Biology and Maths should basically cover any background you could want for first year work, but in all honesty, psychology stu-

dents come from so many different backgrounds of subjects that you shouldn’t worry too much about your A-level choices. The course structure also takes the wide range of applicants into account, meaning that your first “year” is really a two-term crash course in psychology, neurophysiology and statistics geared towards sitting first year exams known as Prelims. Though this means that your exams this year are a term earlier than pretty much any other subject, it does afford an entirely examfree summer term, during which time you can

press your nose against library windows and leer at all the suckers who didn’t take psychology. After Prelims, there are three terms of the “Part I” course, which focuses exclusively on Psychology in all its wonderful forms, from social to perceptual, ending once again in exams just before summer term. The final four terms of the course are taken up with “Part II”, which allows for more focus on whatever specific areas you’re interested in, as well designing and running your own research project.

Applying What you should study: A science subject at A-level Col l eges not offeri ng t hi s subj ect : Exeter, Keble, Lincoln, Mansfield, Merton, St. Peter’s, Trinity

While Psychology students at Oxford tend to come from many different academic backgrounds, the Department strongly recommends studying at least one Science subject at A-level. Psychology, Biology and Maths would give you an ideal basis.

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134

Fine Art

Fine Art High Street, OX1 4BG

+44 (0)1865 276940

hinking this could be the dossy way to get an Oxford degree? Forget it. The course is identical to other BA Fine Arts courses in terms of the amount of time, motivation, and commitment demanded. Competition for places is fierce and applicants have to be fairly organised to have amassed a portfolio of work early enough in their foundation course or A-levels to make

Sean McManus

Now graduated, Pembroke College

www.ruskin-sch.ox.ac.uk

dents do all their work within the School. Your college will, however, provide you with accommodation and a materials grant, while the Oxford University reputation gains you access to otherwise closed parts of most museums and art galleries. Most colleges only accept one or two Fine Artists per year, which can make you something of a celebrity. You’ll have vir-

Courses

“I’m consistently surprised by how little the people conform to the stereotype I used to have in my head”

found the “double life” scenario to be pretty accurate; the distinction between college friends and subject mates did seem more pronounced as a Fine Art student. But at the end of the day, I met some fantastic people through both avenues and I wouldn’t trade my experience for anything.

I really love Oxford, both as a university and a place to live. I’m consistently impressed by how active it is – there’s so much stuff going on for a city that’s physically not very big – and always surprised by how little the people conform to the stereotype I used to have in my head.

You’ll end up leading a double

life, mixing with people from the Ruskin during the day and having another social life back at college

the deadlines. The interview procedure isn’t too daunting, though, as long as you are comfortable talking about your own work (most artists’ favourite subject) with four or five of the Ruskin’s least scary tutors. The Ruskin School of Fine Art and Drawing is a department of the University. While students studying other courses will attend tutorials within their college, Fine Art stu-

tually no contact with your college during the day, which you spend either at the Ruskin (which is on the High Street) or in the workshops. You might end up feeling as if you’re leading a “double life”, mixing with people from the Ruskin during the day and having another social life back at college – but this is no bad thing.

Most students work hardest on their studio work, and meet regularly with visiting tutors and artists who are always on hand around the studios, working part-time while they pursue their own careers. There is room for experimentation in the first year, and in fact the beauty of this course is that you never need specialise if you do not want to. It is possible to work in all three areas – painting, printing and sculpture – up until the third year and mixing two disciplines is very popular. The Ruskin school itself is relatively small, with about twenty people in each year, but this is beneficial in many ways. The school

has many practical advantages – large working spaces, good tutors, a lot of visiting tutors, places to exhibit, college assistance and of course many galleries to visit in Oxford and nearby London. The school has a friendly atmosphere and no particular style. In fact, the emphasis is more on the individual to develop their own style, so everyone produces very different work and there’s less antagonistic competition.

Applying What you should study: No formal requirements

You don’t need to study Art at A-level, but it’s recommended that you do, along with an unrelated

Col l eges not offeri ng t hi s subj ect :

subject for depth of scope. Studying English may

Corpus Christi, Harris Manchester, Hertford, Jesus, Keble, Lincoln, Mansfield, Merton, Oriel, Queen’s, St Peter’s, Somerville, Trinity, Wadham

also be helpful.

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136

Geography

Geography South Parks Road, OX1 3QY

+44 (0)1865 285070

he emphasis at Oxford is very much on independent learning, so rather than being frog-marched around on field trips with clipboards, you’re given information and left to explore and discover things by yourself. People study Geography from a wide range of academic backgrounds, almost any of which can be useful; for example, Biology can be helpful in studying Ecology, Maths helps with Sta-

www.geog.ox.ac.uk

tistics while English makes it easier to plan and structure your essays. A-level work is often covered again in more depth and detail and no particular combination of subjects at school will put you at a disadvantage. Depending on your college and the arrangement of your course you can expect one or two tutorials a week, with one essay set for each, and around ten hours of weekly lectures in your first year. Most of the after-

noons are left free with the exception of one, usually dedicated to a practical class in mapping or statistics. This places the onus firmly on you to structure your workload and allows you to study at whatever times suit you best. Tutors within the Department are at the very top of their field with consistently excellent levels of teaching, and are willing to go out of their way to help you develop both academically and personally within your degree.

Courses

raphy”, “Social Segregation” and ecology. After first year, you continue to study core options that provide a solid base for your degree, but the lecture load falls considerably, so you have more scope for wider reading and a chance to develop your own preferences and specialities. You expand on this by undertaking a dissertation in the summer between your second and third years. Many students choose to

Paris, Nepal, Mexico and

China are just a few of the places visited by Geography students as part of their research The first year covers a broad range of both physical and human geography, which makes the workload particularly varied. This also includes studies on ideas within geography based around famous theorists in the subject and the chance to explore spaces in science, which involves museum trips both within and around Oxford. The second and third years allow you to specialise further by selecting an option to be studied each year, and can include anything from “Spaces of Capitalism” to “Forensic Geog-

go abroad for their research, which is an excellent opportunity to get your hands on a University travel grant and experience a new culture. Paris, Nepal, Mexico and China are just a few of the places visited by Geography students as part of their research, and many find they learn more writing their dissertation than at any other time in their degree.

Applying What you need to study: No formal requirements Col l eges not offeri ng t hi s subj ect : Balliol, Corpus Christi, Exeter, LMH, Lincoln, Magdalen, New, Oriel, Pembroke, Queen’s, St Hugh’s, Somerville, Trinity, Wadham

Though the course doesn’t have any official entry requirements, the University recommends studying Geography at A-level.

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History

History (Modern) Broad Street, OX1 3BD

+44 (0)1865 277256

hile it may be one of the most established courses at one of the world’s oldest universities, History at Oxford is far from stuck in the past. The faculty leans on its traditional strengths of British and European history, with a wide variety of options and a huge pool of tutor expertise in both, but increasingly popular extra-European options are well taught too. Lecturers are often at the cutting edge of research in their fields, and the library re-

Jon Griffiths

Second year, Magdalen College

www.history.ox.ac.uk

undergraduate. You have the opportunity to cross disciplines into economics, politics, philosophy, foreign languages and classics within a historical context, and specialise from day one within the broad parameters of your modules. This is a custom-made degree and you bring your interests to the course, a fact reflected in the entry requirements: while A-level History is recommended, it’s not a prerequisite, nor is any particular subject. Much more important

Courses

“I’m able to research and write my essays when it suits me”

s a historian, my schedule revolves around me. There are a few hours of lectures and tutorials to fit in each week, but I’m able to research and write my essays when it suits me. I can squeeze the week’s work in to allow a free weekend, choose not to lift a finger outside the 9 to 5 if I have evening plans, or write an essay overnight on a busy day. The best thing about History at Oxford is how much you can customise your studies.

In my first year, I’ve wrestled with a core text in Spanish, passionately debated the ethics of military conquest and analysed the sparks of revolution in Brazil, Belgium and Boston. While some subjects see compulsory lectures, classes, and modules galore, I may go my entire degree without crossing paths with some of my fellow Historians if our interests dictate it. For me, this ensures that I’ll never tire of my subject.

Historians enjoy a dubious

reputation in Oxford as the laziest students in the University

sources eliminate the need to buy the vast majority of books. The course is split into Prelims and Finals: Prelims take place in the first year, while subsequent modules are examined in the thirdyear Finals exams. These comprise the bulk of your degree, with the exception of the thesis, a 12,000 word essay based on original research and offering a unique depth of study for an

is an enthusiasm for History. Historians enjoy a dubious reputation in Oxford as the laziest students in the University, if not the world. Certainly our accusers have some justification: we have fewer lectures than most arts students and one or two tutorials a week, while envious scientists can spend days in labs and classes. However, the relative lack of timetabled study is slightly mis-

leading. History is a self-motivated subject, and you will need to put in the reading hours in order to write your essays and hold your own in tutorials. Tutorials are wonderfully individual, but a great way to learn, whatever your tutor’s approach. In one, a tutor’s grilling may ruthlessly expose an essay’s shortcomings, while another might be more of a casual chat than “teaching” as you know it. The pleasure you derive from tutorials also depends upon your tute partner (normally tutorials are attended in pairs) – ideally clever

enough to answer the questions you’d rather not, but not so smart that they show you up! History at Oxford undeniably demands a great deal of dedication and self-motivation. But the well-organised historian has ample opportunity to balance extra-curricular activities alongside their studies, and its individuality combined with the quality of teaching makes the Oxford History course a truly unique experience.

Applying What you need to study: No formal requirements Col l eges not offeri ng t hi s subj ect : Harris Manchester

Though not strictly a course requirement, studying History at A-level is recommended.

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History Joint Schools

History

Courses

j o i n t schools

History (Ancient and Modern)

ike Modern History but broader. The comparative element is relatively small and Ancient and Modern History are two very different things indeed, requiring radically different approaches. There are basically three ways to do this course: choose all your options very close together and do the late Roman Ancient papers and the earliest Modern papers; have dis-

probably not the course for you. Tutorials take up only a couple of hours a week and are a forum for discussion and consolidation. Classes will continue to take over more of this time, too. Lectures are entirely optional and a source of interesting perspective, rather than bread-and-butter learning. The vast majority of your work

Ancient and Modern History are two

very different things indeed, requiring radically different approaches

crete Ancient and Modern areas of interest (like the Athenian Empire in the fifth century BC and the British empire in the eighteenth century AD – this obviously lends itself to a comparative approach really easily); or do as much Ancient History as possible. If you want to do mostly Modern History, with a bit of ancient for purposes of illumination, this is

time will be in self-directed study, with only a long reading list and the pressing need to produce an essay for that week’s tutorial. This can be difficult at first, but you’re given a lot of leeway to get it wrong. You should come to enjoy the freedom and exercise of independent thought it allows you.

History and Economics

istory and Economics is the ultimate wide-ranging social studies course. It looks at societies at every stage in their development, from the “birth of a nation” to modern state, sometimes peering in closely to study the individuals acts of great historical figures, sometimes taking a bird’s eye view of how entire societies are shaped by economic theory. But the course offers more than diversity and social studies. “Bridge papers” in social and economic history help integrate what you learn in the specialist history or economics papers, and you quickly find yourself applying knowledge across subject boundaries. The

course also leaves plenty of room for pursuing individual interests. You can choose one or two further subjects from a choice of almost 50 papers and write a thesis on any subject you like. Because there are no labs, and just three lectures a week, there’s a lot of flexibility when it comes to working hours – you’ll have three essays a fortnight, but you can work when it suits you, not some lecturer. There is also a social element to the course: because you share papers with more people than anyone in Oxford – History, PPE and E&M, 700 people in total – you meet lots of new people each term.

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History Joint Schools

History

j o i n t schools

History and English

perfectly acceptable reason for choosing to study History and English might be that you simply can’t choose between the two. A slightly more UCAS form-orientated one might be a love of finding links between the two subjects and using knowledge from one to help with and broaden your work in another. But why do History and English here

them, other courses might seem just as attractive. What’s different about Oxford is its comparative approach, which means that in the second and third year you get to look at things like “Literature and the Public in England, 1350–1430”, “Religion and Literature in Early Modern England” or “Mapping New Territories, 1770–1830”. How about that?

A perfectly acceptable reason for choosing

to study History and English might be that you simply can’t choose between the two

in Oxford? First of all, there are bridge papers. Very few other universities (plenty of which offer a course called “History and English”) include papers that allow you to use your knowledge from both disciplines at once. If you just fancy looking at the two subject areas separately, without any overlapping between

Courses

Then there are tutorials to think about. For History and English, the tutor in one subject is often also scarily knowledgeable in the other, and if they know you’re studying both, they might even let you skew your essay title towards a more interdisciplinary approach. Fun!

History and Modern Languages

he modern languages course in Oxford focuses quite heavily on literature, which takes up far more of your time than the language work. Though there’s a prominent language element to the course – you’ll be expected to do a couple of translations a week – writing literature essays will take up most of your time. The History side of the course is by far the more flexible; the General History option alone comprises 14 different period papers. The two subjects don’t always automatically complement each other, though there are certain papers that enhance the link between the two. The Bridge Paper, a compul-

sory one, assesses the role of literature within a particular historical period and can be an incredibly rewarding project. Other optional papers that can compliment your language include the Special Subjects, which are heavily document based – the documents for many of the papers are predominantly in the language you are studying. College tutors tend to cover most of your tutorials for the literature period paper, so you’ll have quite a lot of contact with them. Translation classes will invariably be with a native speaker, which will give you a chance to brush up on your spoken language for the invaluable year abroad.

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History and Politics

History Politics & Broad Street, OX1 3BD

www.history.ox.ac.uk

tudying History and Politics is a great way of combining an interest in current affairs with a broader interest in how past events have helped to shape the world in which we live. If this is the kind of thing that gets you excited then there’s nowhere better than Oxford to study it.

j o i n t schools

Natasha Zitcer

Now graduated, Merton college

“Looking back I’d never have studied anything else”

www.politics.ox.ac.uk

allow you to better understand its current political situation. The two subjects offer you a huge range of options, allowing you to study a seemingly infinite number of different topics. You can, for example, quite easily study Medieval European history alongside contemporary political institu-

A knowledge of current

affairs is generally

Courses

’ve loved doing History and Politics at Oxford. While there have been times when I wished I had the timetable of a straight Historian, and times when I wished the Politics faculty realised that people other than PPEists study their subject, looking back I’d never have studied anything else. You get so much choice over what you study in both disciplines that you can really follow your interests – whether that involves focusing on one area or studying totally diverse topics. I’ve gone for the lat-

ter and really enjoyed it, though my modules didn’t really fit together at all. As a joint honours student you get a lot of control over your own schedule so you can easily fit studying in around all the other things you want to do at uni. The downside of this is that if you’re not proactive, the coordination between the two sides of your degree can break down somewhat. But getting to really debate and discuss issues with the leading people in the field more than makes up for any downsides!

considered to be essential The History Faculty and the Politics Department are undoubtedly both world class and provide you with the best possible resources and tutors you could want. Studying both History and Politics together allows you to broaden and deepen your learning experience; for instance, knowledge of the historical context of a country will certainly

tions in the UK and US. Organising the way in which History and Politics is taught can sometimes be a bit of a problem and joint school students inevitably seem to end up having more work to do than those doing straight History. However, the workload will balance itself out over the duration of the course and if you find yourself doing two essays a week

one term chances are the next one will be a lot lighter. The application process is very similar to that of History, and A-level Politics is not necessary at all. At interview you’ll probably have at least one History and one Politics interview, and a knowledge of current affairs is generally considered to be essential. You won’t be expected to know everything that’s going on in the world in huge depth, but it’s advisable to get into the

habit of reading a daily newspaper or a current affairs magazine anyway. History and Politics may be harder work than straight History, but don’t let that put you off: the perspective you get from having tutorials with such a wide range of experts makes it worth it. If History and Politics is what you want to study, just go for it.

Applying What you need to study: No formal requirements

Though not strictly a course requirement, studying History at A-level is recommended, and various

Col l eges not offeri ng t hi s subj ect :

subjects could be helpful including Sociology,

Oriel, Somerville

Politics and Government and Politics

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146

History of Art

History of Art St Ebbe’s, OX1 1PT

+44 (0)1865 286830

istory of Art is the newest and also the smallest department in the University, taking only ten students per year, and as such has lots of energy and liveliness. A somewhat offbeat subject, it’s tightly focused in its discussion of visual objects yet

Claire Berthet

Second year, St Catherine’s

www.hoa.ox.ac.uk

Museum, making full use of the University’s amazing resources. What’s more, the tutors are very committed and supportive. For the first year you’ll take two core courses (“Antiquity after Antiquity” and “Approaches to Visual Culture in World Art”), which will give you a firm foundation, serv-

With a high degree of independence, you’ll

you’ll explore and develop your interests establishing your voice as an art

Courses

“I was slightly apprehensive, having crossed an ocean and traveled thousands of miles from home”

was slightly apprehensive on arriving in Oxford, having crossed an ocean and traveled thousands of miles from home to arrive for my Freshers’ Week. My fears evaporated quickly, though – the tutors were lovely, offering fantastic support and guidance, whether sending a postcard wishing good luck on exams or organizing field trips to London, and in such a small department, I quickly became close friends with the others doing my course. We often made trips to

London to see key exhibitions. The workload is difficult rather than unmanageable. The challenge lies not in the sheer amount of work required, but in the unusual amount of independence and autonomy you’re afforded. Rather than being bogged down by loads of lectures, tutorials and labs, you have little classroom time and much of the course is based on independent study, reading in preparation for tutorials, and writing weekly essays.

historian in an environment that’s personal yet encompasses the entire University and beyond

still extremely expansive in its approaches, and the course structure acknowledges this in an innovative way. It provides a broaderbased art historical background than the same course at other universities, and draws upon the expertise of more than one faculty such as History, Classics, Modern Languages and Fine Art, as well as curators from the Ashmolean

ing to both broaden and deepen the ways in which you might approach and analyse visual material from a broad range of periods and cultures. You’ll also familiarize yourself with key art historical texts and authors. Two further modules (in which you’ll have an element of choice and the opportunity to study a subject in greater depth) complete the first

year’s work: an option on classical art, in which you may choose to pursue either “Greek Vases”, “Greek Sculpture” or “Roman Architecture”, and an independent, albeit supervised, extended essay on an object or image in Oxford. In the second year, you take another core course as well as three additional modules, each taken in a distinct subject area (“Western Art”, “Classical, Pre-Modern or Non-Western”, and “Modern”). Finally, the third year is composed of a “special subject”, studied quite intensively, and the production of a piece of advanced indepen-

dent research in the form of a thesis. So over the course of your degree you’ll deeply explore a broad range of material, yet also be exposed to a huge variety of intellectual interpretations and perspectives – from artists to archaeologists, linguists and historians. With a high degree of independence, you’ll explore and develop your interests, establishing your voice as an art historian in an environment that’s personal yet encompasses the entire University and beyond.

Applying What you need to study: A subject involving essay writing Col l eges not offeri ng t hi s subj ect : Only offered by Christ Church, Harris Manchester, St Catherine’s, St John’s, St Peter’s, Wadham, Worcester

It would be helpful (but not required) to study one or more of History, Art, History of Art, English or a foreign language to A-level.

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Human Sciences

Human Sciences 58a Banbury Road, OX2 6QS

+44 (0)1865 274702

uman Sciences at Oxford gives you the opportunity to combine topics from both the arts and the sciences. Your tutor will inevitably claim that the key advantage of this aspect is that it gives “a broad academic perspective” but really, the main advantage is clearly that whenever the whole “arts” versus “sciences” debate arises in the pub, you just can’t lose. What more could you want from a degree? On a more serious note, Human Sciences

Courses

Jo Measham

Now graduated, Exeter College

“One student did their dissertation on how science might explain the plight of Cindarella”

www.human-sciences.ox.ac.uk

third years, when there’ll be the chance to focus your work a bit more on areas that specifically interest you. The five papers in the first year are “The Biology of Organisms Including Humans” (physiology, ecology and hominid evolution); “Genetics and Evolution”; “Society, Culture and Environment” (cultural anthropology and human geography); “Sociology and Demography” (studying human populations) and “Quantitative Methods for the Human Sciences” (statistics, basically).

Whenever the whole “arts” versus

uman Sciences was an obvious choice for me, mostly because I had no idea what to study at university. Enjoying each of my A-level subjects (Biology, Chemistry and Geography) equally, I was thrilled when I found a course that took a more holistic approach to science. As a comparatively small course with a reasonably heavy lecture load, you get to know your course mates better than with many other subjects, and time-management skills quickly improve leaving you more time for hobbies and socialising. I particularly enjoyed my third year, during which I spent several months researching and writing a dis-

sertation. As the course spans so many domains, your dissertation options are vast; one student did theirs on “The Dog: Man’s Best Friend” and another on how science might explain the plight of Cinderella! I would recommend the course to anyone with an interest in any of the component subjects who’d like to study it within a broader context. For those thinking of applying, I’d suggest keeping an eye out in the media for stories related to the Human Sciences. There are hundreds every day, from discoveries of human ancestors to the impending pensions crisis, illustrating the relevance and diversity of this course.

“science” debate arises in the pub, you just can’t lose. What more could you want from a degree? is one of few courses offered at any university to combine elements of anthropology, genetics, geography, sociology, ecology, statistics and (phew) evolutionary studies. In the first year, you’ll take five core papers which basically provide a foundation for the second and

At the end of the first year there are exams in each of these papers. In the second year you’ll take another five core subjects (which, to the relief of many, don’t include statistics) and start researching your dissertation, which can be on any topic that you’ve found of par-

ticular interest. You then move into your final year where you complete your dissertation and do two option papers, choosing from a selection including topics as diverse as Japanese anthropology, health and disease, the psychology of mental health problems, and further statistical methods. Overall, Human Sciences is a great choice if you can’t decide between doing an art or a science. If you’re thinking about applying, Maths and Biology are useful although not required,

and it’s good to have a mix of arts and science A-levels or equivalent. If you succeed, you’ll get to meet loads of people from within and beyond your subject group and have flexibility within the course structure to look more closely at areas that are of particular interest. And when you finish, there are a whole host of available options; many go on to further specialise in medicine, genetics or the social sciences.

Applying What you need to study: No formal requirements Col l eges not offeri ng t hi s subj ect : Balliol, Brasenose, Christ Church, Corpus Christi, Exeter, Keble, Lincoln, Merton, Oriel, Queen’s, St Anne’s, St Edmund Hall, Trinity, University

Though not official requirements, Biology and Maths could be helpful in parts of this course.

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Law

Law St Cross Road, OX1 3UL

Joe Shepherd

Third year, St Peter’s College

+44 (0)1865 271490

hallenging, demanding, difficult – sure. But what else would you expect from doing a Law degree? Anywhere? And it’s definitely worth it. An extremely interesting and stimulating course, you examine rules to discover principles, and are presented with complex problems that you have to pick apart and work through. If you like wading through

Courses

“If you like the idea of having your views and thoughts regularly tested then Law at Oxford may be for you”

www.law.ox.ac.uk

necessarily directed at the practical aspects that you might need in order to be a solicitor or barrister. You will study the philosophy of law, or, as it is known in Oxford speak, Jurisprudence. This poses questions about law itself – for example, must a law be just to be valid? There are plenty of other options to choose from as well. Much of the course, then, is based around pinpoint-

hile studying Law at any top university will equip you with the groundwork for a career in Law, Oxford does has something extra to offer. I found that the combination of small group tutorials and working with the top academics in the world breathed life and enjoyment into a subject that could otherwise, to the outside world, be pretty dull. Thanks to the collegiate system, I became friends with the Law students in my college incredibly

quickly and so there was always somebody to turn to for help. The workload is often intense, but once you learn how to manage your time, there’s nothing stopping you getting involved in all aspects of college and university life. If you like the idea of having your views and thoughts thoroughly and regularly tested, with personal academic attention that can’t be matched anywhere else, then Law at Oxford may be for you.

The Law Society provides plenty of party

opportunities funded by, you guessed it, law firms and barristers’ chambers

a mass of paper to find the key issues, or have an eye for detail, you’ll find this subject totally absorbing. Equally, if you want to work out the rules that underpin so much of our lives, you’ll have a ball (and a unique insight into how society ticks). The course is based around studying what law is and how it operates, and not

ing the defects of current law, and defending or criticising it as you see fit. Teaching generally consists of three tutorials every two weeks, for each of which you need to do some reading in preparation and write a short essay (1500 words). There are also some optional lectures that vary in usefulness. There is a lot of activ-

ity specifically targeted at lawyers – from the Milkround, but also the Law Society which provides plenty of party opportunities funded by, you guessed it, law firms and barristers’ chambers from the Milkround. Go along and see what they’re all about, by all means – more importantly, indulge in champagne and chocolates on a fortnightly basis for a £15 annual fee. You can combine the study of Law with the study of European Law in a four year course called “Law with Law Studies in Eu-

rope”. The third year is spent abroad studying the national law of France, Italy or German in those countries (an A-level in the relevant language is required) or international law in the Netherlands where the course is taught in English. The year abroad offers not just a great experience, but also increased job opportunities. Helpfully, if you apply for this course and are unsuccessful, you’ll still be automatically considered for the regular Law course.

Applying What you need to study: No formal requirements

Though not a course requirement, GCSE Maths comes highly recommended, and a versatile mix of

Col l eges not offeri ng t hi s subj ect :

arts and science subjects at A-level would provide

Offered by all colleges

a good background

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Materials

Materials Parks Road, OX1 3PH

+44 (0)1865 273700

aterials Science is about analysing behaviours of materials, especially metals, and devising processes to develop new materials. The first three years concentrate on the analysis, before having a chance to choose a topic of your own choice – nanotechnology for example – for the fourth year research project. Not offered as a separate subject

Materials Science offers a

clearer relevance to society than Theoretical Physics or Chemistry

in secondary schools, students are not expected to have any knowledge about Materials Science before they arrive, although a background of Physics, Chemistry and Maths is advised. Interviews usually include general questions on Physics and Chemistry, and any Materials Science questions can be solved using A-level science knowledge. Even if very specific questions are raised,

Helen Boffey

Third year, St Edmund’s Hall

“The atmosphere in lectures is relaxed and people are never afraid to ask questions”

www.materials.ox.ac.uk

it’s your argument that matters, not the final answer. The first year course is organised to provide a foundation of study. Initially, you’ll study mathematics and crystallography, followed by mechanical properties of materials. Processes used to alter properties of materials, though not alchemy, will also be studied. In the second year you’ll study

these subjects in depth, and they’ll form the four core papers tested in Finals at the end of the third year. Lectures on different advanced topics are available in third year, but you’re not obliged to attend them all. These will be tested in two advanced papers, but questions are strictly specific to different topics, and only a few must be answered. Although

Courses

would highly recommend the Materials course to anyone with an interest in the physical sciences. The course is really varied, with elements of physics, chemistry, maths and engineering. One of the best things about it is its small size, which makes it very friendly. There are about thirty students in each year group and everybody gets to know each other very quickly. The atmosphere in lectures is relaxed and people are

this course doesn’t offer option courses, there is some flexibility in the two advanced papers. In the fourth year, you undertake a one-year research project on a chosen topic, which is a taster for proper research. The Department emphasises the importance of experimental work. Two or three afternoons per fortnight are spent on practicals, with topics matching the lecture schedule. In the interest of also teaching the social relevance of Materials Science, students also go on industrial visits during the term. In practice, they’re more like picnics to materials science companies and hard not to enjoy.

never afraid to ask questions. There’s also a great department trip each year; I went to Tokyo this year and am currently planning a trip to Milan next Easter. The workload is quite heavy, but definitely manageable. Each week expect about three problems sets, each followed by a tutorial. Practicals are my favourite part of the course because they are a great opportunity to see what you’re learning put into practice.

Admitted with a rather vague idea about Materials Science, a lot of the graduates choose to pursue further studies in the subject, having made clear their fields of interest. Materials Science offers a clearer relevance to society than Theoretical Physics or Chemistry. If you’re interested in general science but have a practical mind looking to incorporate scientific knowledge into day-to-day use and processing of materials, whether in plastics or nano-technology, you’ll find yourself satisfied studying Materials Science.

Applying What you need to study: Maths, plus Physics or Chemistry A-level

The University also recommends studying another one of Physics or Chemistry at A- or AS-level,

Col l eges not offeri ng t hi s subj ect :

and suggests that Further Maths or Design and

Only offered by Corpus Christi, Queen’s, St Anne’s, St Catherine’s, St Edmund Hall, Trinity

Technology might be useful for the course.

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154

Maths

Maths St Giles’, OX1 3LB

+44 (0)1865 273525

hinking of studying Maths at Oxford? Here’s some food for thought. While arts students will spend their evenings sweating away over essays, you get to slip off for a drink with a smug grin on your face. While science students have to do complicated things in a laboratory and then fabricate their results,

Sam Williams

Third year, Merton College “Whether your emphasis lies with studying hard or partying hard, Maths is a subject that provides an opportunity for all”

www.maths.ox.ac.uk

be “really smart”. Many of them seem confused over how anyone can love a subject that, to the casual observer, seems far more foreign than studying a second language. But Maths is beautiful, and years into your degree, you’ll love it even more than when you started. Most of your time learning Maths at

Most of your time learning Maths at

Oxford is spent in lectures, where you’re subjected to a steady stream of information, usually from a man with a beard

you can sit in your snug, warm bedroom and deal with equations, which don’t break down and don’t suffer from experimental error. Maths is a hard subject to talk about. People tend to screw their faces up and make some comment about how you must

Courses

Oxford is spent in lectures, where you’re subjected to a steady stream of information, usually from a man with a beard. These tend to be pretty intense and a little overwhelming until you learn that you can copy it all down blindly and worry about what it means later.

he style and methods of learning at Oxford are substantially removed from those at A-level and although this can be unfamiliar and daunting on arrival, you’ll quickly adapt. Your tutors are very helpful and the tutorial system allows you to thoroughly explore the areas of the subject you either don’t understand or want to know more about. Maths tends to be a very flexible subject. You have several deadlines a week, so your

Maths lectures tend to be in the morning, which is annoying but does at least mean you get the afternoons free to frolic about in the sun. As well as these, you also have to answer problem sheets, which test how well you’ve understood the subject. Finally, you get two or three tutorials a week, where you and one or two other students go over the problem sheets with your tutor. Though they don’t take up much of your week, these are probably the most important part of the course: inevitably there’ll be bits of the lecture that weren’t quite clear or that you didn’t understand. In

workload is nicely divided up for you, and lectures are usually late morning, allowing you to get up late and/or play sport in the afternoons. Depending on how diligent you are (I’m not particularly), there’s usually time to pursue a fair few extracurricular activities. I’ve had time for several sports, a healthy amount of socialising and clubbing twice a week or so. Whether your emphasis lies with studying hard or partying hard, Maths is a subject that provides an opportunity for all.

tutorials you can have them explained to you by another human being, which helps things enormously. There are exams every year, but it means you get to avoid the stresses of your degree class being decided in one summer. In your second and third years, there’s a lot of choice in subjects, and even some more unusual options, for example spending a term teaching Maths once a week in a local secondary school. And though at times there can be a fair amount of work, you still find Mathematicians getting involved right across the University.

Applying What you need to study: Maths A-level Col l eges not offeri ng t hi s subj ect : Harris Manchester

You’re not required to have studied Further Maths at A-level, but the University recommends it if possible.

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Maths Joint Schools

Maths

j o i n t schools

Maths and Computer Science

iven the firm theoretical basis of the Oxford Computer Science course, this joint honours degree works really well. In fact, the first year of Computer Science and this joint school are the same, which makes switching between them easy. Combined, it’s basically all about solving

some “real” computing: a programming project that can replace one of eight finals papers. Many students see this as nearly essential as Computer Science at Oxford can seem otherwise divorced from commercial applications, to the extent that students often find themselves learning industry standard languages in their

0000 0001 0010 0011 0100 0101 0110 0111 1000 1001 problems – really, really big problems. The first year has a mathematical focus, and three of your five papers are shared with full-time mathematicians. In your second year, you can focus even more on Maths, or go the other way. The third year provides the chance to do

spare time. There’s no doubt, though, that the Oxford course provides strong foundations for this, as well as more rare skills like 3D graphics processing.

Maths & Statistics

he first year of this course is identical to Maths on its own, but the second year is more rigid. There are more compulsory papers and, like Maths, you’ll be sitting exams every year. On the other hand, your entire degree doesn’t then come down to six or seven days in June at the end of your course, which takes a lot of the pressure off. Maths and Stats has some nice benefits. You get to do your own statistics project in the fourth year, and the course is accredited by the Royal Statistics Society, a great help to those thinking of a related career.

Courses

157

158

Maths

Philosophy St Giles’, OX1 3LB

+44 (0)1865 273525

Merton Street, OX1 4JJ

Second year, New College

“Most of the Maths you did at A-level won’t be covered again, save for some dirty, dirty calculus”

www.philosophy.ox.ac.uk

curiosity and intelligence. You need an “analytical mind” but this just boils down to being able to reason well. So, admissions tutors base their choice mostly on your Maths, and assume that you’ll be able to cope with the Philosophy. What, then, is this Philosophy about?

Maths & Philosophy is a

Courses

Tom Wolff

joint schools

www.maths.ox.ac.uk

+44 (0)1865 276926

ow, you must be intense. Or so people think. Actually, few people doing Maths and Philosophy are like that at all (though many do quite like chess, it’s true). Maybe their academic enthusiasms are just too broad for even the sweeping arts/sciences distinction. It’s a tough course to choose, rather than

Maths and Philosophy

y Sixth Form, I was getting into Philosophy and was interested by the ideas and possibilities that had been opened up for me. I figured that studying it with Maths would be the perfect synthesis of the things I wanted to learn. When I applied to Oxford, I expected to be given challenging work by inspiring tutors and a year on, I can say that my expectations have certainly been fulfilled. The conversations you can have in tutes are massively rewarding. Apart from logic, the Philosophy course

is organic: you can choose your own route through the subject and write the essays that you’re most interested in. As far as Maths goes, all of what you did at A-level will be deemed “Applied Mathematics” and you won’t cover much of it again, save for some dirty, dirty calculus. Instead it’s mostly proofs, which are hard but genuinely interesting. As long as you’re prepared for a light step-up in workload from A-level, you really won’t regret choosing this course if you want to think at the highest level you can.

tough course to choose, rather than actually do

actually do. Most people can tell if they want to do Maths, but you’re not expected to have done any Philosophy yet, so how will you know if you’ll like it? You need to enjoy reading, and you need to be happy writing essays. For this reason, an arts subject of some sort to A-level helps. You also should be sensitive to subtle shades of meaning, because Philosophy is a very precise enterprise. Other than that, it’s open to anyone with a good dose of

Take the Philosophy of Maths for example: What is a number? Can we “see” numbers using intuition, like we can see trees using intuition? If so, how? And if not, how can we possibly do Maths? Questions like these are the lifeblood of Philosophy. In your first year, you’ll be introduced to the basics of Philosophy and Logic, but then the whole range of Philosophy unfolds. You’ll know by then whether you’d prefer historical papers like

Plato or Medieval Philosophy, or thematic ones like Ethics, or a mixture of both. As a Maths/ Phil student you’ll also be well-suited to more technical courses like Logic and Language or the Philosophy of Science, but equally you can bring your skills to bear on courses like Aesthetics or Political Theory. You won’t do any applied Maths, ever – a very important point to bear in mind – but as regards the balance between Maths and Philosophy, the course is fairly flexible. You’re taught through lectures combined

with tutorials, which force you to sort out your ideas, though bluffing strategies emerge equally quickly. After the first year, you have to come to terms with sitting Finals twice, over three subsequent years – but you’ll study twelve topics, including compulsory Set Theory, Mathematical Logic, Metaphysics and Philosophy of Mathematics, all of which are (to many) spasmodically painful but nonetheless probably good for you. Beyond that, you have the run of both the Maths and Philosophy syllabuses, or as much of them that you dare try.

Applying What you need to study: Maths A-level Col l eges not offeri ng t hi s subj ect : Lincoln, Oriel

You’re not required to have studied Further Maths at A-level, but the University recommends it if possible.

159

160

Medicine

Medicine South Parks Road, OX1 3PL

+44 (0)1865 221689

esponses on hearing that you study Medicine at Oxford can range from looks of fear and intimidation to “what, are you some kind of genius?”. You’ll get used to these reactions, but it’s important to realise that getting into Medicine is not as difficult as it sounds. It’s not brain surgery … yet.

Rui Ma

Third year, Merton College

“It’s not often that someone can say that the person they’re interviewing about a major new development on the news is their tutor”

www.medicine.ox.ac.uk

crucial core topics for your medical career. However, in the third year, you can choose to study from a number of topics ranging from neuroscience to genetics – flexibility that allows you to pursue an area of interest and be involved in the research side of things. The first three years of study earns you a well deserved BA in Biomedical Sci-

Responses on hearing that you study

Courses

edicine at Oxford is virtually unique – the first three years are virtually 100% science-based. While this at first may sound extremely daunting, I have enjoyed it thoroughly and can’t imagine it being taught any other way. The leading experts that give lectures and tutorials week in, week out really make the teaching at Oxford world-class. It’s not often someone can say that the person they’re interviewing about a major new development on the news is their tutor!

Contrary to popular belief, it’s not all about work at Oxford: as long as you plan your day well, you’re usually left with plenty of time to do virtually any activity you want, whether that’s something like acting, or just going out with your mates. If you’re thinking of applying, my advice is that you have to be dedicated to Medicine; you’ve got to read around the latest topics and be ready for a new and exciting challenge.

Medicine at Oxford can range from looks of fear and intimidation to “What, are you some kind of genius?”

The course is six years long, divided equally into pre-clinical and clinical, with the first three years concentrating on the underlying medical sciences. The only A-level you need is Chemistry, though Biology does help to soften the shock of all the new material you cover in the first term. In the first two years the course is set to cover all the

ences, and on completion of the clinical course – which includes the opportunity for a 3 month elective abroad – you can proudly add a further five letters to the end of your name: BM, BCh (Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery). The course also includes compulsory practicals – averaging two a week – and

seminars, where you are taught in a groups of approximately 15 by lecturers. These start early (usually about 9 am), but from early afternoon you can enjoy the day at your leisure. There’s also a chance for patient contact in Oxford via the Patient-Doctor sessions course where you and your college comrades are assigned to a local GP. Medicine at Oxford is like no other course. You’re a scientist, but have to learn about the humanity, sociology and ethics involved; you’re studying a subject, but you’re also an apprentice to a profession. Some may be put

off the Oxford course due to the intense scientific and traditional approach taken in the first 3 years, but after experiencing these ideas, many students find they wouldn’t want to study Medicine any other way or anywhere else. If there’s one great benefit to the course here it’s the fact that you get a lot of support – the medical school staff really do take an interest in your welfare. Although at first it can be quite overwhelming to think the person helping you is actually a worldwide respected expert in their subject, it’s a unique, exciting and often fun experience!

Applying What you need to study: Chemistry A-level Biology or Physics

along

with

Maths,

Col l eges not offeri ng t hi s subj ect : Harris Manchester, Mansfield

Officially there are no further recommended subjects, but it’s best to check with the admissions tutors at your college of choice if you’d like further details.

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162

Modern Languages

Modern Languages Wellington Square, OX1 2JF

+44 (0)1865 270750

he Modern Languages course at Oxford is split equally between language and literature. First year language work involves grammar and oral lessons, often with students at other colleges, and translation tutorials within your college. The literature side involves studying poetry, novels, novellas and plays in the target language, encompassing numerous literary periods and genres. Literature is undeniably a

The year abroad allows you to get to know a culture

and language intimately, making up for the comparative lack of emphasis on language work

vital part of a country’s culture and identity, and the degree lays considerable emphasis on keeping it in its cultural historical context. If you want to be taught, say, Business French, then this is probably not the course for you. Language work is still focused on literary translations, though there is a lot of emphasis on grammar work, free composition and current affairs, in what is seen as a continuation of A-level work. The year abroad in Oxford is the least

Applying What you need to study: One or more Modern Languages at A-level Co lle g e s not of f e r in g th is s u b je c t: Corpus Christi, Harris Manchester, Mansfield

Olivia Alter

Second year, New College

lthough studying French looks a lot like studying English Lit with French novels, there’s so much more: I did a module on film in my first year, for example, with famous French directors coming in to talk to us. That encouraged me to choose a few less literary topics, such as the European Cinema special subject, for the rest of my course. But not only do I love everything about my degree, I’ve also immersed myself into the Oxford music scene and spend just as much time getting involved in that – for example, I present a show on the student radio station, Oxide. Whether you’re musical, sporty, thespy or into anything at all, there’s something for you. There’s no reason why someone should go to Oxford and graduate having only ever concentrated on their degree, because to me that would feel as though I hadn’t taken advantage of all the amazing opportunities on offer. And, having nearly withdrawn my application a week before my interview, I now appreciate every minute I get here.

www.mod-langs.ox.ac.uk

structured part of the course – Oxford has few links with foreign universities in this respect, so you are essentially left to your own devices, and most students choose either to teach with the British Council or enrol at a university in a city of their choice. The year abroad allows you to get to know a culture and language intimately, making up for the comparative lack of emphasis on language work during the rest of your time in Oxford.

Entry requirements depend on the language or languages you choose – some can be studied from scratch, others can’t, but the selection process is just as rigorous. Don’t think that opting for a more unusual language will increase your chances of getting in. Interviews include aptitude tests or, if you’ve done the language already, a short grammar test, as well as informal discussions in the language and an invitation to comment on a text (in English).

Courses

European and Middle

Eastern Languages T

his course offers the chance to study two often very different languages, as well as different cultures, literary and historical traditions, art and architecture from two separate continents. In the first year, the Middle Eastern language is taught from scratch through regular, intensive language classes. The European language follows a similar pattern to the Modern Languages course. The year abroad may be taken in the second or third year and usually involves the academic year in one country and two summers in the other.

Modern Languages

and Linguistics L

inguistics is the study of language, and splits into grammar (the study of word order); phonetics (the biology and physics of speech) and general linguistics (the theory – how do we acquire language?). There are lectures, and at least one tutorial a week on both language and linguistics, not including language lessons. Although this sounds like (and in fact is) a lot, the workload isn’t overwhelming. Linguists work hard, but they are also very sociable, as their classes and lectures are at reasonable times (morning lectures, early afternoon tutorials).

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164

Music

Music St Aldate’s, OX1 1DB

Pete Horsfall

Third year, Somerville College

+44 (0)1865 276125

usic is challenging and sometimes – at worst – very difficult, but it never stretches students beyond what they are capable of learning. That’s in part because absolutely everything is taught within a system of lectures, classes and tutorials. You’re never left just to flounder in a sea of reading lists and essay

Courses

“Oxford has much to offer

www.music.ox.ac.uk

stifled. Tutorials on history and issues in the study of music history can become raucous debate sessions, where your mind is stretched to try to think of arguments and counter-arguments. In your first year, you’ll be examined in five disciplines: techniques of composition, analysis, history, keyboard skills and an op-

The tutorials assume an atmostphere

in the way of an active scene”

xford is a great place to be involved in music, with a vibrant scene which caters for both performers and listeners alike. Studying Music at Oxford has been an interesting (if not testing!) course for me, with plenty of opportunities to perform in various settings, both through University-run groups and through the eclectic scene of Oxford itself. With the Zodiac, the Holywell Music room, the Sheldonian Theatre and other

lesser known live venues like Wesley Memorial Church, you can encounter a wide array of visiting acts, from pop and rock to experimental jazz. I’ve found that Oxford has much to offer in the way of an active scene for musicians (both students and local) who are committed to promoting live music in great venues, something that might not be found in other towns much larger than Oxford.

similar to an instrumental music lesson, where creativity is nurtured and not stifled

titles. The one exception to this is in your individual instrumental or vocal performance, where you’re supposed to make independent arrangements, though the Faculty does help out with a series of masterclasses. The tutorial system works especially well for composition. The tutorials assume an atmosphere similar to an instrumental music lesson, where creativity is nurtured and not

tion from either performance, composition or an extended essay. Music students work as little or as hard as they want. It’s basically impossible to fail the course, though it’s also very hard to do exceptionally well. The final exam that you take, performance, is the only exam run by the University to which you’re allowed to bring your friends. Extracurricular activities contribute to the

success of your degree. There’s so much music going on in Oxford (see other sections for more information) that it would be difficult not to get involved in some kind of musical group while you are here. Obviously, A at Music A-level is a prerequisite for the course, and piano ability (up to about Grade 6) is helpful. Expect a minimum of two interviews, at least one at your chosen college, a very short piano sight-reading test and a five minute performance test on your first instrument. The music faculty houses an excellent selection of scores and books and CDs, and are open

to suggestions for their collection. Failing this, the Bodleian library will always have the book you’re after. At the end of it all, the flexibility of the course is the best bit. Like a visit to Sainsbury’s, you make your way around, pick up what you want, and at the end watch the contents of your trolley be examined, after which someone gives you a piece of paper telling you what you’ve gained from the experience.

Applying What you need to study:

Officially there are no further recommended

Music A-level

subjects, though studying an essay based subject

Col l eges not offeri ng t hi s subj ect : Balliol, Harris Wadham

Manchester,

Mansfield,

at A-level will give you some practice.

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166

Oriental Studies

Oriental Studies Pusey Lane, OX1 2LE

+44 (0)1865 278200

o, your horizons stretch a bit further than Europe and you want to stand out from the crowd? If you fancy something a bit different and aren’t afraid of a little hard work, then Oriental Studies could be the degree for you. Defining Oriental Studies beyond “it does what it says in the tin” is deceptively difficult. It’s actually an umbrella term for the

www.orinst.ox.ac.uk

explored though language, history, literature and culture and there are a wide range of options available which branch out into art, anthropology, archaeology, history, philosophy, religion, politics and economics. This area of academia has a long and distinguished history at Oxford and we have some of the best resources available at any academic institution for research in these fields, ranging from

Defining Oriental Studies beyond

“it does what it says on the tin” is deceptively difficult

degrees offered in Arabic, Persian and Turkish, Chinese, Japanese, Sanskrit, Egyptology and Ancient Near Eastern Studies, Jewish Studies and Hebrew Studies. In essence, all these courses involve the introduction to languages and cultures that radically differ from those in the West, looking at the traditions of the past and (in most cases) their development up to the present. This is

libraries to museum collections. With variations between each specific degree course, it’s difficult to generalise with regards to syllabus, workload, teaching methods etc (for these, get your hands on the Oriental Studies prospectus or log on to the website). In general, most programmes provide the opportunity to spend some time in the region being studied. The Arabic course,

Ancient Near Eastern Studies

Japanese

Arabic

Persian

Chinese

Sanskrit

Egyptology

Turkish

Courses

Hebrew and Jewish Studies for instance, includes a year in the Middle East while those doing Chinese will typically spend about 4 months in East Asia developing language skills. This period is nominally for studying but tends to involve a lot of fun in exotic and exciting places. It’s also a wonderful chance to get the kind of genuine insight into life in another country that backpacking can never offer, to make friends from a different culture, and to eat lots of the kind of food no takeaway could ever reproduce. As there is a strong linguistic component to all the courses offered, the demonstrable ability to pick up new languages is essential, although you need not have studied one at A-level. Depending on the specifics of the language you choose, you might find yourself studying anything from Ancient History or Archaeology through to Modern Literature, Contemporary Society or the History of Art parallel to gaining a fundamental understanding of the language. This means your course is often so wide-ranging that it feels as if you are doing more than one degree. Languages are typically taught fairly intensively during the first year. It’s hard work but

there’s a relaxed and supportive atmosphere in the language classes, which are usually led by native speakers. Another advantage of Oriental Studies is the relatively small number of students taking the degree each year (an average of 10 doing Chinese, for example, and in smaller subjects such as Sanskrit or Akkadian you may find there are only one or two students per year). This ensures a lot of individual attention rather than anonymity in the back of a lecture hall, and usually means that year groups are close-knit and supportive. Bear in mind, too, that Oriental Studies graduates have the highest employment rates of all the departments in the University and in a wide range of fields, from journalism to banking. It’s a unique skill that is viewed very favourably.

Applying What you need to study: No formal requirements

You don’t need to have studied any subjects in particular at A-level but a language would probably

Col l eges not offeri ng t hi s subj ect :

be useful, not least in helping develop your skills at

Brasenose, Jesus, Lincoln, Merton, New, Oriel, St Edmund Hall, St Peter’s, Trinity

learning new languages from scratch.

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168

PPE

Philosophy, Politics & Economics (PPE) Merton Street, OX1 4JJ +44 (0)1865 276926 Broad Street, OX1 3BD www.history.ox.ac.uk Park End Street, OX1 1HP www.sbs.ox.ac.uk

hilosophy, Politics and Economics gives you more insight into modern society than any other course. This may explain why it’s Oxford’s most popular degree. The fact that it isn’t offered by many other universities probably contributes to its popularity, as does its track

www.philosophy.ox.ac.uk www.politics.ox.ac.uk www.economics.ox.ac.uk

so on through general discussion and focusing on individual thinkers. Politics considers both theory (the ideas of democracy for example) and practice, with options available on political systems and societies from across the world. Economics looks at the behaviour of individuals, groups and countries, giving

For many years, PPE graduates

Courses

Corinne Sawers Third year, New College

“PPEists don’t all want to be Prime Minister”

eing horribly indecisive and a nut for intellectual variety, and having a curiosity about the world around me, my PPE degree suits me perfectly. The range of disciplines and choice of modules within the degree really allows you to shape a degree to your specifications, allowing you to burrow deep into Kant, explore the political landscape of Latin America, sharpen your skills for saving the world (perhaps?) with some Development Economics or, in fact, do all three. Don’t be scared of jumping into the

unknown – all three subjects were new for me when I started my first year, which provided for an exhilarating rather than nerveracking experience. Don’t be put off by the stereotypes, either: PPEists don’t all want to be Prime Minister. I spend half of my life in theatres, and the extracurricular activities of my PPE friends range from cheerleading to wine-tasting to just chilling. The greatest thing about Oxford is that both within your degree and outside of it, the choice is yours to do what you suits you best.

have become leading lights in politics, media and business

record – for many years its graduates have become leading lights in politics, media and business. As one of the broadest and most flexible courses that Oxford offers, PPE also allows you to explore the topics you find most fascinating. But what’s it all about? Though you may find yourself asking that when studying Philosophy, the topics tend to focus on the “big questions” of knowledge, ethics, mind, and

insight into what they do and why, from buying insurance, to governments making policy in the developing world. PPE consists of three different disciplines (with occasional crossovers, like Political Philosophy), rather than an integrated course. In your first year, you will study introductory modules in all three disciplines, before exams in the summer. You then pick eight different modules that you will be examined on in fi-

nals, normally over two weeks at the end of your third year. Many people choose to drop one of the three disciplines after first year, though you still graduate with a PPE degree. Despite studying three subjects, the workload is no worse than other degrees, and you will find PPEists getting involved (and often running) many of the University and college societies in their spare time. You tend to have two tutorials a week, writing an essay for each, while the eight or so lectures are optional and vary in usefulness. General application tips are to read good

newspapers and interesting books on each discipline. Maths is not required, but is really useful and worth studying to at least AS-Level or equivalent (though there are classes in the first year for everyone). Studying any of the PPE disciplines at school doesn’t necessarily offer any advantage because PPE at degree level tends to be very different. Whatever you may want to do, right up to ruling the world, PPE provides a fascinating foundation that provides an understanding of how and why the world works.

Applying What you need to study: No formal requirements Col l eges not offeri ng t hi s subj ect : Offered by all colleges

While there are No formal requirements, Maths and History may both be helpful.

169

170

Philosophy Joint Schools

Physics & Philosophy I

f you’ve ever wondered what “force” means, why everything attracts everything else, whether electrons really exist or how they came up with quarks, then this is the degree course for you. Physics and Philosophy is about not only the world and everything in it, but the weird and wonderful things people have tried to help them understand it too. The Oxford course is unique in that its world-leading Philosophy of Physics faculty is able to offer an excellent bridging course in natural Philosophy. In the first year, you’ll look

joint schools

and participate in the Philosophy of Physics research seminars. In the first three years students follow Physics with the Physicists, omitting short options, some of the applied course and the vast majority of the practical course. Physics at Oxford is highly mathematical, and Phys Phils are expected to be as fluent as their single honours peers. As for Philosophy, first year students take the PPE course, along with the formal logic paper sat by Maths and Philosophy students,

Physics and Philosophy is about not

only the world and everything in it, but the weird and wonderful things people have tried to help them understand

at the metaphysical foundations of classical mechanics via the study of Newton and Leibniz, which is followed in the second year by the study of the philosophy of relativity theory and the epistemology and practice of science. By the end of the third year’s course on quantum theory, you’ll be well equipped to attend

which most find quirkily enjoyable but by which some are driven to furious rage. Second years study Knowledge and Reality, followed by an option from the Faculty list in the third. The relative rigidity of the first three years means that by the fourth year, students are seriously literate in both disciplines and are con-

sequently free agents, able to take on whichever parts of the course most interest them – whether that means working in a lab with magnets and muons or writing a dissertation on political theory. The final year can also be spent (at no extra cost) attached to either the Physics or Philosophy department of Princeton University. Although Physics and Philosophy is perceived as one of the toughest courses in the University, students are rarely chained to their

Courses

desks. Because so little of the course is boring, the constant intellectual challenge makes the work rewarding and enjoyable, and the variety doesn’t hurt either: Phys Phils study sociology, quantum mechanics, thermodynamics, history and theory of maths, and still find time for their acting, JCR politics, music and journalism as well. If you’re really interested in either discipline, this unique course merits serious consideration.

Philosophy and Modern Languages

hilosophy and Modern Languages is an unusual joint school in that you don’t have to combine your two subjects at any time unless you want to – there is no compulsory “bridge paper”. In the first year, you divide your time equally between the two subjects. In your language, you follow the same course as people doing two Modern Languages or other joint schools, including studying a variety of literature and doing language work. In Philosophy, you do either Logic or Ethics, as well as a paper on Descartes. After your Prelim exams at the end of the first year, you can either continue to focus on both subjects equally, or do five papers in one and three in the other. You can choose to make close connections between your two subjects in the papers you take – studying a philosopher who wrote in your language to give you a deeper understanding of their original meaning, for example. However, even if you don’t do this, you are bound to find that the subjects shed plenty of light on each other, and it’s up to you to make these links. The flipside of this autonomy is that there may be a lack of communication between tutors in your different subjects, leading to an unbalanced workload and possible clashes in timetabling. However, the subject handbooks are clear and you should find your director of studies (the tutor with overall responsibility for your course) willing to take the time to go through your options. You will always have lots on the go, so if you get bored of reading a long novel, you can do a bit of formal logic or translate something into English instead. You do need to be able to keep on top of both halves of the degree; your workload will be slightly more than people who do single honours, but it’s well worth it for the variety – no two days are the same – and the new perspectives that PML offers.

171

172

Philosophy and Theology

Courses

Philosophy &

Theology

Merton Street, OX1 4JJ +44 (0)1865 276926 www.philosophy.ox.ac.uk St Giles’, OX1 3LW +44 (0)1865 270790 www.theology.ox.ac.uk

Theology at Oxford isn’t solely targeted at

those who believe … your studies challenge

joint schools

faith and provoke debate on many issues

he study of Theology at Oxford certainly isn’t solely targeted at those who believe, nor those want the facts concerning the religions they are studying. One of the best things about it is that your studies challenge faith and provoke debate on many issues. That said, if you really want to challenge orthodoxy, from religious teachings on morality to the intellectual credibility of faith in a god at all, it may be that Philosophy and Theology is more the degree for you. Studying these subjects together helps bring new insights to each. It also allows complementa-

ry developments in your analytical and logical skills, along with a huge range of specific skills, all of which are popular with graduate employers. In this subject you can analyse and criticise the claims of religion – a great opportunity to take stock of your own faith, if you are a believer, and a stimulating exercise in the application of theory for any philosopher. However, by combining the two courses, you have a huge range of flexibility of study. Your Philosophy modules can avoid religious topics, looking at individual thinkers, questions surrounding the philosophy of mind and its relation to the body, science, art and

literature. The Philosophy department in Oxford is the largest in the UK, and contains many of the leading thinkers in the world. The Theology department is smaller, but still teaches a wide range of options including non-Christian traditions. Applicants for Philosophy and Theology will be required to send in two essays and will also have to sit a written test of one hour when they come up for interview. This tests your analytical skills and you can get a specimen test from the colleges’ admissions offices. The course is very flexible, which means you have a lot of choice over when to work. Usually you’re given two essays per week, one

for Philosophy and one for Theology. Only having a week to do essays means that you need to manage your time effectively, but this doesn’t mean you need to spend all your time working! All the good points of Theology apply to this course, and the first two terms are spent on exactly the same papers, but it carries the extra rigour of additional analysis. It suits those whose interest is in doctrine and its analysis and defence, and in the philosophy of religion, rather than primarily the historical and literary aspects of the subject.

Applying What you need to study: No formal requirements Col l eges not offeri ng t hi s subj ect : Balliol, Brasenose, Corpus, Exeter, Hertford, Lincoln, Magdalen, Merton, New, St Anne’s, St Catz, SEH, St Hilda’s, St Hugh’s, Somerville, Univ, Wadham

You’re not required to have studied any particular subjects at A-level but may find it useful to have taken Religious Studies.

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174

Physics

Physics Parks Road, OX1 3PU

+44 (0)1865 272200

f all the subjects available at Oxford, Physics must be one of the most stimulating. If you can escape bed and arrive at the lecture theatre each day then you’ll have no problem keeping up. It can be fast paced at times, and at other times feel like a marathon, but there’s a real feeling of satisfaction each time you learn something new.

Camila Garbutt

Second year, New College

“Despite the work load I’ve had time to row, kickbox, act in a couple of plays and still explore Oxford’s nightlife”

www.physics.ox.ac.uk

an active contribution to the scientific community. At the end you’ll each have a bound write-up, which looks very impressive. There are two courses, and for the first two years they are identical. The first year builds on A-level work, and there’s more maths than in any other year. If maths leaves a bad taste in your mouth, then patience is rewarded later on with Special Relativity and

Some of the work actually helps with

Courses

fter spending my last two years of school throwing paint around in the Art department, I seriously doubted that I was a suitable Oxford Physics candidate at all. However, even though I’ve had to work substantially harder since I arrived, it’s been greatly enjoyable. My course is labelled “Physics” but the first year was mostly Maths, so next year I’m looking forward to more pure physics as well as being able to pick Spanish as a short option.

Despite the work load I’ve had time to row, kickbox, produce and act in a couple of plays and go to life drawing classes, and still had time afterwards to explore Oxford’s more alternative nightlife. The high academic standards required by the course means that you’ll be among some very bright and interesting minds. There’s no doubt that the course is challenging, but you’ll be rewarded with a highly respected, heavyweight degree.

cutting edge research, making an active contribution to the scientific community

Alongside lectures and tutorials there are practical labs, which can be fascinating or frustrating. Either way, it’s a great opportunity to apply what we know theoretically to the real world. If you like computing, there are plenty of computing practicals from which to choose. In your final year you’ll have a project instead – and some of the work actually helps with cutting edge research, making

Quantum Mechanics, where the real fun lies. In first year you also study Electromagnetism, Optics and a short option. There are exams at the end, but they don’t count toward your final degree; you just have to pass them. The second year is similar to the first; it’s about “pure” physics – elegant and beautiful, but ultimately not too useful in the real world. You’ll study Optics and Electromagne-

tism again. You also get to study Thermal Physics (which confuses everyone, but you’ll love it anyway) and Atomic Physics. The Quantum Mechanics might leave you a bit dazed and confused; this is perfectly natural. There are another three main exams, and a short option exam, and these ones do count so pay attention! The third year then splits into the two courses. The BA course is three years and students choose a major option, a minor option and complete a project. The MPhys course has another year with three more major options

and a short option. The subjects covered in the third year vary from Sub-Atomic Physics to Condensed Matter Physics, to Astrophysics and Cosmology, covering the inner workings of the universe from the smallest to the largest scales. Very few subjects have this much scope for specialisation! The fourth year is largely the same, but instead you choose two options from seven, giving a real chance to pursue your favourite subjects.

Applying What you need to study: Physics and Maths A-level Col l eges not offeri ng t hi s subj ect : Harris Manchester, Pembroke

It’s recommended that you include the Mechanics modules in Maths if possible. Further Maths would also be helpful.

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Physiology

Physiology South Parks Road, OX1 3QX

+44 (0)1865 272169

o many, the word “physiology” may not ring any bells and, contrary to popular belief, isn’t the same as physiotherapy, so it won’t help you deal with a sprained ankle. Physiology is essentially a human biology course. If you like Biology but aren’t so keen on plants, or are considering Medicine but aren’t so sure about the clinical side, then Physiology could be for you. Like any science degree, Physiology is versatile in terms of ca-

Rachael Houlton

Third year, University College

“The research project was really fun and has definitely inspired me – now I’m thinking about applying for a PhD”

www.dpag.ox.ac.uk

basics of neuroscience, biochemistry, Physiology and pharmacology, but once you get into your second year, what you study is completely up to you! You can choose options from Neuroscience to Psychology, Immunology to Molecular Medicine. At the end of your second year you’ll also complete a lab-based dissertation project. These can be hard work but are very enjoyable and a great opportunity to find out whether a career in research might be for

If you like Biology but aren’t so keen

Courses

thought long and hard about applying for Medicine. I wasn’t sure that I wanted to be a doctor, though, and was more interested in the science behind it. For a while I also thought of applying for a genetics or neuroscience course but I’d only really had a taste of them during A-levels and couldn’t easily choose between the two. In the end, Physiology allowed me to study both. My favourite part of the course has definitely been the practical classes – it’s great to see things with your own eyes rather than merely taking someone else’s word for it.

The research project was also really fun and has definitely inspired me: I’m now thinking about applying for a PhD! The only bad thing about the course is the small number of students – you can be the only Physiologist in your year at your college which can sometimes feel a bit lonely. However this does mean that you often get one-on-one tutition from your tutor which definitely helps you to achieve your best. We are also currently setting up an undergraduate Physiology Society to offer more support for those out on their own.

on plants, or are considering Medicine

but aren’t so sure about the clinical side, then Physiology could be for you

reer path: you can go into research, teach, do something completely different like management consultancy or, if you do decide that you want to do Medicine, then you can always apply for a graduate entry course. Even the course is full of choices. The first year is fairly rigid while you cover the

you. Teaching is lecture- and tutorial-based. During the first year, tutorials are arranged within your college but once you reach second year they’re organised centrally. This means you’ll be taught not by whichever tutor is based in your college, but rather by the

experts in whichever particular field you choose to study – quite a humbling experience. In first year there are also lots of practical classes. Aside from the research project, most people say these are the best part of the course. They do involve the use of animals, which is definitely something to consider before applying, but it’s amazing to see the concepts that you read in your textbooks actually put into action. There are usually around 20 Physiologists admitted per year so at times you can feel somewhat lost in a sea of 180 medics who’ll share

many of your lectures. However, the plus side of this is that you can easily get to know everyone in your year, which makes for a good social atmosphere. Interested? To apply for Physiological Sciences you need to take the BMAT aptitude test. This isn’t as scary as it sounds – the only scientific knowledge you’ll require is GCSE standard and the rest of it, being an aptitude test, is testing not what you know but rather how you think.

Applying What you need to study: No formal requirements Col l eges not offeri ng t hi s subj ect : Christ Church, Harris Manchester, Lincoln, Mansfield, Merton, Oriel, St Hugh’s, Wadham, Worcester

Though not officially required, the Department strongly recommends taking two or more science or Maths-based A-levels.

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PPP

Courses

Psychology, Philosophy & Physiology

joint schools

South Parks Road, OX1 3UD +44 (0)1865 271444 www.psy.ox.ac.uk Merton Street, OX1 4JJ +44 (0)1865 276926 www.philosophy.ox.ac.uk South Parks Road, OX1 3QX +44 (0)1865 272169 www.dpag.ox.ac.uk

ood at lots of subjects but interested in humans? Dabbling between the arts and the sciences? Or are you simply indecisive? PPP might be a good choice for you.

elsewhere) cover a huge range of areas. If variety is the spice of life, PPP is smoking hot: child development, social interaction, the human brain and body, ethics, knowledge and the actual nature of mind are but a few of the

If variety is the spice of life,

PPP is smoking hot

This course offers great flexibility in that students can study one, two and sometimes, in the case of hardcore masochists, all three Ps. Most people choose to study Psychology with either Physiology or Philosophy. These subjects (more details on each can be found

options available. All PPPists start with a foundation course lasting two terms, and every variation of psychologist covers the same modules with two lectures and one tutorial every week. Additional tutorials are given in Philosophy and Physiology separately, which have two lec-

tures a week relating to them. All of this hard work culminates in exams at the end of your second term called Prelims. This may seem harsh, as most other subjects’ exams are in their third term, but just think of the feeling you’ll get from punting down the river in summer term past your stressed, exam-ridden friends who mocked you in February. Once Prelims have been tackled, you start on Part I of the course. You’ll need to choose modules (five out of a possible nine), and certain combinations of modules can gain accreditation from the BPS. Examples of modules are Brain and Behaviour or Social Psychology. During your second and third years, time is divided between lectures (about six a week), tutorials (normally one or two a week) and practical classes (one or two afternoons each week). The typical PPPist

is a wholesome creature, though, usually having enough time to get involved in sports, college affairs and hanging around in the bar. There are also opportunities for research projects, including opportunities abroad, or a library dissertation. There is a written test at interview, samples of which can be found on the Department website, but tutors are trying to gauge whether you can think logically and creatively. In depth knowledge of each topic isn’t essential, but it’s a good idea to do some general reading to show interest. In conclusion, the great strength of PPP is its flexibility according to your preferences, and how it combines the interest in human minds with how and why they work as seen from different perspectives.

Applying What you need to study: No formal requirements

You’re not required to have studied any particular subjects at A-level, but the University highly

Col l eges not offeri ng t hi s subj ect :

recommends studying at least one out of Maths

Exeter, Keble, Lincoln, Mansfield, Merton, St Peter’s, Trinity

and the sciences.

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Theology

Theology St Giles’, OX1 3LW

+44 (0)1865 270790

hile Theology may sound like an old fashioned subject, it’s actually a very diverse and dynamic discipline. The course requires you to engage your historical, literary, linguistic and philosophical skills, and suits both believers and non-believers alike because the course is wholly academic in its focus. You’ll find your tutors have a wide range of opinions, as do the people you study with, which only makes the subject more interesting! Religious Studies at A-level provides a

Theology suits believers and non-

believers alike because the course is wholly academic in its focus

useful background, but is not required to study Theology. Essay based subjects like History and a basic knowledge of a foreign language are likely to help, as all first years are required to study either New Testament Greek or Hebrew (or a biblical language). However, again, neither is essential.

Jonathan Downing Third year, LMH College

www.theology.ox.ac.uk

The course at Oxford begins by focusing on Jewish/Christian religion and language. A basis in these areas allows you to explore other areas in later years. As a first year, you’ll study three papers for your first year exams at the end of the second term. All students study a language and the vast majority chose Greek, which is easier than Hebrew. Most students also study the Gospel of Mark as their second paper, but the choice for the third paper varies, with students choosing to study Genesis 1-11 and Amos;

the doctrine of Creation or papers in history and doctrine. After the first two terms there’s more choice, although the course still requires you to study one further New Testament paper, one paper on the history of Israel, one on ancient doctrine and one on modern theological thought. However, the

Courses

“Studying Theology at Oxford was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made”

heology is one of the most interesting and, surprisingly, diverse subjects Oxford offers. Throughout my three years I’ve been required to be a linguist, a historian, a sociologist, a literary critic and a philosopher! Part of the course’s appeal was the way it blends together a number of different skills in order to approach the subject of religion. The course at Oxford has a core focus on Jewish/Christian religion, with study of biblical texts being a compulsory part of the course, but the range of options is such that you have the

options are diverse: Jewish/Christian based religions; the philosophy, sociology or psychology of religion; mythology and archaeology; the nature of religion; Buddhism, Islam and Hinduism to list but a few. In your first two terms you’ll have one tutorial a week, three language classes and a few lectures. For the rest of your course there are three tutorials every two weeks and between six and eight lectures a week. Although it’s difficult to generalise, the teaching is usually

opportunity to specialise in anything you like. Oxford is fortunate in having a number of well-respected scholars within the faculty and I’ve been to lectures and tutorials which have truly revolutionised how I look at various issues within the subject. Best of all, as Theology is one of the smaller faculties in the University, it has been really easy to get to know other people who are studying alongside you in other colleges. For me, studying Theology at Oxford was one of the best decisions I have ever made: I’d recommend it to anyone.

excellent and since Theology is a small and friendly faculty, you tend to get to know many of the tutors and theologians from other colleges quite well. As Theology is an unusual subject to study, you tend to build up a rapport with other theologians and generally find that you always have something to talk about, not necessarily work-related.

Applying What you need to study: No formal requirements Col l eges not offeri ng t hi s subj ect : Christ Church, Harris Manchester, Lincoln, Mansfield, Merton, Oriel, St Hugh’s, Wadham, Worcester

There are no official requirements, but doing Religious Studies at A-level would be helpful, along with a combination of arts subjects.

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Oxford Life

oxford life out and about: things to do in oxford shopping things to do: cinemas, pubs, museums, cocktail bars

going out in oxford clubnights live music

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Shopping

xford is a mess of contradictions – simultaneously a countryside idyll and a bustling metropolis, it really does represent the best of both worlds. Students at Oxford live smack in the middle of one of Britain’s most beautiful cities, and going to the library isn’t so bad if the library in question is one of the most stunning buildings in the country. There’s also plenty of open space – whether it’s the enormous expanse of University Parks, the countryside plains of Port Meadow and Christ Church Meadow or the meticulously cultivated Botanic Gardens, Oxford is full of getaway spots.

Out and

About ...things

to do

in Oxford

But unlike other picturesque small towns, Oxford’s not just a pretty face. Apart from the fact that you can walk across it in half an hour, it’s a lot like London. That’s not as much of a contradiction as it sounds – Oxford’s city centre is just crammed with almost everything you could want plus a lot more that you never thought you would be interested in.

Oxford Life

Oxford city centre is well equipped for all your capitalist needs. As far as clothing is concerned, you’ll find all the typical high street stores within easy reach (FCUK, USC, Gap, Zara, Moss, Levi’s etc). H&M remains inexplicably absent, but an enormous Primark saves the day. Smaller boutique clothing shops come and go, and there are a handful of well-stocked vintage shops near the centre. Many places offer student discounts of at least 10%.

There are two Sainsbury’s supermarkets in the centre, a latenight Tesco on the Cowley Road to the east and a Co-Op on Walton Street further north, as well as a Marks and Spencer’s right in the middle. Oxford is practically overrun by sandwich shops and eateries. The Covered Market, a large indoor market off Cornmarket Street (the busy pedestrian high street) offers no end of sun-dried tomatoes, olives and local produce, as well high quality meat and fish.

Shopping For cerebral matters, there are renowned University booksellers, Waterstones and Blackwell’s, several Oxfams, a Borders and various antiquarian or self-consciously independent book stores (foreign film selection included). Oxford is packed with bookshops all working on the assumption that despite all the free libraries (including one of only two copyright libraries in the UK – i.e. one that has every book ever printed in it), you still might want to fork out for your own copies (or, more likely, the newest Ben Elton).

Mind and body taken care of, there is also a welter of High Street shops dealing with all the predictable needs of student life: mobile phone shops, an HMV and a Virgin directly opposite each other as well as a couple of independent vinyl outlets, and three weirdly remote video stores on the Cowley Road and in Jericho and Summertown.

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Things To Do

Pubs Oxford has more pubs than you could ever dream of shaking a stick at, from the Turf Tavern with its old, rustic charm to the Jericho Tavern’s full stage and PA setup. Try the Head of the River for a scenic drink on the Isis, or the Eagle and Child, whose past patrons include C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien. With a seemingly limitless range of styles and sizes, there’s literally a pub for everyone.

Oxford Life

Cocktail bars Cocktail bars are another thing Oxford’s certainly got enough of. Jericho, the affluent area to the north, is home to Frevd – a converted church – and the Duke of Cambridge, which serves delicious cocktails at half price before 8 pm. Raoul’s is just down the road. Merton’s Bar (not to be confused with Merton College bar) and Baby Love Bar offer a similar range of fruity delights, closer to the city centre. Thirst, only a stone’s throw away from Park End, is a cheaper alternative with DJs picking up the pace, making it a great pre-club drinks venue.

Cinemas, pubs ,

museums ,

Museums It would take most students longer than their degree course to feel as though they’d seen and done it all in Oxford – and even then, they’d probably have missed out on a few of its hidden tricks. These will probably include the museums – the Ashmolean, home to a terrific range of “stuff we nicked”, ranging from Chief Powhaten’s mantle to the steel-lined hat worn by the man who convicted Charles I of treason, or the Pitt Rivers Museum with collections of shrunken heads and totem poles from Canada. Christ Church has its own picture gallery and the Modern Art Oxford gallery is one of the most admired showcases of contemporary art in the country.

cocktail bars... Cinemas and entertainment Oxford’s cinemas cater for all tastes. Two large Odeons in the centre of town show all the new blockbusters. For those who don’t believe the hype, the Phoenix Picturehouse (along with the Ultimate Picture Palace on Cowley Road) shows a fantastic selection of contemporary art house, foreign, and classic films. It has its own café and bar, and its relaxed, more intimate atmosphere is a welcome change to the standard glaring decor and plastic popcorn. Oxford’s ice rink hosts regular ice hockey matches as well as do-it-yourself skating sessions, and there’s always paintball for anyone with a passion for shooting their friends. Theatre is particularly popular in Oxford. Beyond the thriving student drama scene, several big venues, such as the Oxford Playhouse and the New Theatre, attract many acclaimed professional productions.

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Going O u t

in Oxford O

xford’s heaving nightlife is massively disproportionate to its size. The clubs and venues attract big international names, as well as fostering a buzzing local scene that churns out up-and-coming talent at a rate of knots. While Londoners inevitably tend to see Oxford as a step down in terms of sheer number (and size) of clubs and venues, the city easily holds its own against most other epicentres of nightlife throughout the country. In any case, London itself is only an hour away!

Pop, R’n’B and mainstream If you’re into going out, you’ll more than likely find your way into your first Oxford club by the first or second night of Freshers’ Week, and it’ll more than likely fall into this category. Park End is the biggest city centre nightclub, where 1300 up-for-it Oxford students unceremoniously pile in every Wednesday to dance the night away and sing along to Chesney Hawkes. Spread over five rooms, the biggest of which has a mezzanine level, the music ranges from cheese and mainstream pop to trance anthems and hip hop, cementing its place in many an Oxford student’s heart.

Clubbing

Electronic and dance music Whether you’re into electro, breaks, drum’n’bass or something more esoteric, Oxford delivers. Big names abound – as well as showcasing local residents and up-and-coming talent, clubnights such as Eclectric (Love Bar), Slide (Carling Academy), Simple (the Bullingdon Arms) and Fresh Out The Box (the Cellar) regularly bring in the likes of Switch, Erol Alkan, Simian Mobile Disco, Annie Mac, Plump DJs, Justice, Pendulum and James Zabiela. Hit&Run at the Cellar is Oxford’s premier drum’n’bass night, which was started up (and still run) by students, but now draws in a diverse, enthusiastic crowd of town and gown alike. Even psytrance and hard dance have a good following at Baraka (the Coven II) and Republica (Carling Academy) respectively. You can count on a great night out almost any day of the week, and student societies such as Electric Collective offer discounts and detailed listings of what’s worth checking out.

Clubnights O

xford’s clubbing scene is entirely what you make of it. It’s possible to get through your entire degree listening to the Now! 40 playlist and nothing else. However, relentless cheese isn’t the only thing that Oxford can offer. For those with more particular tastes in music, the proactivity of students and locals alike has led to the proliferation of many, many alternative clubnights.

Relentless cheeseisn’t the only thing that Oxford can offer

Oxford has no shortage of mainstream clubs. A couple of other big ones to check out are the Bridge (which is a bit more classy, for those who like R’n’B, champagne and VIP areas) and Filth, both of which play host to numerous packed student nights throughout the week where college rivalries run deep. Oxford Brookes Student Union, which is absolutely huge, also runs a number of Brookes nights that Oxford students can go to. When it opens in September 2007, the Carling Academy (formerly the Zodiac) will host a vast range of events across its four rooms, playing everything from party anthems to metal gigs.

Oxford Life

Indie, rock and alternative If you’re into indie, rock or metal, fear not: those who like guitars would do well to have a look at Zoo Na Na (OUSU’s weekly indie night at Po Na Na), Big Hair (the Cellar’s alternative night with local and touring bands) and the new Carling Academy, whose clubnight roster is yet to be finalised but certain to offer a clubnight for everyone including a rock and metal night. Vertigo, the Indie Music Society’s flagship night at the Cellar, offers students a chance to get involved in booking bands, running an event and DJing at an indie night. The Cellar hosts a monthly goth night, and Narcissists at Love Bar is an electro-tinged indie mashup with fantastic cocktails.

Everything else Pages could be written on the range of entertainment that Oxford has to offer (this one only scratches the surface), but suffice to say that there’s no shortage of variety. Even the East Oxford Community Centre puts on a range of interesting, off-kilter events, from reggae nights to poetry slams. And if you still get bored of being confined to a physically smaller city, coaches to and from London run all night for only £6 return, bringing a whole world of possibilities to your doorstep.

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Live Music

Oxford Life

Big names Between its two largest venues, Oxford gets a generous share of famous touring bands. Up until recently when the Zodiac was bought out by Carling Academy, Oxford Brookes Student Union was the largest by quite a long way, with a capacity of 1200 and big promoters pulling in acts such as Idlewild, Death Cab For Cutie, Klaxons, Mogwai and the Fratellis along with the recent NME Tours (CSS, New Young Pony Club etc). However, the Zodiac, which had two rooms of around 600 and 200 capacity, is currently being expanded and will have a main room holding around a thousand when it reopens in September 2007, with acts such as the Happy Mondays, the Decemberists, Pendulum and Hadouken! already booked.

The local scene As well as being a calling point for a large proportion of touring bands, Oxford has a thriving local scene comparable to much larger cities. The variety is surprising – indie and rock are very well represented, but so are post-rock, electronica and avant-garde; indeed, very few genres go untouched by the Oxford muso collective. Pretty much all of the promoters in town offer support slots to local bands and the standard is generally high. There’s no shortage of student bands in any university, and Oxford is no exception – here, college bars and city venues alike are regularly graced by the talents of people you’ll probably know. See the Get Involved section for more information.

Mark Taylor

Third year, Hertford College

hile I’d heard of the Zodiac when I came up for interview, I didn’t have particularly high hopes for Oxford’s music scene, just because of the size of the city. Since arriving, though, I’ve discovered loads of stuff going on – there’s a gig happening practically every night, and I’ve found time to go to at least one a week the whole time I’ve been at Oxford. While I started off mostly going to see big bands at the Zodiac and Brookes, I’ve been getting more and more involved in the local scene, even putting on my own gigs now and again, and managing to persuade people to come to them. I also found it really easy to join bands, and get gigs around the city - once you start getting to know people, getting bookings is pretty straightforward.

Live music I

f you like your music live and in the flesh, you could do far worse than Oxford. Far from being all about the piano recitals and choir matins, Oxford’s (popular) music scene not only lays claim to some pretty special alumni (Radiohead, Supergrass) but also continues to spew forth new bands at an enviable rate (The Young Knives, Foals, Youthmovies). Much like its club scene, Oxford’s presence on the national gig circuit belies its small physical size – from London scenesters to international superstars, we’ve got it all.

Jazz Intimate gigs The city has a wealth of small venues with a well established place on the national gig circuit. At least four or five gigs a week happen at the Cellar, from the hottest national headliners around (Shy Child, Metronomy, Victorian English Gentlemen’s Club) to the most mediocre of student bands, as well as a diverse and authentic roster of clubnights. The Wheatsheaf is home to a similar variety of touring bands, from the poppy (Help She Can’t Swim, DARTZ!, Foals) to the post-rock (Deerhoof, 65daysofstatic). The Port Mahon is fairly tiny at about 70 capacity, but nonetheless brings in some impressive names, from the now massively hyped Los Campesinos to some of the USA’s most treasured folk talent.

The Oxford Jazz scene is slightly harder to find. Nonetheless, it’s currently thriving like never before, having recently undergone a revival of sorts. The backbone of the student scene is the University Jazz Society (www.jazzsoc.co.uk) which runs a superb weekly jam session welcoming both players and audience members. Other great venues include the Wheatsheaf, which hosts Spin, the Bullingdon Arms and Frevd (a converted church that’s now a bar, restaurant and venue). For musicians, there are several big bands who all audition following Fresher’s Fair, the Oxford University Jazz Orchestra (which runs alongside the Jazz Society), the Oxford University Big Band and the Donut Kings being the most prevalent. Whether your taste is funky latin or hardcore swing, you will definitely find something that appeals to you here.

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Get Involved

get involved W

sport

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music

198

drama

202

journalism

206

politics

21 0

hatever you’re into, there’s provision for it here in Oxford. This section includes information on getting involved in some of the more major activities: sport, music, drama, journalism and politics. That’s not all, though. There are also societies for everything you couldn’t have imagined at school – from wine tasting to gliding. One of the first events in Freshers’ Week is the Freshers’ Fair, where more than 400 societies try to sell themselves to you. They vary in size and shape but are generally well funded, which means you’ve got access to some fantastic facilities, from darkrooms with free chemicals to the fantastic Sheldonian theatre for concerts, and even a rifle range. Practically every nation, region and religion has its own society, dedicated to providing cultural events (mostly involving good food) throughout the year and a meeting point for anyone who’s homesick, or just wants to learn more. If you just can’t get enough of your subject, there are societies for almost all of them; predictably, PPE and Law are the biggest – their members love the networking. The arts, too, are very strong, whether it’s Knitting Soc or the Indie Music Society. Oxford students are big on charity and volunteering; there seems to be no limit to how weird the fundraising stunts get (Pop Idol, Beerfests, bungee jumping and parachuting are only a few examples).

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Sport

Get Involved

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S t i l l don’t believe us?

here are some

examples... Getting Involved

sport W

in…

ith 80 University sports clubs and hundreds of college teams, it’s hard to find a sport that isn’t catered for here. Not convinced? Have a look at the next few pages to see how you can get involved in any sport you like at Oxford, at any level.

university sports Sport at the University is overseen by the Sports Federation, made up of five full-time members of staff and committees filled by dozens of student sports players. Many of the clubs compete against other universities in competitions run by BUSA (British Universities Sports Assocation) and Oxford is historically placed in the top 10 sporting universities every year. Matches normally take place on Wednesday afternoons, which tend to be left free by lecturers and tutors for such a purpose. Much of the action takes place at the Iffley Road Sports Complex, where facilities include the athletics track on which Roger Bannister

ran the first sub-four minute mile, a swimming pool, a sports hall used by 23 sports, a rugby pitch and stand, a water-based astroturf pitch, 4 hard and 6 grass tennis courts, 3 squash courts, Eton and Rugby fives courts, an indoor cricket school, fencing and shooting room, a cardio and weights gym, a rowing gym and tank and a powerlifting room. A number of the sports compete less regularly and further afield, for example skiing, snowboarding and surfing. These, however, offer an opportunity to travel, and many of the regular teams also organise training camps and tours to exotic locations.

aikido american football archery athletics aussie rules badminton ballroom dancing baseball basketball boxing canoeing and kayaking caving cheerleading cricket croquet crosscountry cycling eton fives fencing floorball football gaelic football gliding golf gymnastics handball hockey ice hockey jitsu judo karate karate kds kendo korfball kung fun lacrosse lawn tennis lifesaving lightweight rowing modern pentathlon motor driving mountaineering netball orienteering pistol-shooting polo pool powerlifting rackets real tennis riding rifle shooting rowing rugby league rugby union shorinji kempo sulkido surfing swimming table tennis taekwon-do tai chi ten pin bowling trampolining triathlon ultimate frisbee underwater exploration volleyball walking waterpolo windsurfing wrestling yachting

the varsity matches For almost all the University clubs, the annual match against Cambridge University is the highlight of their sporting year. Often fiercely competitive, most Varsity matches are organised by the two clubs with one club acting as host each year, or they may be held in a neutral venue with a joint organising committee. The most famous of all varsity matches is the Boat Race, now into its 178th year. A unique event steeped in history, two factors which set the Boat Race apart are the astonishing public interest it generates worldwide and the unique international blend of youth and experience from which the rival Blue Boats are formed. The current record is 79-73 in Cambridge’s favour, with one race ending in a dead heat in 1877. Coming in a close second is the Rugby Varsity Match, which attracts crowds of up to 50,000 and is shown on Sky Sports to over a million viewers. The first was won by Oxford in 1872 and there has been a long-standing rugby tradition at Oxford ever since, not least because William Webb-Ellis, founder of the sport, was a student at Brasenose. – continued overleaf …

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Sport

– continued from overleaf

college sports

rowing

If you don’t quite have the stamina to row alongside Olympic medal winners or the time to dedicate to a rigorous training regime then college sport might be more up your street. Most colleges generally have their own sporting facilities and several teams, though some have a lot more than others (something worth checking before applying to a particular college). In the more popular sports, colleges compete in leagues over one or two terms of the year, but there are also annual “Cuppers” competitions held for everything from trampolining to orienteering. In general, training is less regular than in University-wide clubs and matches tend to be more relaxed affairs. However, those still looking to play in a competitive environment won’t be disappointed, as strong rivalries often exist between the main sporting colleges. The more relaxed attitude of college teams means that there’s a strong emphasis upon the social side of things. Teams often go out together the evening after a match or arrange “crew-dates” with other college teams.

In terms of reputation, one sport deserves a special mention – rowing. A pastime that tends to provoke a love or hate response from Oxford students, to a certain extent it’s set aside from other sports at the University, and creates its own tightknit community. Rowing at the highest level for the University requires a huge degree of commitment, both in terms of time and effort, with early morning starts almost every day. Fortunately for mere

Get Involved

alternative sports mortals, almost all of the colleges have their own boat clubs, and the huge popularity of the sport means that you’ll always be able to find a standard of boat that suits you. The highlight of the college rowing year, Summer Eights, is a hugely successful regatta run over four days towards the end of May. There are seven Men’s divisions and six Women’s, totalling 160 boats. The event attracts many spectators along the Isis, and each college boathouse becomes a hive of activity with music, drink and barbeques.

If you haven’t spent much time playing sport or simply fancy a bit of a change, Oxford is a great place to try something different. There clearly already exist a huge number of things to get involved in, but if there still isn’t anything that takes your fancy students are strongly encouraged to start up their own clubs. New sports that have been introduced within the past few years include cheerleading, ten-pin bowling, wrestling and floorball (whatever that is). Less competitive activities such yoga, dance, Pilates and tai chi have recently become increasingly popular, with a number of regular classes springing up within colleges. These have been able to attract a large number of people who previously wouldn’t have been involved in sport at university.

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within the university. . .

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university facilities

Facilities are exceptional – the Sheldonian Theatre, designed by Christopher Wren, is not just a beautiful tourist attraction but an outstanding concert space, and the Holywell Music Room is the oldest purpose built concert hall in Europe. Many colleges also have stunning chapels and auditoriums in which concerts can be held.

classical The University can lay claim to many well-established groups and orchestras. OUMS, the Oxford University Music Society, is one of the oldest societies in the University and runs several ensembles from the flagship Oxford University Orchestra to the Oxford Chamber Orchestra. There are many, many ensembles to cater for every standard and level of commitment, from the exceptionally proficient and competitive to non-auditioning groups like the Oxford Millenium Orchestra.

Getting

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ou may have had reservations about the music scene in a relatively small city like Oxford, but a large student body from the two universities (Oxford Brookes is only twenty minutes down the road), along with a rich heritage among town and gown alike in both classical and modern music, ensures that there’s always something to cater for every taste. Whether you’re keen to dive headlong into the music performance scene or just want to watch some good local gigs, you won’t have far to look.

jazz For something a bit more contemporary, JazzSoc runs a weekly open jazz jam. There are three student big bands in Oxford: OUJO (Jazz Orchestra), OUBB (Big Band) and the Donut Kings, all of which gig regularly and tour both nationally and internationally (OUBB went to India for two weeks in Easter 2007). There’s no shortage of small band jazz, mostly through students starting up their own trios and small groups, and Bossaphonik runs a fortnightly jam at the Cellar that attracts students and locals alike.

vocal college music and facilities Some colleges are hives of musical activity in their own right – many have their own choir, Magdalen has its own swing band and, of course, you can always recruit musician friends on a casual basis if ever you want to put on a small concert. If you’re planning on being active on the local or University music scene, it would be wise to try and choose a college with practice facilities: pianos are common but many colleges have dedicated practice rooms (a handful, New for example, even have a fully equipped rehearsal room for bands, with drums, amps and PA). For more information, email the relevant JCR committee member and simply ask what the college’s music facilities are like.

Vocal groups abound in Oxford. Most colleges have their own choir, and some are worldrenowned. A cappella is popular, with all-female groups (Oxford Belles, In The Pink) and allmale groups (Out Of The Blue) performing regularly at both concerts and functions. The material ranges from classic barbershop to more recent pop covers and the emphasis is generally on fun (though the standard is high). There’s an Oxford Gospel Choir, and if you’re into musicals then you won’t be disappointed, with many productions going on each term.

auditioning All the well-established University-wide ensembles have a stall at Freshers’ Fair, which is generally the best way to sign up, but most have websites too. In some cases you’ll be expected to prepare a piece for audition, sight-read on the day and sit in at a rehearsal; in others you can just turn up. Be warned that many of the best groups will consider Grade 8 or equivalent to be a prerequisite, but if you’re less experienced it’s usually not too difficult to find another group that’ll take you. – continued overleaf …

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live bands and the local scene Far from the bookish den of pompous academia that many people expect, Oxford is home to a genuinely varied and flourishing live music scene. For many students, the first point of call when it comes to getting into music at Oxford is the relevant music society. Between IMSoc (Indie Music Society), RockSoc and Electric Collective (electronic and dance music), Oxford students are remarkably active in keeping their music scene alive. Student societies are a great way to meet people who are also into music,

particularly when you’re new to Oxford, and many students make some of their best friends over the course of a term’s gigs, clubnights, Battle of the Bands competitions and regular pub crawls and music socials. Student bands are common: while an inevitable few are pretty uninspiring, a surprising number end up punching well above their weight, with some garnering praise from Lamacq and touring nationally with major acts. However, while the student music scene does thrive even on its own,

DJing Oxford’s real musical treasures lie outside the University bubble. The city is home to countless excellent bands, many of which have been catapulted to fame in recent years (Foals, the Young Knives and Youthmovies are all from Oxford, not to mention Supergrass and Radiohead). The local scene is large, active and vocal. There’s a well established and respected local fanzine called Nightshift, a tight-knit sense of community between participants and a general

sense of awareness of new bands, upcoming events and who’s who. If you want to start a band, likeminded musicians are rarely difficult to find, and there are several well-stocked music shops in or near the city centre for all your equipment needs. Thanks mostly to the number of small, independent venues in Oxford (the Cellar, the Wheatsheaf, the Port Mahon and more), there’s no shortage of places to gig, either – Oxford’s promoters are always looking for new bands to book.

If you’re into beats rather than guitars, it’s easy to get started DJing in Oxford. Bops are the lowest rung of the ladder but an easy gig to get (even if you have to play cheese classics all night). Many JCRs own the PA that they use for their bops, and you can often use the decks to practice on. If you’d rather retain some of your dignity, many of Oxford’s best-respected student clubnights (such as Hit&Run, the drum’n’bass night) run open decks before 10 pm. It’s a great, nopressure way to start playing out, but also an opportunity to impress promoters and secure repeat bookings if you’re good. Generally, student nights are the easiest way to get your foot in the door, but almost all of Oxford’s respected clubnights are willing to book new names if they like what they hear. The residents roster at most established nights will include a couple of student DJs, and often all it takes is a good mix CD and a few impressive performances. For more details on what clubnights and venues Oxford has to offer, check out the Going Out section.

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some of the

venues... venues

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drama in…

f you’re at all interested in drama, Oxford is a fantastic place to be. Here you’ll find numerous outlets for your inner drama queen, king or joker, not to mention an abundance of likeminded people who share your love of the theatre, be it a burning passion or a passing fancy. Whether you want to give tear-jerking tragedy a serious go, show off your comedic skills and make people laugh ‘til they weep, or simply watch other people doing all the above, the opportunities are endless.

getting involved

a role for everyone

It’s often possible to take part in drama at college level, but it’s most common to get involved with Universitywide productions, which means that drama is also a great way to make friends at other colleges. You can also spread your wings and experience what the city itself has to offer in terms of drama groups. Drama at Oxford harbours a friendly atmosphere and absolutely anyone can get involved. As long as you’ve got enthusiasm for it, it doesn’t really matter whether you’ve been to a high profile drama school or never acted in your life!

At least four plays are put on every week during term time and for every single one there is a hardworking, fun loving troupe of people behind the finished product. It’s not all about the acting. There’s a vast array of areas in which you can participate, including directing, producing, writing, sound, lighting, set design, stage management, marketing, poster design, photography, reviewing … the list is endless!

Given the army of shows that hits Oxford every week, it’s lucky that there’s a wealth of venues to house them. The BT (Burton Taylor Studio) is delightfully intimate, while the nearby OFS (Old Fire Station) provides a greater opportunity for stunning set design, due to its larger size. The Oxford Playhouse is the most sought-after venue since it only accepts two student productions a term and is by far the largest, grandest theatre in the city. Wadham and Keble Colleges also have popular, well-equipped theatres on site – the Moser and the O’Reilly respectively – and you don’t have to be a member of either college to use them. In the summer lots of colleges’ quads and gardens become the stages for arts festivals and garden shows, which is idyllic in bright sunshine, but rather less picturesque in the middle of a British summer monsoon!

getting the show on the road A bit of planning has to go into putting on a play, but there will almost definitely be older students at your college who can show you the ropes. Producers play an essential part in the process, as they need to assemble a bid to secure a venue for the play, sort out the budget and apply to funding bodies. College drama societies, JCRs, the Oxford University Dramatic Society (OUDS), trusts and occasionally businesses provide vital financial support. Drama societies often provide funding in the form of a pro-rata loan, in the hope that your play might not only be theatrically brilliant, but a moneymaking success too! – continued overleaf …

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the oxford university drama society An introduction to drama at Oxford wouldn’t be complete without mentioning OUDS. It costs nothing to sign up to the OUDS website at www.ouds.org and doing so acts as an easy peasy first step into the wonderful world of drama at Oxford. Once you’re a member, you can access the online jobcentre which advertises auditions for all student productions, as well as requests for directors, producers, set designers. All you have to do is turn up at an audition and cross your fingers! If at first

you don’t succeed, try and try again. Even the most hardcore thesps don’t get offered every part they audition for, though they’ll try to keep it hushhush! OUDS also organises social events and puts on its own shows, including the Summer Tour, which traditionally plays in college gardens and a selection of English stately homes over the summer holiday, and the ever-popular Japan Tour. This year it has also visited the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. The OUDS Shakespeare Festival has had great success, as

has the New Writing Festival, which showcases the best of first-time and seasoned scriptwriters at Oxford. OUDS Cuppers, a weeklong drama festival which takes place in the first term of the academic year, is perhaps the most enjoyably frenetic activity on the Oxford drama calendar. Colleges have the opportunity to put forward one or more plays to compete (on the whole in a lighthearted manner) against other colleges. The rules stipulate that all participants are first years and that the plays are short

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other drama groups (up to 30 minutes), and some turn out to be very sweet. It must be admitted that even more are rather haphazard, sometimes to hilarious and legendary effect, but everyone has an absolutely brilliant time taking part and innumerable strong bonds of friendship are formed in the process. OUDS Cuppers culminates in the annual OUDS Dinner, followed by a Cuppers awards ceremony, where winners and losers mingle cheerfully and light up the dance floor rather than the stage for a change.

In addition to OUDS, an assortment of other drama groups coexists happily in Oxford. The most notable are the ETC (Experimental Theatre Company), the Oxford Revue, the Oxford Imps and the Oxford University Light Entertainment Society (OULES). The ETC supports edgy theatre that not only thinks outside the box, but pretty much smashes it wide open. The distinguished Revue thinks up quirky sketches and comedic musical numbers, while the Imps run about frantically on stage in pursuit of improvised, interactive comedy – both groups are invariably hilarious. OULES, on the other hand, is a non-profit making group that performs for people who can’t normally travel to the theatre by taking the entertainment directly to them. As well as all of these you’ll find the University Drama Officer, the OUDS Committee and your OUDS College Rep on hand to cater for your every dramatic need. With all this to tempt you and masses of support on offer, you’ll need a pretty good reason not to get involved in drama at Oxford!

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journalism J

ournalism in Oxford is really about two things: it’s about having fun, and it’s about learning to do new things well. It’s fun because as a journalist at Oxford, you do what you enjoy: whether you’re interested in fashion photography or the history of science, someone in Oxford will publish your work. It’s about learning because Oxford offers a bigger audience and a higher standard of production than anyone had at school, and everyone wants to take advantage of these opportunities. There are also two things Oxford journalism is not about. It’s not about climbing the greasy pole, and it’s not about taking yourself too seriously. Almost always, people who get involved heavily involved in journalism at Oxford and perhaps even professionally do so because they enjoy doing it, and not for CV points. Within newspapers, and even across competing publications, there are infinitely more close friendships than personal rivalries of any sort.

The two biggest publications in Oxford are the two weekly newspapers, Cherwell and the Oxford Student (better known as the OxStu). Between them, they cover pretty much everything that goes on in Oxford. They report and comment on news events and sports matches, review gigs, films and even restaurants and art exhibitions, interview celebrities, and do features on just about anything an Oxford student can relate to. Whatever you want to write about, there’ll be a section it’s relevant for. Both these newspapers are about much more than writing articles, however. If you’re interested in sub-editing, graphic design and especially photography, or can sketch cartoons or set crosswords, expect to be recruited! Equally, if you’re interested in balancing the books or marketing the paper to potential advertisers, you can join either paper’s business team. This is particularly important at Cherwell, which, is an independent business (unlike the OxStu, which is owned by the Student Union) and therefore faces at times a more challenging financial position. The co-existence of the two newspapers is definitely a big part of their success. No one likes to get shown up, and this drives both newspapers to work hard to reach a very high standard. It also makes research more exciting, because while you research your big scoop as closely as possible, you’re also watching out so the other

side doesn’t find out about it. Though intense, it’s good-natured competition, summed up by the annual Paper Cup football match. Getting involved in these newspapers is extremely easy. They both have a hierarchy, from contributors, who turn up and ask for articles when they feel like it, through Deputy Section Editor, Section Editor and Deputy Editor. Finally, the Editors spend sixty hours a week on the paper! With a very small initial commitment that requires no previous experience, anyone can get involved. Then, as you pick up skills, you can move on to more demanding roles if you want, or carry on as you were. Editorial positions rotate termly, so opportunities come up all the time. What’s more, everyone starts at the bottom, so irrespective of seniority, student journalists remember what it’s like to start out and are usually sympathetic and helpful to people who’ve just joined. This partly explains why newspapers are often quite close-knit communities. – continued overleaf …

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magazines Followers of Grolsch’s mantra – “it’s good to wait” – will be glad to know Oxford has plenty of magazines which avoid the hectic weekly cycle of Cherwell and the OxStu. Here, you have anything from a month to a term to produce your article. With time to research in detail and painstakingly craft every sentence, some outstanding articles are produced. Students often write about particularly unusual experiences they’ve had – winning University Challenge, for example – but, because not everyone is lucky enough to have these, the editors of magazines will often come up with ideas themselves and then commission them to others. The widest circulated magazine in Oxford is Isis, a culture-themed publication that comes out each term. As can be expected for the Guardian’s student magazine of the year in 2004, Isis is a very high quality publication indeed. As well as providing a really eclectic range of features about various aspects of Oxford culture, it gets some amazing headline interviews, from Roger Federer and André 3000 to Bill Clinton and David Cameron. Other magazines include The Oxford Forum, which provides outstanding current affairs coverage, with articles penned by the likes of the Dalai Lama and Prof Jared Diamond, but submissions tend to concentrate among graduates and academics. If you’re interested in the strictly editing side of things (this includes production journalism, by the way) then this is also one to definitely head for. It’s beautiful, and seems to have a decent budget to back it up! Another successful magazine which undergraduates do get involved with is the termly Owl Journal, which prints intellectual pieces. There are many other magazines at any point in time in Oxford, coming and going along with whichever enthusiastic student launches them.

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radio Nor is journalism restricted to the written word. Oxford has had several radio stations including Oxide Radio, the relatively new student station funded by OUSU. Have you ever wished anybody a “happy lunchtime”? Have you ever interviewed the Horrors, the Fratellis or Jeremy Warmsley? Have you ever been live on radio? Going out over the internet, Oxide broadcasts live and direct from the centre of Oxford, bringing you entertainment, debating, news, sports, comedy, drama, features, competitions, gossip, DJing, turntablism and every genre of music from indie to hardcore Belgian trance. Being involved in Oxide is a unique opportunity, and the station is always looking for DJs, news presenters, producers, techies and managers to help with the running of the station. Log on to www.oxideradio.co.uk for more details.

college publications And finally – your College bogsheet, Oxford’s answer to the Sun’s Bizarre or the Mirror’s 3am Girls. Editing this is probably the most sought after journalistic position in Oxford. And distribution (backs of toilet doors, obviously) is cheap! Quite aside from the obvious attractions of making it your business to be at all the best parties and know about all the most outrageous gossip, it is a position of almighty power. As bogsheet editor, it will be up to you to decide whose shameful deeds are quickly forgotten and whose are repeated and embellished to the entire JCR, forever to remain branded on their character; and because nobody’s yet sued a college bog sheet, you enjoy a creative license almost no other journalist has.

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politics Y

ou may have noticed by this stage that Oxford students brag quite a lot about how great Oxford is. Well, you won’t find any apologies on this page. Pretty much every British Prime Minister who went to University in the postwar age was educated here. Leaders from India, Australia, Pakistan, the United States of America, Japan, Norway and many more have also taken undergraduate or graduate degrees at Oxford, and we’re damn proud of it.

Not that you have to take your politics in a statesmanlike way. From direct action, sandal-wearing, veggie anarchists right through to High Tories who believe the Divine Right of Kings was right and, by the way, the Jacobite

succession is the way forward, they all co-exist peacefully – often, they’re best friends (when they’re not stabbing each other in the back). This diversity is a result of the numerous different outlets for political activity that exist here.

For those who like their earnest policy discussions, partisan cliquery or hard drinking, there are the party political societies – a Labour Club, two Conservative Groups (the Tory Reform are more high-minded, the Conservative Association more about a good party), Liberal Democrats and a Green Party branch. There’s plenty of room to try to get to the top of the greasy pole of each of these, as well as get involved in local campaigning and national student parties. Remember, though, they’re called parties for a reason and their social calendar offers immediate comrades for life made over a series of drinks events, outings and dinners.

subject societies In that sense, the party political societies are probably more fun than the rather high-minded PPESociety, European Affairs Society, Asia Pacific Society, Hayek Society, Reform Club and Strategic Studies Group who are chiefly dedicated to providing their members with speaker and social events.

anti-whatever Anti-capitalist, anti-war and anti-everything groups proliferate in cycles, but are currently very active across the city and if necessary, can probably teach you how to occupy a building with two hundred people or scale a skyscraper to protest globalisation.

– continued overleaf …

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– continued from overleaf

JCRs If it’s representation you’re after, you’ll have at least two Unions to work with. The first is your college’s Junior Common Room, which has a range of elected posts and heated debates over issues from rent rises to whether to stock three or four kinds of tampons in the JCR shop. Sunday night meetings are usually enlivened by the provision of food and, in some colleges, booze.

The Oxford Union Then there’s the Oxford Union, a self-styled private members’ club and debating society often confused with the Oxford University Students’ Union, which it’s not. The ultimate greasy pole, it offers a President’s throne deeply indented with the buttocks of Hague and Heath. The plotting is biggest here, but then so are the rewards – a huge, elegant debating chamber, lavish social events, and big-name grown-up speakers from Matthew Perry to Madeleine Albright. Sure, it’s debating without resolution, and power without purpose, but it’s a lot of fun.

OUSU A conglomeration of JCRs, the Oxford University Student Union offers cross-campus representation for students at a University level, thereby increasing the power lure for anyone who enters. This super-union can indeed provide bulk services and entz for the city’s students, as you’ll see throughout this handbook. It also manages a range of campaigns, from Ethical Investment to Queer Rights groups who meet and, weather permitting (or if you’re hardcore, regardless), demonstrate. Every student is a member, and everyone uses its services in some way (including reading this prospectus or any of the numerous other publications it produces, from the Careers Handbook to the Living Out Guide, to welfare provision in the city).

Okay – Oxford student politicians (also known as “hacks”, also often prefaced by “dirty”, “sleazy” or something more obscene) are egotistical. You have to be in order to slap your picture on a manifesto and demand people turn up to a ballot box for you. Some of them are also really, really odd. But that’s the fun of it. You can’t tell which one, if any, will go on and do it for real (remember, a certain Mr Blair far preferred to play the drums when he was at St John’s). Many, you hope, won’t. With all else said and done, any place in the world where a radical lesbian feminist Lib Dem, a sell-out Attlee idealist wannabe, a Blairite champagne socialist loyalist, and a port-swilling aristocrat can get drunk together is the place to be.

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ethnic minorities

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international students

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lesbian, gay, bisexual & transgender

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mature students

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religion

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student parents

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women

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Disabilities

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the university disability office

students

with

disabilities Emily Crawford talks about going to Oxford with a disability

y thoughts on reading my acceptance letter for Oxford were based on feelings of euphoria and panic. Having overcome the initial fear of application and braved the looming buildings of this imposing city for interview, I was now going to have to make a life for myself in Oxford and confront all the access issues which I had pushed to the back of my mind on the basis of “I’ll never get in anyway”. Recent disability legislation states that all public bodies must actively look at ways of ensuring that disabled people are treated equally, yet it is worth remembering that Oxford (including the city, the University, and the colleges) is still a place in transition in terms of providing access to people with disabilities.

y fears of Oxford proved unfounded and you can be assured that any necessary adjustments to your interview procedure, chosen college and subject department will be made. Most colleges now have members of staff specifically employed to improve access and from my experience they have been really helpful, friendly and accommodating. The collegiate system really comes into its own here, as the small communities they embody means someone is always around to lend a hand.

The University Disability Office exists to coordinate disability support, and the staff are keen to work with students with disabilities from the moment they first think of applying to Oxford. They’re extremely knowledgeable about all forms of disability, from mobility problems to mental health issues or learning difficulties. They can help with disability assessment and disclosure, advise colleges on any adaptations that need to be made and give information on all the support and funding available, such as the Disabled Students Allowance. They publish an access guide for all the colleges and departments which gives a really good idea of which places are likely to be suitable for you, and can be contacted with any questions (or for a copy of the guide) at: The Disability Adviser University Offices, Wellington Square, Oxford, OX1 2JD 01865 280459 disability@admin.ox.ac.uk

Your tutor will be a useful point of contact when arranging classes and practicals and in overcoming any potential problems. Tutors can also arrange exam concessions, whether extra time or the use of a laptop or hearing loop. The University Computing Office provides a free Braille printing service and the vast majority of colleges have internet access in all student rooms, and often telephones as well. Many of the libraries are installed with hearing loops and have workstations on the ground floor.

More information is available at www.ousu.org and the access guide is available to download on www.admin.ox.ac.uk/access. A good place to start is by looking at newer colleges that are less likely to encounter the same problems as listed buildings if adaptations need to be made. As someone with mobility difficulties who’s already done the whole process, my best advice would be to visit some colleges and your department before applying, to see if you like the atmosphere and the city itself, and if you can adapt to the practicalities involved.

Far from my concerns that I would stand out as being different, I’ve been treated no differently to anyone else, and everyone from tutors to bouncers and shop assistants have gone out of their way to make my life easier. Oxford is such an eclectic and eccentric city that everyone is a bit different, and fitting in is just the start of what could be some of the most rewarding years of your life.

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Ethnic Minorities

Welfare

in oxford

Of course, with low numbers come problems. In Oxford, as in the rest of the world, we still find instances of both subtle and overt racism. Both Oxford University and the Oxford University Student Union (OUSU) offer many places where students can go for help and advice. In college, you can go to the Senior Common Room, or if you’d rather speak to another student, you can always approach the JCR Welfare or Equal Opportunities Officer. OUSU also has the Student Advice Service that provides confidential, impartial, and non-judgemental advice.

ethnic

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It’s worth remembering that non-white students have been studying at Oxford since the late 19th century. The first male Black African student, Pixley Seme, came to Oxford from Sierra Leone in the 1870s and the first Black female student was Aina Moore of Nigeria, who studied in the 1930s.

Many Oxford graduates from ethnic minorities have gone on to make quite a mark. John Kufuor, President of Ghana, studied at Exeter College; popular Bangladeshi-British writer, Monica Ali, studied PPE at Wadham; Somali-British journalist Rageh Omaar studied Modern History at New College and Nobel Peace Prize winner, Aung San Suu Kyi from Burma, studied PPE at St. Hugh’s. So we’re definitely making waves in the world!

And before the world, we make waves at Oxford. Make no mistake; small numbers don’t stop us from having societies for students from every corner of the world. Apart from being a great way to connect with the Oxfordians who look, act and sound a little bit more like home, they are the means by which you get to make a difference in the world through charities and volunteering, as well as sharing your culture with the rest of Oxford.

e’ll be honest: when it comes to UK nationals, Oxford has historically tended to be a pretty white place. While this is no longer entirely the case, the truth is that today there are still comparatively few British students from ethnic minorities at Oxford, but however small in number we may be, we more than make up for it in force!

n the UK, blacks, Asians and East Asians make up about 7.5% of the population (2001 UK Census). In Oxford, however, about 3% of students are black, Asian or East Asian (OUSU Anti-Racism Handbook, 2000). A lot of this has to do with extremely low application rates. In 1999, blacks, Indians and Chinese students accounted for less than 6% of applications. However, 47% of these ethnic minority applicants applied to four of Oxford’s most competitive courses (PPE, Law, E&M and Medicine). So the first step toward upping Oxford’s ethnic quotient is to apply!

Please remember that Oxford is more than just a university. It’s a city with a vibrant, colourful population of non-students. Cowley Road in particular is a hotspot for great nightclubs and bars, with roots reggae at the Bullingdon Arms, many multicultural events at the Cowley Community Centre and food from Aziz, Akash, Chopsticks, Bodrum, Tai Kong, Moya and the ever popular Hi-Lo Jamaican Eatery.

To summarise, yes, Oxford University does lag behind both in real numbers and in comparison to the national average. But there is still fun to be had, music to dance to, change to initiate, friends to meet and history to make. Our numbers are a reflection of how many people apply, not the University’s attitude to multiculturalism. So come and visit, or better yet, become a part of it all. Whatever you do at Oxford, you’ll be one of world’s finest, working at one of the world’s greatest educational institutions. Let nothing stand between you and what you can rightfully accomplish.

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Welfare

The college system is particularly helpful for international students. The small community environment, above all in your first year, helps you settle and make friends quickly. College staff are well-placed to help with any specific requirements you may have: at the most basic level, securing accommodation for some holidays if you don’t want to travel home, and allowing you to leave your possessions when you do (most colleges demand that British students clear their rooms every eight weeks. That’ll teach them to pack light).

internationals

If you also seek the company of people from your home country or region (above all, they’re an invaluable source of information on phone cards, not to mention “my mother’s sending a parcel of food next week – want her to put anything in for you?”), you’ll be pleased to know that Oxford has a wide range of international societies. They cover a staggeringly large proportion of the globe: from Australasia to Ireland, via Brazil. In fact, many of their events are legendary, whether it’s the bubble tea of the Malaysian and Singaporean Society, the Thanksgiving Dinner of the AngloAmericans, or a Norwegian-language Lutheran Christmas Service, they’re widely enjoyed by their members and their friends (the author writes this having been to all three). The European Affairs Society and the Asia Pacific Society frequently attract famous speakers from their respective regions, and increasingly rival the Oxford Union in this pulling power, membership and vicious elections.

here’s never been a better time to be an international student contemplating Oxford. If you decide to apply, you certainly won’t be alone. More than 130 nationalities are represented in the current student body – whether you’ve got the IB or SATs, you’ll be hard pressed to find a school-leavers’ qualification an Admissions Officer hasn’t considered.

ou may have heard of the University through its international reputation as an academic institution, or you may have been drawn by its reputation in less academic pursuits. Either way, you’ll find students at Oxford are friendly and open-minded, and there’ll be hundreds of opportunities for you to mix socially with British students. The only problem you’ll have to encounter is financial – international students pay higher fees than Brit-

ish nationals – but this is the same with any university in the UK. Non-EU students do have to pay a college fee in addition to the University fee, but some colleges allow you to pay in instalments, and the fee varies between colleges too. It would be wise to double check costs when applying to the University.

On a political note, the Student Union can definitely offer help to international students whether undergraduate or graduate: campaigning against visa charges and better treatment for international students in banks, for example. OUSU also promotes the profile of international students within the University. There is, of course, plenty to attract you other than stuff specifically targeted at international students: whether it’s the quintessentially British stuff like rowing (or so they’d like to think – it’s not really that British at all), taking a play to the Edinburgh festival or campaigning to Make Poverty History. Throwing yourself into student life here, you’ll find your welcome is even warmer, even if people can’t pronounce your name (this is true of anything from an American Lora to a Singaporean Yin’ng). They do try, though.

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LGBT

Welfare

more info:

www.lgbsoc.com

LGBT O

xford is one of the best places in the country to be gay, lesbian, bi, trans, questioning, curious – or anything else for that matter. The atmosphere is almost universally friendly and open-minded: your sexuality is simply not an issue for the vast majority of people here, so there’s no need to worry about not being accepted or being labelled.

ne of the nicest things about Oxford is that there’s no pressure to be involved in LGBT life (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender) if that’s not your kind of thing – but if it is, there’s a huge variety of things on offer. The University LGBTQ Society is one of the largest and most active in the country. Each week there

are drinks nights, plus ice-cream trips, pizza nights, speaker events and more. The LGBTQ Council meanwhile is involved in campaigning on queer rights issues and has regular friendly discussion meetings in pubs and cafes. Both are great ways to get to meet people.

As far as clubs and pubs go – well, OK, Oxford isn’t London, but you’ll find some decent local pubs and clubs. Three pubs, all located on the aptly named Paradise Street, comprise Oxford’s mini-Soho. They’re all fairly cheap, have copies of the main gay magazines, and get very busy before the clubs open their doors. The two biggest gay student clubnights currently run on Tuesday and Friday at Baby Love Bar and Filth respectively, and new ones crop up every year (along with many local gay nights). And if you do fancy a trip to London, it’s only an hour and £7 away by return coach – even cheaper if you go with a big group during one of the termly London trips with LGBT Soc!

You’ll also never be short on support and information. OUSU publishes an LGBTQ Handbook crammed with useful information and interesting articles. Most college common rooms have an LGBT representative who is there to offer you support and help, as well as running entz events. There are also several local charities such as the Terrence Higgins Trust, which works to help people with HIV, and promotes safer sex.

There’s simply too much to cram into one article – we haven’t even mentioned Oxford Pride or Wadham’s much-hyped Queer Bop! If you want to know any more, you can check out http://www.lgbsoc.com, or e-mail welfare@ousu.org in complete confidence with any questions or to request a copy of the LGBTQ Handbook.

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Mature Students

mature students A

“mature student” is any student over the age of 21 when they matriculate (begin studying at the University). In practice, “mature” is a term used to describe students who have “done something else” with their lives since leaving compulsory education. The result of this is that the mature student communities are rather more diverse than the bright young things in most colleges’ JCRs.

uite a few mature students come up to Oxford with partners or children and hence are unlikely to be quite so keen on that single bed-sit above the bar in college. Coupled with the fact that they generally have more life experience, the mature student community can be somewhat invisible on the college social scene and relatively undemanding of support from the University, common rooms and Student Union. This doesn’t mean, however, that their needs are ignored, and there are a number of initiatives the three above institutions have put into place that allow mature students to feel more at home. The first of these initiatives is Harris Manchester College. As Oxford’s smallest and newest college, it accepts only mature students for both undergraduate and postgraduate study. The college’s website is www.hmc.ox.ac.uk.

Welfare

Furthermore, the University is working to develop the facilities it offers to mature students. For instance, the University offers provision for childcare in terms of nurseries and childcare grants. There’s also the University Club (a relatively civilised central venue located on Mansfield Road, with free membership to graduate students) and the Newcomers Club, which runs informal coffee mornings, book clubs, museum visits etc for partners of students. OUSU, too, works to provide events for mature students and student parents, and OUSU’s officers sit on committees which deal with such issues as childcare funding, representing students’ views.

College selection can be key for mature students, even for those who are unattached. If you decide you don’t want to apply to Harris Manchester then it’s important to think carefully about accommodation. If your college expects you to go private after the first year then bear in mind that it can be difficult to find appropriate housemates. It’s also well worth noting that tutors will be looking out for applicants who can show themselves as capable to complete a pretty intensive degree. If you lack formal qualifications, the University recommends that you consider taking one or two A-levels or one of the Access courses offered by various further and higher educational institutions and specifically designed as preparation for degree work.

Overall, there is no reason why your life as an Oxford student should be vastly different from that of your average fresh-faced newcomer. The academic and social opportunities of life here really are very special indeed, and if anything, a student who has already done a bit of their growing up already and is able to bring to the experience a degree of maturity may be able to appreciate this more than most.

The general attitude of most mature students is “give it a go”. They’re here because they want to come to university and are usually more than prepared to make reasonable adjustments, firstly back to being a student, and secondly to living and working in an environment centred around younger people. Many find it a thoroughly liberating and enjoyable experience; we hope you will too.

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Religion

Welfare

islam

religion R

eligion is important to many students in Oxford. While Oxford lacks central places of worship for some major religions, there are large networks and communities of faith based groups, and student societies for almost any religion you can imagine.

christianity Christianity is well represented in Oxford. Almost all colleges have their own chapel, and the college chaplain is often a good initial contact for information regarding religion in Oxford. Your college will also have its own Christian Union, and all the college Christian Unions meet together at University level as the Oxford Inter-Collegiate Christian Union (OICCU). These groups focus on supporting Christians within each college, informing others about the basic message of the Christian faith and occasionally working across colleges to organise larger events. In addition to the CUs there is also a Catholic Society (CathSoc), which provides for the Universityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Catholic contingent.

sikhism The nearest gurdwara is a short bus ride away in Headington. The Sikh Society provides a forum for Sikhs to meet as well as events on conferences on Sikh-related topics, which are open to anyone in the University.

The Oxford University Islamic Society aims to provide a forum in which to promote greater awareness and understanding of Islam for both Muslim and non-Muslim students. The Society organises Friday prayers, study circles, tajweed, Arabic classes, talks, debates and seminars that regularly feature internationally renowned speakers, as well as dinners and social events. It aims to provide a plethora of views, encouraging debate on important contemporary and theological issues. The Society also acts as a student welfare association, aiming to provide a healthy support base for the Muslim student community. East Oxford is home to a strong local Muslim community, with a mosque and several Halal food outlets, allowing Muslims vast options in cuisine.

buddhism There are three centres catering for Buddhists in Oxford, which offer broad teaching of Buddhism and meditation and welcome all students.

hinduism Although there is no central place of worship for Hindus, the University does have its own Hindu Society (HUM). HUM aims to cater for the needs of the Hindu, and by extension Indian, population in Oxford by providing religious, social, and cultural events. HUM also aims to educate Hindus and non-Hindus alike in the main teachings and philosophy of Hinduism. They hold Aarti (Prayers/ Mass) every Wednesday and film nights showing Bollywood films. They also have links with the Oxford University Centre for Hindu Studies, which is the only one of its kind in the world.

judaism The Oxford University Jewish Society, known as JSoc, holds a mixture of religious, cultural, educational and social events for Jewish students of all backgrounds, including stimulating debates, topclass speakers, an annual ball, good food (bagel brunches, shwarma) and lots of fun. The Oxford Jewish Centre is available for all forms of Jewish worship and provides kosher meals for students during term-time both on weekday evenings and on Shabbat. There are college reps and the committee is always welcoming and happy to help with anything.

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Student Parents

Welfare

school age children

student

parents M

ore student parents, both graduate and undergraduate, are arriving in Oxford every year. This page outlines the basics of being a student parent in Oxford. OUSU employs a full time, student-elected officer known as the Vice President (Women), whose job is to to provide advice and representation to women and families. In addition, OUSU publishes the Student Parent Guide annually, which focuses exclusively on the information that’s really valuable to student parents in Oxford. If you’d like more information or contact details for any of the facilities mentioned above, email the VP Women at women@ousu.org, telephone 01865 288450, or visit www.admin.ox.ac.uk/eop/child. You should talk to your college of choice or the Student Union if you end up in this situation, as there’s certainly no shortage of people doing their best to help make life a little easier.

pre-school children The University has three nurseries and also buys places in private nurseries in Oxford; the fee is the same (about £500 per month full time). There is a waiting list, and the University Childcare Panel allocates places to priority cases first: that is, if you’re a lone parent, if you or your child have a disability, if your child already has a sibling in one of the nurseries, or if your college nominates you for one of their sponsored places. If you don’t fall into one of these categories, it’s quite possible that you may be on the waiting list for some time, so it would be best to seek private childcare as soon as possible. There are also four college nurseries, run by Balliol, Somerville, St. Anne’s and Wolfson, all of which will take people from any college if there are places available, but again, demand for places is very high.

In Oxford, children aged five and upwards are entitled to a free place at an Oxfordshire County Council School if they’re British or EC nationals, if they’re from a Commonwealth country with the right to live in the UK, or if their parent(s) qualify to stay in this country under immigration law. Each school gives priority to children who live in the school’s catchment area. Out-of-school services are for children whose parents work, and give children the chance to benefit from group activity before or after school. There are also playschemes during the school holidays: the Oxford University Playscheme runs from 8:15 am to 6:15 pm for 5 to 14-year-olds, and offers a discounted rate of £80 per week for University staff and student parents.

accommodation The University and colleges do have married and family accommodation. This is generally intended for graduates, but undergraduates with children are also eligible for it and have just as much chance of being considered priority cases. If you’re not successful, the Student Union publishes a Living Out Guide annually, which gives advice and information on living in private accommodation.

funding UK student parents can receive additional support on a means-tested basis from their Local Authority. The Childcare Grant and Parent’s Learning Allowance can be applied for at the same time as student loans. The Government’s Access to Learning Fund, which is administered through the University, gives UK students assistance with their living costs, and it does take childcare expenses into account. It’s highly recommended that student parents apply for support through this fund. The University also offers the Wolfson Childcare Bursary to help student parents afford a place in a University nursery. For unexpected financial difficulty, there’s a University Hardship Fund, as well as college hardship funds, and an emergency childcare fund specifically for overseas student parents. However, these really are only awarded in genuine, unforeseen financial emergencies. Generally, the University expects parents to be able to provide for their children and their own studies themselves.

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Women

Welfare

closing the

gap...

women Y

ou wouldn’t believe it looking around the University today, but unbelievably, women have only been fully integrated into Oxford life for the last thirty years. Nowadays Oxford’s women are just as prominent as the men: studying every subject, taking part in every activity and just as prominent in JCR politics. So why is there a “women” section in this prospectus? In short, it’s because fewer women apply to Oxford than men, and this translates proportionately into the relative numbers of students who are accepted here. As a result, Oxford has around 1300 fewer women than men as students. Although this isn’t all that noticeable when you’re here (there are over 18,000 students at the University), it’s a statistic that ought to be changing.

irst, a bit of history. Women first arrived at the University at the end of the nineteenth century and have been studying for degrees ever since, although until after the First World War they weren’t allowed to receive their certificates! They studied at what were then all-women colleges (Somerville, St Anne’s, Lady Margaret Hall, St Hugh’s and St Hilda’s – all of which are now mixed)

and, since the first women entered Brasenose, Hertford, St Catherine’s, Wadham and Jesus in 1974, they’ve studied everywhere else too. Women from all walks of life have graduated from Oxford and gone on to achieve incredible things, from Shirley Williams to Margaret Thatcher, Dorothy Sayers to Dorothy Hodgkin, Indira Gandhi to Benazhir Bhutto, Emilia Fox to Helen Fielding.

With this in mind, why more women don’t apply is a bit of a mystery. Women are currently doing better at A-level on average than men are, so they’re definitely getting the necessary grades they need to apply, but there are other theories to explain the low applications. One is that women just rule Oxford out of hand, deciding that it’s not for them on the basis of rumours they’ve heard. As this prospectus aims to show, the myths are groundless, and the only relevant factor to applying should be academic potential.

Another theory is that misguided advice from teachers is dissuading potential female applicants: either teachers aren’t encouraging women enough, or are advising them to apply only to “women friendly” colleges. The idea of more “women friendly” colleges is a hangover from another era when formerly single-sex colleges started to go mixed. This was all over almost thirty years ago now and yet women are often still advised by their teachers to go for one college rather than another, on the basis that it might be more likely to accept girls. This is completely untrue, and yet it comes up in the pattern of applications every year. Moreover, applying to Oxford should be even more attractive to women because of the benefits available to them. Oxford has a full-time Women’s Officer, who represents women across the University, and there is also a Women’s Campaign run by the Student Union, which focuses on broader feminist issues. Personal safety is taken seriously, and with the collegiate layout most students live in the well-lit centre of Oxford rather than in a hall of residence miles away. There is a Safety Bus, which, for £1, will take you anywhere in Oxford late at night. Most common rooms happily provide you with free condoms, taxi fares back to college after nightfall, personal safety alarms, sanitary protection, pregnancy tests and the medically proven tea and biscuits. Some colleges also have all-women spaces (staircases and common rooms) – it’s worth asking. If you have the potential to do very well academically, don’t let your background or gender affect your decision to apply. There is an annual Women’s Open Day (email women@ousu.org for more information), along with University Open Days for you to come and visit, and discover just what Oxford can offer you.

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Finding Out More

Finding out More talking to current students One of the best ways of finding out more about Oxford is to talk to someone who studies here. If a friend or relative went to Oxford in the last few years, they’re a good first point of call; otherwise take advantage of the access services on offer (see p.24) and email access@ousu.org or the JCR access officer at a college you’re interested in. The OUSU access officer is a sabbatical officer who just graduated, and JCR committee members are current students (usually second years). If they can’t help, they’ll point you in the direction of someone who can. There are no stupid questions – if you want to know something, just ask.

official contacts If you want to talk to someone who works for the University, there are several main points of call. First of all, try the Admissions Office, the contact details for which can be found on p.240. They keep copies of the Undergraduate Prospectus, as well as the course prospectuses, and are happy to answer any questions. If you’d like to know more about a certain college, try the tutor for admissions (contact details can be found on the college website). For course information, it’s best to contact the department directly – the best person to talk to in this case varies from department to department, but the website will usually point you in the right direction.

open days

visiting colleges

Open days at Oxford are typically arranged by colleges and departments. There aren’t really any University-wide open days, but in many cases the college open days coincide so that you can have a look at several in one visit. Details of all official open days are available at www.admissions.ox.ac.uk/opendays. In many cases, it’s recommended that you contact the admissions secretary of the college or department in advance in order to book a place (contact details can be found on the college websites).

Don’t worry about the “Closed To Visitors” signs looming in the entrance of many colleges; they’re aimed at tourists. If you explain that you’re a prospective student and would like to look around, the porters will generally be happy to let you in, though it’s best to phone in advance.

websites Along with college, department and JCR pages, a few other websites might be useful: OUSU – the Oxford University Student Union, which deals with access and welfare, as well as publishing this prospectus: www.ousu.org Oxford Admissions – the official Oxford University page, including dates of open days: www.admissions.ox.ac.uk

If there’s a particular college you’d like to see, it might be a good idea to get in touch with the JCR access officer in advance to see if he or she is willing to find someone to meet you on the day. Being shown around college by a current student will give you a much better idea of what the place is like than walking around on your own, and they’ll be able to show you some of the facilities and accommodation that you might not otherwise be able to access. For contact details of JCR committee members, have a look on the college’s JCR website.

visiting the city Don’t take a car if possible; driving in Oxford city centre can be a traumatic experience. If you do, it’s best to use the Park and Ride as it’s much cheaper than central parking. The train station is a five minute walk from the centre and the buses all stop right in the middle of town. Oxford is a bit different outside term time – by all means, have a look around, but remember that it’s a different crowd and a different atmosphere when all the students go home.

interviews The interview timetable for various subjects can be found at http://www.admissions.ox.ac.uk/interviews/timetable.shtml. If you’re thinking of applying, it’s very important that you keep your interview days free of other commitments.

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Glossary and Index

Glossary and

Index

CR? Bop? Prelims? Oxford students acclimatise very quickly to the Oxbridge-specific lingo that leaves most others completely baffled. Most of these terms have origins dating back many years and all of them are a bit strange. Still, they’ll probably remain in the Oxford vocabulary for many decades to come, so here’s a glossary for everyone’s benefit. what does it mean?

more detail:

Academic dress

A combination of Sub Fusc (see below), gown and cap (known as a mortarboard). You wear it for matriculation, University exams and graduation. Not very often at all, in other words.

Battels

Termly college bills, the majority of which is rent. Some colleges also charge food on battels.

Blue

Award given to Varsity sports players. Also used to refer to the players themselves.

194

Bodleian

Oxford University’s reference library. Contains a copy of pretty much everything ever published in the UK.

Bop

Sweaty, boozy college parties – always themed, with skimpy costumes and cheesy music. Some colleges’ are better than others.

Brookes

Oxford Brookes, the other big university in Oxford. It’s a fair walk from the city centre but some mixing of students does happen. Relations are pretty amicable.

Buttery

Casual eatery or café to be found in some colleges.

Cowley Road

Long, busy road heading out of Oxford to the east. Full of relatively cheap private accommodation, bars, music venues and restaurants.

Entz

Organised entertainment, usually in the form of student clubnights or bops.

Exam Schools

Big old University building where lectures, exams and Freshers’ Fair happen.

Faculty

Refers to the department building of a particular subject, eg the Engineering Faculty on Parks Road.

what does it mean?

more detail:

Jericho

Relatively affluent suburb to the north of the city centre.

Living out

Not living in college accommodation. Usually happens in second year, depending on your college.

Lodge

AKA "Porters' Lodge". The reception of a college, inhabited by porters, usually by the main gate.

Matriculation

A ceremony at the start of your degree. One of the few occasions for which you need to own a cap and gown.

MCR

Middle Common Room. Like the JCR, but refers to graduate students.

Michaelmas

Christmas term.

Mods

Moderations – exams taken at the end of first year which you'll need to pass, but don't count towards your degree.

OUSU

Oxford University Student Union. Doesn't (yet) refer to a central student venue, because there isn't one. OUSU's roles are primarily in student representation, welfare, entz and publications. They run Freshers' Fair, publish this prospectus (and many other guides) and put on clubnights.

Pidge

Pigeon hole. Your college mailbox. Pigeon post (between colleges) is free and very useful.

Porters

College staff who inhabit the porters' lodge and fulfill various roles from receptionist to security guard. They're good people to have on your side.

Prelims

For all intents and purposes, same as mods.

Punt

Canoe-like boat you propel with a pole. Goes well with Pimm's in the summer.

Quad

Quadrangle. The central area of grass in a college, usually surrounded by buildings. In some colleges you're not allowed to walk on the grass.

Rah

Derogatory term for posh people.

Scout

College cleaning staff.

SCR

Senior Common Room. Like JCR, but with tutors and fellows of a college.

Staircase

Most accommodation in colleges is divided into staircases with a few rooms on each floor (as opposed to long hallways with lots of rooms on each floor).

Sub Fusc

When in academic dress, it's what you wear under your gown. Dark suit, white shirt and white bowtie for men; black skirt or trousers, white shirt and black ribbon for girls.

213

Fellow

A member of that college’s SCR.

Finals

Exams that count towards your final degree (not necessarily all at the end of your course).

The Union

Not to be confused with OUSU. The Union is essentially a private members' club and debating society.

Formal Hall

A formal sitting of dinner in college, usually with better quality food and waiter service.

Trinity

Summer term. Also the name of a college.

Hall

The college cafeteria. In most cases, it actually is a pretty magnificent hall.

Tute

Hilary

Easter term.

Tutorial. An hour-long session with a tutor in which you discuss last week's work and learn about your subject. They're generally in very small groups, sometimes one-on-one.

JCR

Junior Common Room. Can refer either to the undergraduate student body of a college, or their physical common room.

Tutors

College staff with whom you have tutorials. They set you work, look after your welfare and are generally a good first point of contact on any issues you might have.

212, 240, Welfare

Front cover, 184

235

236

237

Map

Maps key Colleges and Halls

All Souls (Research) Balliol Blackfriars* Brasenose Campion Hall* Christ Church Corpus Christi Exeter Green College** Greyfriars* (direction to) Harris Manchester Hertford Jesus Keble Kellogg College** Lady Margaret Hall Linacre** Lincoln Magdalen Mansfield Merton New College Nuffield** Oriel Pembroke Queenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Regentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Park* St Anneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s St Antonyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s** St Benetâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Hall* St Catherineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s St Cross** St Edmund Hall

E-6/7 D-6 C-5 E-7 D-8 D-7 E-7 D-6 C-4 G-8 E-6 E-6 D-6 D-4 C-3 E-2 F-4 D-6/7 F-7 E-5 E-7 E-6 C-7 E-7 D-7/8 E-7 C-5 C-3 C-3 C-5 G-5 C-5 F-6

University Science Area 1 Archaeology Research Laboratory 2 Biochemistry (Hans Krebs Building), main building 3 Biochemistry (Rudolph Peters Building)

! " # $ % & ' ( ) * + , -

* **

St Hildaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s St Hughâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s St Johnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s St Peterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s St Stephenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s House (direction to) Somerville Templeton** (direction to) Trinity University Wadham Wolfson** Worcester Wycliffe Hall* Permanent Private Hall Graduate College

G-8 C-2 D-5 C-7 G-8 C-4 D-9 D-6 E-7 E-6 E-1 C-6 C-3

University departments

Accommodation Office (direction to) Archaeology Area Studies Botanic Garden Brazilian Studies Careers Service Chinese Studies Classics Centre Computing Services Continuing Education Counselling Service Criminology Development Studies Economics Educational Studies

C-1 C-6 C-3 F-7 B-1 C-3 C-6 C-6 C-4 C-5 C-5 F-5 E-5/6 F-5 D-3

4 Biochemistry (Walter Bodmer Building), Genetics Unit 5 Biochemistry (Donald Woods Building), Microbiology Unit 6 Biochemistry (Rex Richards Building) 7 Biochemistry (Rodney Portner Building) 8 Burdon Sanderson Cardiac Science Centre 9 Centre for the Environment 10 Chemistry (Central Chemistry Laboratory) 11 Chemistry, Inorganic 12 Chemistry, Physical and Theoretical 13 Chemistry Research Laboratory 14 Computing Laboratory 15 Computing Services (OUCS)

! " # $ % & ' ( ) * + ,

Engineering Science (Southwell Laboratory) A-7 English Faculty F-5 Examination Schools E-7 History Faculty E-6 History of Art C-7/8 Human Sciences C-3 Iffley Road Sports Centre (direction to) G-9 Japanese Studies C-3 John Radcliffe (direction to) G-7 Language Centre C-4 Latin American Centre C-2 Law Faculty F-5 Linguistics and Philology C-6 Mathematical Institute C-4 Music Faculty D-8 Oriental Institute C-5/6 Oxford Internet Institute D-6 Philosophy Centre E-7 Politics and International Relations F-5 Phonetics Laboratory C-5 Rothermere American Institute E-5 Ruskin School of Drawing F-7 SaĂŻd Business School A/B-6/7 Social Policy & Social Work C-5 Sociology F-5 Social & Cultural Anthropology C-3 Student Union Offices C-7 Taylor Institution (Mod Langs) C-6 Theology C-5 University Offices C-5

16 Earth Sciences 17 Engineering Science (Jenkin Building) 18 Engineering Science (Information Eng. Building) 19 Engineering Science (Thom Building) 20 Engineering Science 21 Engineering Science (Engineering and Technology Building) 22 Engineering Science and Materials (Holder Building) 23 Experimental Psychology 24 Henry Wellcome Building of Gene Function 25 Hooke Library 26 Materials (Parks Road)

University museums A B C D E

Ashmolean Museum Bate Collection of Musical Instruments Museum of the History of Science Pitt Rivers Museum University Museum of Natural History

C-6 D-8 D-6 D/E-4 D-4/5

University libraries F G H I

Bodleian Library New Bodleian Radcliffe Camera (Bodleian Library) Radcliffe Science Library

E-6 D/E-6 E-6 D-5

Places of interest J K L M

Oxford Union Society Rhodes House Sheldonian Theatre University Church, St Maryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

D-6/7 D/E-5 D-6 E-7

Travel Centres Central Bus and Coach Station C-6 Railway Station A-6 Tourist Information D-6 Taxi Rank A-6, C-6, D-6

Admissions Information Centre

C-5

27 Materials (Banbury Road) 28 Materials (Hume Rothery Building) 29 Mathematical, Physical & Life Sciences Division 30 Mathematical Institute 31 Medical Sciences Teaching Centre 32 Pathology (Sir William Dunn School) 33 Peter Medawar Building for Pathogen Research 34 Pharmacology 35 Physics (Atmospheric) 36 Physics (Clarendon Laboratory) 37 Physics (Denys Wilkinson) 38 Physics (Theoretical) 39 Physics (Martin Wood Lecture Theatre) 40 Physiology, Anatomy & Genetics (Sherrington Building) 41 Physiology, Anatomy & Genetics (Le Gros Clark) 42 Plant Sciences (South Building), front entrance 43 Plant Sciences (North Building) 44 Radcliffe Science Library 45 Statistics 46 University Museum of Natural History 47 Zoology (entrance at 23)

300m

&+(

240

contacts oxford university student union (OUSU) Thomas Hull House Bonn Square Oxford, OX1 2DH 01865 288 450 enquiries@ousu.org OUSU publishes this prospectus and can provide the text in alternative formats on request. Further copies are also available. Contact access@ousu.org for details.

thanks This prospectus could not have been made without a great deal of help and advice. If you found this publication useful, you can thank the following:

admissions office University Offices Wellington Square Oxford, OX1 2JD 01865 288 000 undergraduate.admissions@admin.ox.ac.uk

target schools Thomas Hull House Bonn Square Oxford, OX1 2DH 01865 288 450 access@ousu.org oxford access scheme University Offices Wellington Square Oxford, OX1 2JD 01865 280 138 access.scheme@admin.ox.ac.uk

The Admissions Office, Annie McDermott, Ben’s Cookies, Bernard Thompson, Cat Clark, Claire Addison, Dave Green, the Duke of Cambridge, Griff Rees, Hannah Kuchler, Hannah Roe, Imran Khan, Ingrid Frater, the Internet, Kate McMullen, Lorna Stevenson, Louise Randall, Mark Taylor, Martin McClusky, Michel, Mum and Dad, the Oxford Student, Pieminister, Rich Hardiman, Rose Goddard, S&G, Sam McGeever, Spider Pig, Susan Sweet, sxc.hu, Tom Foster. Not to mention all the ABMs, all the JCR Presidents, all the photographers (particularly the ones we’ve never met but let us use their photos for free nonetheless) and all the OUSU sabbatical officers past and present. Apologies to anyone we forgot. Finally, special thanks go to the dozens and dozens of contributors who took time off to write the content – sorry we couldn’t credit you all.

oxford university student union