Looking to make an informed decision when choosing your Oxford college? Get the honest low-down on all 39 colleges in this comprehensive Oxford college guide.
The biggest lie you've been told over the Oxford admissions process is this:
'It doesn't matter what college you choose. They're all the same.'
We're here to break the news that Oxford colleges are not at all the same, and in fact vary drastically. This doesn't make any better or worse than any other, but it's important to know that colleges are different. So which Oxford college should you choose?
Before we start, consider:
Do you prefer a college in the city centre or a quieter location?
Would you prefer a larger college with a diverse community, or a smaller, more close-knit environment?
Is it important to you that your college guarantees accommodation for all years?
Are you looking for a college that offers a range of scholarships, bursaries, or financial support?
Would you enjoy a more traditional college with formal events, or would you prefer a more relaxed and modern atmosphere?
With that in mind, let's get started!
Balliol College
Balliol College was founded in 1263 and enjoys a prestigious reputation at Oxford. It's known for academic excellence and performs well in the Norrington Table (a ranking of the Oxford Colleges).
Our two cents: It is absolutely gorgeous in autumn. Balliol is covered with leafy ivy in its central quad, giving you that ultimate dark academia vibe. It also has a great bar, one of the last remaining Oxford bars to be student-ran, which is home to the infamous 'Balliol Blue.'
Brasenose College
Established in 1509 and starring in Saltburn 500 years later, Brasenose is a midsize college with a great central location and a vibrant student life.
Our two cents: Brasenose is great if you're looking for an artsy and culturally supportive college. They hold an annual summer week-long arts festival. Brasenose is also pretty wealthy, and have their own sportsground and boathouse on the Cherwell. Be aware: Brasenose is a relatively small college, so make sure you prefer the idea of a tight-knit community.
Christ Church
Christ Church is one of Oxford's biggest colleges, with its own picturesque Christ Church Meadow, a river walk open to the public. If you're looking for a Harry Potter university experience, then this is the place for you. Much of the franchise was filmed here, including the Dining Hall (home to a Michelin Star chef, allegedly). It's also one of the wealthiest colleges, and students most certainly reap those benefits with significantly subsidized rent and food. 13 British Prime Ministers attended Christ Church, so it could be the right place for you if you're into politics.
Our two cents: With all the beauty and wealth comes a sometimes highly traditional atmosphere, both academically and socially.
Corpus Christi College
Corpus Christi is a tiny college with one of the smallest student populations in Oxford, giving it a quaint and tight-knit charm. It's also in a a great location: central, but not on the main High Street.
Our two cents: With bucketloads of historical charm, Corpus Christi is a picturesque place to be. But make sure you're looking for a small college (there will likely be under 30 undergraduates in your year here)!
Exeter College
Exeter College is absolutely gorgeous. Founded in 1314, it prides itself on being the fourth oldest Oxford college, and a strong commitment to student welfare (expect well subsidized meals). Exeter has just refurbished their 24/7 library with the installation of accessible features, more reader spaces, new lighting and ventilation systems, and even secret doors.
Our two cents: In our humble opinion, Exeter is one of the best choices for an undergraduate. It has certifiably the best view in Oxford: head to the Mound in the Eastern Quad and you'll see a quintessential Oxford view of the Radcliffe Camera, the Bodleian libraries, and the University Church all at once.
Harris Manchester College
Harris Manchester is the only Oxford college which admits solely mature students (21+). Harris Manchester also has a particularly lovely library, and even gives each student a small book grant to spend as they wish.
Our two cents: This college has a distinctly wholesome vibe to it. Maybe it's the mature and graduate student population, but it feels less traditional and more relaxed than other colleges.
Hertford College
Hertford College is another small college, unique in that it is split by the iconic Bridge of Sighs into two sides of campus. Established in 1282, it's one of the older colleges, with pretty quads and a particularly lovely spiral staircase leading to the Dining Hall.
Our two cents: Hertford is known among Oxford students for having a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere, with a focus on access and diversity. Be aware that Hertford typically has less financial support than larger colleges like Christ Church. The food, for example, is comparatively pricy, and there are less vacation grants.
Jesus College
Founded in 1571, Jesus College is known colloquially as 'the Welsh college' as it was initially founded to cater to Welsh students' needs.
Our two cents: If you're looking for the combination of small college and central location, Jesus might be for you. It has just opened a modern Cheng Yu Tung Building which houses new study and teaching spaces, graduate facilities, a multi-faith prayer room, and a café onsite. This said, it does tend to have a more traditional overall vibe, due to its age.
Keble College
Keble College is one of the most unique Oxford colleges, with its striking red-brick architecture and leafy setting next to University Parks. It has a strong academic reputation and is home to many of Oxford's most illustrious academics and professors.
Our two cents: Keble is one of our personal favourite colleges, though its red-brick design can be polarising. It's the mustard of Oxford colleges; you either love it or you hate it. Be aware that it is a larger college with more students.
Lady Margaret Hall
LMH was founded in 1878 as the first Oxford college to admit women, and has a notably inclusive and relaxed atmosphere (even if it was home to Michael Gove at one point).
Our two cents: LMH is known for comparatively cheap food; informal hall usually costs under £3. It's also simply stunning, with spacious lawns on the riverside and red-brick Victorian Gothic buildings.
Lincoln College
Lincoln College is another of the older colleges, founded in 1427. It has the feel of a peaceful retreat in the centre of Oxford, especially with the thick ivy covering the main quad. Visit in autumn for the best time of year in Lincoln!
Our two cents: Make sure you're looking for a smaller college, as Lincoln is tiny. Plus, most of their students live outside of college.
Magdalen College
Magdalen College (pronounced 'maud-lin') is known for its academic rigour and expansive grounds, and is often oversubscribed. Magdalen is stunning, set on the riverside with a huge deer park of its own, and giving a particularly Harry Potter-esque vibe.
Our two cents: Magdalen is a very wealthy college with lots of student support financial plans - something to consider if you're looking for extra grants and bursaries.
Mansfield College
Mansfield College was only founded in the late 19th century, but was built around older Oxford buildings. It's also a small college, with only about 300 students in total across all years, but it's known to be a welcoming and friendly place.
Our two cents: Mansfield is a little further out than most colleges. If you're looking for your college to act as a retreat from busy Oxford life (and for it to be smaller) then this might be for you.
Merton College
One of the oldest colleges (1264), Merton has gorgeous grounds, with a colourful fellow's garden and a view of Christ Church Meadows. It's a large college, hosting more than 600 students.
Our two cents: If you thrive under academic pressure, consider Merton. It consistently tops the Norrington table, but that does mean it has a slightly more competitive atmosphere.
New College
Ironically, New College was founded in 1379. It has a strong academic reputation and simply beautiful gardens, featuring a rose garden, and striking buildings. You might recognise parts of New, as it featured in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Mamma Mia 2: Here We Go Again and His Dark Materials.
Our two cents: Make your way up to the Mound (the stairs that lead nowhere) towards the side of the College for the best view of New.
Oriel College
The Latin inscription seen here above the entrance to Oriel College reads 'Regnante Carolo,' meaning 'During the reign of Charles.' Oriel students benefit from highly subsidized dinners, regular staging of Shakespeare plays, and the unusual 'pancake race.'
Our two cents: Note that Oriel College has an unofficial tradition of having a significant number of students involved in Conservative politics, particularly through its student-led organizations like the Oriel College Conservative Association.
Pembroke College
Pembroke was founded in the 17th century and is one of Oxford's smaller colleges. It has a great location next to Westgate (Oxford's shopping mall), the High Street and Christ Church Meadows, all while being slightly tucked away down an alley.
Our two cents: We particularly love the little flower baskets in Pembroke's main quad. This is the college for you if you want to feel like you're living in Belle's Disney village.
The Queen's College
Queen's College is a larger college with an iconic Palladian-style statue at its entrance. They're considerably wealthier than other colleges, and students benefit from subsidized rent and various travel grants.
Our two cents: Queen's has great food and a lovely Dining Hall, and they put on loads of garden plays in Trinity term.
Regent's Park College
Regent's Park College is another college crowned with ivy-covered walls, like Lincoln. Founded in 1927, it maintains a relaxed and informal vibe.
Our two cents: This is a tiny college, with only about 130 students in total. That said, it is consistently voted the best student bar in Oxford, which has to count for something.
St Anne's College
St Anne's is a more modern college, founded in 1952, and enjoys a reputation of being 'the fun college.'
Our two cents: Currently dealing with unstable RAAC concrete, Anne's is going through a transformational period and rebuilding most of their buildings. If you're applying for 2025 entry, maybe hold off till 2026.
St Catherine's College
Informally known as 'St Catz', this college is much more modern than most, being founded in 1962 and maintaining newer buildings.
Our two cents: We've never failed to have a good time at St Catz, so keep it on your list if that's what you're looking for.
St Edmund Hall
Often referred to as 'Teddy Hall' due to a loose connection in the ST-EDmunds name, this college is small but picturesque, and puts on a great show for the unspoken Christmas lights competition between colleges.
Our two cents: Their library is a converted church in a cemetery. If you've ever had anything close to an emo phase or you regularly pin 'dark academia' to your Pinterest, this is the place for you.
St Hilda's College
St Hilda's College has a long legacy of promoting women's education. Originally established as a women’s college in 1893, it was the last college to become mixed in 2008. You can still feel the effects of this history: unlike most Oxford colleges, all of the portraits in the Dining Hall and around College are of women.
Our two cents: In our completely unbiased opinion, St Hilda's is the best Oxford College. Just kidding, but it's true that Hilda's is one of the only colleges that runs entirely alongside the beautiful Cherwell river, and the spacious lawns make for the perfect place to lounge in the sun in Trinity. Hilda's students also get free access to the punts in summer (and for life)!
St Hugh's College
St Hugh's is another college that was initially founded as a women's college. Today, it's one of the largest colleges at Oxford, and maintains a strong commitment to social mobility.
Our two cents: St Hugh's large, leafy grounds means lots of garden parties and outdoor events in Trinity term. They enjoy a lovely setting, even if it's further out from the city centre (about a 15 minute walk).
St John's College
St John's College, founded in 1555, is one of the wealthiest and academically prestigious colleges at Oxford. They have an endowment valued at over £600 million, and as a result have plenty of grants and bursaries for John's students. Rent is heavily subsidized and can be nearly half the cost of other colleges.
Our two cents: John's has a particularly lovely extended walk around its gardens, with pretty spots to sit and read.
St Peter's College
Founded in 1929, Peter's is a smaller and newer college, though their chapel has stood on Peter's grounds since the late middle ages. Peter's has a great location next to shopping centres and food markets.
Our two cents: St Peter's bar rivals Regent's Park in cost and overall atmosphere, and their students have a reputation for being friendly and genuinely welcoming. Note that they tend to have a smaller budget, so you're unlikely to get any substantial additional funds from college.
Somerville College
Somerville enjoys a strong reputation in subjects like law, politics, and the sciences, with famous alumni including former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and Nobel laureate Dorothy Hodgkin.
Our two cents: Somerville is the right balance of academia and fun. They put on loads of events spanning all sorts of different interests, and their beautiful grounds slightly out of the centre make for the perfect place to temporarily call home.
Trinity College
Although fewer in student numbers, Trinity (founded 1555) doesn't feel like a small college. It has huge grounds, featuring a mini maze and flower garden, and has an impressive library home to the only surviving complete manuscript of The Pearl, a 14th-century Middle English poem.
Our two cents: Trinity is underrated as a college given its many charms, strong academic reputation and social life.
University College
Often referred to as 'Univ,' this college is the oldest in Oxford (with roots tracing to 1249). It has probably the most extensive list of famous alumni, including Sir Winston Churchill, author J.R.R. Tolkien, and Stephen Hawking.
Our two cents: Univ has fantastic food at formals, which are heavily subsidized in price.
Wadham College
Wadham College, founded by a woman named Dorothy Wadham along with her husband in 1610, is known for its contribution to the arts and sciences. It has been associated with philosopher John Locke and poet Matthew Arnold, among others.
Our two cents: Wadham makes a particularly strong effort to remain inclusive. They were the first college to fly the rainbow flag for Pride, and have a positive reputation for being liberal and progressive.
Worcester College
Worcester College is best known as the only Oxford college with an actual lake within its grounds, overlooked by their modern dance studio. Founded in 1704, Worcester has a large student body of over 600, yet is known for having a strong community and sociable atmosphere.
Our two cents: Once you get around the difficult name, Worcester has arguably the best gardens in Oxford and a distinctly peaceful vibe.
Still considering?
The Oxford admissions process can be lengthy and complicated. So, if you're wondering which college is right for you, get in touch with Avalon Education today and let us guide you through every step with expert tutoring tailored to your needs.
Book today for just £5 on your first booking - but hurry, offer ends August 1st!
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