Choosing an Oxford College is one of the most important parts of the Oxford application process. Your college is where you will live, socialise, and learn, so it’s important to consider different Oxford colleges’ pros and cons before submitting your final application. With 39 colleges to choose from, we’ve compiled everything you need to know to choose the best Oxford college for you.

The Oxford College Application Process

You specify your choice of Oxford college when you make your UCAS application. However, contrary to common belief, your choice of college does not affect your chances of getting into Oxford.

It’s true there are different Oxford college acceptance rates - Christ Church and Brasenose are among the most oversubscribed Oxford colleges, while St. Hilda’s, for instance, is one of the most undersubscribed. That doesn’t mean that St. Hilda’s is the easiest Oxford college to get into, though.

Oxford has a system it calls ‘pooling’. If course places at one college fill up, but the admissions still think that you are a strong candidate, they will send your application to other colleges to consider. This can happen before or after the interview process.

In fact, 34% of successful applicants in 2020 received an offer from a college that they didn’t put on their UCAS application.

You can’t hack the Oxford application process by applying to a college with a higher acceptance rate. Instead, choose an Oxford college based on what works for you.

Oxford College Rankings

The most famous Oxford college ranking is the Norrington Table. This ranks colleges based on how well final year students performed in exams. It’s designed to determine how academic each college is. While some colleges routinely top the table - Merton and St Catherine’s often compete for the top spot - the positions of most colleges fluctuates each year. Unless academic rigour is your number one priority, the Norrington Table is not the best way to choose an Oxford college.

There are other ways to rank Oxford colleges. Rank them by age: University College is the oldest and therefore has the most historic architecture. Rank them by size: Regent’s Park is one of the smallest colleges, with only 127 undergraduates, while St. Catherine’s is the biggest, with 505 undergraduates. Rank them by fame: Christ Church, with its Harry Potter links, is a popular choice for tourists.

How to Choose the Best Oxford College for You

A pros and cons list of Oxford colleges is one of the best ways to make your decision - especially if you’re unable to visit colleges in person. Make a list of your top five priorities, and rank which ten colleges meet these priorities the best. Then, make a pros and cons list for each of your top ten colleges, and hopefully, the best for you will become clear!

The Practicalities

First, you need to consider the practical side of living at Oxford.

Accommodation at Oxford Colleges

Accommodation one of the areas where colleges differ the most. There are several aspects of accommodation that you should consider:

Does the college provide accommodation for all of your degree? Many colleges, like Lincoln, guarantee accommodation for every year of your study, which means you don’t have to worry about living out. Other colleges, like Keble and Mansfield, only guarantee accommodation for two years. On the upside, this does mean that you get the opportunity to ‘live out’.
How is accommodation allocated? Some colleges, like Pembroke, assign rooms via a ballot system, while others give the best rooms to the students with the best grades.
Where is off-site accommodation? Some colleges provide accommodation away from their main site. This can be a great way to live in different locations, but can also be an inconvenience. At Magdalen, for instance, first years students don’t live in college - instead, they are offered accommodation a short walk away from the college.
How expensive is accommodation? There’s a big difference in college accommodation costs. St Edmund’s Hall and Exeter are among some of the cheapest. Watch out for hidden charges, too!
Do you want modern facilities or cosy, older rooms? Some colleges can guarantee up-to-date rooms with ensuites, while others have poky but characterful rooms with shared bathrooms.

Food and Catering

Oxford colleges provide food in ‘hall’.

How often is food provided? Some colleges require you to eat in hall every night, while others give you the flexibility to choose.
Are there any other food options on-site? Some colleges have cafes, which are great social hubs.
How often are formal halls? Formal Hall is a fancy dinner which is held in college at least twice a week. Some colleges are known for having great quality, good value Formal Halls, while others require you to attend Formal Hall.
How expensive is the food? Some colleges subsidise hall food, making it a good option if you’re on a budget.
Are there self-catering facilities? Even if you’re not into cooking, having access to a fridge and a hob is essential. Some colleges offer fully equipped kitchens, while many have no kitchen facilities at all!

Funding

Often overlooked, the amount of funding and scholarships offered by colleges differ. Many have travel and book grants.

Libraries

News flash - when you’re at Oxford, you’ve got to study. Lots. While Oxford boasts some of the world’s most beautiful libraries, if it’s 11 pm and you’ve got an essay due the next day, the humble college library is your saviour. College libraries differ hugely - some are open 24 hours a day, some will stock any book you ask them for, and some are stunningly medieval but also freezing.

The Location

Determining how much location matters to you will have a big impact on your college choice. Generally, the older a college is, the closer it will be to the centre of the city.

If you don’t mind a short cycle ride and want more space and better facilities, the far-out colleges can be a great option - St. Hughes, Lady Margaret Hall, and Keble are in the north of the city, and, as they’re further out, have a thriving college social scene, with plenty of events throughout the term.

Not all central colleges were created equal, either. The Turl Street colleges - Exeter, Jesus, and Lincoln - boast proximity to libraries and shops, and are among the most beautiful colleges, but lack space and greenery. Balliol and Pembroke, on the other hand, have green spaces in which students can hang out during the summer term.

Think about the proximity between your college and your subject department, too, as you’ll usually have lectures in your department. Do you like to sleep late? A college right next to your department might be a good way to ensure you don’t miss lectures! On the other hand, a twenty minute walk to your department might be the ideal way to start your day.

The Atmosphere and Extracurricular Activities

Do you want to live somewhere that’s chill and cosy? Or do you prefer busy and bustling? The best way to find out what a college’s atmosphere is like is to speak to current students - many colleges host Q&A sessions with current students.

Colleges also vary in terms of their extracurricular strengths - which in turn has an impact on the college atmosphere. Oriel and Pembroke are famed as rowing colleges, while Keble and Magdalen are popular with students interested in theatre and film. Lots of extracurricular activities happen outside of colleges, too, though, so don’t let it constrain your decision making!

Once you’ve chosen your dream Oxford college, you’ve got to make your application! Our expert team can help you make your Oxford application stand out from the crowd. Find out more here.

How to Choose an Oxford College