College life

Oxford University is made up of more than 30 different colleges or small academic communities with distinct characteristics but similar facilities. Undergraduate students are members of a college, their subject department and the University.  

Our colleges are at the heart of Oxford's reputation as one of the best universities in the world and make it a very special place to study and live.

All Oxford colleges offer the same excellence in teaching, but they do vary in terms of their size, location and facilities.

Oxford colleges do not specialise in particular subject areas, as they excel in all subjects that they teach. Most offer a wide range of courses but you need to check which ones offer yours. 

Not exactly. You can put a college's campus code on your UCAS form to specify a preference but you might still be shortlisted and offered a place by another college.

Students pay for accommodation and food, although this is often heavily subsidised.