Skip to main content

St Catherine's College

UCAS campus code: L

St Catherine's College (Catz) is Oxford’s youngest undergraduate college and one of its largest and most diverse communities. We treasure the traditional values of Oxford college life, but are committed to evolving with today’s society, which is reflected in our College motto ‘Nova et Vetera’: the new and the old.

Contact details

Tutor for Admissions: Dr Jim Thomson
Admissions Manager: Ruari Craig-Wood
Email: [email protected]
Phone: +44 (0)1865 271703 or +44 (0) 1865 271700
Website: www.stcatz.ox.ac.uk (including a full list of academic staff)

St Catherine's College gardens

About us

St Catherine's is proud of its place at the forefront of innovation, research and contemporary culture. Its modern architecture (largely designed by Danish architect Arne Jacobsen, and Grade I listed) and easy access to green spaces give the College an open and friendly atmosphere.

The vast majority of undergraduates live in college for three years. There are excellent facilities, including a large college library, well-equipped computer rooms and a spacious and comfortable Junior Common Room. Sport, music, art and drama enjoy a high profile in the college. On site there are:

  • squash courts
  • a gymnasium
  • a punt house
  • a music house for practice and performance
  • and theatres for both indoor and outdoor productions.

Read more on the college website.

Year founded: 1962
Student numbers: Undergraduate 479; Postgraduate 363

St Catherine’s is...

'…the best of both worlds – modern but still has traditional aspects. I would definitely call it home.'
Madeleine

'…a diverse community of students, coming from different backgrounds, studying different subjects, and having different interests.'
Nina

'…a place where our tutors seem to really care about our development outside of academic work as well as within it.'
George

'...a tranquil environment, due to the lack of tourists and the surrounding nature, which makes Catz a special place for me.'
Teodor

'…such a friendly place with great student welfare!'
Maria

College living

Don't see your course listed?

Check out a full listing of which colleges offer each undergraduate course.

Which Oxford colleges offer my course?

Where you'll find us

St Catherine’s is situated in an ideal location: very close to the city centre, yet surrounded by meadows, parks and water.

The Science Area, including the Life and Mind Building, and many University libraries and departments are nearby (including Law, Economics and Politics) or a short walk through University Parks. 

St Catherine’s College, Oxford OX1 3UJ

Virtual tour

Access St Catherine's

Our outreach events and programmes offer a chance for you to meet us and discover what studying here might be like. You will also learn about our admissions process and how to submit a strong application.

Oxford University Cloisters

Visit Oxford

Our 2026 undergraduate Open Days will be held on 1 and 2 July and 18 September.

Plan your visit

University-wide outreach

Visit the University's outreach event calendar to view upcoming outreach events. Please note that some events may require advance booking or have specific eligibility criteria.

Outreach event calendar

What else should you think about when choosing a college?

Students walking in an Oxford college

College overview

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.

teacher and two students at a tutorial

College facilities

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

Oxford City skyline

Do you choose a college?

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.

Oxford skyline showing the Radcliffe Camera

College listing

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.  

Ready to find out more about applying?

Read our step-by-step application guide.

Guide for undergraduate applicants