The college experience

Merton College, Oxford

Overview

The collegiate system makes studying at Oxford a truly special experience.

Degree students at Saïd Business School will be attached to a college, either as a full member or associate member. In certain cases, you may also be offered accommodation at your college.

Where applicable, you will request a college during your admissions process.

My college has a very friendly graduate community, a beautiful environment and a wonderful history. They regularly run really thought-provoking talks, and of course, you can always take part in sport.

David Wright

Non-Exec Director, All Cloud Networks and Strategic Moves Consulting

College life

Oxford colleges are small, intimate communities, where you meet academics and fellow students from around the world.

Colleges help you establish a new circle of friends quickly. You will find yourself absorbed in fascinating conversations with students from a variety of disciplines at college seminars, dinners, and informal occasions. This is a distinctive advantage over universities organised on departmental lines.

All colleges invest heavily in facilities, with extensive library and IT provision, sports and social events. The relatively small number of students at each college means that you will have lots of individual support and close personal attention.

Some colleges are exclusively tailored to postgraduates and 30 colleges admit both undergraduate and postgraduate students.

Oxford from the air

Aerial image of Oxford

Choosing a college

Oxford University has 39 independent, self-governing colleges.

For most degree programmes, you can select your college preference. While you can select your preferred college when you accept your offer, please note that you may not be offered a place at your first choice. The Programme and timing of your application dictates which Colleges may be available to you. A confirmed list of those available will be provided when you accept your offer.

There are a few factors to consider when applying for a college:

Type of college

You need to decide whether to apply for a college that accepts graduates only. You may prefer a graduate-only college if you are returning to study after a period of substantial work experience, perhaps with a family. Alternatively, you may prefer to mix with both the graduate and undergraduate community.

Location within Oxford

The town is small and most colleges are within a 15-minute walk of the city centre and Saïd Business School. View the college location map.

Art, music, drama and sport

Some colleges have strong dramatic traditions whereas others are very strong in sports, such as rowing.

Students relaxing on grass

Accommodation

College formal dinner

There are lots of options to consider when choosing your accommodation.

If you are planning to take a degree and live in Oxford over an extended period, you can either rent privately or apply for accommodation through your college, with some offering accommodation to individuals, couples and/or families. This may be within the college grounds or located around Oxford (see each college entry for specific details). Not all colleges offer accommodation to Saïd Business School students and, where it is provided, accommodation is usually allocated on a first-come-first-served basis.

College options

Balliol College

MBA, Executive MBA, MSc Financial Economics, DPhil in Management, DPhil in Finance

Brasenose College

MBA, Executive MBA, DPhil in Management, DPhil in Finance

Campion Hall

MBA, MSc Financial Economics

Christ Church

MBA

Corpus Christi College

MBA

Exeter College

MSc Financial Economics, DPhil in Management, DPhil in Finance

Green Templeton College

MBA, Executive MBA, MSc Major Programme Management, MSc Financial Economics, DPhil in Management, DPhil in Finance, MSc Global Healthcare Leadership

Harris Manchester College

MBA, Executive MBA, MSc Financial Economics, DPhil in Management, DPhil in Finance, MSc Global Healthcare Leadership

Hertford College

MBA, Executive MBA, MSc Financial Economics, MSc Major Programme Management, DPhil in Management, DPhil in Finance

Jesus College

MBA, Executive MBA, MSc Financial Economics, DPhil in Management, DPhil in Finance, MSc Global Healthcare Leadership

Keble College

MBA, Executive MBA, MSc in Major Programme Management, MSc Financial Economics

Kellogg College

MBA, Executive MBA, MSc Financial Economics, DPhil in Management, DPhil in Finance

Lady Margaret Hall

MBA, MSc Financial Economics, MSc Major Programme Management, DPhil in Management, DPhil in Finance

Linacre College

MBA, Executive MBA, MSc Financial Economics, DPhil in Management, DPhil in Finance

Lincoln College

MBA, Executive MBA, MSc Financial Economics

Magdalen College

MBA, MSc Financial Economics

Mansfield College

MBA, MSc Financial Economics

Merton College

MBA, Executive MBA, MSc in Major Programme Management, DPhil in Management, DPhil in Finance, MSc Global Healthcare Leadership

New College

MBA, DPhil in Management, DPhil in Finance

Oriel College

MBA, MSc Financial Economics, DPhil in Management, DPhil in Finance

Pembroke College

MBA, Executive MBA, MSc in Major Programme Management, MSc Financial Economics and DPhil in Management Studies

Regent's Park College

MBA, MSc Financial Economics

Reuben College

DPhil in Management, DPhil in Finance, EMBA, MBA, MSc Financial Economics, MSc Global Healthcare Leadership

St Anne's College

MBA, MSc Financial Economics, MSc Major Programme Management, DPhil in Management, DPhil in Finance

St Antony's

DPhil in Management, DPhil in Finance

St Catherine's College

MBA, Executive MBA, MSc Financial Economics, DPhil in Management, DPhil in Finance

St Cross College

MBA, Executive MBA, MSc Financial Economics, DPhil in Management, DPhil in Finance, MSc Global Healthcare Leadership

St Edmund Hall

MBA, MSc Financial Economics, DPhil in Management, DPhil in Finance

St Hilda's College

Executive MBA, MSc Financial Economics, DPhil in Management, DPhil in Finance

St Hugh's College

MBA, Executive MBA, MSc in Major Programme Management, MSc Financial Economics and DPhil in Management Studies

St John's College

MBA

St Peter's College

MBA, Executive MBA, MSc Financial Economics, DPhil in Management, DPhil in Finance

Somerville College

MSc Financial Economics

The Queen's College

MBA, MSc Financial Economics, DPhil in Management, DPhil in Finance

Trinity College

MBA

Wadham College

MBA, DPhil in Management, DPhil in Finance

Wolfson College

MBA, MSc Financial Economics, DPhil in Management, DPhil in Finance, MSc Global Healthcare Leadership

Worcester College

MBA, DPhil in Management, DPhil in Finance