Whenever I tell someone I go to Univ, they always respond with “wow, that’s such a nice college!”. I often feel a twinge of pride that I go to a college with such a great reputation amongst Oxford students.

– Sophie, Physics student

Oxford colleges are more similar than they are different, and nearly every student will say their college is the best one! With that said, here are some of the reasons why students choose Univ: 

• We are right in the middle of Oxford with the city centre on our doorstep. The Examination Schools, where lectures for many different courses are held, are right next door. Univ students often wake up five minutes before their lecture starts and make it with time to spare!
• Univ students usually have College accommodation for the whole of their course. We are one of the larger colleges at Oxford, making for a vibrant community.
• Despite being one of the oldest colleges in Oxford, Univ has a reputation for being forward-thinking and inclusive; the first Black student to graduate from Oxford (Christian Cole) was a member of Univ, and our Master, Baroness Amos, is the first Black Head of an Oxford college. We are also known for having one of the highest intakes of students from low socio-economic backgrounds amongst Oxford colleges.
• As well as our on-site college gym, Univ students have free access to the main university sports centre on Iffley Road. Thanks to our location, we are also one of the closest colleges to the sports centre, as well as to cultural shops, cafes and restaurants on Cowley Road.
• We’re strong in music, sport, and drama (Dame Maggie Smith was part of Univ’s drama society!). We have the largest non-auditioning choir in the University, and a modern boathouse for rowing. Find out more on our Sport & Societies page.
• We have excellent Student Welfare provision and we aim to be one of the best colleges in Oxford when it comes to supporting our students.
• We have one of the most generous bursary schemes in the University. About a fifth of Univ students receive a bursary, and we have book, equipment and travel grants too, as well as a fund for students in unexpected financial hardship. We also have the Univ Beacon Programme – ten bursaries for students who come from backgrounds that are priorities for widening participation.
• As part of our commitment to widening participation at Oxford, we pioneered the Opportunity Programme in 2016. This programme has now been expanded University-wide as Opportunity Oxford and we are proud to be an active participant.

Lots of students call Univ the ‘Goldilocks College’, because it’s not too big or small, but ‘just right’ – it’s well-rounded across all its subjects, not intensely specialising in one over others, and has a central location with typically pretty ‘Oxford-y’ buildings. I’m so happy to call Univ home.

– Kate, Law student