Oriel College

Oriel College is known for its friendly and welcoming atmosphere. The College has beautiful historic buildings dating from the 14th to the 20th Century. It is centrally located, only minutes away from the Bodleian library, with the lodge quietly situated just off Oxford's High Street.

Oriel attaches great importance to the social and academic integration of graduates into the life of the College.

There is a termly Graduate Symposium, organised by the MCR, where graduate students can present and discuss their research.

The College also organises the Joint Academic Forum, which meets once a term, where graduate students present their research to the rest of the college alongside the Fellows of the college. The College is also keen to provide teaching opportunities for graduates, and has its own Graduate Teaching Assistantship scheme.

The Tutor for Graduates, who is a Fellow of the College, has responsibility for the welfare of graduate students. Each graduate student is also allocated a College Advisor, who is usually a Fellow of the College working in a similar academic field who can provide support and advice.

Facilities for students with disabilities

There is specially-designed accommodation on the main College site and at James Mellon Hall for students with disabilities. Some of the historic buildings on the main site may cause problems for students with mobility difficulties.

Library resources

Oriel has an impressive library of over 100,000 volumes, which is open 24 hours and is exceptionally well funded for the purchase of new books. The Senior Library has a collection of ancient books and manuscripts and is open to students during term time.

Computing resources

• Two computer suites with printing and scanning facilities, open 24 hours a day
  
• All student rooms on the main College site and at James Mellon Hall are connected to the University internet, and most rooms also have telephones
• Wireless internet access is available in the College Library, common rooms and other areas on the main College site

Art, music, drama and sport

Oriel has a lively and active student body. Graduates are encouraged to participate in extra-curricular activities and social events. Facilities, clubs and societies include:

• Sports ground with facilities for all major sports; Oriel students compete in most inter-collegiate sports
  
• Gymnasium and squash court at the new development at James Mellon Hall
• Gymnasium on the main College site
  
• Well-equipped boathouse with active Oriel College Boat Club
  
• Croquet, available during term time
• Very good mixed Chapel choir
  
• Active music society - termly concerts, and performances by music and choral scholars and visitng musicians
• Drama societies - cupper play(s) for freshers and an annual summer play in one of the College quads

All graduate first year students are guaranteed College accommodation if they would like it. The College can almost always accommodate returning graduates in later years, though this is not guaranteed.

Many graduates live in James Mellon Hall, an annexe on Rectory and Cowley Roads around fifteen minutes' walk or less than ten minutes' cycle from the main site. These rooms have ensuite bathrooms and share good kitchen facilities. 

Graduates may eat breakfast, lunch and/or dinner in the College Hall as they wish; there are both informal and formal Hall dinners during term times and informal hall only out of term time. The MCR organises termly Guest Night dinners which are very popular. 

Graduates may dine at High Table with senior members of the College at formal hall once each term.

• Letting period: Minimum of 39 weeks

The College offers several graduate scholarships. There is a Travel Grant fund which makes generous awards each term: these are particularly useful for graduates wishing to attend conferences.

For more information, please see the Oxford Funding Search.

The attractive Middle Common Room is an excellent social centre for graduates, overlooking Oriel Square. It is open to its members 24 hours a day and provides:

• Newspapers and periodicals;
• Comfortable sofas and armchairs;
  
• Refurbished kitchen facilities;
• One of the few MCRs to have its own bar;
• Tea and coffee available at all times;
• Widescreen TV, Freeview and DVD player,
• Stereo system, guitar, keyboard and piano.

There is also a recently opened MCR study room situated above the MCR, a large and light room providing quiet study space reserved solely for the use of MCR members during term time. The space is open 24 hours a day and is well used throughout the year. 

Oriel’s graduate community is renowned for being social and friendly. The MCR has members from all over the world and comprises both taught and research graduate students, mature undergraduates, fourth-year undergraduates and MCR associate members, including post-doctoral researchers. Graduate students are also automatically given membership of the Junior Common Room (JCR). 

MCR members annually elect their own committee to run the MCR and represent members' interests on College committees. Every term the MCR Committee provides a full programme of events, including guest dinners, exchange dinners with other colleges, weekly post-formal hall dessert, film nights, cocktail nights, nights out around Oxford and student parties in College known as 'bops'.