Oriel College

Oriel College is known for its friendly and welcoming atmosphere. Oriel attaches great importance to the social and academic integration of graduates into the life of the College.

There is an annual graduate multi-disciplinary conference, 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, and where graduate students, alongside fellows of the college present their research to the rest 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.

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

• 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 contains ancient books and manuscripts.

Computing Resources

• Two computer suites, which have printing and scanning facilities.
• 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, in the common rooms, and in 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 include:

• Sports ground, with facilities for all major sports
• Gymnasium and squash court at the new development at James Mellon Hall
• Gymnasium on the main College site
  
• Well-equipped boathouse
  
• Very good mixed Chapel choir
  
• Active music society
  
• The drama society’s highlight each year is a Shakespeare play staged in one of the quads

• Most graduates live at James Mellon Hall, an annexe about 15 minutes’ walk from the main site
• Graduates may lunch and dine in the College hall as they wish, and the MCR’s guest night dinners are very popular

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 and provides:

• Newspapers and periodicals;
• Refurbished kitchen facilities;
• One of the few MCRs to have its own bar;
• Tea and coffee available at all times;
• Widescreen TV, Freeview, VCR and DVD player,
• X-Box (plus games), stereo system and piano.

Oriel’s graduate community is renowned for being one of the most social and friendly in the University. Every term the MCR Committee provides a full programme of events, including guest dinners, exchange dinners with other colleges, live jazz nights, film nights, cocktail nights and nights out in Oxford’s many restaurants and night clubs.