Blackfriars

Blackfriars is a specialist community focused on teaching, research, and enquiry in philosophy, theology, and politics, with a strong interest in what academic study can bring to public life and developing leadership, as well as to interreligious dialogue. Run by Dominican friars inspired by the intellectual vision of St Thomas Aquinas, it has a highly international student body of different religious backgrounds, and there is a long tradition of welcoming Visiting Students. Blackfriars admits men and women aged 21 or above. The hall, which occupies part of the Dominican Priory and nearby properties, has a small, friendly environment with a strong focus and ethos. Students and Fellows mix on a daily basis.

Blackfriars contains several specialist institutes: the Aquinas Institute for Thomist studies, and the Las Casas Institute, which looks at faith and public life, especially poverty, migration, and human rights; students enjoy privileged access to special lectures by distinguished visitors and to conferences offered by the institutes. The hall is also closely associated with the Blackfriars Studium, a study centre which offers a wide range of additional lectures in Catholic theology and philosophy. The Divine Office and Mass are celebrated daily in the Priory church, and students are welcome, if they wish, to worship with the resident Dominican community of some 25 friars. If you are considering applying to Blackfriars, we encourage you to contact the Regent in order to find out more.

Blackfriars is in St Giles’, between the Ashmolean Museum and Pusey House, a few minutes’ walk from the Theology Faculty, Bodleian and Sackler Classics libraries, and the Oriental Institute.

Blackfriars has rooms for two thirds of its students. Friars are accommodated in the Priory; other students live mainly in properties with self-catering facilities in St John’s Street, immediately behind the hall. Arrangements are made for students to take meals at another nearby college.

Blackfriars normally accepts undergraduate students for Theology, Theology and Philosophy, Theology and Oriental Studies and PPE only. A scholarship of up to £2,500 may be offered to a successful second BA applicant in Theology, or Theology and Philosophy. Service-learning scholarships of £2,500 may be offered in conjunction with the hall’s Las Casas Institute for faith and social justice. Smaller scholarships are given to students who achieve a distinction in the first University examinations.

The hall contains an outstanding library in theology and philosophy of more than 35,000 volumes, open daily from 8.30am to 10pm. A computerised self-issue system enables students to borrow some books, while others are retained as an extensive reference collection. There is a wi-fi network, computer suite and additional computers in the library. The Junior Common Room (JCR) offers a comfortable place to relax and meet other students.

The JCR organises frequent social events. Highlights in Blackfriars’ social calendar include Thanksgiving Dinner, a reading week in the country, the Advent party, JCR/MCR Dinner and summer garden party. Students are enthusiastic members of many University societies.