Hertford

Hertford is known for its friendly atmosphere, welcoming students wherever they come from: you don’t have to be any particular type to fit in here. We have a near-equal gender balance, and similar numbers in arts and sciences. Naturally, we value our informal, progressive climate, which we believe fosters good, positive working relationships between tutors and students.

Hertford is in quiet Catte Street, opposite the Bodleian Library and right in the city centre, no more than a few minutes’ walk from any part of the University.

All first-years live on the main site in Catte Street. Students in other years may live in the purpose-built Warnock or Abingdon House, or in North Oxford, all about ten minutes’ walk away. We offer you a room for all three (or four) years of your course, with your first room in college, which is surrounded by other beautiful buildings. Student rooms have full internet connections, telephones and small shared kitchens. You are charged just for the meals that you take, using a swipecard. There is cafeteria service in college and in the evenings at Warnock House; formal dining is also offered.

The fully automated college library is open 24 hours a day all year. All working stock is on open shelves and covers all degree subjects taken in college. There is no limit on the number of books borrowed; requests for new books are welcome. All desks have internet connections and the library has its own computer room. The Junior Common Room (JCR) has two computer rooms and there are also computing facilities at Warnock and Abingdon House.

The college has a fitness room, a music room and two well-equipped JCRs. Off-site we have sports grounds, tennis and squash courts, and a superb new boathouse.

Hertford’s students are very active and there are always things going on that you can join in. We are very strong in musicmaking of all kinds, with an orchestra, choir and other groups giving performances. Our boathouse provides excellent facilities for novices and experienced oarsmen and women. We compete successfully in major sports, using our Edgway Road sports ground. Many subjects have their own societies that meet to hear specialist speakers or just to enjoy one another’s company.