Lincoln

Lincoln, one of the smaller colleges in Oxford, combines intimacy with a strong academic tradition. Its strength is the personal relationship between tutors and students built by the tutorial system – hence Lincoln’s emphasis on teaching in college, especially in the first year. There is also a genuine atmosphere of good humour, hard work and mutual support. Our tutors are concerned to assess academic potential and commitment as sympathetically as possible and they encourage applicants from all kinds of schools and backgrounds. Our aim is simply to give the best education we can, to those best able to benefit.

The college is very conscious of financial pressures on students, and helps where it can. There are prizes and scholarships for outstanding academic work, grants for book purchases, bursaries for travel and project work in vacations, and some discretionary funds for cases of financial difficulty.

Lincoln is in the city centre, on Turl Street, between the High Street and Broad Street. The college was founded in the 15th century and the main site retains its medieval character. Lincoln has also converted other properties nearby for accommodation and teaching.

All undergraduates are guaranteed accommodation in college for three years, if they wish. All rooms have washbasins or ensuite facilities and all have an internet connection. First- and second-year students are mostly housed in the old part of college and in Turl Street. Third-year students are usually accommodated a few streets away in Museum Road, close to the Science Area, or opposite the college, on the High Street. Lincoln College food is widely regarded as the very best in the University and the 15th century hall provides a popular focus for life in college. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served in hall everyday during term-time.

The college has one of the most beautiful libraries in Oxford, in what was All Saints Church; a fine, early 18th century building now sensitively restored as a fully equipped modern library with more than 80 reading desks. Students have their own well-equipped computer room and each undergraduate is given a generous free printing quota. Lincoln has its own sports field and boathouse, and all students have free membership of the University gym and swimming pool.

There are college teams in most sports, and several active student societies. Drama and music are strong, and each year the Turl Street Arts Festival provides a special focus for a wide range of arts events organized by members of the college. The very fine chapel choir (which has recorded several CDs) performs throughout the term and undertakes tours in the UK and abroad. Much social life is focused on the Junior Common Room (JCR) and the attractive bar called Deep Hall, in the cellars of the dining hall.  A Lincoln ball is held in alternate years.