Mansfield

Mansfield is one of the smaller colleges, and those who study here become members of a welcoming and friendly community. We aim to provide a supportive environment in which our students can excel academically. All our first year undergraduates are invited to a specially devised induction programme in the week before they begin their course, where they receive guidance and advice from tutors and current students about how to get the most out of their time at university.

Mansfield acts on its belief that an Oxford education should be available to all those with the requisite talent, potential and application, whatever their background. Our proportion of students from the state sector is one of the highest among Oxford colleges, and we are keen to encourage applications from groups which have hitherto been under-represented at Oxford. As well as beginning new outreach work this year for schools and colleges in Bexley, Bromley, Croydon, Doncaster, the East Riding of Yorkshire, Greenwich, Kingston upon Hull and York, Mansfield has for ten years spearheaded an initiative to stimulate more applications to Oxford from Colleges of Further Education and Sixth Form Colleges.

Mansfield occupies one of the best sites in Oxford, a short walk away from the Science Area and University libraries, close to the city centre, yet in a quiet position near the University Parks.

All first-years are accommodated on site. Finalists are either on site, or in the 1997 Ablethorpe building, a 15-minute walk away. Undergraduates living on site enjoy either the convenience of ensuite facilities or more spacious rooms in the Marsh block. All rooms have telephone and internet connections. The college dining hall provides some of the best food in the University at reasonable prices.

The well-stocked library is a beautiful wood-panelled room in a quiet area of college, with a computer room, and separate libraries for theology and law. Students have 24 hour access to the libraries and are encouraged to make recommendations for books. Mansfield is fortunate to share Merton’s sports grounds, just a few minutes’ walk from the college, with tennis and squash courts and provides free gym membership for all students at a local gym. There is a pool table in the Junior Common Room (JCR) and darts are played in the cellar bar.

Student societies depend on the interests and creative talents of the current student body, but established societies include: a very popular Film Club, evening discussion groups which reflect the academic interests of the students and tutors in college, thriving subject societies such as Geography, Law and PPE societies, which hold annual dinners and a variety of other activities, and regular events to encourage and celebrate the achievements of women in the college. Mansfield is among the leading colleges for involvement in student journalism. The chapel is available for students for music practice and holds regular lunch time recitals, and there is an active college choir. Our small size makes it very easy to be involved in a wide range of sports teams, including netball, football and cricket, and many of our students try rowing for the first time when they come to Mansfield.