01 Aug 08

Merton College has retained the top spot on this year's Norrington table.

The colleges of Oxford University have published interim figures for undergraduate degree results in 2008. The online table shows the number of undergraduate degrees gained by students at each college, broken down by degree classification.

A ‘Norrington score’ is calculated by applying a formula which expresses overall finals attainment by college. The ranking of colleges according to the results of their undergraduate students in a particular year’s final honours school was first undertaken by Sir Arthur Norrington in the 1960s. The resulting table of colleges has become known as the ‘Norrington Table’.

In interpreting the data it should be noted that the number of students per college is relatively small and the rankings are therefore of limited statistical significance. However, since there is clearly an interest in the tables from the media and the public, the results are published so everyone has access to the data.

This year Merton has retained the top spot in the rankings and St John’s College has moved from 6th to 2nd place. St Hugh’s has moved the furthest up the rankings, climbing from 26th last year to 10th in this year’s table.

Oxford colleges, though independent and self-governing, form a core part of the University, to which they are related in a federal system. Thirty of the colleges admit students for undergraduate degrees.

There are also seven Permanent Private Halls, which were founded by different Christian denominations and which still retain their religious character. They all admit students for undergraduate degrees. Degree information for Permanent Private Halls is presented separately from the colleges because the numbers are so small as to make comparisons meaningless.

Degrees at Oxford are awarded by the University, not the individual colleges, and examinations are set and marked by the University. Teaching is provided by both the University (on a departmental basis through lectures, seminars and practical work) and by the student’s college (through tutorials).

The current figures are an interim table based on the results available. A final version which may include amendments, such as the results of appeals, will be made available in October 2008.