Balliol College
Balliol is one of the oldest and most centrally situated of the Oxford colleges, well known for its high academic standards, diverse community, friendly atmosphere and lively spirit of intellectual debate.
The chapel of Balliol College in summer. Credit: University of Oxford Images/Fisher Studios Ltd
About the college
Balliol graduate students (members of the Middle Common Room) enjoy the advantages of being part of a large, established college and of forming an independent and active graduate community. The Graduate Centre, with the beautiful medieval building of Holywell Manor at its heart, has a thriving academic and social life, and the college is proud of its large, lively and international graduate community.
Students come from over 40 different countries and study an even greater variety of subjects. There is a programme of interdisciplinary seminars with distinguished outside speakers of many varieties and the Middle Common Room organises excellent internal research seminars.
Balliol College also offers a range of graduate scholarships, and there is financial support in the form of bursaries, conference and research project grants, and additional funding for college activities.
Key facts
| Students (total*) in 2025-26 | Full-time places in 2027-28 | Part-time places in 2027-28 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taught graduates | 85 | c. 56 | c. 8 |
| Research graduates | 255 | c. 65 | c. 0 |
| Undergraduates | 415 | N/A | N/A |
*Total across all year groups (see source data)
1263
College tour
Facilities
The large and well-stocked Balliol College Library on the Broad Street college site is open 24 hours, seven days a week. The Special Collections Centre in St Cross Church houses important collections of medieval and modern manuscripts, early printed books and books by former and current college members. There is a specialised law library and extensive college archives.
There are two networked computers along with a multifunction printer, scanner and copier available for student use at the Holywell Graduate Centre.
Network broadband connections are available in all study bedrooms and wireless internet access is available throughout the Graduate Centre.
The college has its own sports pavilion overlooked by graduate accommodation on the Master’s Field, with football and cricket pitches, as well as tennis, squash and basketball courts. There are table tennis facilities and, on the Broad Street site, a croquet lawn.
A well-equipped college boathouse on the Thames is the base for an excellent boat club. There are multi-gyms on the Broad Street site and in the Graduate Centre in Holywell Manor.
Music practice rooms can be booked in the Manor or the college's Broad Street site, with a Steinway grand piano available for concerts. There is also a studio theatre for rehearsals and performances.
The college operates a full-time year-round day nursery for the pre-school children of Balliol students and staff. A limited number of childcare bursaries are available.
Balliol Chapel is a centre of worship for all denominations, to which those of all faiths and none are welcomed.
Specially adapted facilities are available in the Graduate Centre. Arrangements are made on an individual basis; please contact the Graduate Administrator to discuss any requirements before submitting an application.
The college encourages graduate students to access the college or University welfare and wellbeing services should they find they need help, advice, or support during their studies. College staff support available to graduates includes the Welfare Lead, Nurse, College Counsellor, Student Finance and Support Administrator (including disability), Harassment Advisors and Junior Deans (provide evening support 7 days a week).
The Welfare and Wellbeing Team can advise students or direct them to appropriate sources of support about issues that may be affecting their wellbeing, including:
- Health concerns, minor ailments, and injuries
- Anxiety, stress, panic attacks, low mood, sleep disturbance, the effects of bereavement, or mental health concerns
- Difficulties arising from drug or alcohol use, or from eating disorders
- Issues relating to gender identity, those specific to being a woman or coming from a minority ethnic or LGBTQ+ group
- Challenges from estrangement from parents, care experience or being a student parent
- Dealing with the effects of sexual abuse, assault, or violence.
The Balliol Middle Common Room (MCR) has an active committee involved in many aspects of student life and deals with everything from organising a variety of social events to representing Balliol graduates.
Accommodation and meals
Balliol's graduate housing is located around the college's Graduate Centre at Holywell Manor, some ten minutes' walk from the Broad Street site. It consists of Holywell Manor itself, which dates from 1516 (including James Fairfax Yard, an annexe attached to the Manor), some rooms at Jowett Walk, and four accommodation blocks at the Master’s Field, completed in 2021.
Holywell Manor is situated in a large and elegant garden and the building comprises three wings as well as communal areas such as the lounge, music room, gym, TV room, bar, laundry room and Middle Common Room.
All rooms within the Graduate Centre are for single occupancy only. Unfortunately, Balliol College is unable to offer suitable accommodation for couples or families. The rooms vary in size, age and furnishings; the rent also varies accordingly. At the Master’s Field there are en-suite bedrooms available, all with access to a kitchen and communal space shared with five other people. Elsewhere toilets and shower rooms are communal and there are kitchens available on most floors; most rooms contain their own wash-basin, and there are a small number of en-suite rooms.
Balliol is able to offer single occupancy accommodation to most new first-year graduate students, usually in the Graduate Centre. First-year students who cannot be initially accommodated are placed on a waiting list and allocated rooms if they become available. Accommodation in later years is allocated by ballot.
Balliol has a number of ground-floor rooms designed and adapted for disabled use, to include accessible bathroom and kitchen facilities. To discuss individual requirements please contact the Graduate Administrator.
Further information about accommodation at Balliol College is available on the college website.
Balliol has an excellent kitchen, managed by its award-winning Executive Head Chef, Bertrand Faucheux. The dining hall on the Broad Street site serves a buffet-style lunch and dinner seven days a week, and breakfast on weekdays, during term time. Hall meals are subsidised by the college and provide healthy and varied menus, including vegetarian and vegan options.
The cheapest and most convenient way to eat in the college's dining hall is by pre-payment (NB the accommodation charge at Balliol does not cover meals in the dining hall).
All rooms at the Master’s Field site have access to a kitchen; elsewhere in the Graduate Centre there are kitchens for self-catering on most floors. The facilities vary greatly in size, equipment and quality, but most are equipped with a cooktop, oven, and at least nominal cold storage. In many cases, a kitchen becomes the social hub for nearby residents. The kitchens also play an integral role in the Balliol MCR's large student cooking events.
Further information on Balliol College's catering services is available on the college website.
Courses
For entry in 2027-28
This college accepts graduate students for the following courses:
- MPhil + DPhil in Economics (full time)
- MSc in Advanced Computer Science (full time)
- DPhil in Ancient History (full time and part time)
- MPhil in Ancient History (full time)
- MSt in Ancient History (full time)
- MSt in Ancient Philosophy (full time)
- DPhil in Area Studies (China) (full time)
- DPhil in Area Studies (Japan) (full time)
- DPhil in Area Studies (Middle East) (full time)
- DPhil in Area Studies (South Asia) (full time)
- DPhil in Asian and Middle Eastern Studies (full time)
- MSt in Asian and Middle Eastern Studies (full time)
- DPhil in Astrophysics (full time)
- DPhil in Atmospheric, Oceanic and Planetary Physics (full time)
- DPhil in Atomic and Laser Physics (full time)
- Autonomous Intelligent Machines and Systems (EPSRC CDT) (full time)
- Bachelor of Civil Law (full time)
- DPhil in Biochemistry (full time)
- MSc by Research in Biochemistry (full time)
- DPhil in Biology (full time)
- MSc by Research in Biology (full time)
- DPhil in Biomedical Sciences (NIH OxCam) (full time)
- BPhil in Philosophy (full time)
- MPhil in Buddhist Studies (full time)
- DPhil in Cancer Science (Clinician) (full time)
- DPhil in Cancer Science (Intercalation) (full time)
- Cancer Science CDT (Biological background) (full time)
- Cancer Science CDT (Maths/Physics background) (full time)
- Chemical Synthesis for a Healthy Planet (EPSRC CDT) (full time)
- DPhil in Chemistry (full time)
- DPhil in Classical Archaeology (full time)
- MPhil in Classical Archaeology (full time)
- MSt in Classical Archaeology (full time)
- MPhil in Classical Indian Religion (full time)
- DPhil in Classical Languages and Literature (full time and part time)
- DPhil in Clinical Medicine (full time and part time)
- DPhil in Clinical Neurosciences (full time)
- MSc by Research in Clinical Neurosciences (full time)
- DPhil in Computer Science (full time)
- DPhil in Condensed Matter Physics (full time)
- MPhil in Development Studies (full time)
- MPhil in Eastern Christian Studies (full time)
- DPhil in Economic and Social History (full time and part time)
- MPhil in Economic and Social History (full time)
- MSc in Economic and Social History (full time)
- DPhil in Economics (full time and part time)
- MPhil in Economics (full time)
- MSc in Economics for Development (full time)
- MPhil in Egyptology (full time)
- DPhil in Engineering Science (full time and part time)
- MSc by Research in Engineering Science (full time)
- DPhil in English (full time and part time)
- MSt in English (650-1550) (full time)
- MSt in English (1550-1700) (full time)
- MSt in English (1700-1830) (full time)
- MSt in English (1830-1914) (full time)
- MSt in English (1900-present) (full time)
- MSt in English and American Studies (full time)
- MPhil in English Studies (Medieval Period) (full time)
- Executive Master of Business Administration (EMBA) (part time)
- MSc in Financial Economics (full time)
- Fusion Power (EPSRC CDT) (full time)
- DPhil in Genomic Medicine and Statistics (full time)
- MSt in Global and Imperial History (full time)
- MPhil in Greek and/or Latin Languages and Literature (full time)
- MSt in Greek and/or Latin Languages and Literature (full time)
- Healthcare Data Science (EPSRC CDT) (full time)
- DPhil in History (full time and part time)
- MPhil in History (British and European History 1700-1850) (full time)
- MSt in History (British and European History 1700-1850) (full time and part time)
- MPhil in History (Early Modern History 1500-1700) (full time)
- MSt in History (Early Modern History 1500-1700) (full time and part time)
- MPhil in History (History of War) (full time)
- MSt in History (History of War) (full time and part time)
- MPhil in History (Intellectual History) (full time)
- MSt in History (Intellectual History) (full time and part time)
- MPhil in History (Medieval History) (full time)
- MSt in History (Medieval History) (full time and part time)
- MPhil in History (Modern British History 1850-present) (full time)
- MSt in History (Modern British History 1850-present) (full time and part time)
- MPhil in History (Modern European History 1850-present) (full time)
- MSt in History (Modern European History 1850-Present) (full time and part time)
- MPhil in History (US History) (full time)
- MSt in History (US History) (full time and part time)
- MPhil in History (Women's, Gender and Queer History) (full time)
- MSt in History (Women's, Gender and Queer History) (full time and part time)
- DPhil in History of Art (full time and part time)
- MSt in History of Art and Visual Culture (full time)
- MPhil in History of Science, Medicine and Technology (full time)
- MSc in History of Science, Medicine and Technology (full time)
- DPhil in Information, Communication and the Social Sciences (full time and part time)
- Inorganic Materials for Advanced Manufacturing (EPSRC CDT) (full time)
- MSc in Integrated Immunology (full time)
- Intelligent Earth (UKRI CDT in AI for the Environment) (full time)
- DPhil in International Development (full time and part time)
- DPhil in International Relations (full time)
- MPhil in International Relations (full time)
- MPhil in Islamic Art and Architecture (full time)
- MSt in Islamic Art and Architecture (full time)
- MPhil in Islamic Studies and History (full time)
- MSt in Islamic Studies and History (full time)
- MSc in Japanese Studies (full time)
- MPhil in Japanese Studies (full time)
- MPhil in Jewish Studies in the Graeco-Roman Period (full time)
- MSt in Jewish Studies in the Graeco-Roman Period (full time)
- MPhil in Late Antique and Byzantine Studies (full time)
- MSt in Late Antique and Byzantine Studies (full time)
- DPhil in Law (full time and part time)
- MPhil in Law (full time)
- MPhil in Linguistics, Philology and Phonetics (full time)
- DPhil in Linguistics, Philology and Phonetics (full time and part time)
- MSt in Linguistics, Philology and Phonetics (Advanced Study) (full time)
- MSt in Linguistics, Philology and Phonetics (Research Preparation) (full time)
- Magister Juris (full time)
- Master of Business Administration (MBA) (full time)
- Master of Public Policy (MPP) (full time)
- MSc in Mathematical and Theoretical Physics (full time)
- MSc in Mathematical Modelling and Scientific Computing (full time)
- MSc in Mathematical Sciences (full time)
- DPhil in Mathematics (full time)
- MSc by Research in Mathematics (full time)
- MSc in Mathematics and Foundations of Computer Science (full time)
- MPhil in Medical Anthropology (full time)
- MSc in Medical Education (part time)
- DPhil in Medical Sciences (full time and part time)
- MSc by Research in Medical Sciences (full time and part time)
- DPhil in Medieval and Modern Languages (full time and part time)
- MSt in Medieval Studies (full time)
- MPhil in Modern Chinese Studies (full time)
- MPhil in Modern Languages (full time)
- MSt in Modern Languages (full time)
- MPhil in Modern Middle Eastern Studies (full time)
- MSc in Modern Middle Eastern Studies (full time)
- MSc in Modern South Asian Studies (full time)
- DPhil in Molecular and Cellular Medicine (full time and part time)
- MSc by Research in Molecular and Cellular Medicine (full time and part time)
- DPhil in Molecular Cell Biology in Health and Disease (full time)
- DPhil in Musculoskeletal Sciences (full time and part time)
- MSc by Research in Musculoskeletal Sciences (full time and part time)
- MSc in Neuroscience (full time)
- DPhil in Neuroscience (1+3) (full time)
- DPhil in Oncology (full time)
- MSc by Research in Oncology (full time)
- Oxford 1+1 MBA Programme (full time)
- DPhil in Particle Physics (full time)
- MSc by Research in Pharmacology (full time)
- DPhil in Pharmacology (full time)
- DPhil in Philosophy (full time)
- MSt in Philosophy of Physics (full time)
- MSc by Research in Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics (full time)
- DPhil in Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics (full time)
- MPhil in Politics (Comparative Government) (full time)
- MPhil in Politics (European Politics and Society) (full time)
- MPhil in Politics (Political Theory) (full time)
- DPhil in Primary Health Care (full time and part time)
- DPhil in Psychiatry (full time and part time)
- MSc by Research in Psychiatry (full time and part time)
- DPhil in Public Policy (full time and part time)
- Quantum Informatics (EPSRC CDT)
- MSc in Quantum Technologies (full time)
- MSc in Social Science of the Internet (full time and part time)
- DPhil in Statistics (full time)
- MSc by Research in Statistics (full time)
- Statistics and Machine Learning (EPSRC CDT) (full time and part time)
- Superconductivity: Enabling Transformative Technologies (EPSRC CDT) (full time and part time)
- DPhil in Surgical Sciences (full time)
- MSc by Research in Surgical Sciences (full time)
- MSt in Syriac Studies (full time)
- MSc in Theoretical and Computational Chemistry (full time)
- DPhil in Theoretical Physics (full time)
- MSt in Traditional China (full time)
- MPhil in Traditional East Asia (full time)
- MSt in Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies (full time)
- DPhil in Women's and Reproductive Health (full time and part time)
- MSc by Research in Women's and Reproductive Health (full time)
- MSt in World Literatures in English (full time)
Location
Contact details
For application process enquiries, please refer to our frequently asked questions.