Blackfriars
Blackfriars Hall has been a centre of scholarly excellence for over 800 years. Located in the heart of the city, Blackfriars is a small and welcoming academic community that flourishes as a space for intellectual and social debate and discussion.
The entrance to Blackfriars. Credit: University of Oxford Images / Whitaker Studio
About the college
Suppressed at the Reformation, Blackfriars was re-founded in 1921, and became a Permanent Private Hall in 1994. It comes under the umbrella of the Order of Preachers, also known as the Dominicans, a Roman Catholic religious order. Blackfriars welcomes students of all faiths or none, and flourishes as a space for intellectual and social debate and discussion.
Located in the heart of the city, Blackfriars is a small and welcoming academic community for graduate students. We accept graduate students in all Humanities subjects and in many Social Science subjects, and are particularly keen to attract students whose work engages in any aspect of our two research centres, the Aquinas Institute and the Las Casas Institute for Social Justice. Blackfriars' graduate intake is among the smallest in the University, offering students a close and supportive engagement with the Fellows, tutors and staff.
Key facts
| Students (total*) in 2025-26 | Full-time places in 2027-28 | Part-time places in 2027-28 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taught graduates | 40 | c. 30 | c. 4 |
| Research graduates | 20 | c. 4 | c. 2 |
| Undergraduates | N/A (Graduate-only college) | ||
*Total across all year groups (see source data)
1221
Re-founded 1921
Private Hall status granted 1994
Facilities
The Hall's library of over 35,000 volumes specialises in theology and philosophy and takes a number of periodicals that are not readily available elsewhere in Oxford. There is a strong holding in Patristic literature, scripture, and books and journals on the thought of St Thomas Aquinas.
A computer catalogue allows one-stop searches for works both in the Blackfriars library and in the libraries of the central University, including the Bodleian. There are computers linked to the electronic databases and resources of Blackfriars and the University, and wireless internet access.
Wi-Fi access is also provided in the MCR and teaching rooms. A computer suite provides printers and PCs for student use, with additional terminals in the library.
Students, Fellows and staff organise frequent social events. Highlights in Blackfriars’ social calendar include the informal Pizza and Wine Seminars, end-of-term parties, Formal Hall dinners and a summer garden party. Students regularly combine with members of other colleges for sporting activities, and a grant is available towards the cost of university gym facilities and cycle safety.
There is wheelchair access to the Middle Common Room (MCR), lecture room, tutorial rooms and the ground floor of the library. Applicants are encouraged to contact the Senior Tutor directly to discuss any specific needs.
Graduate students are members of the Middle Common Room (MCR). The MCR organises regular meals and social events and holds informal social evenings every week.
Accommodation and meals
Blackfriars Hall provides high-quality, good size rooms for around a third of our graduate students who request them. These are all within walking distance of the Blackfriars site. One room is particularly suitable for a student requiring accessible accommodation. However, please contact the Senior Tutor about any accessibility arrangements you may require before applying to the college.
The accommodation is ideally located in a well-lit street right in the heart of the city, close to the main sights and attractions, and convenient for University facilities, rail and bus stations. However, it is away from the main bustle and city noise: perfect for balancing the need for study and recreation.
All study bedrooms are equipped with network connections and WiFi access, and are available throughout the Christmas and Easter vacations. Rooms are allocated according to Bursary guidelines.
Further information about accommodation at Blackfriars is available on the hall website.
The accommodation provided by Blackfriars Hall has self-catering facilities. Arrangements can be made for students of Blackfriars to dine at other colleges, subject to their agreement and charges. During term, up to three Formal Halls are offered free of charge.
Courses
For entry in 2027-28
This college accepts graduate students for the following courses:
- MPhil + DPhil in Economics (full time)
- MSc in African Studies (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 Anthropology (full time and part time)
- MSc in Applied Landscape Archaeology (part time)
- MSc in Applied Linguistics and Second Language Acquisition (full time)
- MSc in Applied Linguistics for Language Teaching (part time)
- PGDip in Applied Theology (full time and part time)
- DPhil in Archaeological Science (full time)
- MSc in Archaeological Science (full time)
- MSc in Archaeology (full time)
- DPhil in Archaeology (Oxford Lifelong Learning) (part time)
- DPhil in Archaeology (School of Archaeology) (full time)
- DPhil in Architectural History (part time)
- DPhil in Area Studies (Africa) (full time and part time)
- DPhil in Area Studies (China) (full time and part time)
- DPhil in Area Studies (Japan) (full time and part time)
- DPhil in Area Studies (Latin America) (full time and part time)
- DPhil in Area Studies (Middle East) (full time and part time)
- DPhil in Area Studies (Russia and East Europe) (full time and part time)
- DPhil in Area Studies (South Asia) (full time and part time)
- DPhil in Asian and Middle Eastern Studies (full time)
- MSt in Asian and Middle Eastern Studies (full time)
- Bachelor of Civil Law (full time)
- MSt in Bible Interpretation (full time)
- MSc in Biodiversity, Conservation and Nature Recovery (full time)
- BPhil in Philosophy (full time)
- MPhil in Buddhist Studies (full time)
- MPhil in Celtic Studies (full time)
- MSt in Celtic Studies (full time)
- DPhil in Classical Archaeology (full time)
- MPhil in Classical Archaeology (full time)
- MSt in Classical Archaeology (full time)
- MSt in Classical Hebrew Studies (full time)
- MPhil in Classical Indian Religion (full time)
- DPhil in Classical Languages and Literature (full time and part time)
- MSt in Comparative Literature and Critical Translation (full time)
- MPhil in Comparative Social Policy (full time)
- MSc in Comparative Social Policy (full time)
- MSc in Contemporary Chinese Studies (full time)
- MSt in Creative Writing (part time)
- DPhil in Criminology (full time and part time)
- MSc in Criminology and Criminal Justice (full time and part time)
- MPhil in Cuneiform Studies (full time)
- MPhil in Development Studies (full time)
- MSc in Digital Scholarship (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)
- DPhil in Education (full time and part time)
- MSc in Education (Child Development and Education)
- MSc in Education (Comparative and International Education) (full time)
- MPhil in Egyptology (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)
- DPhil in English Local History (part time)
- MPhil in English Studies (Medieval Period) (full time)
- MSc in Environmental Change and Policy (full time)
- MSc in Evidence-Based Social Intervention and Policy Evaluation (full time)
- MPhil in Evidence-Based Social Intervention and Policy Evaluation (full time)
- MSt in Film Aesthetics (full time)
- DPhil in Fine Art (Contemporary Art History and Theory) (full time and part time)
- DPhil in Fine Art (Practice-led) (full time and part time)
- DPhil in Geography and the Environment (full time and part time)
- MSt in Global and Imperial History (full time)
- MSc in Global Governance and Diplomacy (full time)
- MPhil in Greek and/or Latin Languages and Literature (full time)
- MSt in Greek and/or Latin Languages and Literature (full time)
- MSt in Historical Studies (part 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)
- MSt in History of Design (part 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)
- DPhil in International Development (full time and part time)
- MSc in International Human Rights Law (part time)
- DPhil in International Relations (full time and part 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)
- MSt in Jewish Studies (full time)
- MPhil in Jewish 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 Judaism and Christianity in the Graeco-Roman World (full time)
- MSt in Korean Studies (full time)
- MPhil in Late Antique and Byzantine Studies (full time)
- MSt in Late Antique and Byzantine Studies (full time)
- MPhil in Latin American Studies (full time)
- MSc in Latin American Studies (full time)
- DPhil in Law (full time and part time)
- MPhil in Law (full time)
- MSc in Law and Finance (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)
- DPhil in Literature and Arts (part time)
- MSt in Literature and Arts (part time)
- Magister Juris (full time)
- Master of Fine Art (MFA) (full time)
- Master of Public Policy (MPP) (full time)
- MPhil in Medical Anthropology (full time)
- MSc in Medical Anthropology (full time)
- DPhil in Medieval and Modern Languages (full time and part time)
- MSt in Medieval Studies (full time)
- DPhil in Migration Studies (full time and part time)
- MSc in Migration 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)
- MTh in Applied Theology (full time and part time)
- MSt in Music (Composition) (full time)
- MPhil in Music (Composition) (full time)
- DPhil in Music (Composition) (full time and part time)
- MSt in Music (Musicology) (full time)
- MPhil in Music (Musicology) (full time)
- DPhil in Music (Musicology) (full time and part time)
- MSt in Music (Performance) (full time)
- MPhil in Music (Performance) (full time)
- MSc in Nature, Society and Environmental Governance (full time)
- MPhil in Philosophical Theology (full time)
- MSt in Philosophical Theology (full time)
- DPhil in Philosophy (full time)
- MSt in Philosophy of Physics (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)
- MSt in Practical Ethics (part time)
- DPhil in Public Policy (full time and part time)
- MSc in Refugee and Forced Migration Studies (full time)
- MSc in Russian and East European Studies (full time)
- MPhil in Russian and East European Studies (full time)
- MPhil in Slavonic Studies (full time)
- MSt in Slavonic Studies (full time)
- MSc in Social Anthropology (full time)
- DPhil in Social Data Science (full time and part time)
- MSc in Social Data Science (full time)
- DPhil in Social Intervention and Policy Evaluation (full time and part time)
- DPhil in Social Policy (full time and part time)
- MSc in Social Science of the Internet (full time and part time)
- MPhil in Socio-Legal Research (full time)
- DPhil in Socio-Legal Studies (full time and part time)
- MSc in Sociology (full time and part time)
- DPhil in Sociology (full time and part time)
- MPhil in Sociology and Demography (full time)
- MSt in Study of Religions (full time)
- MSc in Sustainability, Enterprise and the Environment (full time)
- DPhil in Sustainable Urban Development (part time)
- MSc in Sustainable Urban Development (part time)
- MSt in Syriac Studies (full time)
- MSc in Taxation (part time)
- MSc in Teacher Education (part time)
- MPhil in Theology (full time)
- MSt in Theology (full time)
- PGDip in Theology and Religion (full time and part time)
- DPhil in Theology and Religion (full time and part time)
- MPhil in Tibetan and Himalayan Studies (full time)
- MSt in Traditional China (full time)
- MPhil in Traditional East Asia (full time)
- MPhil in Visual, Material and Museum Anthropology (full time)
- MSc in Visual, Material and Museum Anthropology (full time)
- MSt in Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies (full time)
- MSt in World Literatures in English (full time)
- MSt in Yiddish Studies (full time)
Location
Contact details
For application process enquiries, please refer to our frequently asked questions.