Brasenose College
Situated in the heart of Oxford next to the Bodleian Library and the Radcliffe Camera, Brasenose is a warm and welcoming community with a strong tradition of academic excellence.
The chapel and quad of Brasenose College. Credit: Naoise Dolan / Graduate Photography Competition
About the college
Graduate students at Brasenose form an active and close-knit community. Around 100 full-time and 20 part-time graduate students join the college each year, studying a wide variety of taught and research courses from across all the University’s academic divisions.
Brasenose is committed to providing the best possible support, both academic and pastoral, to ensure that students can follow their interests and ambitions. The Tutor for Graduates has oversight of the academic progress and welfare of students, supported by the Senior Tutor and the Deputy Registrar. Each graduate is allocated a College Advisor, who is usually a fellow of the college working in a related academic field.
Key facts
| Students (total*) in 2025-26 | Full-time places in 2027-28 | Part-time places in 2027-28 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taught graduates | 100 | c. 70 | c. 12 |
| Research graduates | 135 | c. 30 | c. 0 |
| Undergraduates | 395 | N/A | N/A |
*Total across all year groups (see source data)
1509
Facilities
Central to the college, the beautiful Greenland Library and the Stallybrass Law Library, plus several stack areas around college, constitute the Brasenose Library. Students have 24-hour access to books. Full access to all electronic library resources is available throughout college. Desks, including a small number of large height adjustable desks, are available.
The college funds the purchase of new books suggested by students for the libraries and students are always welcome to discuss any needs with library staff.
There are many opportunities to get involved in sport at Brasenose, whatever your ability or commitment level. Brasenose has a large sports ground off Abingdon Road, with football, cricket and rugby pitches, and tennis courts. The college’s boat club, one of the oldest in the world, is housed nearby. Punts are available to rent in the summer, and there is a croquet set which can be booked on New Quad.
There is a large and enthusiastic college choir which sings regularly. Music practice spaces are available to students with individual practice rooms on main site and at the Frewin site, and the antechapel, which can be booked for individual practice and larger ensembles.
Brasenose welcomes applications from disabled students. There is a strong network of college support in place to ensure that students with disabilities can thrive on-course, and the college works closely with the University's Disability Advisory Service, a team of specialist advisors who provide information, advice and support to students. Please refer to the Brasenose College Access Guide for more information and please contact the college directly if you have any questions.
Brasenose's friendly and approachable Welfare Team offer advice and support to students. They are easy to contact and offer free confidential appointments. The College Nurse holds a daily surgery during term time and works closely with the college doctors and can make referrals to more specialised support when necessary. Brasenose also has an on-site Counsellor, and the Chaplain can help with any welfare needs, regardless of religious faith. More information about wellbeing and welfare can be found on the college website.
The HCR refers both to the graduate community, and the physical Hulme Common Room, a comfy social space with a TV, PlayStation and board games. Graduates are encouraged to get involved in a wide variety of activities run by the HCR representatives (an elected committee of graduate students). Previous activities have included garden parties, pub crawls, craft afternoons, yoga sessions, day trips, bar nights, LGBTQ+ movie nights, picnics and ceilidhs. Further information about the HCR and their upcoming activities are available on the college website.
Accommodation and meals
There is college accommodation available for most full-time graduate freshers each year at Brasenose.
Accommodation for graduates is spread across two sites, Hollybush Row and St Cross. These are both within walking distance from the main Brasenose College site in Radcliffe Square.
Rooms at Hollybush Row are en-suite with communal kitchens. There are also two self-contained flats. Graduate rooms at St Cross are arranged in flats, with fully equipped kitchens and bathrooms. On-site laundry facilities and secure cycle storage are also available.
More information about the accommodation available at Brasenose is available on the college website.
The college prides itself on the quality of its meals, and on being able to pass on substantial cost savings to students. Breakfast, lunch and dinner (or brunch at the weekend) are provided daily. Meals are informal and optional; students order via an app to eat in the dining hall or to take away. Each meal has a variety of options and combinations for students to choose from, and food is locally sourced where possible. Vegetarian and vegan meals, and gluten free options, are always available. Meat dishes are usually halal, and specific dietary requirements can be catered for. Formal dinners, with table service, is an option three nights a week during term-time.
Courses
For entry in 2027-28
This college accepts graduate students for the following courses:
- MPhil + DPhil in Economics (full time)
- DPhil in Ancient History (full time)
- MPhil in Ancient History (full time)
- MSt in Ancient History (full time)
- MSt in Ancient Philosophy (full time)
- MSc in Applied Digital Health (full time)
- MSc in Applied Financial Economics (part time)
- DPhil in Archaeological Science (full time)
- MSc in Archaeological Science (full time)
- MSc in Archaeology (full time)
- DPhil in Archaeology (School of Archaeology) (full time)
- DPhil in Area Studies (Latin America) (full time)
- DPhil in Area Studies (South Asia) (full time)
- DPhil 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 and part time)
- MSc in Autonomous Robotics (full time)
- Bachelor of Civil Law (full time)
- DPhil in Biochemistry (full time)
- MSc in Biodiversity, Conservation and Nature Recovery (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)
- 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)
- MSc by Research in Chemistry (full time)
- DPhil in Classical Archaeology (full time)
- MPhil in Classical Archaeology (full time)
- MSt in Classical Archaeology (full time)
- DPhil in Classical Languages and Literature (full time)
- MSc in Clinical and Therapeutic Neuroscience (full time)
- DPhil in Clinical Epidemiology and Medical Statistics (full time)
- DPhil in Clinical Medicine (full time and part time)
- DPhil in Clinical Neurosciences (full time)
- MSt in Comparative Literature and Critical Translation (full time)
- DPhil in Condensed Matter Physics (full time)
- MSt in Creative Writing (part time)
- MPhil in Development Studies (full time)
- Doctor of Medicine (DM) (variable intensity)
- DPhil in Economic and Social History (full 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)
- MSc in Education (Child Development and Education)
- MSc in Educational Assessment (part time)
- MSc in Energy Systems (full time and part time)
- Engineering Biology (EPSRC and BBSRC CDT) (full time)
- DPhil in Engineering Science (full time and part time)
- DPhil in English (full 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)
- MSc in Environmental Change and Policy (full time)
- Executive Master of Business Administration (EMBA) (part time)
- DPhil in Experimental Psychology (full time and part time)
- MSc by Research in Experimental Psychology (full time and part time)
- DPhil in Finance (full time)
- DPhil in Fine Art (Contemporary Art History and Theory) (full time)
- DPhil in Fine Art (Practice-led) (full time)
- MSc in Genomic Medicine (full time)
- DPhil in Genomic Medicine and Statistics (full 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)
- MSc in Global Healthcare Leadership (part time)
- MSc in Global Health Science and Epidemiology (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)
- MPhil in History of Science, Medicine and Technology (full time)
- MSc in History of Science, Medicine and Technology (full time)
- Inorganic Materials for Advanced Manufacturing (EPSRC CDT) (full time)
- Intelligent Earth (UKRI CDT in AI for the Environment) (full time)
- DPhil in Interdisciplinary Life and Environmental Science (full time and part time)
- DPhil in International Development (full time and part time)
- MSc in International Health and Tropical Medicine (full time)
- DPhil in International Relations (full time and part time)
- MPhil in International Relations (full time)
- MSt in Jewish Studies (full time)
- MPhil in Jewish 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)
- MSc in Learning and Teaching (part time)
- Magister Juris (full time)
- DPhil in Management (full time)
- Master of Business Administration (MBA) (full time)
- Master of Fine Art (MFA) (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)
- 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)
- MSt in Medieval Studies (full time)
- MSc in Modelling for Global Health (full time)
- MPhil in Modern Languages (full time)
- MSt in Modern Languages (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 Nature, Society and Environmental Governance (full time)
- MSc in Neuroscience (full time)
- DPhil in Neuroscience (1+3) (full time)
- DPhil in Oncology (full time)
- Oxford 1+1 MBA Programme (full time)
- DPhil in Particle Physics (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)
- DPhil in Politics (full time and part time)
- MPhil in Politics (Comparative Government) (full time)
- MPhil in Politics (European Politics and Society) (full time)
- MPhil in Politics (Political Theory) (full time)
- MSc in Politics of Global Challenges (full time)
- DPhil in Population Health (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)
- MSc in Quantum Technologies (full time)
- MSc in Refugee and Forced Migration Studies (full time)
- Robotics and Artificial Intelligence for Net Zero (EPSRC CDT) (full time)
- MSc in Statistical Science (full time)
- DPhil in Statistics (full time)
- Statistics and Machine Learning (EPSRC CDT) (full time)
- DPhil in Surgical Sciences (full time)
- MSc in Sustainability, Enterprise and the Environment (full time)
- MSc in Teacher Education (part time)
- MSc in Theoretical and Computational Chemistry (full time)
- DPhil in Theoretical Physics (full time)
- MSc in Water Science, Policy and Management (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)
- MSt in Yiddish Studies (full time)
- DPhil in Zero-Carbon Energy Research (full time)
Location
Brasenose's historic main site is located on Radcliffe Square. The graduate accommodation sites are within walking distance, St Cross (located on St Cross Road near the Law Faculty Library) and Hollybush Row (located close to the junction with Park End Street, near the Said Business School and Rail Station).
Contact details
For application process enquiries, please refer to our frequently asked questions.