Oriel College
Oriel College has beautiful historic buildings dating from the 14th to the 21st century.
Oriel College. Credit: Oxford University Images
About the college
Oriel attaches great importance to the academic and social integration of graduates into the life of the college. There are regular symposia, organised by the Middle Common Room (MCR), where graduate students can present and discuss their research.
The college is also keen to provide teaching opportunities for graduates, and has its own graduate teaching assistantship scheme. The college offers graduate studentships to provide financial support to the most able students, and travel grants that support all graduate students who need to travel for their study.
The Tutor for Graduates, who is a fellow of the college, monitors and supports the academic progress of graduate students. Welfare support is provided by a dedicated team, led by the Senior Dean. Each graduate student is also allocated a College Advisor, who is usually a fellow of the college working in a similar academic field, to provide support and advice.
Key facts
| Students (total*) in 2025-26 | Full-time places in 2027-28 | Part-time places in 2027-28 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taught graduates | 105 | c. 57 | c. 16 |
| Research graduates | 110 | c. 27 | c. 0 |
| Undergraduates | 325 | N/A | N/A |
*Total across all year groups (see source data)
1326
College tour
Facilities
Oriel has an impressive library of over 100,000 volumes. The library is recently refurbished, open 24 hours and is exceptionally well funded for the purchase of new books. The Senior Library has a collection of ancient books and manuscripts and is open to students during term time.
There are two computer suites, open 24 hours a day, with two networked print/scan/copy facilities. All student rooms on the main college site and at James Mellon Hall have network connections.
Wi-fi access is available throughout the college.
Oriel has a lively and active student body. Graduates are encouraged to participate in extra-curricular activities and social events.
The college has a sports ground with facilities for all major sports, and Oriel students compete in most inter-collegiate sports. There is a gym and squash court at James Mellon Hall and a second gym on the main college site. The college has a well-equipped boathouse with an active boat club. Croquet is also available during term time.
There is very good mixed chapel choir and an active music society who arrange termly concerts. The calendar of events also features performances by music and choral scholars and visiting musicians.
The college has a number of drama societies and many students are members of the Oxford University Dramatic Society.
There is specially-designed accommodation on the main college site and at James Mellon Hall for disabled students. Some of the historic buildings on the main site may cause problems for students with mobility difficulties. If you need to make a special accommodation request due to a physical disability, please contact the college’s Disability Officer.
Oriel has an extensive provision of health and welfare support delivered by a team of Deans and College Officers who are always happy to discuss welfare matters with students.
Medical support is also available through the National Health Service (NHS), and students are encouraged to register with the college doctor. They may also see the college nurse, who offers week-day appointments during term-time.
Further information about all the welfare support Oriel offers can be found on the college website.
The attractive Oriel Middle Common Room (MCR) was once declared to be housed in some of the ‘finest rooms in Oxford’. The MCR continues to be an excellent social centre for Oriel’s graduates, with social spaces overlooking the picturesque Oriel Square. It is open to its members 24 hours a day.
All members of Oriel’s MCR are entitled to free tea, coffee and biscuits, throughout the day in our main common room. The MCR bar is open three days a week, with regular drink specials and is great value. The MCR also contains kitchen facilities along with a comfortable seating area. There is also an MCR study room situated above the MCR, a large and light room providing quiet study space reserved solely for the use of MCR members all day, throughout the year.
Oriel’s graduate community is renowned for being welcoming, social and friendly. The MCR has members from all over the world and comprises both taught and research graduate students, mature undergraduates, fourth-year undergraduates and MCR associate members, including post-doctoral researchers. Graduate students are also automatically given membership of the Junior Common Room (JCR).
MCR members annually elect their own committee to run the MCR and represent members' interests on college committees. Every term the MCR Committee provides a full programme of events, including guest dinners, exchange dinners with other colleges, weekly post-formal hall dessert, film nights, cocktail nights, and weekly afternoon tea. There is also a punt scheme which runs throughout Trinity term and the summer months. In addition, the MCR is actively involved in leading the very popular ‘Oriel Talks’ lecture series: bi-termly evenings of short graduate lectures, which the entire college are invited to attend, with a networking dinner afterwards.
Accommodation and meals
All graduate first-year students who have not previously had accommodation as a student in Oxford are guaranteed college accommodation. The college can almost always accommodate those who have previously had accommodation and returning graduates, though this is not guaranteed.
Oriel offers limited numbers of graduate rooms on the main college site and most graduates live at the Rectory Road site, an annexe which is just under a mile to the east of the college. Many rooms at Rectory Road have en-suite bathrooms and all share modern kitchen facilities.
The college has a limited number of one- and two-bedroom flats for couples at Rectory Road. At present the college does not offer family accommodation.
Further information on accommodation at Oriel College is available on the college website.
Graduates may eat breakfast, lunch and/or dinner in the college's dining hall as they wish; there are both informal and Formal Hall dinners during term times and informal hall only out of term time. Students are only charged for the meals they eat and it is possible for graduates to eat in hall during vacations. The MCR organises termly Guest Night dinners which are very popular.
Graduates may dine at High Table with senior members of the college at formal hall once each term.
Courses
For entry in 2027-28
This college accepts graduate students for the following courses:
- MSc in Advanced Computer Science (full time)
- MSc in African Studies (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 Financial Economics (part time)
- DPhil in Area Studies (Africa) (full time)
- DPhil in Area Studies (China) (full time)
- DPhil in Area Studies (Japan) (full time)
- DPhil in Area Studies (Latin America) (full time)
- DPhil in Area Studies (Middle East) (full time)
- DPhil in Area Studies (Russia and East Europe) (full time)
- DPhil in Area Studies (South Asia) (full time)
- DPhil in Astrophysics (full time)
- DPhil in Atmospheric, Oceanic and Planetary Physics (full time)
- DPhil in Atomic and Laser Physics (full time)
- Bachelor of Civil Law (full time)
- MSt in Bible Interpretation (full time)
- DPhil in Biochemistry (full time)
- MSc by Research in Biochemistry (full time)
- MSc in Biodiversity, Conservation and Nature Recovery (full time)
- DPhil in Biomedical Sciences (NIH OxCam) (full time)
- BPhil in Philosophy (full time)
- Chemical Synthesis for a Healthy Planet (EPSRC CDT) (full time)
- DPhil in Chemistry (full time)
- MSc by Research in Chemistry (full time)
- MSt in Classical Hebrew Studies (full time)
- DPhil in Classical Languages and Literature (full time)
- DPhil in Clinical Medicine (full time)
- DPhil in Clinical Neurosciences (full time)
- MSc by Research in Clinical Neurosciences (full time)
- MSc in Comparative Social Policy (full time)
- DPhil in Computer Science (full time)
- DPhil in Condensed Matter Physics (full time)
- MSt in Creative Writing (part time)
- DPhil in Criminology (full time)
- MSc in Criminology and Criminal Justice (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)
- MPhil in Economics (full time)
- MSc in Economics for Development (full time)
- MSc in Education (Comparative and International Education) (full time)
- MSc in Energy Systems (full time)
- DPhil in Engineering Science (full time)
- MSc by Research in Engineering Science (full 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)
- 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)
- Executive Master of Business Administration (EMBA) (part time)
- DPhil in Finance (full time)
- MSc in Financial Economics (full time)
- DPhil in Genomic Medicine and Statistics (full time)
- DPhil in Geography and the Environment (full time)
- MSt in Global and Imperial History (full time)
- MSc in Global Governance and Diplomacy (full 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)
- 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)
- MSc in Integrated Immunology (full time)
- MSc in International Health and Tropical Medicine (full time)
- DPhil in International Relations (full time)
- MPhil in International Relations (full time)
- MPhil in Jewish Studies in the Graeco-Roman Period (full time)
- MPhil in Judaism and Christianity in the Graeco-Roman World (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)
- 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)
- MSt in Linguistics, Philology and Phonetics (Advanced Study) (full time)
- MSt in Linguistics, Philology and Phonetics (Research Preparation) (full time)
- Magister Juris (full time)
- DPhil in Management (full time)
- Master of Business Administration (MBA) (full time)
- Master of Public Policy (MPP) (full time)
- DPhil in Materials (full time)
- MSc by Research in Materials (full time)
- MSc in Mathematical and Computational Finance (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)
- DPhil in Medical Sciences (full time and part time)
- DPhil in Medieval and Modern Languages (full time)
- MSt in Medieval Studies (full time)
- MSc in Migration Studies (full time)
- MSc in Modelling for Global Health (full time)
- MPhil in Modern Languages (full time)
- MSt in Modern Languages (full time)
- MSc by Research in Molecular and Cellular Medicine (full 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)
- MSt in Music (Composition) (full time)
- MPhil in Music (Composition) (full time)
- DPhil in Music (Composition) (full time)
- MSt in Music (Musicology) (full time)
- MPhil in Music (Musicology) (full time)
- DPhil in Music (Musicology) (full time)
- MSt in Music (Performance) (full time)
- MPhil in Music (Performance) (full 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)
- MSc by Research in Oncology (full time)
- Oxford 1+1 MBA Programme (full time)
- DPhil in Particle Physics (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)
- 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 (Political Theory) (full time)
- DPhil in Primary Health Care (full time)
- DPhil in Psychiatry (full time)
- MSc by Research in Psychiatry (full time)
- MSc in Quantum Technologies (full time)
- MSc in Refugee and Forced Migration Studies (full time)
- MPhil in Socio-Legal Research (full time)
- DPhil in Socio-Legal Studies (full time)
- MSc in Sociology (full time)
- MPhil in Sociology and Demography (full time)
- MSc in Statistical Science (full time)
- DPhil in Statistics (full time)
- MSc by Research in Statistics (full time)
- MSt in Study of Religions (full 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)
- MSc in Teacher Education (part time)
- MPhil in Theology (full time)
- MSt in Theology (full time)
- DPhil in Theology and Religion (full time and 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)
- MSc by Research in Women's and Reproductive Health (full time)
- MSt in World Literatures in English (full time)
Location
Oriel is centrally located, only minutes away from the Bodleian library, just off Oxford's High Street.
Contact details
For application process enquiries, please refer to our frequently asked questions.