Reuben College

As one of the college's first cohorts of students, you will have many opportunities to help shape the college’s ethos and activities. Reuben College members are creating a diverse, engaged and intellectually-stimulating community that addresses the big questions of the 21st century. Within college, you will be supported by fellows and advisors who are world-leading researchers.

Reuben College will provide you with an academic experience that complements and enhances your departmental activities. You will connect with a wide range of people across disciplines, professional career stages and types of expertise, including with public engagement and entrepreneurship experts. By stimulating intellectual curiosity, facilitating cross-disciplinary knowledge exchange, and placing your academic activities within a wider context, Reuben College is an exciting and supportive environment for academic growth.

College life is built on a rich programme of interdisciplinary activities. These will largely be organised around our four themes of: Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Environmental Change, Cellular Life, and Ethics & Values.

With the college’s historic buildings, ready for occupancy for students admitted in October 2023, Reuben’s social, dining and academic facilities will be close to the University's central Science Area and the University Parks, and within five minutes’ walking distance of the city centre.

Accommodation and meals

Accommodation

Accommodation for almost 100 first-year students is provided at Farndon Court, a newly-refurbished apartment building, which is a fifteen-minute walk from the main college buildings. A mix of studio rooms, and single rooms in two and eight-bedroom clusters are available, as well as two accessible rooms. All single rooms share bathrooms and kitchens within small clusters, complemented by a number of large communal living spaces. The building also has excellent Wi-Fi, printing, an on-site laundry, a live-in caretaker, bike storage and a picnic/garden area.

Students not living in Farndon Court can seek alternative options through the University’s Graduate Accommodation Office and associated Advisory Service. Students also have the option to rent privately in the city.

Catering

There are a variety of dining and catering options for students to choose from, including subsidised meals in the dining hall, weekly ‘Formal Hall’ and community events. As part of its academic programme, Reuben will also host weekly dinners across each term with a dedicated academic talk or guest speaker.

Students and staff are strongly encouraged to build the college community by attending meals and dining events. There is no ‘High Table’, and so fellows, staff and students eat lunch and dinner together in the communal dining hall.

Library and IT services

From October 2023 Reuben College will share its site with the Radcliffe Science Library, which is situated on the top floor of the building. This will allow Reuben College students to benefit from specialist services and the library’s collections of over 20,000 books on open shelves, as well as e-books for all subject areas covered by the college’s interdisciplinary themes. Reuben students will also benefit from full access to college library and IT facilities, with support from the college’s IT Manager. All college buildings (including residential sites) have high-speed network connections and access to University of Oxford Wi-Fi services, OWL and Eduroam, as well as printing and scanning facilities.

Sport, music and college facilities

You will have the opportunity to participate fully in extra-curricular student life in a college that supports a holistic understanding of health, well-being, and personal growth. You will have access to a full range of sporting, social and recreational activities, either organised by the college or through partnership with other colleges. The college also offers sports and wellbeing grants to support participation outside of the college, as well as access to the University gym and associated facilities.

The college has close links with the University’s Gardens, Libraries and Museums, and will be co-located with a number of stunning museum collections, accessible to Reuben students through the support of dedicated post-holders.

Facilities for students with disabilities

You will find an inclusive approach to provision for all students. Regular liaison with student representatives, architects and building contractors during the re-development of the main site has ensured that students with specific needs will be able to participate fully in college activities and services. The college is supported by a link to the Jericho Health Centre, two linked advisors from the University’s Disability Advisory Service (one specifically supporting mental health), a link University Counselling Service contact, and a dedicated college Welfare Dean.

The main college buildings will be fully wheelchair-accessible and there are specially-adapted rooms in the Farndon Court accommodation site for students with disabilities. Applicants are welcome to contact the college to discuss their individual requirements: the Senior Tutor and Academic Administrator act as ‘Disability Leads’ for the college.

Graduate Common Room Committee 

All Reuben College students are members of the Graduate Common Room (GCR), and elected student members support the graduate community and represent students on all major college committees. The Graduate Common Room President and their committee advise and support students including pre-arrival welcome events, and activities during your time at the college.

The GCR Committee leads a variety of social events, which include film screenings, bar nights, ceilidhs, days out and other activities that are by and for the students. Students are encouraged to take part in these activities and help facilitate them by getting involved in the GCR committee.

Your first weeks at the college will include an introduction to the range of opportunities available through activities and informative sessions organised jointly by the college and the GCR. These events will help you to get to know other students at the college, as well as introduce the college’s academic programmes and welfare network. All activities will be organised with sensitivity to diverse cultural backgrounds and to encourage full participation by all students.