St Catherine's College
About the college
St Catherine's College (referred to informally as 'Catz') has one of the largest graduate intakes of the colleges admitting both undergraduates and graduates, and since its foundation has sought to integrate graduates closely into the academic and social life of the college.
Catz offers a wide range of subjects with a roughly even split between science and arts. It is proud of its place at the forefront of innovation, research and contemporary culture, and counts ten Nobel Prize winners amongst its current and former members. Its modern architecture and restful, open spaces give the college a friendly and relaxed atmosphere.
Applications in areas related to the interests of the fellows of the college are especially encouraged.
College tour
College facilities
Library and IT services
Catz has one of the largest college libraries, comprising 65,000 volumes and easy access to electronic library resources. The Social Science Library, Bodleian Law Library and English Faculty Library are also located next to the college site.
There are well-equipped computer rooms, network connections in all student rooms and Wi-Fi access throughout the college.
Sport, music and college facilities
Sport, music, art and drama enjoy a high profile in the college; on-site there are:
- squash courts
- gymnasium
- punt house
- music house for practice and performances
- theatres for both indoor and outdoor productions
A key role within the theatrical life of the College is the Cameron Mackintosh Visiting Professor of Contemporary Theatre. The post is a University professorship attached to St Catherine’s College, with a new chair appointed each year. The professor holds an annual lecture and offers workshops for students to engage with throughout the year. The Professor for the 2023-24 academic year was world-renowned director Gregory Doran, who was recently Artistic Director at the Royal Shakespeare Company.
Facilities for disabled students
Catz has excellent access and facilities for disabled students. There is easy wheelchair access to virtually all areas, including graduate accommodation, the dining hall, MCR and Ainsworth Graduate Centre.
Please contact the college about any accessibility requirements.
Welfare
Within the Middle Common Room (see below), the Welfare Reps and a network of trained Peer Supporters, whose names are advertised on the MCR website as well as on notice boards in most staircases, are available for private conversations with students. Students can also talk privately with their College Advisor, the Tutor for Graduates, or the Deans. In addition, students are encouraged to approach the Junior Deans, or if that feels inappropriate, one of the other members of the Panel of Advisors or the College Counsellor. The Advisors may be approached directly at any time and their contact numbers are available in the Lodge. The College Counsellor is available in college on an appointment basis and can be contacted by email. Students may wish to use any or all of these groups to discuss their concerns, alongside welfare provided by the University.
MCR
The focus of graduate life in the college is the Middle Common Room (MCR) on the top floor of the Ainsworth Graduate Centre. With over 400 members of many different nationalities, it is one of the liveliest and most stimulating in Oxford.
The Ainsworth Graduate Centre, completed in 2020, provides a hub for our graduate community. It is a multi-functional building housing the MCR, seminar rooms and versatile spaces for study and events.
The MCR Committee organises a varied academic, social and sporting programme. Once a week a special graduate dinner is served in Hall and there are regular graduate seminars. The annual Graduates’ Dinner normally takes place in May. Graduates are also members of the Junior Common Room and have access to all its facilities.
Accommodation and meals
Accommodation
There are a number of single study bedrooms for graduate students. Several single rooms with en-suite facilities are on the main college site, next door to the Ainsworth Graduate Centre. These rooms are grouped on staircases in the traditional Oxford manner, each floor having its own mini-kitchen. A further number of single rooms, arranged in clusters of three to six rooms with shared bathroom and cooking facilities, are located nearby in St Catherine’s House (on Bath Street, a 15-minute walk from the main college site). St Catherine’s House also offers a recently refurbished common room for all residents to enjoy.
The letting period is a minimum of 38 weeks. Priority is given to those coming to the college from the greatest distance and likely to experience difficulties in the local accommodation market.
Further information on accommodation at St Catherine's College is available on the college website.
Meals
Meals are provided in the dining hall on a pay-as-you-eat basis at very reasonable prices.
Courses
This college accepts graduate students for the following courses:
Please note that not all subjects areas or streams of a particular course may be offered by this college. Please see the college information on the relevant course page for further details. For a comprehensive list of all graduate courses available at the University of Oxford, please refer to our courses A-Z listing.
Location
Key facts
St Catherine's College,
Oxford OX1 3UJ
www.stcatz.ox.ac.uk
Founded
1962
| Students (total*) in 2023-24 | Full-time places in 2025-26 | Part-time places in 2025-26 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taught graduates | 185 | c. 138 | c. 16 |
| Research graduates | 225 | c. 52 | c. 4 |
| Undergrad. | 520 | N/A | N/A |
*Total across all year groups (see source data)