Hertford College

Hertford offers an unbeatable central Oxford location, next to the Bodleian Library and just down the road from the Sheldonian Theatre and the Radcliffe Camera. The college offers a comprehensive curriculum spanning sciences, humanities, social sciences and medicine, and students receive intensive small group teaching from leading academics in their fields, from Archaeology & Anthropology to AI. These tutorials encourage exploration and debate, supplemented by University lectures and practical sessions.

Hertford has pioneered access to Oxford for students from underrepresented groups for over 50 years. We’re proud of our inclusive ethos and support students to fulfil their potential, offering personalised academic skills training, generous college bursaries, and support from our experienced welfare team. Our college library is accessible 24/7, with unlimited borrowing and dedicated support from our library team. A new library building with state-of-the-art facilities will be open in time for the 2027–28 academic year.

Accommodation is guaranteed for all three or four years of your undergraduate course. First-years live on our main site in central Oxford, while from second year onwards students choose one of our annexes.

Three pay-as-you-go meals are available on weekdays, with brunch offered on weekends. Every room also has access to a shared kitchen or kitchenette. Our exceptional catering team regularly organise special meals to celebrate everything from Burns Night to Pancake Day, and there are sign-up formal dinners three times a week during term time. The college bar is home to a range of events from live sport on the big screen to music nights and quizzes. The popular Buttery café offers subsidised barista-style drinks and cakes seven days a week in term time, providing a relaxed study and social space in the heart of Hertford’s main quad.

As well as off-site sports grounds and a superb boathouse, we offer free membership to the University’s pool and gym at the Iffley Road Sports Centre. Our sports teams welcome players of all abilities, from beginners to Blues.

Hertford’s undergraduate and graduate common rooms (JCR and MCR) are particularly active. Students organise an annual arts festival and run one of Oxford’s largest music societies, including an orchestra, jazz band and choir, as well as weekly recitals and a termly concert in the beautiful acoustic of our college chapel.

Through other college societies you can also get involved in a wide range of activities from poetry to yoga to craft to chess, including fundraising for charities which support Oxford’s wider community.

Watch our college video tour.

Read more on the college website.

Year founded: 1282
Student numbers: Undergraduate 374; Postgraduate 229

Hertford is…

'...an amazing college: tight-knit community, cosy spaces and the most central location in the town. Also, all the staff are so friendly and helpful.'
Sonia

'…right next to the Bodleian Library as well as the Radcliffe Camera. Students and faculty are down-to-earth, supportive, welcoming, diverse, and wildly intelligent.'
Ryan

'…a really comfortable place to be. And the welfare support is genuinely there when you need it.'
Zehra

'…the people. It doesn’t matter whether it’s between tutors or people in different years, everyone is really friendly with each other.'
Yamini

'…friendly, picturesque, creative, awesome and cosy!'
Anna, Poppy, Esme, Angus and Jamie