Merton College
Merton is one of the oldest and most beautiful colleges in Oxford with medieval and 17th-century buildings – including our 13th-century chapel – and glorious, extensive gardens protected by the city wall. Modern facilities include a lecture theatre and five new music practice rooms.
Ours is a close-knit community with a friendly and stimulating atmosphere, superb educational and welfare support, and a well-earned reputation for academic excellence and success. We have a strong ethos of widening participation and are keen to attract talented applicants, whatever their background. A short video shares our students’ views about what it’s like to live and study at Merton and further insights are provided in the Alternative Prospectus, and via the Merton JCR Access Instagram account.
Undergraduates can live in college-owned accommodation for their whole course. Many rooms are ensuite, and two are fully accessible for students with disabilities. Merton’s hall food is among the tastiest and best value in the University, charged on a pay-as-you-go basis. Student kitchens are also provided.
Numerous extra-curricular and subject opportunities are available for Merton students, including a wide range of societies, sports, music, and diverse reading groups.
Merton offers generous financial support including grants for buying books, language learning, academic prizes, course-related expenses and projects, and travel.
Notable alumni from Merton include its current Warden, Irene Tracey, T.S. Eliot, and JRR Tolkien as well as several Nobel laureates in the sciences, among whom Anthony Leggett and Nikolaas Tinbergen.
Read more on the college website.
Merton is...
…a pretty place, but it is made by the people – the thriving, friendly and supportive community is what sets us apart.
Sarah
…where I’ve found friends for life.
Tang
...such a friendly place…it is a really and inclusive and welcoming community
Lucy
…an inclusive community with the perfect balance of fun and academia.
Dan
…a wonderfully welcoming place, with a thriving LGBTQ+ community
Pax
…such a mix of people from different backgrounds and who have different interests…you will find people who are like you
Oliver
…full of amazing opportunities you didn’t even know you needed!
Kaveeta
College facilities
Students eating in the dining hall.To compare facilities across different colleges, please visit our College Facilities Table.
| College accommodation | |
| All first years on site |  |
| Usually offered for all years | |
| Usually offered for three years | N/A |
| Usually offered for first year and one other year | N/A |
| Some vacation storage for international students | |
| Catering | |
| Dining hall | |
| Bar | |
| Café |  |
| Facilities | |
| Gym on site | |
| Boathouse | |
| Library open 24/7 | |
| Computer rooms/stations | |
| Wi-Fi throughout college | |
| Music room | |
| Theatre/performance space | |
| Chapel | |
| Multi-faith prayer room | |
| Clubs & societies activities | |
| Music society | |
| Orchestra(s) | |
| Choir(s) | |
| Dramatic society | |
| College student magazine/paper | |
| Some subject societies | |
| Other societies | |
Courses Available
- Biochemistry (Molecular and Cellular)
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Classical Archaeology and Ancient History
- Classics
- Classics and Modern Languages
- Computer Science
- Computer Science and Philosophy
- Economics and Management
- English Language and Literature
- English and Modern Languages
- History
- History (Ancient and Modern)
- History and English
- History and Modern Languages
- History and Politics
- Law (Jurisprudence)
- Law with Law Studies in Europe
- Mathematics
- Mathematics and Computer Science
- Mathematics and Philosophy
- Mathematics and Statistics
- Medicine
- Modern Languages
- Modern Languages and Linguistics
- Music
- Philosophy and Modern Languages
- Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE)
- Physics
- Physics and Philosophy
In order to ensure that all areas of the UK are fully supported by the University of Oxford, our colleges are working together to establish Oxford for UK, a series of regional outreach programmes offering tailored and local support to students of mixed ages, their parents and teachers.
Getting in touch with the college linked to your region has no influence on your chances of being accepted to this or any other particular college. You are also very welcome to get in touch with any other college for advice about applying or studying here.
Merton College is part of Oxford for South West.
Link Local Authorities
Bath and North East Somerset
Bournemouth
Bristol
Dorset
Poole
Swindon
Wiltshire
Merton
Contact
Access and Outreach at Merton
Schools Liaison & Access Officer: Jack Wands
+44 (0) 1865 286343
schools@merton.ox.ac.uk
www.merton.ox.ac.uk
Postal address:
Merton College
Merton Street, Oxford OX1 4JD
Location
From a quiet, cobbled lane off the High Street, Merton overlooks meadows stretching down to the River Thames. It is just a few minutes from University libraries and departments. Our Holywell Street annexe is close to the Science Area.
UCAS campus code: F
Oxford OX1 4JD
+44 (0) 1865 276310 www.merton.ox.ac.ukFounded
1264
Student numbers
Undergraduates: 308
Graduates: 207
Admissions contacts
+44 (0) 1865 286316 undergraduate.admissions@merton.ox.ac.uk,
schools@merton.ox.ac.uk
Academic staff
See the college website for the full list
Our 2023 undergraduate open days will be held on 28 and 29 June and 15 September.
Register to find out more about our upcoming open days.