Harris Manchester College

HMC is a small friendly college which only takes students who are over 21. HMC's roots are in the north of England where it was originally an institute for nonconformists who were proscribed from attending Oxbridge. One of its early tutors was Joseph Priestley. It has been co-educational since the nineteenth century and had its first female graduate in 1901. HMC moved to Oxford in 1893, became a PPH of the University in 1990, and Oxford's 39th college in 1996. HMC is in central Oxford, a stones throw from the Bod and a short walk from the University Parks. There are only about 200 students so there is a real family atmosphere. The famous Alternative Tuck Shop is literally on our doorstep and it's easy walking distance from all useful shops and amenities - and an easy cycle to the Thames boathouses and the Iffley Road sports centre.

Food

The food is excellent, especially on formal nights. We have one semi-formal (gowns only) and one formal (gowns and dress up) dinner each week plus five guest nights a term. Most people enjoy the chance to dress up and have a glass of wine with their meal - the JCR food and beverage officer also arranges for nice soft drinks for those who don't drink alcohol. Our 'high' table is on the same level as the others and SCR and domestic staff all eat in hall with students. The atmosphere is friendly and inclusive. We do have a grace at formals but anyone can volunteer to give it, so it ranges from full-on Latin to improvised secular and has included Sanskrit, Chinese, Spanish and flashmob singing in the last couple of years.

Accommodation

HMC gives onsite accommodation to first years and finalists. For intervening years you need to find your own accommodation in town. College accommodation is a mixture of purpose-built rooms and updated C17th houses. Not all rooms have en suite bathrooms but no one needs to share a bathroom with more than one other person. There's no self-catering if you live in college, although there are kitchen facilities for weekends when college only provides breakfast. College accommodation is really good value and includes all meals. There isn't really any support to find out-of-college accommodation and some people find it stressful to be expected to sort that out during their first year. However many people enjoy the privacy and independence of living out. There is sometimes the option to live in for students who aren't freshers or finalists, depending on availability. People with a disability or medical need are prioritised for this, with others entering a lottery. In the final year you can choose your room and finalists get free accommodation during the Easter vacation so they can revise.

Extracurricular

We have Korfball and five-a-side teams, but as we're such a small college we share most sports with Wadham College, our next door neighbour. HMC-ers are prominent in the joint rowing team and this year we have someone inthe Oxford boat race crew. We have two choirs: one chapel and one secular, both are no-audition and very friendly. We also have a board games club, a screen society (film and TV), a student vegetable garden, a quiz team, a wine club and weekly Jack box games nights. In the summer there is a savagely-fought croquet tournament and in the autumn an equally competitive Pool tournament.

Welfare

We have JCR and MCR welfare officers who are very active and run lots of events like teas and art sessions. There are also trained peer supporters among the students. The college welfare team includes the Chaplain and two junior Deans and it's easy to ask for support. The EDGE, LGBTQ and Disability reps also organise teas and events.

Entertainment

There is always lots going on - sports events and challenges, charity Karaoke nights, at least two bops a term. The bar is usually open three nights a week, depending on availability of students to staff it, and the prices are competitive. We usually have a summer event and the annual Christmas dinner, after carols in the corridor, is amazing. We also celebrate Lunar New Year and Burns Night.

Student testimonials

Harris Manchester College is honestly a wonderful place to study and live. Because it is one of Oxford’s smaller colleges, every student quickly finds themselves on first-name-terms with everybody else, which cultivates a real sense of community. This feeling of kinship is strengthened by the fact that all students share the experience of being that little bit older than those at other colleges, which really seems to bring us together that much more! Academically speaking, rather than being stiflingly competitive, HMC feels very, very supportive. Furthermore, owing to the college’s size, each student benefits from close interaction with tutors, which is a serious benefit to learning. The Tate library is also fantastic, although the college is close enough to most other libraries (i.e. the Law Library and the Old Bodelian) to give students a choice as to where they want to read on a given day. Before studying at Harris Manchester, I was worried that a ‘mature’ college may feel a little bit dry and boring. But after my first year, I really feel like I’ve found a second home, and wouldn’t change my college for anything.

Find out more

You might also want to take a look at the official college website.