New College Crest

New College

New College has a really diverse, welcoming community and we're always striving to do better. We have our own outreach program, 'Step Up', which the Outreach and Communications Officers (paid members of staff) run - in normal, non-COVID times, members of the JCR can become (paid!!) ambassadors on this scheme and get involved in workshops and tours with state schools from around the country.

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Food

Our hall is so impressive, it's huge and was the filming location for the opening scene in Mamma Mia 2 (!). Kitchen access at New is quite limited, so most undergrads will eat at least their evening meal in hall most nights. The food is generally pretty decent and there is always a good range of options for vegetarians and vegans, our staff are also lovely and will cater to any dietary requirements outside of being veggie etc. Formals are 3 times a week (normally); Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays. There is no dress code, but you have to wear gowns - it's very informal though, I've literally gone wearing joggers and just wore my gown over the top! Formals are the same price as standard evening meals, but generally better quality. They're really nice social events and it's fun to bring friends from other colleges/from home! Most students generally bring a bottle of wine from our wine cellar or a drink from the college bar. We also have guest nights which are 4 Fridays a term for the JCR and alternate each week between the JCR and MCR. This is generally what you would take your family to if they came to visit. It's a more formal event, gowns aren't required but the dress code is black tie. The food is always amazing and it's also just really nice to meet peoples parents I find!

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Accommodation

The accommodation at New is great, everyone pays the same price in first year and rooms are allocated randomly, these rooms are then ranked best to worst and this is then reversed to create the order of choosing second year rooms - the 'ballot'. Almost all rooms are en-suite, and even the ones that aren't are only shared with a maximum of like 3 people. Like I said, there is limited kitchen access but there is the opportunity to choose accommodation with a kitchen in 2nd year. 2nd years have the option of living in college owned houses which are just off the main site on Longwall Street and New College Lane. These also offer the opportunity for students to have a long lease (38/9 weeks instead of 25). Most students live out in 3rd year, but there is some provision for a small number of students to live in, they pick from the rooms left from the 2nd year ballot. 4th years also live in a separate accommodation block at the end of the garden, away from all the noisy freshers

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Extracurricular

New College has a range of sports teams, probably too many to list, but some of the most popular include rowing, mixed lacrosse, football and rugby. We also have many active student societies such as debating society and the New College Law Society, there is also the opportunity to set up your own using JCR funding, recent additions include a chess club and a knitting/crochet society. Every June 1st, New College celebrates Mint Julep day with a day of (free!) mint julep cocktails in the gardens - this is completely specific to New College and dates back to 1845, when William Trapier left a recipe with the college. It's been a tradition ever since! New College also has a world renowned choir who can be seen/heard performing in the college chapel most nights of the week. There are special services at Christmas, Candlemas, Lent, Easter etc. Our chaplains are also lovely, every Christmas we get to decorate the big Christmas tree in the chapel and every Shrove Tuesday they offer free, freshly made pancakes with a range of toppings. New College's choir also sing as an acapella group and perform an annual Christmas concert (mulled wine and mince pies provided), with songs ranging from traditional hymns to Stacey's Mom.

Welfare

New College has a fantastic welfare system with dedicated members of staff within the college who look after the welfare of all the students. With your college tutor/supervisor, the Tutor for Welfare, the College Nurse, the Welfare Fellows, and the lovely porters (who really are amongst the friendliest ones around Oxford), there is no way you could ever feel lost, even though the college is so big. In addition to the senior welfare team, the JCR has two student representatives (usually second years) as a more direct point of contact for undergraduates who have any concerns related to welfare, and for the MCR, this contact point is their student Welfare Officer. Thanks to them, there are weekly Welfare Teas and other events such as Mindfulness Workshops, Yoga classes, or Pottery Brunch on Sundays which are always great fun! A team of dedicated JCR and MCR peer supporters - professionally trained by the University Counselling Service - complete what really can be considered a solid and well-functioning network supporting students during their time at New College.

Entertainment

College bops are fancy dress parties which are held every two weeks during term. These are usually held within college and are immense fun! Also, the college bar is newly refurbished and provides a great space for socialising both in the daytime and in the evening. The JCR is a well-used place where people catch up with friends, meet up to play some video games or watch some TV to take their mind off of the everyday stress of student life. The MCR has their own communal area over on their accommodation grounds, and whether it's the bar, the squash courts or the living area equipped with loads of big and comfy sofas, you're bound to bump into some friendly faces. In the summer, punting is always a hit with college members, as New College is lucky enough to have their sports grounds located right by the riverside.

New College is a great place to discover who you are. Everyone is caring, kind, and genuinely interested in the person into whom you will no doubt blossom during your time there.
Brogan, Law, student from 2014
My favourite thing about New College is the cafe/bar area which is at the heart of college. The board games are great fun, and the coffee isn't too bad either!
Sorrel, History, student from 2014
New College is an extremely friendly and welcoming environment to be living and studying in. Everybody gets along and there are always people around to do things with.
Olivia, Medicine, student from 2014

Find out more

Founded: 1379
Undergraduate students per year: 120
Total number of undergraduate students: 425
Famous alumni: Hugh Grant, Kate Beckinsale

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