About Us

Situated in the very heart of the city, New College is one of the largest and most architecturally striking colleges in Oxford, combining outstanding facilities with spectacular buildings and gardens set against the medieval city wall. 

Despite our name, we are actually one of the older Oxford colleges, having been founded in 1379. Our full name is The College of St Mary of Winchester in Oxford but as there was already a college dedicated to St Mary, we became known as the 'new college' and it stuck! 

When we ask our students what the College is like, they often say it is 'a family'. We cherish that family atmosphere, and pay particular attention to fostering it from before our students even arrive by a system of college 'parents', right through to the 'Young Old Member' parties we hold after they have gone. 

New College is one of the largest Oxford colleges, with some 430 undergraduates and 360 graduates.

We are very proud of our wonderful and diverse student community and encourage a friendly, open atmosphere throughout the College in which everyone can flourish both socially and academically, whatever their background. 

While learning and scholarship are our primary focus, the College has an exceptionally rich cultural, musical and sporting life, headlined by the world-famous New College Choir. All of our students are encouraged to pursue their passions away from studying, with a wide variety of student-led societies, as well as excellent musical and sporting facilities. 

New College is, like all Oxford colleges, an autonomous, self-governing institution. The Governing Body consists of The Warden (the head of the College) and Fellows, with both undergraduate and graduate students represented.

Most Fellows of the College are both College Tutors and University Lecturers in the subjects which are taught here. Others are University Professors and Junior Research Fellows who do not engage in tutorial teaching. They take part in the intellectual life of the College however, and their presence is particularly valuable for many of our students.