Somerville College | University of Oxford
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Somerville
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College
Life
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UNDERGRADUATE ADMISSIONS OFFICER undergraduate.o [email protected] 01865 270619 ACCESS AND OUTREACH o [email protected] 01865 270592 www.some.ox.ac.uk
Contents 01 Somerville in Stats 07 Accommodation 02 Principal’s Welcome 08 Support 03 Academic Life 09 Food and Drink 04 Student Life 10 Facilities 05 Social Responsibility 11 Beyond Oxford 06 Map 12 Apply to Somerville | 03
01 | Somerville in Stats OUR COLLEGE IN NUMBERS 1879 Somerville College is founded to 'include the excluded', holding out the promise of an Oxford education to anyone with talent and a passion to learn. 440 undergraduate students 120,000 books in the Somerville library, available 24-7 £735,000 in discretionary financial support given to students in 2020-21 04 |
1 in 5 £23.41 - students receive £25.75 a bursary or hardship Cost per night for funding from college accommodation, including all bills coffee shops within a three-minute walk £2.10 148 average price of a pint in million the college bar blades of grass you're allowed to walk on all year round (it's true - we did the maths) Every day Vegan and vegetarian 11stst options available at every meal Nobel LaurNobel Laureaeatte in science in science fe for a wor a womanoman FFemale Prime Minisemale Prime Ministter of Grer of Greaeat Britain t Britain FFemale Prime Minisemale Prime Ministter of Indiaer of India YYoungesoungest Black ft Black female Premale Profofesessor in sor in OOxfxforord’d’s 9s 925-25-yyear hisear histtoryory WWoman toman to so study Latudy Law aw at Ot Oxfxforordd £3.50 The average cost of a meal at Somerville, including vegan and vegetarian options everyday. | 05
02 | Principal’s Welcome When it comes to choosing your college, it is not a question of which one is best – because they’re all exceptional. The question is which college is right for you. That’s why the best piece of advice I can o昀昀er is also the simplest – by telling you why I love this college and feel privileged to serve as its Principal. For me, there’s a real excitement in the Of course, I’m only one person. In the air at Somerville. An optimism that coming pages, other people will tell comes from knowing that every day you that they love Somerville because there are good people doing good we’re the friendliest college in Oxford, things all around me – working not or because you’re guaranteed a room just for themselves but for others every year of your degree. They’re as they build on the pioneering right, of course. And if you come here, achievements of our founders and I know you’ll find your own reasons for learn to change the world. loving Somerville. After all, it will be your college. BARONESS JAN ROYALL, PRINCIPAL 06 |
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03 | Academic Life 08 |
What makes academic life at Somerville different to other colleges? Here are three specific points that set our community apart. 1. Across everything from Classics to that means you’ll progress through your Computer Science, our tutors are degree with people who will become world-class academics engaged in some of your closest friends in the cutting-edge research. But, this being world, while still having enough space to Somerville, you’ll also find them friendly do your own thing. and approachable, dedicated to helping you succeed through Oxford’s world-famous tutorial system. 2.We were founded with a promise to include the excluded. In 1879 that meant women and religious non-conformists. Today, it means anyone bright and passionate about their subject belongs here, irrespective of their background. 3.Somerville is just the right size – neither too big, nor too small. In academic terms, LEARN MORE ABOUT THE COURSES. MEET THE SOMERVILLE TUTORS. | 09
04 | Student Life To experience life at Somerville, all you need to do is visit our quad on a sunny day. The social heart of our college, it's where everyone stops to say hello, study and socialise. Of course, this being Oxford, there’s Chill over a game of pool also a multitude of ways to entertain in our Terrace Bar. yourself outside your studies. Here are just a few of them: SOMERVILLE SPORTS Attend open mic nights with Somerville also has a sports scene the Somerville Music Society; offering something for every possible Act in our award-winning taste and skill-level. Cricket, football, Drama Society; rugby, netball, American football, Sing some of Oxford’s most eclectic fencing and ice hockey all have their music with the Somerville College Choir; own thriving clubs, including several Find your niche in societies across Blues athletes, and our women’s boat everything from board games to club is one of the oldest in Oxford. ballroom dancing; 10 |
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05 | Social Responsibility Progress has been in our DNA since 1879, when twelve women defied convention to become our first students. Today’s students may look di昀昀erent, but they retain the same passionate commitment to tackling the key issues facing the world right now. INCLUSIVITY S ANCTU AR Y INCLUSIVITY SANCTUARY We are leading multiple initiatives to 3 5 million people belo w the age of 18 We are leading multiple initiatives to 35 million people below the age of 18 honour our founding promise to hav e been f or cibly displac ed b y w ar honour our founding promise to have been forcibly displaced by war ‘include the excluded’ and tackle and human rights violations – only 1% ‘include the excluded’ and tackle and human rights violations – only 1% contemporary inequities. We support of whom go into higher educa tion. Our contemporary inequities. We support of whom go into higher education. Our an annual BAME Formal for students c ommunity is w orking t o change tha t an annual BAME Formal for students community is working to change that across Oxford and a BAME Scholarship. s ta tis tic b y making our c ollege a plac e across Oxford and a BAME Scholarship. statistic by making our college a place We also promote events that platform of sanctuary and welc ome thr ough our We also promote events that platform of sanctuary and welcome through our BAME and LGBQT+ culture, and our new Sanctuary Scholarships and our BAME and LGBQT+ culture, and our new Sanctuary Scholarships and our JCR and MCR Equality and Diversity w ork as one of the UK’ s firs t e v er JCR and MCR Equality and Diversity work as one of the UK’s first ever Officers have led on initiatives such as CColleges of Sanctuaryolleges of Sanctuary.. Officers have led on initiatives such as the provision of gender-neutral toilets. the provision of gender-neutral toilets. SUSTAINABILITY SUSTAINABILITY Somerville was one of the first colleges Somerville was one of the first colleges to divest from fossil fuels and our to divest from fossil fuels and our Sustainability Working Group is now Sustainability Working Group is now hard at work on a comprehensive hard at work on a comprehensive programme to decarbonise the college programme to decarbonise the college by 2040. Over 50% of all meals eaten by 2040. Over 50% of all meals eaten at Somerville are already vegetarian or at Somerville are already vegetarian or vegan and we are in the process of vegan and we are in the process of moving to energy-efficient appliances, moving to energy-efficient appliances, lighting and insulation. lighting and insulation. | 13
OXFORD’S MOST BEAUTIFUL LIBRARY? CERTAINLY ONE OF THE BIGGEST. 06 | Find your way PLEASE WALK ON THE GRASS Somerville College has one of the best locations in Oxford. In the heart of the buzzing Jericho neighbourhood, we're a stone's throw from cafés, bars and cinemas as well as the Maths, Physics and Engineering Faculties AND the forthcoming Schwarzman Centre for the Humanities. We're also the closest college to Port Meadow, with its famous views over Oxford’s dreaming spires - perfect for an early morning dip! PORT MEADOW AWARD-WINNING VIEWS FROM CATHERINE HUGHES JERICHO 14 |
LUSH EN SUITE ROOMS! HEAD THIS WAY FOR GOOD FOOD AND CONVERSATION OXFORD UNIVERSITY'S ONLY NON-DENOMINATIONAL CHAPEL KITCHEN GARDEN - FREE HERBS HERE BE AVAILABLE! PANINIS | 15
Somerville is one of the few Oxford colleges able to house all its undergraduates in-college for every single year of their degrees. That means our College is able to o昀昀er a true academic community, with students and deriving exceptional benefits in terms of safety, value for money and student experience. 07 | Accommodation 16 |
All our accommodation comes with shared kitchen facilities and several buildings (Catherine Hughes, ROQ East and West) are fully en suite. We’re also highly flexible in accommodating individual needs. So, whether you are differently able, estranged or require support, just get in touch and we’ll see how we can help. | 17
08 | Food and Drink Great food that’s delicious, sustainable and a昀昀ordable is the order of the day here at Somerville. Our brilliant kitchen and buttery staff (And because we don’t have formal serve up three meals a day from Mon- every night like some colleges, our day-Friday, with breakfast and lunch formals always feel quite special.) replaced at the weekend by the Whatever the occasion, sustainability is beloved Somerville brunch. We also a key consideration at Somerville. We serve Formal Hall every Tuesday and source our ingredients locally and on two additional Fridays per term. It’s sustainably wherever possible, and a sit-down meal with at least three there are tasty vegan and vegetarian courses, and the food is amongst the options at every meal. best in Oxford – all for a greatly afford- able price. 18 |
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09 | Support Somerville is known for being one of the friendliest colleges in Oxford, including 360 degree support for your personal, financial and physical welfare. WELFARE FINANCIAL SUPPORT Supporting our students’ health and As a college, we’re determined that welfare is a top priority at Somerville. Jo financial worries should never interrupt Ockwell is our College Welfare Officer, your studies or limit your potential. and acts as the first point of contact for That is why Somerville College has welfare enquiries. She’s supported by become one of the most generous our Junior Deans, the College’s own colleges in Oxford for financial support, nurse, counsellor and doctor, the JCR with 1 in 5 students receiving some Welfare Officer and our Peer Supporters form of sup-port during their degrees. (trained undergraduates offering This help is available to prospective drop-in support). Every student at and current students, and covers Somerville also has a personal tutor who everything from academic achievement is there to provide advice and support to wellbeing and hardship funding, on academic and, where appropriate, music, and travel projects, with multiple personal matters. scholarship opportunities available. 1 in 5 STUDENTS BENEFIT FROM FINANCIAL SUPPORT JO OCKWELL, COLLEGE WELFARE AND DISABILITY OFFICER 20 |
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10 | Facilities Somerville is small but perfectly formed. You’ll find everything you need a short walk away, including: THE LIBRARY THE TERRACE THE LIBRARY THE TERRACE Our library isn’t just one of the most Somerville students ha v e their v ery Our library isn’t just one of the most Somerville students have their very beautiful libraries in Oxford. It’s also o wn café/bar called T he T err ac e , beautiful libraries in Oxford. It’s also own café/bar called The Terrace, one of the biggest, with over 120,000 wher e the y head f or snacks and one of the biggest, with over 120,000 where they head for snacks and items available 24/7, as well as c off ee b y da y and drinks b y night. items available 24/7, as well as coffee by day and drinks by night. internationally important special W e e v en ha v e our o wn alc oholic and internationally important special We even have our own alcoholic and collections and the Somerville non-alc oholic Somerville c ock tails – collections and the Somerville non-alcoholic Somerville cocktails – Archives. the ‘S t one C old Jane A us t en’ c omes Archives. the ‘Stone Cold Jane Austen’ comes highly rhighly recommendedec ommended.. THE CHAPEL THE CHAPEL As the only non-denominational As the only non-denominational chapel in Oxford, the Somerville chapel in Oxford, the Somerville Chapel is a place of spiritual Chapel is a place of spiritual contemplation for people of all faiths contemplation for people of all faiths and none, as well as home to the and none, as well as home to the Somerville College Choir. Somerville College Choir. THE GYM THE GYM Crunch those abs! Or don’t! Either Crunch those abs! Or don’t! Either way, you’ll find the Somerville gym is way, you’ll find the Somerville gym is kitted out with everything you’ll kitted out with everything you’ll need, from runners and rowers to need, from runners and rowers to resistance machines. resistance machines. 22 |
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SHRITI VADERA CHAIR OF THE ROYAL SHAKESPEARE COMPANY Somerville was always I had some of the most interesting unsnobbish, egalitarian and conversations I’ve ever had at a bit out there. It’s tolerant, Somerville, with people who are broad-minded, celebrates still my best friends today, across diversity of all kinds. everything from Ancient Egypt to the inverted pendulum I was ESTHER RANTZEN, working on. JOURNALIST AND HUMANITARIAN ADRIEN GEIGER, CHIEF SUSTAINABILITY OFFICER, L’OCCITANE SUSIE DENT ETYMOLOGIST AND PRESENTER 11 | Beyond Oxford A Somerville educaA Somerville education will givtion will give ye you the ou the cconfidenconfidence not mere not merely tely to suco succceed, but eed, but fulfil yfulfil your potour potential as a citizential as a citizen of a en of a changing and complex world. Here are ELIZABETH MACNEAL changing and complex world. Here are jusjust a ft a feew of the Somervilians doing w of the Somervilians doing AUTHOR OF important wimportant work in the work in the world right noorld right noww.. THE DOLL FACTORY Going to Somerville gave me greater strength to champion what I believe. MARGARET CASELY-HAYFORD CHAIR OF SHAKESPEARE’S GLOBE KAY DAVIES DIRECTOR OF THE MEDICAL RESEARCH Oxford can be an intimidating place, COUNCIL’S FUNCTIONAL but Somerville – a former women’s college GENETICS UNIT –is welcoming to absolutely everyone. XAND VAN TULLEKEN, HUMANITARIAN DOCTOR AND TELEVISION PRESENTER 24 |
Somerville created a safe haven for my intellectual curiosity and for life-long friendships to flourish. I’m so glad I ended up there, in the nicest bit of Oxford. FARHANA YAMIN, CLIMATE CHANGE LAWYER FRANCES HARDINGE AUTHOR OF THE LIE TREE MARTIN DESMOND ROE OSCAR-WINNING DIRECTOR OF TWO DISTANT STRANGERS Everything I do scientifically comes back to those first principles I learned at Somerville. The methodology of testing, repeating and refining a hypothesis then using that evidence to make robust decisions is the heart of what I do. JUNE RAINE, CEO OF THE MHRA, (RESPONSIBLE FOR APPROVING THE UK’S COVID-19 VACCINES) My time at Somerville changed the course of my life. The relationships I built with my professors and peers helped shape my career (I also happened to make over a dozen lifelong friends). ANTHEMOS GEORGIADES, ENTREPRENEUR AND FOUNDER OF ZUMPER LEARN MORE ABOUT FAMOUS SOMERVILLIANS. SCAN HERE | 25
12 | Apply to Somerville Somerville welcomes applications from bright, ambitious students regardless of educational, social or cultural background. To find out more about the admissions process, please visit our website or contact us: 26 |
TTo find out moro find out more about the admise about the admissions prsions prococesess and the cs and the courses wourses we e offofferer, or about the support w, or about the support we pre proovide tvide to schools and pro schools and prospectivospective e applicants, please visit our wapplicants, please visit our websitebsite or ce or contact us:ontact us: ADMISADMISSIONS OFFICESIONS OFFICE admisadmissions@[email protected] 001865 21865 27706061919 AACCCESCESS AND OUTREAS AND OUTREACHCH acacccesess@[email protected] 001865 21865 27705059922 wwwwww.some.o.some.ox.ac.ukx.ac.uk
UNDERGRADUATE ADMISSIONS OFFICER undergraduate.o [email protected] 01865 270619 ACCESS AND OUTREACH o [email protected] 01865 270592 www.some.ox.ac.uk 22 | www.some.ox.ac.uk