Balliol College
About the college
Balliol is one of the oldest and most centrally situated of the Oxford colleges, well known for its high academic standards, diverse community, friendly atmosphere and lively spirit of intellectual debate.
Balliol graduate students (members of the Middle Common Room) enjoy the advantages of being part of a large, established college and of forming an independent and active graduate community. The Graduate Centre, with the beautiful medieval building of Holywell Manor at its heart, has a thriving academic and social life, and the college is proud of its large, lively and international graduate community.
Students come from over 40 different countries and study an even greater variety of subjects. There is a programme of interdisciplinary seminars with distinguished outside speakers of many varieties and the Middle Common Room organises excellent internal research seminars.
Balliol College also offers a range of graduate scholarships, and there is financial support in the form of bursaries, conference and research project grants, and additional funding for college activities.
College tour
College facilities
Library and IT services
The large and well-stocked Balliol College Library on the Broad Street college site is open 24 hours, seven days a week. The Special Collections Centre in St Cross Church houses important collections of medieval and modern manuscripts, early printed books and books by former and current college members. There is a specialised law library and extensive college archives.
There are two networked computers along with a multifunction printer, scanner and copier available for student use at the Holywell Graduate Centre.
Network broadband connections are available in all study bedrooms and wireless internet access is available throughout the Graduate Centre.
Sport, music and college facilities
The college has its own sports pavilion overlooked by graduate accommodation on the Master’s Field, with football and cricket pitches, as well as tennis, squash and basketball courts. There are table tennis facilities and, on the Broad Street site, a croquet lawn.
A well-equipped college boathouse on the Thames is the base for an excellent boat club. There are multi-gyms on the Broad Street site and in the Graduate Centre in Holywell Manor.
Music practice rooms can be booked in the Manor or the college's Broad Street site, with a Steinway grand piano available for concerts. There is also a studio theatre for rehearsals and performances.
The college operates a full-time year-round day nursery for the pre-school children of Balliol students and staff. A limited number of childcare bursaries are available.
Balliol Chapel is a centre of worship for all denominations, to which those of all faiths and none are welcomed.
Facilities for disabled students
Specially adapted facilities are available in the Graduate Centre. Arrangements are made on an individual basis; please Graduate Administrator to discuss any requirements before submitting an application.
Welfare
The college encourages graduate students to access the college or University welfare and wellbeing services should they find they need help, advice, or support during their studies. College staff support available to graduates includes the Welfare Lead, Nurse, College Counsellor, Student Finance and Support Administrator (including disability), Harassment Advisors and Junior Deans (provide evening support 7 days a week).
The Welfare and Wellbeing Team can advise students or direct them to appropriate sources of support about issues that may be affecting their wellbeing, including:
- Health concerns, minor ailments, and injuries
- Anxiety, stress, panic attacks, low mood, sleep disturbance, the effects of bereavement, or mental health concerns
- Difficulties arising from drug or alcohol use, or from eating disorders
- Issues relating to gender identity, those specific to being a woman or coming from a minority ethnic or LGBTQ+ group
- Challenges from estrangement from parents, care experience or being a student parent
- Dealing with the effects of sexual abuse, assault, or violence.
Accommodation and meals
Accommodation
Balliol's graduate housing is located around the college's Graduate Centre at Holywell Manor, some ten minutes' walk from the Broad Street site. It consists of Holywell Manor itself, which dates from 1516 (including James Fairfax Yard, an annexe attached to the Manor), some rooms at Jowett Walk, and four accommodation blocks at the Master’s Field, completed in 2021.
Holywell Manor is situated in a large and elegant garden and the building comprises three wings as well as communal areas such as the lounge, music room, gym, TV room, bar, laundry room and Middle Common Room.
All rooms within the Graduate Centre are for single occupancy only. Unfortunately, Balliol College is unable to offer suitable accommodation for couples or families. The rooms vary in size, age and furnishings; the rent also varies accordingly. At the Master’s Field there are en-suite bedrooms available, all with access to a kitchen and communal space shared with five other people. Elsewhere toilets and shower rooms are communal and there are kitchens available on most floors; most rooms contain their own wash-basin, and there are a small number of en-suite rooms.
Balliol is able to offer single occupancy accommodation to most new first-year graduate students, usually in the Graduate Centre. First-year students who cannot be initially accommodated are placed on a waiting list and allocated rooms if they become available. Accommodation in later years is allocated by ballot.
Balliol has a number of ground-floor rooms designed and adapted for disabled use, to include accessible bathroom and kitchen facilities. To discuss individual requirements please contact the Graduate Administrator.
Further information about accommodation at Balliol College is available on the college website.
Meals
Balliol has an excellent kitchen, managed by its award-winning Executive Head Chef, Bertrand Faucheux. The dining hall on the Broad Street site serves a buffet-style lunch and dinner seven days a week, and breakfast on weekdays, during term time. Hall meals are subsidised by the college and provide healthy and varied menus, including vegetarian and vegan options.
The cheapest and most convenient way to eat in the college's dining hall is by pre-payment (NB the accommodation charge at Balliol does not cover meals in the dining hall).
All rooms at the Master’s Field site have access to a kitchen; elsewhere in the Graduate Centre there are kitchens for self-catering on most floors. The facilities vary greatly in size, equipment and quality, but most are equipped with a cooktop, oven, and at least nominal cold storage. In many cases, a kitchen becomes the social hub for nearby residents. The kitchens also play an integral role in the Balliol MCR's large student cooking events.
Further information on Balliol College's catering services is available on the college website.
Courses
This college accepts graduate students for the following courses:
Please note that not all subjects areas or streams of a particular course may be offered by this college. Please see the college information on the relevant course page for further details. For a comprehensive list of all graduate courses available at the University of Oxford, please refer to our courses A-Z listing.
Location
Key facts
Balliol College,
Oxford OX1 3BJ
www.balliol.ox.ac.uk
Founded
1263
| Students (total*) in 2023-24 | Full-time places in 2025-26 | Part-time places in 2025-26 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taught graduates | 130 | c. 62 | c. 10 |
| Research graduates | 275 | c. 58 | c. 0 |
| Undergrad. | 395 | N/A | N/A |
*Total across all year groups (see source data)