St Catherine's College

College facilities

Library and IT services

Catz has one of the largest college libraries, comprising 65,000 volumes and easy access to electronic library resources. The Social Science Library, Bodleian Law Library and English Faculty Library are also located next to the college site.

There are well-equipped computer rooms, network connections in all student rooms and Wi-Fi access throughout the college.

Sport, music and college facilities

Sport, music, art and drama enjoy a high profile in the college; on-site there are:

• squash courts
• gymnasium
• punt house
• music house for practice and performances
• theatres for both indoor and outdoor productions

A key role within the theatrical life of the College is the Cameron Mackintosh Visiting Professor of Contemporary Theatre. The post is a University professorship attached to St Catherine’s College, with a new chair appointed each year. The professor holds an annual lecture and offers workshops for students to engage with throughout the year. The Professor for the 2023-24 academic year was world-renowned director Gregory Doran, who was recently Artistic Director at the Royal Shakespeare Company.

Facilities for disabled students

Catz has excellent access and facilities for disabled students. There is easy wheelchair access to virtually all areas, including graduate accommodation, the dining hall, MCR and Ainsworth Graduate Centre.

Please contact the college about any accessibility requirements.

Welfare

Within the Middle Common Room (see below), the Welfare Reps and a network of trained Peer Supporters, whose names are advertised on the MCR website as well as on notice boards in most staircases, are available for private conversations with students. Students can also talk privately with their College Advisor, the Tutor for Graduates, or the Deans. In addition, students are encouraged to approach the Junior Deans, or if that feels inappropriate, one of the other members of the Panel of Advisors or the College Counsellor. The Advisors may be approached directly at any time and their contact numbers are available in the Lodge. The College Counsellor is available in college on an appointment basis and can be contacted by email. Students may wish to use any or all of these groups to discuss their concerns, alongside welfare provided by the University.

MCR

The focus of graduate life in the college is the Middle Common Room (MCR) on the top floor of the Ainsworth Graduate Centre. With over 400 members of many different nationalities, it is one of the liveliest and most stimulating in Oxford.

The Ainsworth Graduate Centre, completed in 2020, provides a hub for our graduate community. It is a multi-functional building housing the MCR, seminar rooms and versatile spaces for study and events.

The MCR Committee organises a varied academic, social and sporting programme. Once a week a special graduate dinner is served in Hall and there are regular graduate seminars. The annual Graduates’ Dinner normally takes place in May. Graduates are also members of the Junior Common Room and have access to all its facilities.