Somerville College
About the college
Somerville is a warm, forward-looking and inclusive college with a streak of radicalism at its heart.
Founded in 1879 to give women access to university education when many others wouldn’t, famous alumni include two former prime ministers, the only British woman to win a Nobel prize for science and pioneers in literature and activism.
Gathered around its beautiful gardens at the heart of the University’s new Radcliffe Observatory Quarter, Somerville offers a diverse range of subjects and support to students from all over the world.
Somerville is one of the few Oxford colleges able to house all its undergraduates in college accommodation on the main college site for every single year of their degrees.
Somerville is known for its good food, excellent formals and beautiful central gardens, where students get together to study and socialise in the summer months. The college has one of the best undergraduate libraries in Oxford, containing more than 120,000 items, available to our students 24/7.
Somerville is also one of Oxford’s most financially supportive colleges, with 1 in 5 students receiving some form of financial support. Generous travel and special project grants are available to help students widen their experience during vacations and finance volunteering or community-building projects.
The college has an excellent choir, an active drama scene, an annual arts week and a huge choice of societies across everything from baking to board games. For sportspeople, the College also offers a wide range of team sports including rugby, football, netball, rowing, cricket and hockey.
Read more on the college website.
Somerville is...
'…the right balance of academia, fun and friendliness.'
Nina
'…the smiles, waves, and impromptu conversations you have crossing the Quad on the way to a class.'
Alice
'…Going to hall for Saturday brunch to have four of those perfect hash browns.'
Mar
'…a feeling of home, regardless of who you are, where you're from, your gender, or race, or sexuality.'
Catrin
'…a place where you can be yourself and feel at home.'
Barnaby
'…the place I look forward to returning to after every vacation.'
Leanne
'…a community where freedom of expression is accepted and valued.'
Fin
'…less like a castle and more like a home.'
Corinne
Location
Somerville has an enviable location within Oxford through being next door to the Mathematics and Humanities facilities in the Radcliffe Observatory Quarter, and five minutes from the science faculties. The College’s prime position will be further enhanced by the 2025 completion of the Stephen A Schwarzman Centre for the Humanities, which will house the Faculties of History, Linguistics, Modern Languages, Music, and Philosophy just next door to the College. It is easy to walk or cycle to anywhere else in the University.
UCAS campus code: U
Somerville College,
Oxford OX2 6HD
+44 (0) 1865 270600
www.some.ox.ac.uk
Founded
1879
Student numbers
Undergraduates: 392
Graduates: 209
Admissions contacts
+44 (0) 1865 270690
admissions@some.ox.ac.uk www.some.ox.ac.uk
Academic staff
Visit the college website for the full list
Our 2025 undergraduate Open Days will be held on 2 and 3 July and 19 September.
Register to find out more about our upcoming Open Days.
