Students sitting on the grass of Hertford College Quad.

Hertford College

About the college
College facilities
Courses Available
Location map
College outreach

About the college

Hertford is known for its friendly and informal atmosphere – it’s the kind of place where it’s easy to make friends and feel at home.

We’re proud of our inclusive ethos and have pioneered access to Oxford for students from under-represented groups for over 50 years. Our down-to-earth approach fosters the positive working relationships enjoyed by our students and tutors.

We’re academically ambitious and keen for our students to fulfil their potential, offering personalised academic skills training, generous college bursaries, and support from our experienced pastoral team. The popular college library is open 24/7 with unlimited borrowing, plus the University’s Bodleian Library is just over the road.

Hertford guarantees accommodation for all three or four years of your undergraduate course. First-years live on our main site in the heart of Oxford, while from second year onwards students choose one of our nearby annexes. Three pay-as-you-go meals are available on weekdays, while college brunch is a weekend highlight. Every room also has access to a shared kitchen or kitchenette.

Our creative catering team regularly organise special meals to celebrate everything from Pancake Day to Diwali and host optional formal dinners twice a week. The College bar is home to special events, from live sport on the big screen to music nights and quizzes.

As well as off-site sports grounds, tennis and squash courts, and a superb boathouse, we also offer free membership to the University's pool ang gym at the Iffley Road Sports Centre. Our enthusiastic sports teams welcome players (and supporters) of all abilities.

Hertford students organise an annual arts festival and run one of Oxford’s largest music societies, which includes an orchestra, jazz band and choir, as well as weekly recitals and a termly concert.

High-profile guests from the worlds of government and politics regularly speak at Hertford. Through other college societies you can also get involved in a wide range of activities, including fundraising for charities which support Oxford’s wider community.

Hertford is…

'...a wonderful home away from home.'
Katie

'…one big family where you know you can get support.'
Imad

'…meeting people from a huge variety of backgrounds and making friends for life.'
Andrew

'…joining in and having fun with our inclusive clubs, teams and societies.'
Aisha

'…studying and living in a supportive, considerate and progressive community.'
Ina

College facilities

Visit our College Facilities page to compare facilities across different colleges.

College accommodation

Accommodation	College availability
All first years on site	Yes
Usually offered for all years	Yes
Usually offered for three years	Not applicable
Usually offered for first year and one other year	Not applicable
Some vacation storage for international students	Yes

Catering

Catering type	College availability
Dining hall	Yes
Bar	Yes
Café	Yes

Facilities

Facility type	College availability
Gym on site	No
Boathouse	Yes
Library open 24/7	Yes
Computer rooms/stations	Yes
Wi-Fi throughout college	Yes
Music room	Yes
Theatre/performance space	No
Chapel	Yes
Multi-faith prayer room	Yes

Clubs and societies

Club / society	College availability
Music society	Yes
Orchestra(s)	Yes
Choir(s)	Yes
Dramatic society	No
College student magazine/paper	Yes
Some subject societies	Yes
Other societies	Yes

College outreach

Link areas

In order to ensure that all areas of the UK are fully supported by the University of Oxford, our colleges are working together to establish Oxford for UK, a series of regional outreach programmes offering tailored and local support to students of mixed ages, their parents and teachers.

Getting in touch with the college linked to your region has no influence on your chances of being accepted to this or any other particular college. You are also very welcome to get in touch with any other college for advice about applying or studying here.

Hertford College is part of Oxford for East England.

Link Local Authorities

Essex
Peterborough
Southend-on-Sea
Thurrock
Medway
Camden

Outreach programmes

Hertford’s link regions consist of Essex, Camden, Southend-on-Sea, Thurrock, Medway, and Peterborough. We offer a variety of programmes working specifically with these regions alongside our schools’ access programme.

Swiftstream

Our sustained engagement projects include Swiftstream and Next Steps Essex.

Swiftstream works specifically with Year 12 state school students in Medway offering a programme of support and super-curricular opportunities through an online programme, followed by a free residential to Oxford in June where students can get a real taste of university life.

Next Steps Essex

Through Next Steps Essex, we collaborate with Emmanuel College, Cambridge to offer an annual webinar series for Year 11 and 12 state school students from Essex, Southend-on-Sea and Thurrock covering topics ranging from what is Oxbridge to personal statements and critical thinking skills, along with opportunities to take part in Q&As with our current undergraduates.

Subject specific opportunities

Hertford’s outreach also includes subject specific opportunities such as the Unsung Heroes of Science competition, which invites 16–18-year-olds to celebrate the stories of their heroes of science who deserve wider recognition through creating a two-minute video about their hero.

Contact

Access and Outreach at Hertford
Outreach Officer: Lucy Stevens

STEM Outreach Officer: Dorothy Kuipers
[email protected]
+44 (0) 1865 611882
www.hertford.ox.ac.uk

Postal address:
Hertford College
Catte Street,
Oxford OX1 3BW

Outreach events

Visit the University's Outreach event calendar to view upcoming outreach events. Please note that some events may require advance booking or have specific eligibility criteria.

Hertford College