Worcester College
About the college
Worcester College aims to provide a friendly and supportive academic and social environment where every member can thrive.
In addition to a wide range of support systems, Worcester offers excellent facilities for sport as well as strong musical and theatrical traditions.
The college has made strong, public commitments to equity and inclusion and seeks to cultivate a community of the widest variety of backgrounds and experience.
The graduate common room (MCR) at Worcester is the place to meet like-minded researchers and make new friends through regular social, cultural and academic gatherings.
College facilities
Library and IT services
Worcester College's library is one of its finest assets. The modern collection for students' use consists of 65,000 volumes. There is also an extensive additional collection on architectural history and its background culture and a separate law library containing books, periodicals and law reports (6,000 volumes). The magnificent Old Library houses collections of European importance.
The current library building was completed in 1736 and was built to house Dr George Clarke's great bequest of books, manuscripts, prints and drawings, which, together with Provost William Gower’s later bequest in 1771, makes the library a major holder of seventeenth- and eighteenth-century material (including one of the largest collections of English plays printed before 1750). Researchers may be interested in the special collections of prints, drawings, manuscripts and early printed books. There are particular strengths in seventeenth- and eighteenth-century literature, the English Civil War, and architectural history.
The Upper Library, which contains the modern collection intended for use by undergraduates and graduates, is open 24 hours a day. The holdings are registered on the University’s joint online catalogue. There is a special allocation in the budget for graduates, who are encouraged to make suggestions for book purchases. The beautiful old reading room, with its fine view over the college grounds, is also available as a study area.
The college has a graduate computer room and a printer which can be accessed 24 hours a day. Wi-Fi is available throughout the college, including in all graduate accommodation.
Sport, music and college facilities
Worcester College has an active music society, chapel choir and drama society (the "Buskins"). There is a gym and a sports field on the college site.
The following are available to provide assistance to graduates:
- Graduate Officer
- Tutor for Graduates
- Senior Tutor
- College Advisors
- Dean Team (Dean, Assistant Dean, Junior Deans)
- Peer Supporters
- Head of Student Welfare
- Equalities Fellow
- Chaplain
- College Nurse
- College counsellor
Facilities for disabled students
Worcester College is committed to enabling disabled students to participate as fully as possible in college and university life. Prospective students are advised to contact the Graduate Officer to discuss any requirements and reasonable adjustments. Students should also contact the Disability Advisory Service for advice, disability support, and adjustments.
Welfare
At Worcester, you will find a team of dedicated professionals ready to offer support with whatever life deals you. We understand that University life can be stressful and that you might be facing other challenges in your personal life. Whether you need additional specialist support or just want someone to chat to, we are here to listen. The Welfare Team strives to create an environment where everyone feels welcome, respected, supported, and able to thrive. We offer multiple sources of confidential help and support within college, as well as being able to direct you to external services provided by the University or offered within Oxford.
Worcester's multidisciplinary team consists of the Dean, Assistant Dean, and Junior Deans, and Head of Student Welfare, College GP and Nurse, College Counsellor, College Chaplain, and Academic Administrator. Further information about welfare provision can be found on the college website.
MCR
All graduates at the college are full members of the Worcester Middle Common Room (MCR), representing the graduate student body.
Worcester’s MCR is a large, diverse and active community which provides a friendly atmosphere for helping students to settle in both socially and academically.
Accommodation and meals
Accommodation
All graduate accommodation is located on residential streets surrounding the college.
Single accommodation is provided in the college's Franks Building, a purpose-built hall of residence with en-suite shower rooms and shared kitchen facilities, and also in a number of houses converted for student use. Each house has between five and ten bedrooms with shared bathroom facilities and communal kitchen/living/dining areas. There are several bedrooms in college accommodation which have been adapted to cater for disabled students. The letting period for single accommodation is nine, ten or eleven months (from October).
A very limited number of flats may be available for graduates with partners. The flats are suitable for two adults and one small child.
Graduate licence agreements at Worcester College are 10 months long with a default departure date of 1st August. Students may request to extend or reduce their licence terms by one calendar month.
Worcester College does not provide single-sex accommodation blocks.
Further information about graduate accommodation is available on the college website.
Meals
All graduate accommodation has kitchen facilities; meals are also available in the college during term time.
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
Worcester College is set in twenty-six acres of wooded grounds, including a lake and sports fields, yet it is only a few minutes' walk from the city centre and Oxford's railway and bus stations.
Key facts
Worcester College,
Oxford OX1 2HB
www.worc.ox.ac.uk
Founded
1714
| Students (total*) in 2023-24 | Full-time places in 2025-26 | Part-time places in 2025-26 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taught graduates | 95 | c. 49 | c. 10 |
| Research graduates | 115 | c. 24 | c. 2 |
| Undergrad. | 430 | N/A | N/A |
*Total across all year groups (see source data)