There are twenty-nine Colleges in total that admit undergraduate students, each with their own unique identity and character. You may find yourself living in a medieval room overlooking a leafy courtyard, or a cool, modern pad. College accommodation is guaranteed for the three years of your course and you only have to pay rent during term-time, saving you money in the vacations.

After a long day’s work, Colleges are somewhere to come back to and relax or to socialise with your friends. You can chill out in the JCR – Junior Combination Room – a common room usually containing TVs and sofas, or you can head straight to the College bar for drinks with friends. Colleges have dining halls and cafeterias and there is also the option of Formal Halls, which are sit-down evening meals. Alternatively, there are basic kitchens where you can make yourself a snack. Then there are all the great sports teams and clubs you can join. Some Colleges have theatres, gyms and even swimming pools! However, a great part of College life is simply taken up drinking coffee in each other’s rooms, talking about everything and nothing.

Colleges also have a support role to play, providing nurses, counsellors and chaplains, as well as assigning you your very own College Tutor. This is usually an academic from a different subject from your own so you can talk to them about absolutely anything and they will not know or care that you are late with your essay!

Your College will also assign you a Director of Studies, who will arrange your supervisions and – yes – direct your studies. Speaking of work you can make use of your College library or you can study in your department or the comfort of your room, listening to your own mixes – whatever works best for you.