All of the Colleges have different identities, histories and traditions, with three single-sex female Colleges and four specifically for mature students (over 21s). The facilities at each are all very similar and there is no College that is ‘best’ for a given subject. Mind you not all Colleges offer all subjects, so this is worth checking that out before you make your decision.

Colleges are very proud of their identities but the truth is that Colleges are far more alike than they are different so your eventual decision could simply be based on factors such as College size, location, architecture, single-sex/mixed or a more obscure reason. With so much choice it is easy to feel you might be about to make ‘the wrong decision’ but the vast majority of students who come here end up feeling that their choice of College was in some way inspired and love it for the time they are here and beyond.

There is plenty of information available to help you choose your College in the Undergraduate Prospectus, online, and in each College’s own prospectus so you can get a feel for the place even if you do not have the time to visit. There is also an ‘alternative’ prospectus written by students, so you can really get an insider’s view.

What if you really can’t decide? There’s no need to worry as you do have another option – to submit an ‘Open application’. In this case your application will be allocated to a College that receives lower numbers of applications for your subject that year. You will then be treated just like their other applicants.

Still a bit unclear? All Colleges have their own admissions offices and these are a great place to get answers to any College-specific questions you might have. Don’t be shy – go and ask!