University College, Oxford
University College, formally The Master and Fellows of the College of the Great Hall of the University commonly called University College in the University of Oxford[6] and colloquially referred to as "Univ",[7] is a constituent college of the University of Oxford in England.[8] It has a claim to being the oldest college of the university, having been founded in 1249 by William of Durham.[9]
"Univ" redirects here. For universities in general, see University. For the village in Ukraine, see Univ, Ukraine.University College
High Street, Oxford OX1 4BH
The College of the Great Hall of the University of Oxford
Collegium Magnae Aulae Universitatis Oxon.[1]
1249
425[3] (2023–24)
219[4] (2023–24)
Charles III, The Crown ex officio[5]
As of 2023, the college had an estimated financial endowment of £146,084k, and their total net assets amounted to £238,316k.[10]
The college is associated with a number of influential people, including Clement Attlee, Harold Wilson, Bill and Chelsea Clinton, Neil Gorsuch, Stephen Hawking, C. S. Lewis, V. S. Naipaul, Robert Reich, William Beveridge, Bob Hawke, Robert Cecil, and Percy Bysshe Shelley.
History[edit]
A legend arose in the 14th century that the college was founded by King Alfred in 872.[11] This explains why the college arms are those attributed to King Alfred, why the Visitor is always the reigning monarch, and why the college celebrated its millennium in 1872. Most agree that in reality the college was founded in 1249 by William of Durham. He bequeathed money to support ten or twelve masters of arts studying divinity, and a property which became known as Aula Universitatis (University Hall) was bought in 1253.[12] This later date still allows the claim that Univ is the oldest of the Oxford colleges, although this is contested by Balliol College and Merton College.[13][14] Univ was open only to fellows studying theology until the 16th century.
The college acquired four properties on its current site south of the High Street in 1332 and 1336 and built a quadrangle in the 15th century.[15] As it grew in size and wealth, its medieval buildings were replaced with the current Main Quadrangle in the 17th century. Although the foundation stone was placed on 17 April 1634, the disruption of the English Civil War meant it was not completed until sometime in 1676.[1] Radcliffe Quad followed more rapidly by 1719, and the library was built in 1861.[16]
Like many of Oxford's colleges, University College accepted its first mixed-sex cohort in 1979, having previously been an institution for men only.[17]
Student life[edit]
Univ Alternative Prospectus[edit]
The Alternative Prospectus is written and produced by current students for prospective applicants. The publication was awarded a HELOA Innovation and Best Practice Award in 2011.[23] The Univ Alternative Prospectus offers student written advice and guidance to potential Oxford applicants. The award recognises the engagement of the college community, unique newspaper format, forward-thinking use of social media and the collaborative working between staff and students.
Grace[edit]
University has the longest grace of any Oxford (and perhaps Cambridge) college.[24] It is read before every Formal Hall, which is held on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays. The reading is performed by a Scholar of the college and whoever is sitting at the head of High Table (typically the Master, or the most senior Fellow at the table if the Master is not dining).
Chelsea Clinton, lead at the Clinton Foundation and Clinton Global Initiative, daughter of Bill and Hillary Clinton
University College, Oxford: aerial view with key and scale.
