Sports and Societies

If you have any spare time left over after all the Bops and bar nights, don't worry, there are loads of extra-curricular activities that you can get involved in.

During Freshers' Week you can visit Freshers' Fair where all the University societies try and tempt you to join. This is the best way to see what's on offer and speak to the people already involved. Societies are always looking for new members though so if you have a sudden hankering to play ultimate Frisbee during the summer you can get involved then! Everything is optional though - you can do as much or as little as you like. There are also plenty of opportunities to establish new societies. Funding is available at college and university level. With so many students from diverse backgrounds and radically different interests you are bound to find other keen people as well.

Sport

Merton is not usually known as a major sporting power, however it is a good at some sports. Croquet, pool (well the free pool tables aren't just there looking pretty) and rowing. However Merton puts the emphasis on participation rather than achievement - anybody can play. There are intercollegiate competitions called cuppers and there are also university wide societies and sports to cater for the more serious athletes.In recent years we have had a couple of college members who got a 'blue' (represented the University) at sports such as rowing, dancing and squash. Lots of people just play in University sports clubs for fun, exercise, and a way of meeting people outside the college with shared interests.

Music

Merton has a piano both in the JCR and in the Music Room, located in Rose Lane. It is also the home to a high-quality Chapel Choir which sings Evensong in the candlelit Chapel every Sunday. The non-auditioning Kodaly Choir is also excellent, singing a wide variety of works, and there are numerous college orchestras and bands. Needless to say, the opportunities for getting involved in the University music scene are pretty much endless, and with venues like the Sheldonian Theatre, both performers and audiences are constantly delighted.

Drama and the Arts

Merton Floats, the college drama society is very active in producing plays, and organising successful theatre trips. Merton holds a very successful, annual Arts Festival each Summer Term that includes plays, poetry readings, musical performances and an art exhibition. The Oxford drama scene is one of the most prestigious and active in the country.

Subject Societies

There are lots of subject societies that allow anyone, whether you studying the discipline or something completely unrelated to meet like-minded people, hear highly-respected speakers and pursue their interest outside of the lecture theatre.

Politics

Merton is proudly apolitical. We do, however, have a Politics Society that encourages informal and stimulating discussion, while certain college members have been elected onto various political organisations including OUSU: the Oxford University Student Union.

Faith

Oxford rejoices in its diversity - Merton's beautiful chapel is Anglican in affiliation but all worshippers are welcome at all times. Christians are also provided for by Catholic, Protestant, Methodist, Baptist, Reformed, Orthodox and Quaker churches... you get the picture. Oxford has a thriving Jewish community with orthodox, liberal and masorti services. The needs of Muslim students are met by three mosques and numerous delis selling Halal food. There is also provision for Buddhists, Hindus, Sikhs, Jehovah's Witnesses and the Baha'i community, and apparently the Oxford Pagan Society meets monthly. There may be even more, and we are sorry if we've missed anything out. Also, of course, many philosophical societies welcome non-religious contemplation.

Journalism

Oxford has not one, but two excellent student newspapers: the Cherwell and the Oxford Student ('OxStu') as well as many other journals on a variety of subjects. Currently within Merton there is an award winning cartoonist, a rap critic, and an editor... so why not give something a try!?

And finally...

A food society, The Assassin's Guild, The Children's TV Society, two wine societies, a medieval society, science fiction societies, The Mexico Society... along with hundreds more. Whatever it is you're into, someone else in Oxford will be too... and more than likely there'll be a society for it!

For a relatively up-to-date list of all Oxford's societies and clubs check out the OUSU Clubs and Societies.