Why Merton?

SO, why should you apply to Merton? Here are twelve great reasons...

  1. Location! Location! Location!
    Happily, Merton is just off the High Street, so that the other colleges, shops, libraries, and departments are all but a stone's throw away. At the same time, though, we are away from the bustle of the shopping streets and have a quiet corner (with a legendary stone table) overlooking Christ Church meadow. So it's just a short walk to the river for rowing, walking or relaxation.

  2. Great Food
    Merton has got some of the best food in Oxford . Vegetarians are well catered for. Formal hall (where you can show off your nicest clothes and have a three-course dinner for only £2.56) runs six nights a week, but there's always the more informal early supper on too. Lunch consisting of soup, choice of cooked meals, unlimited salad bar, desserts and fruit, at £2.06 a day is an absolute steal. Brunch on a Sunday morning is culinary highlight of the week, and you can get toasties (if you want) every night in the bar.
  3. Low living costs
    Merton is one of the wealthiest colleges. This is perhaps one of the best reasons to choose it, as it can immeasurably improve the quality of your life here. It's why the food is yummy and cheap. We have accommodation grants which mean you can have 30 days of free accommodation in the holidays. It also means that we have among the cheapest rents.
  4. Accommodation for every year of your degree
    You will never have to go to the inconvenience and expense of looking for your own house (unless you want to!). The college offers accommodation for all the years of your course, some of which is in college and the rest in college-owned houses in the streets near-by. This means you can live outside college in a house with friends, but with all the convenience of having the college as a landlord.
  5. Fellows' GardensBoth old and beautiful.
    Merton is the oldest college (although not indisputably). Which means we have pretty buildings, an impressive old library, lots of history (good if you're a historian), and some big trees. It means you join a great tradition, and get to impress your relatives when you tell them.
  6. Amazing Grounds
    The college is reasonably small in student terms but rich in green spaces. And not just formal squares of grass, we're talking flowers, trees, fresh air, the lot. The garden even contains a tree which inspired Tolkien as he wrote The Hobbit. You can play bowls on the lawn where Charles I used to hold his parties, or croquet on the croquet lawn.
  7. Strong Academic Tradition
    Merton consistently comes very high up in the college league table. This may be something to do with the generous provision of book grants, bursaries, expensive teaching and so on. Or it may be down to our renowned work ethic, students' enthusiasm for their subject and people being willing to help each other out with work.
  8. Crazy Tradition
    It is certainly true that you can ignore silly traditions if you want to. But you probably wouldn't want to miss the famed Time Ceremony. It is Merton's contribution to preserving the stability of the space-time continuum, and involves walking backwards round a quad in the dark while the clocks go back.
  9. Financial Support
    There is now a University-wide bursary scheme to help overcome any financial barriers that may deter people applying. Eligible students will receive £1000 in their first year and £500 per year after that which does not need to be paid back. For more information visit http://www.admissions.ox.ac.uk/finance/bursaries . Merton College provides a £50 book grant for all students each year and there are hardship funds available to help anyone in college during slightly leaner times.
  10. A Friendly, Caring Community
    In a recent survey of Merton college freshers, the word most used to describe Merton was friendly. It is also reputed that Merton has some of the best welfare provision in the University. This means Merton is a good place to get support or cheered up when things are not going your way.
  11. Two free pool tables
  12. A great bar

If that's not enough reason to come to Merton, we asked current students what other things were some of 'the best things' about Merton - and this is what they came up with!

The best thing about Merton is...

  • The Food
  • The Drink
  • Tea with the Warden
  • The People
  • Excellent Libraries
  • The Courgettes
  • The Time Ceremony
  • General, Spontaneous and Uncontrollable Student fun
  • The Chapel
  • Tony and Dave, the bar men
  • Funny Gargoyles
  • Mob Quad
  • The Games Room
  • Free pool at Midnight
  • The Surrealism
  • Being able to get up at 10am and still make it to a 10am lecture
  • Friendly Hall Staff
  • Fellows' Gardens
  • The homely feeling
  • It's Friendly
  • Suicidal Gargoyles
  • Other undergrads
  • Toasties from the Bar
  • College Lunch
  • The view from my room!

Come and visit us to discover many more reasons to come to Merton!