University College, Oxford

University College, also known as "Univ," is one of the oldest colleges at the University of Oxford. It was founded in 1249 by William of Durham. Today, it remains an important part of the university and has many famous alumni who have done great things in the world.

The college has grown to have a big collection of valuable items and money to support learning and buildings. As of 2024, its financial endowment was about £156.7 million, and its total value was around £255.4 million.

Many well-known and influential people studied at University College. These include leaders like Clement Attlee and Harold Wilson, scientists such as Stephen Hawking, writers like C. S. Lewis and Percy Bysshe Shelley, and even Bill Clinton, the former president of the United States. The college is proud of its long history and the many important people who have been part of its community.

History

A legend from the 14th century claimed that King Alfred founded the college in 872, which is why the college uses his arms and celebrates its millennium in 1872. However, most historians agree that the college was actually founded in 1249 by William of Durham, who left money to support masters studying divinity. This makes it one of the oldest colleges at Oxford, though Balliol College and Merton College also claim to be older.

Over the centuries, the college grew and built more buildings. It acquired land south of the High Street in the 1300s and built its main quadrangle in the 1600s, though it took until 1676 to finish because of the English Civil War. More buildings, like the Radcliffe Quad, were added later, and a library was built in 1861. The college began admitting women in 1979, after being only for men for many years.

Buildings

The Logic Lane covered bridge above Logic Lane running through University College, as viewed from the High Street.

The main entrance to University College is on the High Street, with its grounds bordered by Merton Street and Magpie Lane. The college is split by Logic Lane, which runs through its center. One side has the library, dining hall, chapel, and student rooms, while the other side features more student rooms above shops and in a building named after a former leader, Arthur Lehman Goodhart.

A special building called the Shelley Memorial holds a statue of the poet Percy Bysshe Shelley, who studied there. The college also has a boathouse and sports ground nearby, and it is famous for having one of the few statues of King James II and VII in the United Kingdom.

Student life

University College Boathouse, the boathouse of the college boat club

There are about 425 undergraduates and 219 postgraduates at University College. Many of these students come from state schools. The college offers special awards for music, including organ and choral scholarships. Students can join music groups like the Martlett Ensemble and the chapel choir.

Students have two common rooms: the Junior Common Room and the Weir Common Room. The college has a long grace reading before Formal Hall dinners, which happen on certain days. University College has sports fields and a gym for students to use. The University College Boat Club is the rowing club for students and has achieved great success in competitions.

Latin	English
SCHOLAR – Benedictus sit Deus in donis suis. RESPONSE – Et sanctus in omnibus operibus suis. SCHOLAR – Adiutorium nostrum in Nomine Domini. RESPONSE – Qui fecit coelum et terram. SCHOLAR – Sit Nomen Domini benedictum. RESPONSE – Ab hoc tempore usque in saecula. SCHOLAR – Domine Deus, Resurrectio et Vita credentium, Qui semper es laudandus tam in viventibus quam in defunctis, gratias Tibi agimus pro omnibus Fundatoribus caeterisque Benefactoribus nostris, quorum beneficiis hic ad pietatem et ad studia literarum alimur: Te rogantes ut nos, hisce Tuis donis ad Tuam gloriam recte utentes, una cum iis ad vitam immortalem perducamur. Per Jesum Christum Dominum nostrum. RESPONSE - Amen. SCHOLAR — Deus det vivis gratiam, defunctis requiem: Ecclesiae, Regi, Regnoque nostro, pacem et concordiam: et nobis peccatoribus vitam aeternam. RESPONSE - Amen.	SCHOLAR — Let God be blessed in his gifts. RESPONSE — And holy in all his works. SCHOLAR — Our help is in the Name of the Lord. RESPONSE — Who has made heaven and earth. SCHOLAR — May the Name of the Lord be blessed. RESPONSE — From this time for evermore. SCHOLAR — Lord God, the resurrection and the life of them that believe, who are always to be praised both among the living and among the dead, we give You thanks for all our founders and other benefactors, by whose gifts we are nourished here for piety and the study of letters; asking You that we, using these Your gifts rightly to Your glory, may be led together with them into eternal life. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. RESPONSE — Amen. SCHOLAR — May God grant to the living grace, and to the dead rest; to the Church, the King, and our realm, peace and concord; and to us sinners everlasting life. RESPONSE — Amen.

Latin

English

SCHOLAR – Benedictus sit Deus in donis suis.
RESPONSE – Et sanctus in omnibus operibus suis.
SCHOLAR – Adiutorium nostrum in Nomine Domini.
RESPONSE – Qui fecit coelum et terram.
SCHOLAR – Sit Nomen Domini benedictum.
RESPONSE – Ab hoc tempore usque in saecula.
SCHOLAR – Domine Deus, Resurrectio et Vita credentium, Qui semper es laudandus tam in viventibus quam in defunctis, gratias Tibi agimus pro omnibus Fundatoribus caeterisque Benefactoribus nostris, quorum beneficiis hic ad pietatem et ad studia literarum alimur: Te rogantes ut nos, hisce Tuis donis ad Tuam gloriam recte utentes, una cum iis ad vitam immortalem perducamur. Per Jesum Christum Dominum nostrum.
RESPONSE - Amen.
SCHOLAR — Deus det vivis gratiam, defunctis requiem: Ecclesiae, Regi, Regnoque nostro, pacem et concordiam: et nobis peccatoribus vitam aeternam.
RESPONSE - Amen.

SCHOLAR — Let God be blessed in his gifts.
RESPONSE — And holy in all his works.
SCHOLAR — Our help is in the Name of the Lord.
RESPONSE — Who has made heaven and earth.
SCHOLAR — May the Name of the Lord be blessed.
RESPONSE — From this time for evermore.
SCHOLAR — Lord God, the resurrection and the life of them that believe, who are always to be praised both among the living and among the dead, we give You thanks for all our founders and other benefactors, by whose gifts we are nourished here for piety and the study of letters; asking You that we, using these Your gifts rightly to Your glory, may be led together with them into eternal life. Through Jesus Christ our Lord.
RESPONSE — Amen.
SCHOLAR — May God grant to the living grace, and to the dead rest; to the Church, the King, and our realm, peace and concord; and to us sinners everlasting life.
RESPONSE — Amen.

People associated with the college

Main articles: List of alumni of University College, Oxford and List of Masters of University College, Oxford

Further information: Category:Fellows of University College, Oxford and List of Honorary Fellows of University College, Oxford

University College, Oxford has many famous people connected to it. Some well-known graduates include Clement Attlee, a former prime minister of the United Kingdom, and Harold Wilson, another former UK prime minister. Other leaders such as Bob Hawke, former prime minister of Australia, and Bill Clinton, former president of the United States of America, are also linked to the college.

The college also counts famous thinkers and writers among its connections, like Percy Bysshe Shelley, a Romantic poet, and C. S. Lewis, the author of The Chronicles of Narnia. Notable scientists such as Stephen Hawking, the famous physicist, were also associated with the college.

Publications

University College produces several regular publications for its members. The University College Record is an annual magazine sent to alumni each autumn. It shares news about college clubs and societies, academic achievements, and prizes. It also includes updates and memories of former students.

Another publication is The Martlet, a magazine available in print and online for members and friends of the college.