Best Colleges at Oxford – 2024

If you dream of a historic campus, individual faculty mentorship, epic libraries, and prestige for your college experience, you may want to add Oxford to your wish list (University of Oxford acceptance rates are listed below). The oldest university in the English-speaking world, Oxford has quite literally stood the test of time, minting innumerable Nobel laureates, political leaders, and historical figures along the way. Oxford is well-known for its tutorial teaching method. As an enrolled student, you’ll rarely find yourself attending classes in a large lecture hall. Rather, undergraduates take small-group or one-on-one classes with faculty who are accomplished experts in their field.

Academics at Oxford are rigorous, but individualized attention from supportive faculty and staff helps students succeed. 46% of the university’s 12,683 total undergraduates are international students, making Oxford a notably cosmopolitan university. International students come from over 160 countries across the globe, but the most significant number come from the US and China. A collegiate university, Oxford is divided into 39 colleges with separate faculty, dorms, and admissions. 31 of the 39 colleges accept undergraduate students.

Oxford Colleges—How Old is the University of Oxford?

A university brimming with history, Oxford has been a site of education since 1096. The oldest buildings on campus include St Mary’s Church, built in the 13th century and Divinity School, built in the 14th century. On campus, older architecture is mixed in with newer. A day in the life as an Oxford student may take you past St George’s Tower, built in 1020, on your way to get a coffee in what was once a medieval inn on Cornmarket Street. After class in the modern, spaceship-esque Blavatnik School of Government, built in 2016, you can hit the books in Queen’s College’s stunning 17th-century library.

Oxford Colleges—Application Requirements

Applying to Oxford will look much like a regular college admissions process. Each of Oxford’s colleges require:

• Admissions tests
• Grade transcripts
• Personal statement (some majors require supplemental essays)
• Letter of reference

If you make it through to Oxford’s shortlist, you’ll be asked to interview with one or more faculty members in your major department as your final application step. Though testing systems in the UK are different, Oxford does accept SAT/ACT scores and AP exam results.

Oxford Colleges—University of Oxford Acceptance Rate

It’s probably no surprise that Oxford is a highly selective school. Oxford receives more than 22,000 applications each year for around 3,300 spots. Even students who have the highest grades by UK standards have a 28.4% chance of admission.

However, each of Oxford’s 31 undergraduate colleges has its own independent admissions process. This means that some colleges are more selective than others, and each college may have different admissions priorities. When you apply, you can opt to apply to particular colleges, or submit a general application to Oxford with no college preference.

When deciding which Oxford college is right for you, it’s a good idea to consider 1) Whether that college offers your major, 2) Acceptance rate (see below for the rate for each college), and 3) That college’s unique culture.

Oxford Colleges—Top 15 Colleges Ranked

We used the latest Norrington scores to rank all 31 Oxford colleges that accept undergraduate students. Norrington scores are based exclusively on how students perform on their final exams. As with all rankings, we advise not to place too much emphasis on whether a school was listed at #1 or #27. The better way to use this list would be as a launching off point to further explore the Oxford colleges which best suit your unique needs.

1) Merton College

As far as Oxford colleges go, Merton is synonymous with academic rigor. Notable alumni include T.S. Eliot, JRR Tolkien, and STEM Nobel winners Anthony Leggett and Nikolaas Tinbergen. One of the oldest of the Oxford colleges, Merton features medieval and 17th-century buildings, a 13th-century chapel, and extensive gardens. Merton offers a smaller range of majors in more traditional subjects like Law, Mathematics, English, and History.

• Acceptance rate for 2022-2023: 16%
• Average applications received per year 2020-22: 893
• Founded in: 1264

2) St John’s College

A competitive college in the heart of Oxford, St John’s prioritizes faculty-student connections in their small group and one-on-one classes. Founded in 1955, St Johns is home to a 16th-century chapel, an expansive library, and peaceful gardens. St Johns offers a wide range of majors and applicants can expect to attend two twenty-minute interviews as part of their admissions process.

• Acceptance rate for 2022-2023: 14%
• Average applications received per year 2020-22: 1,548
• Founded in: 1555

3) Lincoln College

A smaller size school with just over 300 undergraduate students, Lincoln students describe their school has having “a strong sense of community” and “the most incredible library.” Lincoln delivers instruction via large lectures, small group tutorials, and one-on-one supervision. Lincoln offers majors in just a handful of traditional subjects and encourages students to get involved in extracurriculars, athletics, and the popular Turl Street Arts Festival.

• Acceptance rate for 2022-2023: 21.5%
• Average applications received per year 2020-22: 672
• Founded in: 1427

Best Colleges at Oxford – Oxford University Acceptance Rates (Continued)

4) Brasenose College

Although Brasenose has a reputation as one of the friendliest of the Oxford colleges, that doesn’t mean it skimps on the academics. Brasenose students choose from a long list of majors and study with accomplished scholars. Outside of the classroom, Brasenose brings students together at their fancy-dress parties, Chinese New Year and Burns Night celebrations, charity auctions, diversity workshops, and summer arts festival.

• Acceptance rate for 2022-2023: 12.5%
• Average applications received per year 2020-22: 1,358
• Founded in: 1509

5) New College

One of the largest Oxford colleges, New College prioritizes student welfare and offers extensive academic and personal support to help each of their 700 students succeed. New College boasts an award-winning music practice building, and the newly constructed Gradel Quadrangles offer living spaces, common rooms, performance venues, and classrooms for students to gather and work.

• Acceptance rate for 2022-2023: 22.8%
• Average applications received per year 2020-22: 954
• Founded in: 1379

6) St Catherine’s College

One of Oxford’s newest colleges, St Catherine’s is a hub of innovation, research, and contemporary culture in a modern campus setting. St Catherine’s is a larger, diverse college of 526 students who come from over 50 different nations. Students are evenly split between the arts and sciences. Many get involved in the college’s Music Society, sports teams, and drama workshops with distinguished visiting lecturers.

• Acceptance rate for 2022-2023: 20.7%
• Average applications received per year 2020-22: 1,301
• Founded in: 1962

Best Colleges at Oxford – Oxford University Acceptance Rates (Continued)

7) Worcester College

A college of 400 undergraduates, Worcester students describe their school as a “community” with a “tangible sense of support.” Undergraduates live on campus for all three years of study and choose from a well-rounded list of majors in the humanities, arts, and sciences. A lively campus in the heart of Oxford, students can find community at Worcester’s Arts Week festival, comedy nights, and Poetry and Music Societies.

• Acceptance rate for 2022-2023: 10.8%
• Average applications received per year 2020-22: 2,169
• Founded in: 1741

8) Balliol College

Founded in 1263, Balliol encourages academic excellence, independent thinking, and social responsibility. Although it is well known for its mathematics program, Balliol offers a broad selection of majors in STEM and the humanities. Students with multiple academic interests can also combine their studies with joint degrees. With just 70 enrolled undergraduates, students at this Oxford college can expect a tight-knit community.

• Acceptance rate for 2022-2023: 16.5%
• Average applications received per year 2020-22: 1,242
• Founded in: 1263

9) Harris Manchester College

The only Oxford college dedicated to mature students, every enrolled student at Harris Manchester is over 21. Since there is no upper age limit at Harris Manchester, students come from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences. Some students are pursuing their first undergraduate degree, some are earning their fourth, and some are changing careers. Regardless, Harris Manchester puts inclusivity first and values the diversity of its students.

• Acceptance rate for 2022-2023: 12%
• Average applications received per year 2020-22: Not listed
• Founded in: 1786

Best Colleges at Oxford – Oxford University Acceptance Rates (Continued)

10) St Anne’s College

A larger college of about 450 students, St Anne’s values “opportunity, collaboration and being forward looking and far reaching.” St Anne’s boasts the largest library of the Oxford colleges and allows students to major in a traditional subject or a broader subject family. With career preparation in mind, St Anne’s also offers numerous paid work and research internships to its students.

• Acceptance rate for 2022-2023: 27%
• Average applications received per year 2020-22: 967
• Founded in: 1879

11) The Queen’s College

Founded in 1341, Queen’s College offers students a place to study amid impressive neoclassical architecture. A hub for research, Queen’s College is known for its beautiful library with three floors built in the 17th, 19th, and 21st centuries. Students at this college also have the chance to participate in the Queen’s College Symposium’s interactive research talks.

• Acceptance rate for 2022-2023: 19%
• Average applications received per year 2020-22: 307
• Founded in: 1341

12) Corpus Christi College

Founded during the Renaissance, Corpus Christi remains dedicated to creativity and intellectual development to this day. Corpus faculty expect commitment, maturity, and ambition. Outside of the classroom, students are encouraged to attend daily tea times and make use of community spaces like the boathouse and Beer Cellar.

• Acceptance rate for 2022-2023: 19%
• Average applications received per year 2020-22: 526
• Founded in: 1517

Best Colleges at Oxford – Oxford University Acceptance Rates (Continued)

13) St Peter’s College

With a student body of 600, St Peter’s is one of the larger Oxford colleges. Originally created to offer students with limited means access to an Oxford education, St Peter’s still aims to increase education access for underrepresented students. St Peter’s offers a broad range of majors and gives students many chances to connect through athletics, arts clubs, and the college’s student-run bar.

• Acceptance rate for 2022-2023: 17.3%
• Average applications received per year 2020-22: 610
• Founded in: 1929

14) University College

With buildings from the 17th through 21st centuries, University College is an eclectic college right in the middle of Oxford. Univ students describe their school as “historic and unpretentious” and “an incredibly friendly place.” A lively, mid-size college, Univ students can attend comedy nights, choir performances, cultural dinners and other events every week of the year.

• Acceptance rate for 2022-2023: 22.8%
• Average applications received per year 2020-22: 957
• Founded in: 1634

15) Jesus College

Founded in 1571 by Queen Elizabeth I, Jesus College’s original Dining Hall and Chapel are still standing today. Known among the Oxford colleges for its focus on innovation, students can study and conduct research in the award-winning Chen Yu Tung Building’s study spaces and new Digital Hub.

• Acceptance rate for 2022-2023: 21.4%
• Average applications received per year 2020-22: 623
• Founded in: 1571

Oxford Colleges—Acceptance Rates (Continued)

16) Keble College

• Acceptance rate for 2022-2023: 13.7%
• Average applications received per year 2020-22: 1,528
• Founded in: 1870

17) Mansfield College

• Acceptance rate for 2022-2023: 22.8%
• Average applications received per year 2020-22: 764
• Founded in: 1886

18) Wadham College

• Acceptance rate for 2022-2023: 22.6%
• Average applications received per year 2020-22: 1,081
• Founded in: 1610

Best Colleges at Oxford – Oxford University Acceptance Rates (Continued)

19) St Hugh’s College

• Acceptance rate for 2022-2023: 29.2%
• Average applications received per year 2020-22: 703
• Founded in: 1886

20) Oriel College

• Acceptance rate for 2022-2023: 21.1%
• Average applications received per year 2020-22: 579
• Founded in: 1326

21) Christ Church

• Acceptance rate for 2022-2023: 20.1%
• Average applications received per year 2020-22: 1,035
• Founded in: 1546

22) Magdalen College

• Acceptance rate for 2022-2023: 15.4%
• Average applications received per year 2020-22: 1,475
• Founded in: 1458

Best Colleges at Oxford – Oxford University Acceptance Rates (Continued)

23) Trinity College

• Acceptance rate for 2022-2023: 20.2%
• Average applications received per year 2020-22: 713
• Founded in: 1555

24) St Edmund Hall

• Acceptance rate for 2022-2023: 25.3%
• Average applications received per year 2020-22: 648
• Founded in: 1278

25) Exeter College

• Acceptance rate for 2022-2023: 18.9%
• Average applications received per year 2020-22: 786
• Founded in: 1314

26) Somerville College

• Acceptance rate for 2022-2023: 25.4%
• Average applications received per year 2020-22: 860
• Founded in: 1879

Best Colleges at Oxford – Oxford University Acceptance Rates (Continued)

27) Hertford College

• Acceptance rate for 2022-2023: 19.8%
• Average applications received per year 2020-22: 1,327
• Founded in: 1282

28) Pembroke College

• Acceptance rate for 2022-2023: 20%
• Average applications received per year 2020-22: 822
• Founded in: 1624

29) St Hilda’s College

• Acceptance rate for 2022-2023: 31.7%
• Average applications received per year 2020-22: 609
• Founded in: 1893

30) Lady Margaret Hall

• Acceptance rate for 2022-2023: 19.6%
• Average applications received per year 2020-22: 1,105
• Founded in: 1878

Best Colleges at Oxford – Oxford University Acceptance Rates (Continued)

31) Regent’s Park

• Acceptance rate for 2022-2023: 17.3%
• Average applications received per year 2020-22: Not listed
• Founded in: 1810

Oxford Colleges—Additional Resources

Ready to learn more about college in the UK, but not sure of Oxford is right for you? Read our blog post offering 5 reasons why American Teens should consider college in the UK and our guide to the best universities in the UK.

Considering other top British schools? Read our round-up of Best Colleges at Cambridge.