Whether you are enrolled on a taught or a research course at Oxford, you will need the college’s support at several stages. The following information outlines the chief functions the college plays in the progress of your studies for your reference. It should be read in conjunction with the College Memorandum which is the legally-binding document that relates to the responsibilities of ALL students and staff. In most cases your first port of call for the college’s role in your study is the college’s academic administrative office staffed by Helen Etty and Jenny Medland (upstairs in the Principal’s Lodgings building above the accounts office).

• the college provides you with single accommodation (if required) for one year (usually the first) of your study at Oxford. It will also provide you with computing, library, dining and social facilities for the duration of your course. It disburses moneys to graduates in the shape of book and research grants on an annual basis. Once a term the Senior Common Room (teaching and other senior members) hosts a joint dinner with the Middle Common Room (matriculated graduate members of the college) followed by a research seminar presented by a member of the college.

• the college matriculates you (enrols you as a member of the university) at the beginning of your course and arranges for the provision of your university card

•  the college guarantees to the university that you have met the residence requirements that are part of your course (for full information see: http://www.admin.ox.ac.uk/examregs/05-00_REGULATIONS_FOR_RESIDENCE_IN_THE_UNIVERSITY.shtml
  If you are away from Oxford for extended periods of time (more than a week) during term time you should inform the college (email the Academic Administrator helen.etty(at)mansfield.ox.ac.uk) and if you have not met the residence requirements in the course of a year the college may require you to complete them out of term and /or after your degree before entering you to graduate. If you are required to undertake field work as part of your course this this may count against residence requirements, but only if you have applied to the University’s Graduate Studies Office, via your department, for it to do so. You should  inform your college of your extended absence in case we need to contact you and cannot do so.

• the college must enter you for all your examinations. You will receive an exam entry form which you should complete and return PROMPTLY. (Should you fail an element of your course and need to retake it, you must re-enter for the exam through the college administrative office).

• If you wish to appeal an assessment decision or make a complaint about some aspect of your studies to the Proctors you must do so through the college who will contact the Proctors (who regulate courses and degrees for the central university).

• If you suffer unforeseen health problems not disclosed to the college before you begin your studies which may effect your performance in assessment for your studies then you should secure a medical certificate and the college will communicate with the university proctors’ office  for the compensation recommended by a medical practitioner. The University seeks to make compensations BEFORE assessment (in terms of extra time, alternative venues, provision of necessary equipment) rather than adjusting marks subsequent to it.

• The college is required to provide you with a College Advisor and to monitor your academic progress. The Tutor for Graduates and your advisor receive copies of your termly reports. Advisors aim to meet with you once a term to monitor progress and there is an annual meeting between yourself, the Tutor for Graduates and the Principal of the college where your academic, financial and social experiences are reviewed. We also ask you to fill in an annual questionnaire. The Tutor for Graduates may contact you at other points in the year if significant problems have been signalled on your report or through your course directors. Our interest is in ensuring that your experience is a positive if challenging one so all of these monitoring meetings are intended to be supportive and constructive.