Information for Graduates
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 Student Handbook, which is the legally-binding document that relates to the responsibilities of all students and staff.
Accommodation
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 library, dining and social facilities for the duration of your course. It disburses moneys to graduates in the shape of book and travel 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.
Matriculation
The College enrols you as a member of the University at the beginning of your course and arranges for the provision of your University Card. You will also be required to 'matriculate' at a ceremony which confers membership of the University.
The ceremony takes place on Saturday of Week 1 of Michaelmas Term. Any students not present at the first matriculation ceremony will be required to matriculate at the next ceremony on Thursday Week 8 of Michaelmas. Any student who commences their course in the middle of an academic year must matriculate at the next available ceremony (there are ceremonies each term on Thursday of Week 8).
Students are required to wear academic dress (known as sub fusc) (for more information please see 'Academic Dress' on the university website).
Further information on matriculation can be found at 'Matriculation' on the university website.
Residency Requirements
The College guarantees to the University that you have met the residence requirements that are part of your course (for full information see 'Regulations for Residence in the University').
If you are away from Oxford for extended periods of time (more than a week) during term time, you should inform the Academic Administrator. 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 for graduation. If you are required to undertake field work as part of your course, this may count against residence requirements, but only if you have applied for this through your department. You should inform the College of your extended absence in case we need to contact you and cannot do so.
Examinations
If you are taking examinations (sit-down examinations or submitted assessments) and are required to select the options you wish to take, you will be invited by email to enter for your examinations when the examination entry window for your examination opens. Further information on this can be found at 'Examination Entry' on the university website.
Appeals/Complaints
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 your complaint relates to the services provided by the College, please see the College's Complaints Procedure, which is available in the Student Handbook.
Alternative arrangements
If, during your course, circumstances arise which mean that you may require special arrangements, for examinations or otherwise, you should contact the Registrar as soon as possible. For examination arrangements, this should ideally be done no later than Friday of Week 4 of the term before the first examination is due to take place (i.e. week 4 of Hilary Term for exams taking place in Trinity Term). Students should bear in mind that examinations are often scheduled for Saturdays.
Students may apply for special arrangements on the grounds of a medical condition or disability (including specific learning difficulties) or on the grounds of religious observance. Further information on the provisions that can be made and the supporting evidence required in order to make an application for alternative arrangements is available at 'Examination Adjustments' on the university website.
College Advisors and Termly Progress
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 you are invited to 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.