St Hilda’s College, almost a mile from Carfax, was the last all-female college in Oxford until a controversial vote in 2006 opened the doors to the boys. The unfair sex won’t be turning up until 2007 at the earliest, and everyone's waiting to see how they’ll affect the strong sense of sisterhood. Even single-sex, this is no nunnery, but most students are drawn to an environment where macho attitudes don’t impinge on academic life. Students don’t object to associating with blokes after hours – after all, the only ones around have been hand-picked. The large population of international students lends a cosmopolitan tinge to College social life. The ‘Hildabeasts’ enjoy a strong sense of communal identity but still manage a high level of involvement with University-wide shenanigans.
| Sex ratio (M:F): 0:100 |
Founded: 1893 |
| Full-time u’grads: 408 |
Part-time: 0 |
| Postgrads: 112 |
Mature: <1% |
| State:private school: 56:44 |
Disabled: 0 |
| Academic ranking: 27 |
International: 31% |
Student-run buttery bar with snacks and juke box, pool, table football, quizzes and karaoke, open all-night May Eve; JCR for student bands and jazz nights; cheapest May Ball in town; annual arts festival week. Termly ‘Hilda Guardian’ mag and weekly ‘Loo News’. Two libraries, (60,000 books, 120 study places) one for law, 24hrs; 24 computers, free printing and Ethernet in all rooms. Music rehearsal rooms in the Jacqueline du Pré building – one of Oxford’s best concert venues. Competent JCR with high level of student involvement. Non-denominational chapel. Near Iffley Road Sports Centre; punts, boathouse and tennis court onsite and swimming pool next door; very strong on rowing. A third of students live out – Accommodation Office lists vacancies; all first years and most thirds live in (288 self-catered places with swipecard meal system – around £90-£120 a term). Spacious modern rooms and new (if pricey) accommodation block. Formal dinners at weekends – damn good food. CCTV; night porter; doctor; nurse; JCR reps for Equal Opportunities, Disabilities, Overseas Students, Lesbians and Bisexuals; no JCR access for wheelchair users; two adapted bedrooms; ramps; disability advisor; adaptations as required; hardship fund; travel grants; £50 book grant for first years, £200 music bursary. Alternative prospectus.
FAMOUS ALUMNI
Zeinab Badawi (newscaster); Wendy Cope (poet); Helen Jackson MP (Lab); Susan Kramer (MP, Lib Dem); Hermione Lee (writer); Val McDermid (crime novelist); Rosalind Miles (writer); Kate Millett (writer); Barbara Pym (writer); Baroness Gillian Shephard (former Con MP).
Text in italics is Push's opinion - take it or leave it
Last updated on: Monday, November 30, 2009