Whoever first linked the words ‘dreaming spires’ with Oxford was looking at Christ Church’s pointy bits when they did. The cloisters in Christ Church were built over 1,000 years ago - that's nearly as old as Bruce Forsyth. ‘The House’, as it’s known, is 200m from Carfax and is the closest college to the river. It’s also home to the city’s sumptuous Anglican cathedral. It’s a stunning place, with idyllic gardens and gorgeous, almost intimidating architecture – the living embodiment of romantic dreams of Oxford (something the Harry Potter filmmakers realised when they chose it as the setting for Hogwarts). The College – largest in the University – is burdened with champagne-quaffing toff stereotypes but, while it’s still possible to see tuxedoed undergrads downing bottles of bubbly in Tom Quad, most students prefer the relaxed and more down-to-earth environs of the bar. Known for serious academia, the natives still find time for high levels of involvement in University-wide arty, sporty and musical activities – especially the latter: the College’s very own cathedral resonates with choral song on a daily basis.
| Sex ratio (M:F): 56:44 |
Founded: 1546 |
| Full-time u’grads: 392 |
Part-time: n/a |
| Postgrads: 233 |
Mature: n/a |
State:private school: 47:53
|
International: 8% |
| Academic ranking: 5 |
Disabled: 12% |
Two libraries (one 18th-century, one for law – 24hrs), main library open till midnight – among the finest college facilities in Oxford; reading rooms; 12 24-hr computers in two rooms; art room.
Lovely stone-floored Undercroft bar (‘the Undie’), with pool, table football and jukebox; active drama society, garden shows; own picture gallery with works by Michelangelo and Raphael; internationally renowned choir and long musical tradition; frequent recitals, jazz evenings, gigs and bops; annual ball. ‘Chit Chat’ newsletter; JCR meetings attract a high turn-out; apolitical JCR good on charity work. A whopping five Rag reps – hot on fundraising. Anglican chaplain (comes free with breathtaking cathedral).
Almighty Boat Club, also good in tennis and football; excellent sports facilities (and bar) five mins away.
Everyone can live in (£105/27wks); decent rooms (with fridges), poor kitchen facilities; keypad entry; very formal dinner every night in what many will recognise as the Hogwarts dining hall; nightmare parking.Students can pay extra to stay during vacations, but must clear out in the summer.
LGBT, Postgrad, Women’s and International Officers; Cake Rep (for emergency cake delivery – there’s even a cake song); nurse, doctor and counsellor; attack alarms. Old buildings poor for access but being improved; specialised accommodation available; induction loops; braille; reading service. Generous financial help: entrance bursaries (£3,000), hardship funds, interest-free 5-yr loans (£1,000), travel and book grants, academic prizes.
FAMOUS ALUMNI
W H Auden (poet); Lewis Carroll (author and don); Alan Clark (late raunchy MP and diarist); David Dimbleby (broadcaster); 13 prime ministers (including Gladstone); John Mortimer (barrister, author and playwright); Richard Curtis (screenwriter, reason Hugh Grant has a career); Einstein (briefly); Lord Hailsham (late Lord Chancellor); Lord Nigel Lawson (slimming guru and ex-Chancellor); Anna Pasternak (‘Di & Hewitt’ hack); Auberon Waugh (controversialist).