Teddy Hall, as its undergrads know it, is a mixture of ancient and modern buildings set 650m from Carfax. Although St Edmund’s has only been a college in the strictest sense since 1957, its academic and architectural roots stretch back to the 13th century, making it the only medieval hall to have survived the concrete, bricks and mortar onslaught. And it has a legitimate claim to being the first institution ever to educate undergrads anywhere. The buildings include a Norman church (now the beautiful library) and its attached graveyard (de-consecrated) and crypt. The students are a friendly and confident lot, radiating freedom of spirit and intimacy. Teddy's guys and gals definitely know how to party - after all, no other college plays ‘The Teddy Bears' Picnic’ during matriculation. Strong in journalism, drama and sport especially – indeed, there was a time when it seemed like the College only accepted talented athletes, but now even those who are rubbish at sport are in with a chance – provided they can at least down a pint with the chaps after the big games.
| Sex ratio (M:F): 55:45 |
Founded: 1278 |
| Full-time u’grads: 373 |
Part-time: n/a |
| Postgrads: 175 |
Mature: 2% |
State:private school: 46:54
|
International: 17% |
| Academic ranking: 19 |
Disabled: 6% |
Ents: Dinky buttery bar with legendary fortnightly bops in Wolfson Hall, ancient dining hall, two JCR party rooms. Like an Eastenders Christmas special St Edmunds is keenly dramatic – John Oldham Society puts on three plays per year and plenty of theatre trips are arranged. Students black tie it up at the annual black tie Summer Event and two sumptuous black tie dinners a term give tuxes and frocks alike regular airings. Choral concerts and recitals.
Library/computers: Stunning medieval Library open till 1am, some parts 24hrs. Over 50,000 books, 85 study places and 40 computers with 24 hour access - most rooms have Ethernet and wifi and the College helps fund net access for rooms that don’t.
- Photography darkroom
- Excellent College magazine, ‘The Insider’ and two JCR news ‘Bogsheets’ a term
- CofE chapel and chaplain
- Small JCR with games and pool machines, Sky and free condoms
- Dedicated JCR committee
- Sports facilities five mins from site, multi-gym.
Accommodation: All who want can live in, wide variety of rooms available, most spacious and well-fitted (£106.26/25wks). Some rooms have washbasins and some lucky pups get everything including the kitchen sink with en-suite to boot. Students eat in the ancient dining hall and food is on the Caviar side of costs: £50/wk. Optional Sunday formal dinner too. Unique JCR butler serves ‘Chaps Tea’ of toasted teacakes and other goodies every weekday in the coffee bar. Self-catering facilities vary.
- LGBT Officer
- JCR Welfare Officer
- Doctor
- Nurse
- One adapted bedroom for wheelchair-users
- Access not brilliant
- £800 a year bursary scheme for low income students, more financial help in the offing.
FAMOUS ALUMNI
Sir Robin Day (broadcaster); Nicholas Evans (author of ‘The Horse Whisperer’); Terry Jones (Monty Python); Graham Kentfield (former chief cashier, Bank of England); Stewart Lee (comedian, ‘Jerry Springer: The Opera’); Al Murray (pub landlord); John Oldham (17th-century poet).