Hi! I’m Rebecca, and I’m in my second year studying Materials Science at St Anne’s College.
Studying a smaller subject like Materials doesn’t leave you with a lot of choices of colleges but, when I found Anne’s, I knew it was the college for me. It had everything I wanted: it was close to my department, had modern buildings (aka working heating) and kitchens in every accommodation block! Most importantly, it had a progressive outlook and an amazing history in improving access to the university. I was really worried about not meeting people like me but Anne’s, with its down-to-earth and friendly ethos, felt like a place where I would feel at home.
If you want to go to an Oxford college which is nothing like what you’d imagine an Oxford college to be like, Anne’s might be the college for you. We are the only college which doesn’t have portraits in our college dining hall, just windows. There’s no college chapel, no traditions, but we still have a lot of amazing history of improving access to the university!
My favourite thing about Anne’s is the kitchens. Everyone in college accommodation has access to a kitchen normally shared between 8 students. As a minimum, you have access to a fridge-freezer, oven, hob, microwave, kettle, and toaster. This is invaluable; you can make affordable food as and when you want! If cooking isn’t for you, we’re also known for having good college food with 3 options provided on weekdays & brunch at weekends.
If I could change one thing about St Anne’s, it would be closer to Tesco for late-night snacks! Being in the centre of Oxford is super convenient so I’d recommend thinking about it- I personally prefer being close to my department for my 9ams though!
Having up to 3 years of on-site accommodation is a huge selling point of the college. Most accommodation at Anne’s is quite modern too! In your first year, you’re most likely to live in a house on the college site (the Bevs, ATB, and Woodstock) with homely vibes or Wolfson, our infamous Grade II listed concrete block which is much more like uni halls. From second year, you can opt to have a room with an en-suite!
Anne’s has a reputation for being different. Starting life as the Society for Home Students, Anne’s provided a way for women to access an Oxford education without having to join a college. Since then, it became St Anne’s College and still continues with its progressive outlook and improving access to education for all, no matter your background. Staff are always willing to listen to student’s ideas of how to improve the college and make it a more welcoming environment for prospective and current students too!
Overall, I would recommend Anne’s to those who aren’t that after a traditional Oxford experience, want to go to a college known for its relaxed and friendly atmosphere, or lazy scientists who want to roll out of bed at 8.55 and make it to their 9am!
Visit the St Anne’s website for more details!