Hello hello! I’m Evie, a second year English student and Access Rep at Lincoln. I remember coming to the Oxford Open Day, convinced I wouldn’t apply here. As a working class, state-school lass from the North, I thought Oxford was too “posh” for me and that I wouldn’t fit in. I remember telling my mum in the morning that it wasn’t for me, that I might try Cambridge instead (a sacrilegious thought now!).
Then, I found Lincoln College.
It’s only a small college, in the very centre of Oxford, on Turl Street. A Virginia-creeper covers most of the building, and the library is an eighteenth-century church. You wouldn’t think, walking past it, that it was such a lovely hidden gem inside, but as soon as I stepped into Lincoln, I knew it was the place for me. I don’t even think I looked at another college that day! Any Lincolnite you talk to will immediately start gushing over our library. It really is the most beautiful building I’ve ever seen, which can sometimes distract you from a deadline if you get caught staring at the ceiling for too long! The rest of college is equally lovely; Front Quad in autumn is bedecked in oranges, reds, and yellows, whilst Grove is always green and full of people sitting together, as well as being home to a family of ducks that have appeared over lockdown. Our Chapel is also awe-inspiring, with Evensong every Sunday.
More important than looks though, are the people. Because we’re a small college, there is a real tight-knit community spirit. Classes are always small which helps facilitate an academic support network with your tutors and the other students on your course. College events are also fun because of Lincoln’s small student body as everyone gathers to “bop” in Deepers (our college bar that does the BEST pizza in Oxford!). There’s nothing I dislike about my college; I guess sometimes it can feel too small, since everybody knows everybody. But on the flip side of that, you always have someone to say hi to when walking through Front Quad or sitting in Hall.
It’s also convenient. Lincoln is incredibly central, which means it’s within a 10-minute walking distance from all the major university buildings in Oxford. It also offers accommodation for all years of your degree, something few other colleges can do; first and second years live on Turl Street, either in college or opposite in Lincoln House and The Mitre. Third and fourth years live a little further out, at the EPA Centre on Museum Road, still only a 9-minute walk away from college. Thanks to the recently refurbished Mitre, all rooms have en-suites! As a first-gen student from a low income family, one thing I really appreciate about Lincoln is the abundance of financial support the college gives out; I think the cost of university is such a scary thought, and one that can stop you applying, but Lincoln have always been very generous with their bursaries and scholarships – you don’t even have to apply for them, if you fit the bill, you’ll get the support.
One of the really cool things about Lincoln is that there’s always something happening! We have Lincoln Leads, where alumni visit to run workshops for current students; Lincoln Unites is a weeklong celebration of diversity every year; and we join forces with our neighbours Jesus and Exeter to put on the Turl Street Arts Festival (TSAF) every Trinity. We also have a lot of Oxford traditions to try out; every night Sunday – Friday, there are two sittings in hall, normal tea, and then a later formal dinner where you wear your gowns and have grace read out to you. Every second Thursday is Great Hall, which is a fancy dinner that allows you to immerse yourself in tradition. We also have some pretty weird ones, including our mascot, the Lincoln Imp, who is locked away in Deepers, and a day dedicated to our rivalry with Brasenose College, when we invite them through a secret door joining the two colleges and offer them ivy-laced beverages as a peace offering. We also have a tortoise called Tortilla!
We Lincolnites like to think of Lincoln as Oxford’s hidden gem. It often passes people by, but it really does tick a lot of boxes. It’s practical, beautiful, and friendly, the holy trinity when it comes to choosing an Oxford college! I couldn’t imagine being anywhere else.
Visit the Lincoln college website for more details!