Balliol - In Depth

Founded: 1263; women undergraduates first admitted 1979.

Admission: No undergraduates admitted for archaeology & anthropology, earth sciences, geography, human sciences or theology.

Scholarships: None at entrance. Awards made at end of first year.

Study abroad: Formal exchange links in Lyon and Munich.

Travel & project grants: Grants for academic purposes awarded annually on tutors' recommendations.

Library & information services: Library aims for at least basic coverage in all main subjects. Separate college IT service. Ratio 1:20 workstations to students, access 24 hours/day. All student rooms have data points (for access to library and Internet). IT support from 2 full-time staff.

Eating arrangements: Undergraduates not required to take meals in college; average undergraduate spends approx £300 per term in hall. All meals in hall on cafeteria basis, JCR pantry for snacks and breakfast.

Gate/guest hours: Gate locked at midnight; all students have keys. 2 guest rooms.

Other college facilities: Nearby sports field and pavilion (with 2 squash courts).

Accommodation: All undergraduates offered rooms in college or annexes (usually bedsits) for at least two years and possibly a third. Average rent £2508 (plus £240 on laundry and electricity) for 24 weeks. Scarcely any first-degree students live at home.

Term-time work: College allows term-time work (10% believed to work); limit of approx 6 hours per week. Some available in college - library invigilation, computer officer.