Wadham - Student View

A large and diverse student community. It has a fair admissions policy, fairly equal male:female ratio and shows no preference for state or private school applicants. Wadham claims to be 'an island of normality in a sea of intellectual and class snobbery'.

Anachronistic JCR/MCR system abandoned in favour of unified SU, which is dynamic and politically active; a reputation for social and political consciousness, and environmental awareness. It has some of the best student ents in Oxford, offset by almost terminal laid-backness of some members.

Sport teams vary from taking yourself very seriously to laughing a lot. Women's cricket extremely good laugh and Oxford's best, as is men's football; men's cricket, football and rugby 7s university champions. But the key thing about Wadham is that whoever you are, whatever you do, wherever you're from, you will be welcomed. SCR can be sympathetic and tutors generally likeable.

College facilities are good: sports ground 15 mins away, library open 24 hours, theatre, squash and badminton courts, weights room. SU subsidised launderette, TV, video, vending/games machines, photocopier, magazine, newssheet and own PA system; SU shop stocks everything (condoms, washing powder, stationery ...).

Accommodation ranges from old, quaint and airy through newer, goldfishbowl-like and warm, to brand new, disinfected and well-equipped (ie kitchens). All first years and finalists live in and many second and fourth years live in a new building by the sports ground; the rest of second years live out.

Relatively easy to change course in first term. Graduates go on to do everything/anything/nothing. Wadhamites are extremely active in journalism, environmentalism, politics, arts, sports . . . they're everywhere, in every university society from tiddlywinks to the Green Party Students - and sometimes even in the library. The gardens are breathtaking; the food less so.