Organisation of Oxford University

About the University Structure

Oxford has a distinctive collegiate structure. Students and academics benefit from belonging both to the University, a large, internationally-renowned institution, and to a college or hall, a small, interdisciplinary academic community.

There are 39 Oxford colleges, which are financially independent and self-governing, but relate to the central University in a kind of federal system. The colleges are close academic communities, which bring together students and researchers from different disciplines, cultures and countries. This helps to foster the outstanding research achievement that has made Oxford a leader in so many fields. Colleges provide accommodation, catering, social spaces, pastoral care, and other facilities for their students. The University provides centralised student services, including careers and counselling, as well as resources such as libraries, laboratories, and museums.

The colleges and the University work together to organise teaching and research, and many staff at Oxford will hold both a college and a University post. Your tutors may be from Exeter College, or another college at the University. You'll likely find that your lectures are held centrally by the relevant University faculty (department) for students from across the colleges.

The central University is made up of many different sections, including academic and administrative departments, libraries, and museums. There are roughly 100 major academic departments, which are overseen by the four academic divisions: Medical Sciences; Mathematical, Physical and Life Sciences; Humanities and Social Sciences. There are more than 25,000 students currently studying at the University of Oxford.

Since Oxford students read (study) one subject-matter only, they are, simultaneously, members of a particular college, and students of a particular subject (such as English, Physics, Philosophy). WEPO students are automatically Exeter students, but to fit well within Oxford academic system, you should integrate yourself as much as possible within your preferred faculty (department).

About Exeter College

The Williams-Exeter Programme at Oxford University (WEPO) is the result of a decades-long partnership between Exeter College and Williams College. WEPO students are enrolled at Exeter College as visiting students (non-matriculated students). You have most of the rights and privileges that any other Exeter undergraduate student would have, but some faculties (departments) will be more welcoming to visiting students than others. 

There are about 330 undergraduate students and 290 graduate students at Exeter College, plus 56 fellows (academic staff). WEPO students make up approximately 7% of the entire undergraduate population at Exeter, and 24% of the new arriving class each year. 

Exeter College is located at the heart of Oxford, adjoining the Bodleian Library. The College, the fourth oldest at the University, has occupied its current site on Turl Street since 1315, one year after it was founded. The Turl Street campus houses the College dining hall, a bar/cafe, the Junior Common Room, accommodation for 1st year students, the College chapel, student lockers and mailboxes, and other classrooms and facilities.

In 2017 Exeter College opened its new premises, Cohen Quad. Located in Walton Street, Jericho, it offers state-of-the-art facilities including accommodation for undergraduate students, an auditorium for lectures and live performances, large seminar rooms and smaller break-out session rooms, a bright and open learning space, the Learning Commons, a student common room, an archive and reading room, and a cafe, all in a stunning, award-winning site designed by architect Alison Brooks.

Junior Common Room

The Junior Common Room is both a physical space, and a student organization at Exeter College, similar to a Student Union at an American university. WEPO students are encouraged to take advantage of the space at Turl Street to interact with other undergraduate students, and take part in events hosted by the JCR throughout the year. You'll learn more about the JCR when you arrive to Oxford, as they'll be heavily involved in planning orientation activities during your Exeter orientation. Follow the JCR @exeterjcr on Instagram for updates on events throughout the year.

The Oxford Union

There is sometimes confusion about the difference between the Oxford Union (OU) and the Junior Common Room (JCR).

The JCR and its activities are generally free to participate in, and don't require a paid membership. It's hosted within the College, and is an organization/space for all undergraduate Exeter students to be involved in. You are automatically a member of the Exeter JCR as a undergraduate student of Exeter College.

The Oxford Union, on the other hand, is a private debating society in Oxford, whose members are primarily drawn from Oxford University. It is one of many societies that you can join while studying at Oxford, but it does require a paid membership, which is currently £314.95 for all three terms. This cost is not subsidized by WEPO, but you may use your cultural subsidy funds to cover the cost if you'd like (as you can with fees to join any society). You can learn more about the Oxford Union and what it offers on their website.

Other Clubs & Societies

There are over 400 clubs and societies at the University of Oxford, which cover a wide variety of interests. You can find the list of non-sports clubs and societies here or the list of sports clubs here. You'll also find that Exeter College has its own sports teams, which you can learn about here.

Becoming involved with a club, society or publication can be a very rewarding experience, and trying out something new or developing your skills in an area you are passionate about can be great for your personal development and for your life after University. No matter what your interests - sports, debates, politics, theatre, helping others, stand-up comedy - there's a society for you. We strongly encourage WEPO students to join a club or society whilst in Oxford, as this is a great way to integrate with the local university community, and meet local friends who have similar interests to your own.