Graduate Accommodation FAQs

What do the different grades mean on my accommodation preference form?
College rooms are graded based on size, condition, location and facilities. Because of the huge variety of staircases, there is no “average” room at Oriel College.

What is the difference between the “main site” and “Rectory Road”?
We have two sites - the main College site which includes the Island site, and the complex at Rectory Road (sometimes called JMH), just 15 minutes walk or 5 minutes on a bike from the College. The majority of our grad rooms are at Rectory Road and are modern, en-suite ones graded from B to A*. There are comparatively fewer main site rooms and they are of a lower grade (C & D) with shared facilities. When choosing your preferred grade you need to decide where your priorities fall.

Will I get my first choice of room grade?
We do our best to accommodate all grad fresher requests but can't guarantee that you will be assigned the grade or location you ask for - it will all depend upon the demand. Priority for choice is given to those students who return their accommodation preference forms before 31 July, but it is not a "first come, first served" policy. If the demand for a certain type of room (ie en-suite, main site, etc) exceeds supply, names are drawn from a hat in order to ensure fairness.

For how long do I have my room?
Graduates are expected to take their rooms for the full academic year (30 Sept 2012 – 10 Sept 2013) with no refunds for the first 39 weeks of residency. Students who have completed their course or have a good reason to move out will be released from their rental obligation with one month’s notice to the Accommodation Manager.

What if I need to arrive before 30 Sept?
Contact the Accommodation Manager (helen.kay@oriel.ox.ac.uk / 01865 276553) with your arrival date. You will be charged accordingly.

What if I arrive after 30 Sept?
The room will be available for your use from 30 Sept, so you will be charged from that date regardless of when you arrive.

When will I find out about my room allocation?
Because of the unpredictable nature of the graduate fresher process, room allocations are not finalised until September, usually two weeks before your arrival date. Do not be alarmed if you do not hear from the Accommodation Manager immediately. Please be patient -- she will be in contact with the details of your room allocation in due course.

Will I arrive in Oxford with nowhere to live?
If you have indicated that you would like a room and have returned your accommodation preference form, you will have a room from 30 Sept.

What if plans change and I don’t need/want a room?
Inform the Accommodation Manager as soon as possible. Failure to do so may result in a financial penalty.

How do I pay for the room?
Graduates are batteled (charged on their College account) their accommodation charge 3 months in advance at the beginning of every term. For more information, refer to the Graduate Fees and Charges Guide included in your fresher information pack.

Do I have to pay for the phone in my room?
Where rooms are provided with telephones an annual charge will be levied. The College doesn't have the resources to turn individual phone lines on and off from year to year.