Graduating from Somerville isn’t the end of the story – far from it.
As an alumna or alumnus of Somerville, you will always be a valued member of the Somerville community, joining a global network of endlessly curious and enthusiastic minds.
The Somerville Association
As soon as you finish your studies at Somerville you are automatically a member of the Somerville Association. This is free and you do not need to join! This is supported by a group of alumni volunteers who form the Somerville Association Committee.
You will also find an Oxford University Alumni card helpful – you can contact us for your University ID number, if you need it.
Somerville Events
The Somerville Association runs a large programme of alumni events covering different interests, and College runs gaudies each year to enable the Somerville community to meet. See our Events page for details of those coming up, and watch recordings of some of our recent events here.
Alumni Benefits
As part of our alumni community, the following are available to you:
- Visit College with your family at any time – just introduce yourself at the Lodge.
- Eat in College. All alumni are welcome to contact Lisa or Jackie if they are in Oxford and would like to visit for coffee, lunch or dinner. Guests are also welcome.
- Stay in College. Accommodation is sometimes available for alumni. All guest room availability is listed and bookable via the college website here. If alumni enter the discount code some1879 in the promotional code box prior to entering arrival and departure dates they will receive the appropriate discount if there are rooms available.
- Chapel is always open for visitors. You’re also welcome to attend our Choral Contemplations on Sundays during term-time.
- Weddings. Some alumni would like to marry in Chapel. If you’d like to discuss this, please contact the Bursary (bursary@some.ox.ac.uk).
- Private functions in College can often be arranged for alumni. To discuss availability and costs, again, please contact the Bursary.
- Memorials. We can also host memorial services in Chapel, and our Organ Scholar, or Choir, can be booked to take part if required. Please, in the first instance, talk to staff in the Bursary about availability and they will liaise with our Director of Chapel Music.
- Library access is possible for alumni at less busy periods in the year, and by arrangement with the Librarian, Sarah Butler (librarian@some.ox.ac.uk).
We Can Help
- Please contact us if you’ve lost touch with someone you knew at Somerville and we’ll try to reconnect you!
- Do let Lisa or Jackie know if there is any change in your contact details, to make sure we can keep you informed about all our events.
- If you know of the death of a Somerville friend, please do let Jackie know to make sure they can be properly remembered in the College’s annual Commemoration Service.
- Did you know about the Alice Horsman fund to support alumni who wish to travel to broaden experience or for research, or to make a career change?
- If you would like to come to an event in College but need help with the booking costs you are welcome to apply to Senior Members’ Fund for financial assistance. Please make applications to Lisa.
Supporting Somerville
You can also continue to support Somerville in different ways after you leave:
- We are always keen to hear from alumni willing to join one of our alumni committees, or who have suggestions for alumni events. Please keep in touch with Lisa (lisa.gygax@some.ox.ac.uk) or Jackie (jacqueline.watson@some.ox.ac.uk).
- Our Somerville community is important, and really helpful for current students. If you are able to volunteer your help for current students and young alumni please contact Lisa or Jackie using the email addresses above.
- And, of course, any financial support you can give College is welcome and would help us continue to support students in the future. We are grateful to the many alumni who give regularly (and are part of our Cedar Circle) or who plan to leave a legacy (and are part of the Penrose Society), and arrange events especially for them. Please see our Legacies and Planned Giving page.
Useful Links
Alumni News & Events
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