Know Before You Go: Essential Documents For All New Students

Steve Rayner, the Senior Tutor oversees Somerville’s academic activities and provides support to incoming and current students. He has provided some important information about studying at Oxford and College rules and regulations:

The Student Handbooks contain rules, procedures and policies for all students, you can find them on this webpage along with our other College Policies. We suggest you save or download a copy of the relevant handbook, as you will need to refer to it throughout your degree. 

You will also need to read and save the following essential information about tutorials

Undergraduates:

• Undergraduates: What you can expect from your tutors and what they expect from you
• New Undergraduates – Preparing for study

Graduates:

• Graduates: Your College Advisor

Please check through the following downloadable documents for the relevant information for your course type:

For all international students:

• Bank information for new international students

For Undergraduates:

• Financial Information for Undergraduates: Home fee status
• Financial Information for Undergraduates: Overseas fee status

For Graduate Entry Medicine Students:

• Financial Information for Graduate Entry Medicine Students: Home fee status
• Financial Information for Graduate Entry Medicine Students: Overseas fee status

Graduate Students:

• Financial Information for Graduates: Home fee status
• Financial Information for Graduates: Overseas fee status

Before you arrive at Somerville, please read through both documents to check if you require any immunisations:

• Advice from the College Doctor: Immunisation information for new students
• Advice from the University: Immunisations you should receive before starting at Oxford

We recommend signing up with the College Doctor as soon as you arrive:

• College Doctor Welcome and Surgery Information 2024 
• GP Registration Online
• Health advice for new students 2024 
• We strongly recommend that you register for a UK mobile phone number when you arrive in the UK. You may experience difficulties accessing certain healthcare services if you do not have a UK mobile phone number. We advise all international students to use a UK mobile whilst studying in the UK so that they do not encounter such difficulties.

• University examination regulations
• University student handbook

• Find out all you need to know about your college library, and other libraries in Oxford, on the library website.
• You will also find information about IT services in college here.

You must wear full Academic Dress to exams and formal occasions such as your Matriculation and later on, your Graduation. 

The Junior Common Room (JCR) refers to both the college’s physical common room for graduates and collectively to our graduate community. All undergraduate students of Somerville are typically members of the JCR, which is managed by a committee elected by students. In addition to organising social events and offering advice and support, members of the committee represent the JCR on the college’s committees, including Governing Body.  

The Middle Common Room (MCR) refers to both the college’s physical common room for graduates and collectively to our graduate community. All graduate students of Somerville are typically members of the MCR, which is managed by a committee elected by students. In addition to organising social events and offering advice and support, members of the committee represent the MCR on the college’s committees, including Governing Body.

You can find out more about the MCR in their welcome letter

Oxford SU is the University’s official student union, and represent you on the University’s senior governing committees as well as campaigning on issues important to Oxford students such as disabled access, student safety, and inclusion, and organising student referendums on certain topics. They also provide help and advice to students and support student welfare with funding. The SU is run by a small number of permanent staff who are led by sabbatical officers elected by students to a one-year term. Each college elects representatives who attend larger meetings and ensure students are heard.