Societies and Clubs

The Choir occupies a special place at the heart of Somerville life, and defines the student experience of many of its members. Just like Somerville itself, the Choir is inclusive, friendly and diverse. Under the guidance of our wonderful Director of Chapel Music, members sing a genuinely eclectic repertoire at our weekly Choral Contemplations, including everything from canonical Anglican choral works to new works by women and people from diverse backgrounds. Also, despite its relative youth and smallness compared to other colleges, the Choir has some serious clout, including several albums with commercial labels, international tours and live performances on national radio and in major concert halls. You can read more about the Choir from one of our singers here.

One of our most active college societies is the Somerville Music Society (SMS). Run entirely by students, the SMS organises a musical calendar that is hugely popular among the entire Somerville community. There is a Freshers’ Recital at the start of each year, with other highlights including alumni-student recitals, showcases by established players and, at least once per term, a performance celebrating music from diverse backgrounds as part of our Alternative Canon initiative. During the pandemic, the SMS moved seamlessly online and boosted student morale with virtual performances of favourite songs such as Imogen Heap’s ‘Hide and Seek’ as part of the ‘Lockdown Listening’ series.

As part of Somerville’s renewed focus on student welfare and diversity, the JCR BAME officers hold frequent picnics and socials, as well as a bi-annual BAME formal, where you can get dressed up and enjoy delicious food from varied cultures.

Somerville has its own Drama Society, with substantial funds to invest in producing shows, or to stage a Somerville show in the College Quad. Somerville graduates who are forging successful careers as producers or directors include Katie Whittaker, Tessa Ross, Danielle Lux and Oscar-winning film director Martin Desmond Roe. You can watch an interview with Martin about his work on the Oscar-winning short feature Two Distant Strangers with its writer and co-director Travon Free here. 

Every year Somerville hosts its annual Arts Week. Organised by the JCR Arts Officer, the week-long event aims to showcase as many art forms as possible. In recent years, this has included a photography day, a world music night, a student film screening and a fashion show in the College’s chapel.

Are you a fiend for general knowledge? If so, then perhaps you should join the Somerville College University Challenge team. We field a new squad each year, and in 2014 our team made it to the finals. We hope to be back there next year and perhaps (with your help?) scoop up the trophy we so narrowly missed that time.

The Somerville College Baking Society is a college institution, beloved by its members not just because it’s a great place to make friends and hone your baking skills, but because it guarantees you a supply of fresh-baked good every week. It’s also well-known as an awesome stress-reliever, providing a respite from the stresses of work as well as a chance to catch up with friends (even if the bakes don’t always go to plan!).

Oxford and Cambridge are indelibly associated with competitive rowing – so why not get your first taste of the sport (or prove your mastery if you’re already a pro) with the Somerville Boat Club? They’re a friendly bunch who capture the close-knit team ethos and true diversity of the sport. Even if you’ve never stepped foot in a boat, it’s worth a shot simply for the chance to get out on the river and see Oxford in a whole new light. And who knows where it might lead? Our very own Rosie Thorogood (2020, Chemistry) recently gained her Blue rowing bow for the women’s team in the Boat Race.

Whether you were tackling as a toddler or have never kicked a ball in your life, Somerville Women’s Football Team is for you! Building on the growing momentum of the game, our team welcomes players of all abilities, training weekly in university parks and playing in an intercollegiate league throughout Michaelmas and Hilary terms. College women’s football at Somerville is very relaxed and loads of fun – members acknowledge they generally end up breaking the offside rule in every match they play, but have a great time doing it. The team also holds termly crew dates and merry get-togethers, with plenty of Somerville Women’s Football stash up for grabs. You can find them at the Freshers’ Fair!

The Somerville Men’s Football Club welcomes players of all abilities and in all positions, fielding two teams who each tend to play two matches per week throughout the Michaelmas and Hilary terms, both in a league division and in Cuppers (knockout). It’s a fantastic social outlet for members, with plenty of tactical discussions in the bar and a great sense of camaraderie. Each year, the Club welcomes as many Freshers as want to try it to their taster session on the Wednesday of 0th week.

College rugby at Oxford is a lot of fun, with matches every weekend during Michaelmas and Hilary terms, and often extremely enjoyable post-game socials. The rugby team is one of the most relaxed and inclusive teams in Oxford, with players ranging from those who have never picked up a ball to players playing for the university 1st XV- all are welcome! Competitively, Somervillians play rugby play for ‘Corpusville RFC’, an amalgamated club for Corpus Christi and Somerville colleges containing a strong Somerville contingent. The strong sense of camaraderie here has led to a number of successes, including reaching the Cuppers’ Plate final in 4 out of the last 5 years and gaining promotion to the top tier of college rugby. Experienced players, beginners and everything in between most welcome!

Does the Somerville cricket team epitomise the true conviviality of the Somerville spirit? Ultimately, you must decide. However, whether one is chatting on the boundary, ensconced at the crease or tucking into the teatime restoratives, the atmosphere is certainly one of geniality and hope. All the cares of work are left behind in the libraries, while the noise and squalor of the Vaughan JCR recede to a distant memory as we travel to the Elysian fields of the Somerville sports ground. Please note, all players and abilities are welcome in this team where we always aim to do well, but also appreciate the finer things in life (such as a drink in the pub after the game).

The Somerville netball team offers a nice balance of competitive play and fun which is ideal for experienced and casual players alike. On the competitive front, the team often performs very well in the Collegiate League and does well in Cuppers, the inter-college netball competition. Members also aim to end each term with a boys vs. girls match, capturing the fun side of the game.

Founded in 2016/2017, Somerville College Swimming Club (SCSC) is open to swimmers of all abilities. In the past, our strongest swimmers have graduated to both the Oxford Swimming and Water Polo Blues Teams. However, we also welcome those interested in competing at a less intense level! The SCSC also maintains a subsidiary club, the Somerville College Water Polo Club, which is growing in popularity. There are two important competitions for the SCSC each year: the Swimming Cuppers, held in November, and the Water Polo Cuppers held in May or June. Both events are exhilarating and highly competitive opportunities to test your prowess in the water. Swimming sessions occur in the evenings at Ferry Leisure Centre in Summertown, typically on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Sundays, and we offer a taster session in Freshers’ Week for all those interested in taking part.

American Football is a relatively new sport at Somerville, with players of all levels welcome to join us. The team has previously competed well and has high hopes for the next season. Everyone is encouraged to come along and have a go – and, who knows, perhaps help us take things a bit more seriously next year? 

It’s no secret that Somerville started playing competitive ice hockey only very recently. And yet look how far we’ve come: in the year 2019-20 we were winners in Cuppers, the fiercely contested knock-out competition held between rival colleges. Join in to take us even further next season!

Hockey is a relatively new sport at Somerville, with players of all levels welcome to join us. The team has previously competed in a joint Cuppers’ Ladies team with Magdalen for Michaelmas and Hillary with a mixed Cuppers’ team in Trinity. Everyone is encouraged to play, learn and have fun!

College basketball is a rather popular sport in Oxford, especially during Trinity term when the annual basketball Cuppers (an inter-collegiate knockout tournament) are held. Somerville also participates in the College league during Michaelmas and Hilary terms. Players of all abilities are welcome to join us at training sessions and vie for a spot on the team.