Information for New Graduates

Registration

The University requires all students to register online at the start of each academic year. Please do this before travelling to Oxford so there aren’t any delays when you arrive.

In order to register, you need to take the following steps:

1. Meet the conditions of your offer (academic and financial)
2. Receive the University card form from your department or faculty
3. Return your completed University card form to the University
4. Receive your Single Sign On account details by email
5. Register online using Student Self Service
6. Collect your Biometric Residence Permit if applicable

You will also need to register in person at the College on your arrival. Once you have arrived in college, you will need to make an appointment with the Academic Office to complete the registration process and collect your University card. We will need to see your passport, as well as your visa and BRP if applicable, in order to register you – so don’t forget to bring your documents. We will send all new students a link to the appointment booking form for registration in September.

We will register Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery students and MSc in Financial Economics students separately. Pease email academic.office@some.ox.ac.uk to arrange an appointment to register. If you have a visa, please bring your passport and Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) so we can take scanned copies.

*Please note that we cannot register you until you have collected your BRP*

Arriving at Somerville

Please note that parking is limited within the College. If you have mobility difficulties and require parking, please request this at the earliest opportunity by emailing the Lodge Manager (lodge.manager@some.ox.ac.uk). There are double yellow lines at the front of the College and parking there will be entirely at the driver’s own risk. There is Pay and Display parking on roads near the College, but this is limited. We therefore recommend parking at Pear Tree Park & Ride, which is north of Oxford. The Pear Tree Park & Ride bus stops are very close to the College’s main entrance on Woodstock Road. There is more information on the Park & Ride website. If you have any queries about parking or unloading, please email the Lodge Manager (lodge.manager@some.ox.ac.uk).

Induction

It is essential for your safety and your ability to use the facilities and services on offer here that you attend induction sessions. There will be compulsory induction sessions in the morning of Wednesday 5 October, and there will be optional (but recommended) College induction sessions and events throughout the week. We will give you a copy of the induction timetable as part of your registration on arrival.

Freshers’ Week

The week beginning Sunday 2nd October is freshers’ week. During this week, you will be required to attend induction sessions both at Somerville and at your department or faculty. There will also be the opportunity to attend optional events organised by the MCR and Oxford SU.

Freshers’ Dinner

The Principal will host a welcome dinner in the Dining Hall for all new graduate students on Monday 3 October. It will be preceded by a drinks reception. This is a formal occasion so you will be expected to dress smartly although gowns will not be worn (gowns almost never feature at dinners in Somerville). To book a place at the dinner, fill in this form: Graduate Freshers Dinner 3rd October – Booking Request. Please note that there is no charge for this dinner.

Matriculation and First Year Photograph

Matriculation is the ceremony by which you officially become a member of the University of Oxford. It is held in the Sheldonian Theatre and typically sees students from a number of colleges matriculating at the same time. For Somervillian graduate students, the ceremony will take place on Saturday 15 October. You will be sent further information about this during freshers’ week. You must attend this ceremony unless:

1. You have previously matriculated at Oxford.
2. You hold a degree from the University of Cambridge or Trinity College Dublin. You might be able to incorporate your degree instead of matriculating. Please email academic.office@some.ox.ac.uk if you would like to incorporate instead of matriculate. Please note that the University charges a fee for incorporation.
3. You are studying the Advanced Diploma in British and European Studies.
4. You are studying the MSc in Sleep Medicine.
5. There is a very good reason why you cannot attend on this date. If you are unavailable, please let the Academic Office know immediately. Please note that you will be required to matriculate at a later date.

The dress code for matriculation is full academic dress (sub fusc).

Traditionally, the College’s graduate freshers’ photograph is taken before the matriculation ceremony. Even if you will not be matriculating, please attend the photograph as it will be a record of your yeargroup. Copies of the photograph will be available to you and your family to purchase later in term. You will be sent further information about this during freshers’ week.

The MCR

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 at The MCR.

Oxford SU

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. To find out more, visit http://www.oxfordsu.org.

Useful Contacts