Information for New Undergraduates 2022

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 by email
3. Return your completed University card form using the online submission page
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 come to House building 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 be open for new student registration on the following dates and times:

• Monday 3 October (non-UK undergraduates) 10:00-12:00 and 14:00-16:00
• Monday 3 October (UK undergraduates, if already in Oxford) 14:00-16:00  (Please note, early accommodation is not available, unless previously agreed.)
• Tuesday 4 October (all undergraduates) 10:00 – 15:30.

*Please note that we cannot register non-UK undergraduates until you have collected your BRP*

Arriving at Somerville

We ask that all UK students arrive at Somerville on Tuesday 4^th October between 09:30 and 14:00. Students from outside the UK can arrive at Somerville on Monday 3rd October. If you would like to move in on this date, please email the Housekeeping Department (accommodation.desk@some.ox.ac.uk). Requests must be made well in advance of your planned arrival 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).

Welcome tea on Tuesday 4^th October

All new students and their parents/guardians are invited to a welcome tea on Tuesday 4^th October. Refreshments will be available from 10:00 until 12:00 in the Margaret Thatcher Centre. Please feel to stop by once you have registered. There is no need to book in advance.

Pre-Sessional Courses

In some subjects, our tutors or your faculty will invite students to come up to Somerville early for a pre-sessional course to help to bridge the gap between secondary school and university. If you are attending a pre-sessional course organised by your department or faculty, you will be offered a room in Somerville. If you would like to move in for term immediately once your pre-sessional course has finished rather than go home, please email the Housekeeping Department (accommodation.desk@some.ox.ac.uk). Requests must be made well in advance of your planned arrival at Somerville. Please copy the Academic Office (academic.office@some.ox.ac.uk) into any emails so we know that you will be arriving early.

College Parents

The College Parents system is organised by the JCR, and is common to many Colleges in Oxford. Your College Parent(s) will probably be in the second year of an undergraduate degree at Somerville, and one of them will be studying the same subject as you. They will be on hand to welcome you when you arrive at College, and they will help you settle into life at Oxford as part of the Somerville community. If you have completed the GDPR form and given us consent to share your email address, you will hear from your College Parents before the start of term, giving information about freshers’ week and offering some words of welcome and a few insights into coming up to Oxford. Please note that your email address will not be shared with the JCR unless you complete and return the GDPR form by August 31st.

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 3rd 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 JCR and Oxford SU.

Freshers’ Dinner

The Principal will host a welcome dinner in the Dining Hall for all new undergraduate students on Wednesday 5 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). Please email catering@some.ox.ac.uk if you have any special dietary requirements. 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 JCR

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. You can find out more at The JCR.

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