Talk:Colleges of the University of Oxford

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[edit] Colleges and Societies

Statute V: Colleges, Societies, and Permanent Private Halls, confirms my suspicion that the beginning of this article is not strictly accurate. There are thirty-six colleges, three societies, and seven Permanent Private Halls. I don't really know what the difference is between colleges and societies. Perhaps somebody who does could comment.--AlexanderLondon 21:00, 3 August 2006 (UTC)

I agree - the article is not strictly accurate. The difference, as I understand it, is that the Colleges have each been established by Royal Charter, while the Societies have been established by the University. Philip Trueman 15:59, 5 January 2007 (UTC)


which are the top 10 colleges at Oxford and Cambridge? Is there a ranking?

Answer Yes, there is now an official ranking. See Undergraduate Degree Classifications 2004/05, although bear in mind that the positions change each year.

It depends of course on what you mean by the top ten. You could mean average degree classifications, but perhaps more important is the research output of the fellows and the success of DPhil students in getting Fellowships (etc) when they finish. As far as I know the PPHs aren't included in the league table for undergraduate degree results because they are too small for it to be worthwhile (for example, if Campion Hall were to get just one First in a year it would probably be top of the league table). The dons at PPHs are, at least within the worlds of Theology and to some extent Philosophy, probably of above average stature. Liz Carmichael, the in-house theologian of St John's (which I seem to recall has the best overall Norrington Table performance), would probably not be regarded as highly as, for example, Henry Wansbrough, the former Master of St Benet's, Paul Fiddes, the Principal of Regent's Park, or illustrious Blackfriars such as Brian Davies, Denis Minns, Timothy Radcliffe, Fergus Kerr, and the late Herbert McCabe.

[edit] College/PPH tables

I think it may be worth adding a further column to the college table, detailing the dates the various institutions became colleges. I've marked on the "College status" dates for a few I know were founded as PPHs or other institutions, but I think there are more amongst the 18th - 20th century foundations. Also, perhaps the PPH table should indicate the affiliation of each Hall? Views? Mtpt 22:12, 5 June 2006 (UTC)