Brasenose is a friendly, close-knit academiccommunity. Situated in the heart of theancient University, the College overlooks oneof the most beautiful squares in the worldand is within easy reach of Universitydepartments and libraries. The College has along tradition of academic excellence andwelcomes students from all backgroundswho are passionate and enthusiastic abouttheir studies and want to make the most oftheir time in Oxford.

Brasenose takes its name from the brass door knockerwhich adorned its original buildings. The main Collegequadrangles date from the sixteenth, seventeenth andnineteenth centuries and some newer rooms were builtin the 1960s. Brasenose also owns buildings on the site ofthe old Frewin Hall, a five-minute walk from the mainCollege and also in the very centre of Oxford.

The College offers an environment in which all studentscan flourish. It is committed to providing the bestpossible teaching, libraries, computing facilities, andpastoral and financial support. Music, arts and sports areall strong. The College provides high qualityaccommodation and meals, and has extensiverecreational and social facilities.

Brasenose is a place where students work hard and takepart in all that the University has to offer. It is acommunity where students get to know and supporteach other and make life-long friends. welcome

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STUDY

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The College’s primary aim is intellectualexcellence. Although the pattern of studydiffers from subject to subject, thefoundation of Oxford teaching is thetutorial system. College tutors set essayquestions and problems sheets whichare discussed individually or in smallgroups of two or three students. Theseweekly or twice weekly tutorials aresupplemented by University lectures,seminars and laboratory work.

Tutorials demand hard work from students and tutorsbut they provide opportunities for undergraduates tofollow their own interests and develop their own ideasin a way impossible in a system based largely on classesand lectures. The calibre of the academic staff at Oxfordmeans that tutorials are rigorous and intensive. Studentslearn to research, write and analyse ideas at a very highlevel. At the beginning of every term, there are Collegeexaminations to monitor progress.

The College Library has more than 60,000 books andperiodicals and there are separate College law andhistory libraries. The College aims to provide most of themain books needed for undergraduate courses. TheLibrary also possesses a number of antiquarian books,some dating from the foundation of the College.Students have 24 hour access and the majority ofholdings are available on open shelves. As well as beingclose to many departmental libraries, Brasenose islocated next to the world-renowned Bodleian librarywhich, with 11 million printed items, has been thecentral University library since 1602.

Brasenose provides computer rooms, wireless incommon areas, and fixed ethernet connections from allstudent rooms.

LIVINGBrasenose is not just a place of study buta place to live. Unlike most colleges,Brasenose can accommodate allundergraduates in the central city and cando so for all years of study.

First-years are housed together on the main College sitewhile second-year students normally live in Frewin Hall,a five-minute walk from the main site. Third and fourth-year students have the option of returning to the mainsite or remaining at Frewin Hall. The College is able toaccommodate students with physical disabilities inspecially equipped rooms. Rooms and bathrooms arecleaned by College staff. There are a mixture of single-study rooms and individual sets, comprising a bedroomand study/living room, some with en suite facilities.Room rents vary according to the size of room and thefacilities available.

Brasenose has a well-deserved reputation for excellentfood. Breakfast, lunch and dinner (and brunch at the

weekend) are provided daily in the Dining Hall asinformal self-service meals. There are also formaldinners three times a week when students wearacademic gowns and fellows of the College dine at HighTable. Vegetarian options are always available andspecial dietary requirements can be catered for. Specialdinners include Burns Night, the Scholars andExhibitioners Dinner, and Brasenose’s traditional AleVerses evening. The College prides itself on the qualityof its meal service, and on being able to pass onsubstantial cost savings to students.

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The College also has its own snack bar, known asGerties, open throughout the day, and Frewin Hall hasshared kitchens for students who wish to cook theirown meals. Microwaves and fridges are alsoavailable across the main site. Whether in thesplendour of the seventeenth-century dining hall or inthe informal atmosphere of Gerties, meal times are acrucial part of the Brasenose experience, when studentscan meet up with friends, relax and take a break fromtheir studies.

COLLEGE LIFE

Students at Brasenose take a full part in awide variety of recreational activities, manyof which are organized by the student-runJunior Common Room (JCR), which allundergraduates are members of. The JCR’selected officers perform a variety of rolesfrom arranging charity campaigns toorganising the College Ball. All in all, theJCR makes a major contribution to ensuringthat Brasenose remains a happy andwell-run community.

Brasenose College has a lively artistic community.Students regularly stage plays in the College and takepart in larger productions in Oxford theatres. The MusicSociety organises concerts with student and professionalmusicians. Each summer term there is a week-longBrasenose Arts Festival with open-air plays, concerts,film nights, poetry readings, exhibitions and a cabaret.

The Chapel is open to all students. There is a large andenthusiastic choir which sings Evensong on Sundaysand takes part in special events. The main service of theweek is held on Sunday evening and often includesguest preachers. There are also regular morning andevening prayers on other days of the week.

There is every opportunity for members of the Collegeto participate in sports whatever their level ofcompetence. The JCR has men’s and women’s football,rugby, cricket, hockey, tennis, netball, basketball,ultimate frisbee and pool teams (amongst others) as wellas an active boat club with rowing for all abilities. Theless energetic can punt or play croquet on the NewQuad lawn.

As well as numerous College clubs and societies, there isan enormous array of student activities organized at theUniversity-level, with hundreds of societies for sports,music, literature, politics, performing arts, differentfaiths and cultures, and much more.

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Brasenose has outstanding facilities. TheJCR has two lounges with televisions,newspapers and a pool table. There is a livelyand popular bar and students can book mostof the College’s public rooms for meetingsand rehearsals. There are also two musicpractice rooms.

Brasenose has its own sports ground within a fiveminute cycle ride, with football, cricket and rugbypitches, tennis, netball and basketball courts, and asports pavilion. There is a well-equipped boat house onthe river nearby, home to the Brasenose College BoatClub, reputed to be the oldest rowing club in the world.

The Porters’ Lodge acts as the main reception and firstpoint of contact for the College. It is open 24 hours a day.Each student has a pigeonhole in the Lodge where mailis delivered. Laundry and ironing facilities are availableboth in the College and Frewin Hall and there arebicycle racks on both sites.

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FACILITIES

WELFARE

HISTORY

Brasenose has a reputation in the Universityas a happy and friendly college. The JCRplays an important part in welcoming newstudents and helping them settle into life inOxford. Tutors get to know their studentsmuch better than in most universities andcan help with any difficulties which arise.The Dean and Chaplain are available forstudents needing help or advice. There areJunior Deans, an Adviser to WomenStudents, elected JCR welfare officers, andstudents who have trained as peersupporters. The College nurse holds a dailysurgery during term time and she and theCollege doctors have access to morespecialised support when necessary.

Brasenose College was founded in 1509 by alawyer, Sir Richard Sutton, and the Bishop ofLincoln, William Smyth. It was built on thesite of several of the medieval Oxford halls,including Brasenose Hall, which dates fromthe thirteenth century. King Henry VIIIprovided the College with its Royal Charterin 1512.

The College’s unusual name refers to a twelfth centurybrass (brazen) door knocker in the shape of a nose. It isthought that in the 1330s a group of students took thedoor knocker to a house in Lincolnshire. In 1890,Brasenose College bought the entire house in order toregain the door knocker which now hangs above theHigh Table in the Dining Hall.

Prominent alumni include the author William Golding,the actor and writer Michael Palin, and the PrimeMinister, David Cameron.

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Admission to Brasenose is based solely uponacademic merit. The College considersacademic achievement and potential, togetherwith interest and enthusiasm for the chosensubject. Colleges at Oxford evaluate eachapplication individually and are not concernedwhether applicants studied at state orindependent schools. Brasenose attractsstudents from a wide variety of backgrounds,upbringings and outlooks, bound together bytheir passion for their chosen subjects. TheCollege has a dedicated Schools Officer and anactive schools liaison programme, aimed atencouraging the best potential applicants toapply regardless of background.

Admissions procedures vary from course to course andfull details can be found at www.ox.ac.uk/admissions.All courses require a UCAS application and some requirecandidates to sit pre-interview tests or submit writtenwork. Candidates who are short listed will usually berequired to visit Oxford for up to three days to attendinterviews.

Brasenose admits around one hundred undergraduateseach year. In interviews, tutors are looking for signs ofintellectual commitment and curiosity, critical thinking,motivation and a genuine interest in the chosen subject.Interviews are kept as relaxed and informal as possible.

For students considering applying to Oxford, thesummer Open Days are an ideal time to visit Brasenoseand other parts of the University. See www.bnc.ox.ac.ukfor more information. It is also possible to organize visitsby school groups or individual prospective applicants onother occasions, and for the Schools Officer and currentstudents to visit schools.

Enquiries about school visits and Open Days should bedirected to the Schools Officer:

Email: schools@bnc.ox.ac.ukTelephone: 01865 277535

Enquiries about entrance requirements and applicationsshould be directed to the Admissions Officer:

Email: admissions@bnc.ox.ac.ukTelephone: 01865 277510

Photography by Keith Barnes, www.photographersworkshop.com

Additional photography byMolyneux Associates, Doug Vernimmen, DA Calverley, Joe Organand the Brasenose College Photo Archive.

Designed by GD Associates – 2011.

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ADMISSIONS

Brasenose CollegeOxfordOX1 4AJUnited Kingdom

Tel: 01865 277510Email: admissions@bnc.ox.ac.uk

www.bnc.ox.ac.uk

SUBJECT AND ADMISSIONS GUIDE

ADMISSIONS GUIDEApplying to study at Brasenose College follows the sameprocess as for any other college at the University of Oxford:

1) Choose your course.

2) Choose a college. Check first that the college ofyour choice offers your course.

If you would rather not select a college, then you cansubmit an Open Application, and you will beautomatically allocated to a college.

3) Check the application requirements for yourcourse. Some courses require you to sit a test, usually inearly November at your school, and some require you tosubmit written work. Many courses stipulate specificA-levels (or equivalent) that you should take.

4) Complete an online UCAS form and submit it by themid-October deadline.

5) Wait for news on interviews. During November,Brasenose tutors, along with their colleagues across theUniversity, carefully assess each application and short listcandidates they wish to interview. If you are short listed,you will be invited to visit Oxford for an interview.

6) Come for interviews. Interviews take place in Oxfordduring the first two weeks of December.

7) Wait for news on your application. All colleges aim to tellcandidates before Christmas whether they are able to offerthem a place. Successful candidates who have not yetcompleted A-levels or equivalent will be given aconditional offer. Those who have completed theirqualifications will be given an unconditional offer.

8) Work hard to complete any remaining qualifications.Most candidates holding an offer from Oxford will befinishing their A-levels or equivalent the summer aftermaking their application. Keep working hard to achievethe exam results needed to fulfil the conditions ofyour offer.

9) Start your course. Successful candidates will start theircourses at Oxford at the beginning of October, almost a fullyear after their UCAS forms were submitted.

For more information please see:

www.ox.ac.uk/admissions

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CONTENTSADMISSIONS GUIDEPAGE 1

SUBJECTS GUIDEPAGE 2-16

FINANCE GUIDEPAGE 17

BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES

ADMISSIONS

We normally accept four candidates onto the BiologicalSciences course every year.

THE COURSE

The Biological Sciences degree course capitalises on Oxford’smajor research expertise in animal and plant sciences and isstructured to allow a variety of choice whilst providing detailedtreatment of key topics. The Biological Sciences course hasrecently been updated in terms of content and structure. Thefirst year covers all the main areas of biology - the origin of lifeand the diversity of living organisms, from cells andmoleculesthrough populations and ecosystems. Students are thus in aposition to make informed choices about which areas they wishto concentrate on in their second and third years. In Trinity termof their first year, all students attend a week-long field course atOrielton in west Wales. The first year also introduces students tothe essential skills of data handling and computing.

In the second year, Biological Sciences students can select thesubjects they focus on from six main themes: Animal Behaviour,Adaptations to the Environment, Cell and DevelopmentalBiology, Plants and People, Ecology and Disease. Additionally,all students study the core subjects of Evolution andQuantitative Methods. In the final year, students specialisefurther, acquiring an in-depth understanding of the latestresearch findings in the subjects that interest themmost,typically selecting six specialist topics from a diverse range of 20or more options spanning the breadth of biology. As with thefirst year, students in the second and third years learn through acombination of lectures, practicals and tutorials. Depending onthe options they select, students may also attend one or morefield courses in the UK or overseas. Currently, field courses areheld in the Canary Islands and Borneo.

All biology students are further exposed to the cutting edgeof biology in their final year by undertaking an independentresearch project. Students experience biological research

first-hand, developing and carrying out their project workunder the supervision of a member of academic staff in thefield or in the laboratory. Recent Brasenose undergraduateshave studied the effects of rainforest disturbance on anendangered frog species in Belize; competition between minkand otters in the Upper Thames catchment; and anti-microbial and anti-predation mechanisms in bacterialpathogens of mushrooms. In addition to acquiring thepractical skills of the modern biologist, the final year projectalso helps to develop skills that are more widely transferable,including project management and data analysis.

TUTORIAL PROVISION

The College Tutor in Biological Sciences is Dr Owen Lewis.Dr Lewis studies ecology and conservation biology, andcarries out much of his field work in tropical rainforests.Dr Robert Belshaw is the College Lecturer in BiologicalSciences. He studies the evolution of viruses, in particular theso-called endogenous retroviruses, which insert themselvesinto the genomes of vertebrates (including humans).Depending on their interests and topic choices, Brasenosestudents have tutorials with Dr Lewis, Dr Belshaw andexperts from other colleges, ensuring that they receive thevery best teaching for their particular interests. Brasenoseadmits up to four candidates a year in Biological Sciences, andBrasenose students have established a strong reputationwithin the Biology programme. The Brasenose tutors organiseregular social activities for Biological Sciencesundergraduates, including an annual Biology day-trip to a siteof interest such as Darwin's home, Down House, or theNatural History Museum in London. Brasenose students aredrawn from both pre- and post-A-level candidates withoutpreference, and International and European Baccalaureatesand equivalent qualifications are also welcome. A strongacademic record in Biology, supported by Maths, Chemistry,Physics, Geography or Statistics is preferred, though othersubject combinations will be considered.

BIOCHEMISTRY

ADMISSIONS

We admit around four biochemists each year. For A-levelcandidates, the tutors regard Chemistry as essential,Mathematics or Physics as desirable, and Biology as useful.

THE COURSE

Biochemistry is a four-year course at Oxford. In the first year,students study five “preliminary” subjects: Organic Chemistry;Physical Biochemistry; Biological Chemistry; Molecular &Cellular Biology; andMathematics. The second and third yearsthen cover the full spectrum of biochemical subjects. The fourthyear is split between (i) a research project in which studentswork in a research group on a specific project, and (ii) specialoptions which allow students to select particular areas of thecourse that interest them.

During these four years, College tutorials complement theseparate lecture course run by the Biochemistry Department. Inthe first year, students may well have two tutorials a week,covering most aspects of the preliminary subjects. In the secondand third years, tutorials again cover most major parts of the

I chose to study at Oxford University after encouragement from family, friends andteachers, and because I really liked the idea of the collegiate and tutorial systems.Arriving in a small college with only 100 other freshers seemed a good way offinding my feet in a city with over 30000 students! I applied to Brasenose aftervisiting several different colleges on an open day in summer, and concluding thatthe students there were the friendliest people I met that day. Life in Oxford can get alittle crazy at times, but never dull. There’s a whole multitude of things happeningevery day – from sport to music, drama, debate, politics, or even setting up yourown ice-cream eating society!

I would wholeheartedly recommend Brasenose to anyone looking for a medium-sized, centrally-located college with a lively yet friendly and close-knit studentcommunity. Top class library facilities combined with a recently renovated and verycheap bar leave us open to truly any tastes! The Biochemistry course also gets myhighest recommendation. Every single week you’ll experience many styles ofteaching, from lectures with 100 people, to classes of 10 or tutorials with just oneother student. The system works brilliantly, and it really ensures that you can’t beleft behind if things are too hard, because there are so many people who know youwell and can help at any stage. Don’t be put off by any of the myths or rumours -Oxford and Brasenose are fantastic places to live and work.

University lecture course. In those subjects in which theCollege tutors have no particular expertise, undergraduatesare sent out to experts in other colleges. The tutor inBiochemistry at Brasenose is Professor Susan Lea. ProfessorNicholas Proudfoot is also a Fellow of the College. His field iseukaryotic molecular biology, and his research interests lie inthe control of gene expression. There are a number of otherfellows at Brasenose who work in related subjects and who dosome tutorial teaching: Dr Richard Boyd works on membranephysiology; and Professor William James works on aspects ofmolecular virology.

CAREERS

Biochemistry is a subject for which there are excellent careeropportunities. The emergence of the new biotechnologyindustries in the USA, and now in the UK, provides a significantnumber of jobs for graduates in Biochemistry. Of the studentswho have read Biochemistry over the last five years, about 50%have carried on in academic research, 30% have gone intobiotechnology-related industries, and 20% have gone intoscientific publication and related areas. A number also go intothe legal professions or become Patent Agents.

CLAIRE HOGBEN

2nd Year

BIOCHEMISTRY

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CLASSICS

ADMISSIONS

We usually admit about eight candidates each year to readClassics, Classics and English, Classics and ModernLanguages, Classics and Oriental Studies, and ClassicalArchaeology and Ancient History. Of those about six willnormally be in straight Classics.

THE COURSE

There are two variants of the Classics course, which both lastfour years.

Classics I: For those with A-levels or equivalent in both Latinand Greek, the first part of this course consists mainly of thestudy of Latin and Greek literature (Mods IA); those withA-level Latin but not Greek study a modified version of thiscourse whilst at the same time learning Greek intensively

(Mods IB); while those with A-level Greek but not Latin take acorresponding course with Latin as the language learnedintensively (Mods IC).

Classics II: Those who have neither Greek nor Latin A-levelare also welcome to apply for Classics. They follow anintensive course in either Greek or Latin, along with study ofits literature (Mods IIA and IIB).

In all variants of Classics I and II, the first five terms lead to afirst examination, Honour Moderations (Mods); besidesClassical Literature, candidates also choose further options inPhilosophy and one out of Ancient History, ClassicalArchaeology and Philology. After Mods, classicists chooseeight subjects from a wide range of options in Philosophy,Ancient History, Greek and Latin literature, ClassicalArchaeology, or Philology. Mods II students can also learn asecond classical language at this stage.

CHEMISTRY

ADMISSIONS

We normally accept six undergraduates into each year of thecourse.

THE COURSE

The structure of the course is currently being updated, butBrasenose chemists (in common with students at othercolleges) will study four separate subjects during their firstyear: Organic Chemistry; Inorganic Chemistry; PhysicalChemistry; and Mathematics. In the second year, studentsconcentrate on the three main branches of chemistry, andmay undertake a short research project in one of thelaboratories or study a supplementary subject chosen from adiverse range. In the third year, studies focus on two of thethree chemistry branches. Final examinations (Part I) aretaken in two parts, one at the end of the second year, one atthe end of the third year. The whole of the fourth year (Part II)is spent undertaking a research project supervised by one ofthe academic staff and writing a short thesis to summarise theresults. For most students, this year is the highlight of thecourse; working as part of a research group on a new problemis both academically and socially very rewarding.

TUTORIAL PROVISION

The tutors strive hard to ensure that students (who are seenin groups of two or three) understand each topic and, beingactive research chemists, can give an insight into newdevelopments in chemistry as they happen. The tutorialsthemselves give students the chance to receive expertguidance in areas of the subject they find difficult and todiscover more about a subject than may be included inchemistry textbooks and lectures.

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Classical Archaeology and Ancient History: This is athree-year degree for those who wish to study how writtenand physical records of the Graeco-Roman world can beused together to investigate the past; knowledge and studyof the ancient languages is optional, and no specificA-level combinations are required or advantageous foradmission. Mods are taken after a year, and focus on thecomplementary study of archaeology and history in ‘core’periods; for Finals there are wide possibilities for combiningarchaeological and historical topics ranging from MinoanCrete to later Byzantium.

The bulk of learning is through individual or paired tutorials(usually two hours a week), and college and faculty classes arealso arranged. The University, which boasts the largestClassics faculty in the world, provides a wide range of lecturecourses, open to students from all colleges. A detaileddescription of what is involved in studying Classics isavailable at: www.classics.ox.ac.uk.

There are three Brasenose Tutors. Dr Morgan looks afterClassical Mods and the literature options in Finals. He haspublished widely on Latin literature and culture and theclassical tradition, and he is a regular contributor to the TimesLiterary Supplement and a presenter on BBC Radio 4 and theWorld Service. He is the author ofMusa Pedestris: Metre andMeaning in Roman Verse. Dr Morgan also teaches the classicalcomponent of the joint courses Classics and English, andClassics and Modern Languages. Dr Johansen teachesAncient Philosophy, and has special interests in Plato,Aristotle, and ancient and modern Philosophy of Mind. Hispublished work includes Aristotle on the Sense-Organs andPlato’s Natural Philosophy. Dr Bispham teaches most AncientHistory options (Greek and Roman). His research interests liein the history and archaeology of Italy, where he ran anexcavation project for a decade. He has written articles onRoman law, colonization, and inscriptions; he is author ofFrom Asculum to Actium: The Municipalization of Italy from theSocial War to Augustus and is the editor of Roman Europeamong other books.

When I was first confronted by the bewildering number of Oxford colleges listed inthe prospectus I thought that I would never be able to choose. Knowing that Iwanted to be able to live in the centre of Oxford for all four years of my degree, Itried to narrow down the list by only looking at colleges which guaranteedaccommodation. However, any further deliberations were completely abandonedwhen I first walked into Brasenose on an Open Day. On paper it offered everythingI wanted and more. But it’s the people that make a college and on that summer day Idecided that this was the place I wanted to be able to call home.

Getting into Oxford seemed more challenging than the other universities on myUCAS form because of the interviews (actually not as bad as everyone makes out) soonce I had been accepted I was concerned that my whole university experiencewould be an anticlimax. I shouldn’t have worried. Life at Oxford is even moreamazing than I could have hoped and I’ve made many friends and started newhobbies I don’t expect I would have been able to try elsewhere. In my first year, inaddition to singing in the Chapel choir, I also rowed for Brasenose in both Torpidsand Summer Eights and I’ve now taken up ballroom dancing. It is true that if youwork hard you can play hard, and I think what connects everyone I’ve met atOxford is the ambition to get all they can from life. Of course the academic work ischallenging but that’s the fun of it and I truly believe that choosing to study Classicsat Brasenose was the best decision of my life.

REBECCA TATLOW

2nd Year

CLASSICS

CAREERS

Employers recognise the breadth of the Oxford course, andthe value of the Part II year in particular; as a result, Brasenosechemistry graduates are sought-after for entry into research(either for doctorates or within the chemical industry) or forprofessional positions within finance, management, and law.More recently, opportunities have arisen within the hightechnology industry and IT professions. For informationabout Chemistry in general, visit the Departmental website atwww.chem.ox.ac.uk. Details of tutors’ research are alsoavailable here.

CAREERS

Those who have read Classics at Brasenose have alwaysgone into a wide variety of jobs, including: teaching (bothat schools and at universities); the Home Civil Service andthe Foreign Office; advertising, industry and the City; theChurch; the BBC; the Law; journalism, computing, theArts and business. A Classics degree is extremely highlyregarded outside Oxford by a very wide variety ofprospective employers.

THE CLASSICS AND ENGLISH COURSE

Brasenose also welcomes candidates for the joint course ofClassics and English. If candidates are studying Latin and/orGreek to A-level this is normally a three-year course (CourseI). But candidates who have not had that opportunity cantake a four-year course beginning with an intensiveintroduction to Latin and Greek (Course II). Either versionoffers a superbly integrated (and truly ‘joint’) course, whichalongside English literature of the Renaissance and beyondand Graeco-Roman authors such as Herodotus, Euripides,Virgil, Catullus, and Juvenal also explores the rich connectionsbetween ancient and modern literature. Students can pursuewhatever aspect of English or classical literature appeals tothem, but we feel that the highlights of the course are thethree ‘Link Papers’ studied in the third year (or fourth inCourse II). In these, through topics such as Epic, Tragedy,Comedy, Pastoral, and Satire, the twists and turns of literarygenres can be traced from Homer to Milton and Walcott, orfrom Theocritus to Arnold and Heaney.

ENGINEERING SCIENCE

ADMISSIONS

The College usually admits six candidates each year to readEngineering Science.

THE COURSE

The Engineering degree course is of four years’ duration. Thefirst year consists of the study of Mathematics, Materials andSolid Mechanics, Energy and the Environment, andElectronics and Information Engineering. The PreliminaryExamination is taken at the end of the first year. In theirsecond year, Engineering Science undergraduates continuewith the study of the central themes of engineering (i.e.Mathematics; Electronics and Information Engineering;Structures, Materials and Dynamics; and Energy Systems). Inaddition, there are opportunities to take optional courses intopics with a practical bias, such as ‘Computer-Aided Design’,‘Surveying’ or ‘Energy and Environment’. The core papers areexamined at the end of the second year. The final two yearsof the course are taken up with the study of furtherspecialized topics and a substantial amount of practical work.The final examination is taken in three parts: Part A at the endof the second year, Part B at the end of the third year and PartC at the end of the fourth year.

The central focus of undergraduate academic life in College isthe tutorial. Undergraduates receive two tutorials a weekduring the first two years of the course. During the latterstages of the course undergraduates attend classes organisedby the Engineering Department.

The College has two Official Fellows in Engineering: ProfessorDaniel has research interests in human-computer interactionfor Virtual Reality, while Dr Burd is a civil engineer interestedin the applications of computer methods in design. ProfessorHoulsby holds the chair of Civil Engineering and is aProfessorial Fellow of the College.

OVERSEAS APPLICANTS

Brasenose welcomes applicants from overseas. Please seewww.ox.ac.uk/admissions/undergraduate_courses/international_students for further information about qualifications andinterviews.

ECONOMICS AND MANAGEMENT

ADMISSIONS

The College admits six candidates each year for this three-year degree. Mathematics at A-level or equivalent is adesirable qualification for admission.

THE COURSE

Economics and Management provides undergraduates withan opportunity to combine theoretical and applied Economicswith a range of Management disciplines, from accounting andfinance to marketing and strategic management.

Economics and Management offers a wide range of options.This allows you to choose anywhere in the range, from sixsubjects in Economics and two in Management, to twosubjects in Economics and six in Management. The degreecourse thus caters for those seeking to specialize inManagement or in Economics or to mix the two.

The first year lays the foundations for more advanced workto be done in the second and third years, involving threepapers: one each in Economics, Management, and Financial

Management. It allows you to fill gaps arising from thesubjects you covered in your final years at school and todecide the areas in which to specialize later. There is aPreliminary Examination at the end of the first year.

In the second and third years you take two compulsoryEconomics papers, Microeconomics and Macroeconomics,and two compulsory Management papers, chosen from arange of six available options. That leaves four further papersto be chosen from either Economics and/or Management.

It is possible to offer a short thesis based on independentresearch in place of one of the above options.

CAREERS

The course is appropriate for those seeking careers inbusiness, finance or the city, or for those planning to dograduate work in either Economics or Management Studies.Experience from Economics and Management graduates isthat employers welcome the knowledge and practicalorientation of those who have taken the course.

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Life at Oxford is both challenging and rewarding. Whilst the work is demanding, itis stimulating, and I often find myself exploring a topic just for interest.Nevertheless, just like the jump from GCSE to A-level, the transition from A-level touniversity study is a difficult one. However, the Brasenose tutors are excellent atexplaining troublesome concepts, and I have never once felt embarrassed by notunderstanding something. They don't expect you to know everything, but you willbe expected to have attempted the problem sheets. The engineering tutors atBrasenose have very different areas of expertise, and between them, they are able toteach almost all of the material in the first two years of the course.

In addition to the work, I present a show on the student radio station. I enjoyed it somuch, that I became the Head of Production in my second year. I also play for theCollege ultimate frisbee team. The college system is brilliant for anyone who wantsto try their hand at sports. College teams tend to be more relaxed than theirUniversity counterparts, allowing the less sporty of us to get involved. As the JCR ITrep, I am also responsible for the JCR website (and the televisions in the JCR!).

Brasenose has a welcoming atmosphere, and on arrival I felt immediately at home. Itwas a pleasant surprise to discover that the stereotypical Oxford student is hard tocome by. I could not have wished to end up at a better place.

LIAM CATTELL

3rd Year

ENGINEERINGSCIENCE

EXPERIMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY ANDPSYCHOLOGY AND PHILOSOPHY

FINE ART

ADMISSIONS

We usually admit two or three candidates each year.

THE COURSE

You can read Psychology on its own (as ExperimentalPsychology) or with Philosophy. In either case you choosefrom the same list of Psychology papers and attend the samelectures and tutorials in a given topic.

In the first two terms all students take introductory courses inthree subjects chosen from: Psychology; Statistics; Philosophy;and Neurophysiology. Lectures and weekly College tutorialsare provided on each topic. The Preliminary Examination istaken at the end of the second term.

After Prelims, for the next three terms ExperimentalPsychology students study the following core topics:Cognitive Neuroscience; Behavioural Neuroscience;Perception; Memory and Information Processing; Languageand Cognition; Developmental Psychology; SocialPsychology; Individual Differences and PsychologicalDisorders; Statistics and Experimental Design. These are

ADMISSIONS

We admit one person each year to read for the Bachelor of FineArt Degree at the Ruskin School of Drawing and Fine Art.Selection there is based firstly on the portfolio submitted, thenon interviews at the School and in the College. Details of thecourse and of the admissions procedure are given in theprospectus, which can be obtained from the Ruskin School ofDrawing and Fine Art, 74 High Street, Oxford, OX1 4BG or byvisiting its website. The mode of entry will normally be post A-level for those who have taken a foundation course and whohave already had experience of full-time practical Fine Art. Withonly 24 places available each year in total, it is unusual to give adeferred entry. The School does, however, take someexceptional students straight from school.

THE COURSE

The BFA Course is studio-based and involves three years ofpractical study in Drawing and Painting, Printmaking,Sculpture, Film, mixed-Media or any combination of these.Students are required to pass the Preliminary Examination inpractice and Art History, which requires two essays and awritten paper, and Human Anatomy, where there is oneafternoon’s drawing a week through the three terms and adrawing examination.

followed by second year examinations, which count towardsthe final degree mark. EP students then spend the final threeterms taking advanced topics in EP, including a researchproject and the option of writing a library dissertation.Psychology and Philosophy students will combinePsychology topics with subjects in Philosophy. Students take afinal examination during their last term and all must completea course of laboratory-based practical work.

The chief research interest of the tutor, Dr Popplewell, is inthe applications of Information Technology in Neuroscience.

CAREERS

Many people study Psychology simply because they areinterested in how the brain works, and do not expect tofollow a career in Psychology. However, there are a range ofcareers for which this degree is the ideal start, such asEducational Psychology and Clinical Psychology. There arealso industrial openings in human factors (optimising thedesign of the interface between people and machines, e.g.making user-friendly human-computer interfaces), and inpersonnel management.

In the second and third year, students work under tutorialguidance towards the final exhibition, for which they submit inPainting, Printmaking, Sculpture or mixed media, or any two ofthese. The course is small and flexible and encouragesinteraction between all areas. The Art History component of theFinal Examination is normally an extended essay on a topicrelated to the student’s studio work and one written paper.

Professor Chevska, a fellow at Brasenose College, is the Head ofPainting at the Ruskin School. All teaching is given at theRuskin School. Students have their own tutors there who seethem and discuss their work on a regular basis. Visiting artistsand specialists in all the areas contribute an important part ofthe teaching and there is a weekly special lecture series given byscholars and practising artists.

CAREERS

Careers of those with Fine Art degrees are varied, but as acreative subject it gives graduates a real sense of their potentialas artists and of the importance of art to them as a career. Eachyear several manage to continue their practical work, with athird of graduates going on to post-graduate degrees. Others gointo teaching, art history, curating and other art-related areas.

ENGLISH

ADMISSIONS

The College currently admits seven people to read Englisheach year, and up to four or five to read English and ModernLanguages, and/or Classics and English.

THE COURSE

Brasenose has a vital and exciting English community. Thetwo Tutorial Fellows (Sos Eltis and Simon Palfrey) are knownfor their expertise in drama old and new, but they and theCollege lecturers have teaching strengths right across thespectrum of literature in English. We sponsor a yearly Artsfestival run by students, including plays and poetry readings,and enjoy active links with the Oxford University DramaticSociety and Playhouse and Globe theatres.

The teaching of our undergraduates is split equally betweenone-hour tutorials (one or two students, in discussion initiatedby student essays) and two-hour classes (where the whole yeargroup of seven or so get together to explore a particular writer,genre, theory, poem, passage or historical movement). In bothtutorials and classes, the accent is upon testing and exchangingideas. The study of English at Brasenose is an interactive,intensely engaged process. It is not about being told what tothink. It is, very simply, about reading widely and diversely,and exploring and developing ideas. Here at Brasenose webelieve in the excitement and pleasure of intellectual andliterary discovery. We consequently encourage our students totake full advantage of the unique range of choice offered by theOxford English syllabus, and to follow their own particularinterest or passions.

There are two public examinations: (i) Honour Moderations(Mods) at the end of the first year; and (ii) Finals, at the end ofthe third year. Mods consists of an Introduction to LiteraryStudies, Old or Middle English literature, Victorian or Modernliterature to present day, and a choice of options. Finals(Course I) has eight papers comprising Shakespeare, the fourperiod papers covering 1100-1830, the English language, andtwo long essay options (6000 words) which give students ahuge range of options, including film, critical theory,American, postcolonial, nineteenth/twentieth century, andcontemporary literatures. There is also a special course(Course II) in English Language and Early Literature, which ismainly philological. About 5% of the candidates take thiscourse each year.

CAREERS

The English course at Oxford is a pathway to any number ofrewarding careers, including but by no means limited to thetraditional professions of teaching, writing, publishing,journalism, and advertising. Some students of course go on todo postgraduate work, either as MSt students (which involvesfurther course work) or as MLitt or DPhil students (whichinvolves independent research). An English degree can alsobe the gateway to all sorts of less obvious paths. RecentEnglish undergraduates from Brasenose now work aslawyers, actors, television producers, bankers, accountants,civil servants, management consultants, speech writers, scriptwriters, and no doubt much else besides!

THE ENGLISH AND MODERNLANGUAGE COURSE

Brasenose warmly welcomes applications for this course,which allows students considerable freedom in tailoring theirstudies to meet their interests. The first year examinationsconsist of four papers in the Modern Language and twopapers chosen from the English Mods course (see above fordetails). For finals each candidate sits four papers in ModernLanguages and a choice of four papers from the EnglishLiterature Course. There is also an opportunity to write a linkpaper, bringing together the two sides of the course.

THE CLASSICS AND ENGLISH COURSE

Brasenose also welcomes candidates for the joint course ofClassics and English. If candidates are studying Latin and/orGreek to A-level this is normally a three-year course (CourseI). But candidates who have not had that opportunity cantake a four-year course beginning with an intensiveintroduction to Latin and Greek (Course II). Either versionoffers a superbly integrated (and truly ‘joint’) course, whichalongside English literature of the Renaissance and beyondand Graeco- Roman authors such as Herodotus, Euripides,Virgil, Catullus, and Juvenal also explores the rich connectionsbetween ancient and modern literature. Students can pursuewhatever aspect of English or classical literature appeals tothem, but we feel that the highlights of the course are thethree ‘Link Papers’ studied in the third year (or fourth inCourse II). In these, through topics such as Epic, Tragedy,Comedy, Pastoral, and Satire, the twists and turns of literarygenres can be traced from Homer to Milton and Walcott, orfrom Theocritus to Arnold and Heaney.

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LAW

ADMISSIONS

In recent years we have admitted around ten candidates a yearto read for the undergraduate Law course. In general we areable to accept at least one candidate a year to read LawwithLaw Studies in Europe, subject to Faculty approval.

THE COURSE

Law at Brasenose has a distinguished history, and the Collegecontinues to enjoy a particularly strong reputation for Law. Thefirst two terms are spent studying the three subjects required forLawModerations, the first University examination:Constitutional Law; Criminal Law; and Roman Law. TheFellows or lecturers of the College are able to provide tutorialteaching in these core subjects.

Thereafter, undergraduates work for the Final Honour School ofJurisprudence, taking nine papers. Students take a commoncore of papers which allow them to fulfil the legal professions’requirements for qualification together with the papers requiredby the University. The teaching for most of these papers can beprovided in College, as follows: Land Law; Trusts;

Administrative Law; Contract; Tort; and Jurisprudence. In thethird year, students take optional papers, usually taught byspecialists outside College, although Dr Davies teaches LabourLaw, Dr Krebs teaches Commercial Law, andMr Swadlingteaches Personal Property.

The College has its ownwell-stocked Law Library, theStallybrass Memorial Library. Students also have access to arange of legal research databases provided by the University,and to the Bodleian Law Library.

CAREERS

Most law graduates become solicitors or barristers. Studentsconsidering these options often arrange work experienceplacements during their vacations. There are opportunities forundergraduates to meet practising lawyers, especially throughthe College law society, the Ellesmere Society, and theUniversity Law Society. A law degree is, of course, an excellentgeneral education and is highly valued by employers in otherfields too.

GEOGRAPHY

ADMISSIONS

Brasenose normally admits four candidates each year to readthe undergraduate Geography course.

THE COURSE

The first year course is self-contained and leads to theUniversity (Preliminary) examination at the end of the year. Allstudents study Earth Systems Processes, Human Geography,Geographical Controversies and Geographical Techniques. Firstyear students are introduced to the key elements ofgeographical skills through lecture and class room teaching inEarth Observation, Quantitative Methods and QualitativeTechniques, developed further through field exercises in theOxford region.

In the second and third years of the course, leading to the FinalUniversity Examination, students take the GeographicalResearch course and choose two foundational courses fromSpace, Place and Society, Earth System Dynamics andEnvironmental Geography. Then students choose threeoptional courses from, for example, African Societies,Biogeography, Climate Variability and Change, DrylandEnvironments, Forensic Geography, Geographies of Finance,Geography of Post-Communist Russia and East Central Europe,Heritage, Conservation andManagement, Political Geographyof European Integration, Quaternary Period, Spaces of Politics,

and Transport. All students will attend a week long overseas fieldcourse in the second year linked to their foundational choices,and advanced techniques workshops in preparation for their12,000 word dissertation.

Brasenose geographers benefit from its proximity to the School ofGeography, which includes laboratory and computing facilities,and relevant libraries containing geographymaterial. Brasenosestudents run their own geographical society with termly eventsthat are the centre of a lively academic and social life.

CAREERS

Brasenose geographers have gone into a wide variety of careersincludingMSc and DPhil research, environmental consultancy,journalism, law, technology and international banking.

HISTORY

ADMISSIONS

We admit around ten candidates each year to read theundergraduate courses in History and the Joint Schools ofAncient andModern History, History and Politics, History andModern Languages, and History and Economics. We do not atpresent admit candidates to read History and English.

THE COURSE

The first part of the History course, leading to the PreliminaryExamination at the end of the first year, comprises four papers,chosen in each case from a wide range: British History; athematic General History course; a source-based OptionalSubject; and Historiography (including a choice of papers basedon foreign texts). The second part, called the Final HonourSchool, comprises a research-based dissertation; Disciplines ofHistory (including historiography, comparative history, andsource criticism); and four other subjects chosen from a widerange: British History, General History, a source-based FurtherSubject, and a Special Subject examined by means of anextended essay and a documents paper. During their threeyears at Oxford, students must choose at least one medieval,one early modern, and one modern paper from the list of Britishand General History courses. Teaching is by University lecturesor classes and by tutorials, in or out of Brasenose Collegedepending on the choice of subjects, plus some College classes.

The various joint schools combine elements of the Historycourse with papers in Ancient History, Economics, ModernLanguages, or Politics, as the case may be.

There are three tutors in History at Brasenose. Dr Green, whoseteaching lies in the modern period, is a specialist in nineteenth-century European political and cultural history. Early medievalhistory is taught by Dr Abrams, who specializes in Anglo-SaxonEngland and Viking-Age Europe. Dr Archer teaches the period1000-1500 and researches the English aristocracy in thefourteenth and fifteenth centuries, with a particular emphasison the role of women. A fourth tutor, specializing in the EarlyModern period, will be appointed in 2011.

Further details about Modern History at Brasenose are availablefromDr Green.

CAREERS

Those who have read History here in recent years have entereda wide variety of careers in the professions. A number havegone on to postgraduate research and now hold positions invarious British universities. We find, in commonwith colleaguesin other universities, that employers value a degree in Historyvery highly as a preparation for careers of every kind.

Brasenose has a well-known reputation for producing world-class lawyers. Theportraits of Barry Nicholas and Herbert Hart hang in the Dining Hall. Both are namesthat you will becomemore than acquainted with if you study law at Oxford as we arequite unique in requiring Roman Law and Jurisprudence as compulsory modules.

At Brasenose we have our own law library, fondly known as the Stally, and so studyinglaw at Brasenose can sometimes feel like you are a part of a small legal family! There isalso the Ellesmere Society, Brasenose’s Law society, which holds regular dinners anddrinks parties. We have three essays every two weeks. If you attend all lectures therewill be, at most, four or five a week. This leaves a good amount of time for extra-curricular activities such as sport, charity work, music or whatever you fancy. If there isone thing that Oxford is not short of, it is societies. So whatever you are interested in,from drama to battle re-enactment, there will be something for you! I am involved onthe Brasenose JCR Committee as the Admissions and Academic Rep.

The transition from A-level to University can be daunting! Be prepared that learning atOxford may be different to other universities and that you will be expected to teachyourself through books, cases and articles rather than just attending lectures andtutorials. However after a fewweeks you will find that you have settled into a routineand adapted without any great pain to Oxford’s teaching methods! Brasenose studentsand tutors are also extremely helpful in making sure that you settle in quickly and feelat ease with the work.

TAMSINCRAWFORD

3rd Year

LAW

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MEDICINE

ADMISSIONS

We admit eight candidates to the Medical course each year.The admissions process for medicine is handled jointly withall Oxford colleges, see www.medsci.ox.ac.uk/study/medicinefor details. Shortlisted candidates who express a preferencefor Brasenose in their application will be interviewed hereand at one other College.

THE COURSE

The course structure is described in full atwww.medsci.ox.ac.uk/study/medicine. At Brasenose, theCollege teaching team (joint with Pembroke) is strong in mostareas of the preclinical course, and so you will be taught by aCollege fellow once or twice a week throughout your first twoyears. In your third year, depending on your specialistinterests, you will be taught by a wider range of Oxfordscientists, in addition to the Brasenose tutors. The Collegetutorials are an opportunity for you to explore the medicalsciences in depth, and aim to develop your abilities to analysedata, offer constructive criticism and make persuasive,reasoned arguments verbally, in writing and through othermedia. The format of tutorials ranges from one-to-onediscussions based on an extended writing assignment to smallgroup, problem-based tutorials. The tutors take a continuinginterest in your academic development, and aim to offersupport, guidance and provocation, as required.

CAREERS

Medical students need to apply during their pre-clinical coursefor a place in a clinical school. Roughly three quarters wish tostay in Oxford and at present most of those that do obtain aplace at the John Radcliffe Hospital. Those who return to

Brasenose as clinical students are joined by graduates of otherpreclinical schools, such as Cambridge. Our College teachingteam includes experienced clinical fellows, who support thehospital-based teaching provided by the Clinical School.

For those students graduating with a good degree in MedicalSciences, and who wish to enter research, there areopportunities to do advanced research degrees (MSc, DPhil),either here in Oxford or elsewhere. TheMedical degree is alsoparticularly useful for those wishing to work in thepharmaceutical, biomedical or paramedical fields.

MATHEMATICS

ADMISSIONS

We welcome applications for Mathematics, Mathematics andPhilosophy, and Mathematics and Statistics, and admit a totalof about seven students each year.

MATHEMATICS

As a single subject, Mathematics may be pursued either as athree-year course, leading to the BA degree, or as a four-yearcourse, leading to the MMath. At admission time, you do notneed to specify which course you propose to take, and in factthis decision does not need to be made until the third year ofundergraduate studies. It is important to realise that thethree-year course is not a “second best”: the BA degree inMaths remains a highly regarded qualification. It is aimed atthose students who require sound analytic and numeratetraining with a view to future employment or research, notnecessarily involving the most advanced mathematicaltechniques. The four-year course is intended for those whohope to pursue a career which will involve such techniques,as well as those who (like their tutors!) gain satisfaction fromthe study of advanced mathematics for its own sake.

TheMathematics tutors are Professor Haydon and Dr Gaffney.Professor Haydon’s research interests are in functional analysisand general topology. Dr Gaffney works in the application ofMathematical modelling techniques to a variety of biomedicaland biological areas.

MATHEMATICS AND PHILOSOPHY

This joint course is sometimes described as “tripartite”, the thirdsubject being Logic, a natural bridge betweenMathematics andPhilosophy. It is a three- or four-year course, with a structure

similar to that of the four year Mathematics course. The firstyear is devoted to compulsory papers in Pure Mathematics,Logic and Philosophy, after which an ever-widening range ofoptions in all three areas of study becomes available.

MATHEMATICS AND STATISTICS

Statistics is one of the most important applications ofmathematical techniques andmanymaths graduates usestatistics in their subsequent careers. To cater to those studentswhomay wish to concentrate on statistics during their time atuniversity, Oxford offers this joint course. It shares the entirefirst year with Mathematics and transfers between the twosubjects are possible. Thus, if you are not sure whether you wishto apply for Maths or Maths & Stats, it does not matter whichone you put on the UCAS form.

CAREERS

Mathematical undergraduates develop to a high level theirability to think with precision and to analyse problems quicklyand logically, dealing where necessary with the appropriateabstract concepts. These highly sought after and transferableskills are valued by a wide range of employers (in finance,accountancy, management consultancy, for example) and inmost cases are more important than knowledge of any specificarea of mathematics. Many graduates, however, do find theirway into more obviously “mathematical” careers, in statistics,mathematical modelling or computing. Graduates inMathematics and Philosophy are highly regarded by employersas they combine outstanding numeracy with an ability toexpress precise ideas in fluent English.

I really enjoy being at Brasenose. There is a friendly atmosphere and, as it is a medium-sized college, you get to meet a good variety of people but it still feels a small enoughcommunity that you knowmost people.

Brasenose also has excellent accommodation. First years all live in College, so it makes itvery easy to make friends, and there is College accommodation guaranteed for all yearsif you want it. The central location makes Brasenose very convenient.

The maths course at Oxford has been challenging but still achievable. In the first year,you get introductory courses in many different areas of mathematics, and then in thesubsequent years, you start to specialise in the areas youmost enjoy. The work is moredifficult than A-levels, but you adjust to the new standard quickly. The tutorial systemis helpful as it ensures you get individual help on anything you are struggling with.

I take part in several extra-curricular activities here at Oxford. I have done a couple ofpiano recitals in College, I sing in the chapel choir, and I've rowed and played footballin College teams. I also started playing pool when I came to Oxford which wassomething that I hadn't really done before, and I am now the President of OUPSC(Oxford University Pool and Snooker Club).

I'm not sure I had any expectations of how life at Oxford was going to be, but I feelreally settled at Brasenose, and I've made good friends. I'm enjoying studyingMathsand I'm finding fun things to do. It’s a wonderful experience!

BEN CHARLSTON

2nd Year

MATHEMATICS

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PHILOSOPHY, POLITICSAND ECONOMICS

ADMISSIONS

We admit around nine candidates each year to readPhilosophy, Politics and Economics.

THE COURSE

Students study all three subjects in the first year. The PPEPreliminary Examination is taken at the end of the first year.Students can then choose to continue with all three branchesor to drop one of them. Second year work mainly covers corepapers in the branches chosen, followed in the third year byfurther subjects from a wide range of options permittingconsiderable specialization. PPE is a flexible course; it permitseverything from an even blend of the three subjects, to astrong concentration (amounting to around two-thirds of thework for the final examination) on one of them. PPE atBrasenose has a reputation for challenging, exciting work,undertaken in a mixture of tutorials and class teaching.

Anyone reading PPE can expect to be taught by most of thetutors below at some point during their degree.

Dr Johansen’s interests are in ancient philosophy. Dr Leal hasa particular interest in ethics and philosophy of religion, butalso teaches logic, early modern philosophy, epistemology,and philosophy of mind. Dr Timpson, a philosopher ofscience, particularly of physics, has interests in philosophy ofmind and language and in the history of 20th CenturyAnglophone philosophy. Dr Humphreys' research interestsare in International Relations theory, with a particularfocus on how theories are applied and on how explanationsare constructed.

Mr Courakis’ interests are macroeconomics, monetary theoryand policy, banking and financial markets, internationaleconomics and international economic institutions, andhistory of economic thought. Dr Esteves is an economichistorian.

CAREERS

Those who have read PPE here have entered a wide variety ofcareers, from research to work in the Civil Service, teaching, themedia, finance or industry. Employers value a degree in PPEvery highly as a preparation for a very wide number of careers.Former Brasenose PPEists can be found in Parliament, the Bankof England, the Treasury, the Foreign Office, internationalorganisations, banking and finance, industry, domestic andmultinational business, consultancy, teaching and academia,and the media. There are ambassadors, barristers, filmproducers, schoolteachers, writers, and university professors onall five continents.

MODERN LANGUAGES

ADMISSIONS

Every year we admit up to nine candidates to read theundergraduate course in twoModern Languages, oneModernLanguage on its own, or oneModern Language with one ofEnglish, Classics, History or Philosophy (the Joint Schools).Brasenose also admits candidates for theModern Languages andLinguistics course and for European andMiddle EasternLanguages (in combination with French or German). TheCollege accepts applicants for all languages offered at theUniversity except Celtic. It particularly welcomes applicants whowish to read French and German.

THE COURSE

All students follow the same course in the first three terms up tothe First Examination. After that there is considerable choice inliterature papers and authors, betweenmedieval, early modernandmodern studies, and of options specializing in linguistic,philosophical, and historical subjects, as well as in film, art, andliterary theory.

University lectures cover most central topics, and there areweekly tutorials, language classes and also occasional seminarsorganised in the College. The College is equippedwith livesatellite television in several languages, and has native speakers(lectors) in French and German, who assist in language teaching.

Undergraduates wishing to pursue an interest not covered in theCollege may be taught for certain papers by tutors in othercolleges. Tutors based in other colleges organise the teaching ofthose we accept to read Italian, Spanish, Russian, Portuguese andModern Greek.

Themain interests of the College’s own tutors lie, for ProfessorCooper, in Renaissance French and Italian Literature, especiallyRabelais, Renaissance Theatre, Occult Sciences, Collectors ofAntiquities and Court Festivals; for Dr Groiser, in Germanwriting since the Enlightenment, modern German thought,German-Jewish culture, and critical theory; and, for Dr Bourne-Taylor, in modern French and English literature.

EUROPEAN ANDMIDDLE EASTERNLANGUAGES

This new Joint School enables students to combine papers in onelanguage from the Honour School of Modern Languages withpapers in Arabic, Hebrew, Persian, or Turkish. You need have noprevious knowledge of theMiddle Eastern language, but youwould normally have studied the European language to A-levelstandard. The Preliminary Examination takes place in the thirdterm and consists of translation into and out of the Europeanlanguage and two language papers for theMiddle Easternlanguage. Your oral proficiency will be tested in both thelanguages which you have studied.

CAREERS

Those who have readModern Languages and its associatedschools have entered a large range of careers, including theForeign Office, education, the arts, journalism, the law,interpreting, management consultancy, banking, accountancyand business.

MUSIC

ADMISSIONS

One or two candidates are admitted each year to read Music.

THE COURSE

The first-year (‘Mods’) course covers basic historical andanalytical skills, keyboard work and techniques ofcomposition (harmony and counterpoint) applied to selectedperiods and styles of music. These elements are taught insmall-group college tutorials, together with Universitylectures and classes. There is also the choice of an optionalelement from among three, including solo performance andcomposition. This course leads to the Honour Moderationsexamination, taken after three terms of study.

The ‘Schools’ course, leading to the final degree examinations,offers a wide variety of optional subjects, including soloperformance and composition, from which a selection of fouris made, usually towards the end of the second year inpreparation for third-year work. General history and a choiceamong techniques of composition, critical and analytical skills,form a compulsory core of subjects to be studied in thesecond and third years. For some historical topics and for

special options, the College arranges appropriate tuitionwhere necessary by experts in those fields.

CAREERS

Apart from the performing world and teaching oradministrative careers connected with music, the moregeneral fields such as finance and industry often offeropportunities for music graduates. Employers tend toacknowledge the value of the music degree as a training inanalytical and communicative processes which may beapplied widely as well as specifically to music itself.

Before I came to Brasenose I did A-levels at Richard Huish sixth form college inSomerset. I applied to Oxford (as I’m sure most people do) thinking that there wasno real chance that I’d get in, but now that I’m here I can’t really imagine beinganywhere else. I chose Brasenose partly because it covered the accommodation forall three years of my course, but mainly because when I visited it on the Septemberopen day, having been too disorganised to make the summer one, I was struck bythe atmosphere. Brasenose has a really strong community.

I study Philosophy, Politics and Economics, although I’d only studied Economicsbefore coming here. It’s basically my dream course as its super-flexible: once you getinto the second year you can choose all of your modules so you’re nearly alwaysstudying something you find really interesting. I was very scared of tutorials at first,especially my first solo “tute”, but once you build a rapport with your tutors it’sincredibly rewarding and almost fun in a weird kind of way. A lot of my course isbased around reading, so you have to have good time management skills, but thework-life balance is much better than you might think. I’ve had time to be in chargeof drama in our annual Arts Festival, do charity work through Jacari (a scheme runby the Student Union) and be Programme Controller of Oxford’s premier (and only)student radio station. Plus there’s always time for nights down the bar with friends,or going out, or heading to the theatre or a concert. Overall I’m having an incredibletime here, and I’d recommend it to anyone. If I can get in…

JAMES SEARLE

3rd Year

PPE

14 15

FINANCE GUIDEStudying at Brasenose and Oxford is more affordable thanyou might think. Accommodation and food in College is veryreasonably priced and little travel is needed within the city.Tuition fees are similar to other universities, yet students atOxford enjoy the benefits of the tutorial system and theextensive resources available.

Brasenose College aims to ensure that no student is unable tocomplete his or her studies for financial reasons. The Collegeoffers a wide range of financial assistance when needed.

COSTS

� For the 2010/11 academic year, the standard tuition fee forUK and EU students is £3290 per annum, whilst the fees forinternational students are higher. All fees are likely to be alot higher from 2012 but UK students will be able to obtaingovernment loans to cover the cost.

� Colleges also have a tuition fee. Most UK and EU studentsdo not need to pay this. Please seewww.direct.gov.uk/studentfinance

� Living expenses vary but can be broken down as follows:

Accommodation: around £3000 per year including utilitycharges. Costs vary depending on room size and otherfactors. The above figure is based on living in Collegeaccommodation. Living in privately-rented accommodationtends to be more expensive as rent is usually required for 12months rather than term time only. Brasenose is able to offeraccommodation for all years of undergraduate study.

Food and Living Costs: around £2250 per year. Meals atBrasenose are subsidized. Students living at Frewin Hallare able to cook in shared kitchens and fridges andmicrowaves are available on the main site. Other living coststo be taken into account are clothes, computer equipment andbicycle repairs.

Course costs: around £300 per year. The library facilities atBrasenose and Oxford mean that there is little need to spenda lot of money on books. Other costs include stationary,photocopying, printing and equipment.

Social Life: around £950 per year. Students at Brasenose cantake part in a wide variety of College activities, includingsports, drama and debating, for free or at a very small cost.There are over 500 clubs and societies to choose fromUniversity-wide, and some have a small membership fee.

SUPPORT

� The means-tested Oxford Opportunity Bursaries scheme,available to UK students, is one of the most generous in thecountry, and can amount to more than £13,000 during thecourse of a degree. These bursaries do not need to be paidback and are supplementary to the normal governmentgrants and loans.

� Government funding is available to UK students as TuitionFee Loans, Maintenance Loans and Maintenance Grants. Inall cases, candidates apply for government support throughthe agency for their local region. To be eligible for agovernment Maintenance Grant, candidates must befinancially assessed. For more information on governmentsupport see: www.direct.gov.uk/studentfinance

� The University of Oxford offers a limited number ofundergraduate scholarships or enhanced bursaries for UKand international students. Seewww.ox.ac.uk/feesandfunding for more information.

� For students who experience unexpected financialdifficulties after starting their course, the University andBrasenose College have limited hardship funds available.

� Brasenose College Scholarships and Exhibitions areawarded to second and later year undergraduate studentsin recognition of academic excellence. The awards carry anannual monetary value of £200 for Scholarships and £150for Exhibitions. The College also awards small researchgrants, travel grants and vacation residence grants.

Changes are being introduced to fees andgovernment financing from 2012. For moreinformation see: www.ox.ac.uk/feesandfunding

PHYSICS

16 17

The defining feature of Oxford life is certainly the work hard and play hard atmosphere.Work is a significant step up from school andmuchmore independent thought isrequired. It is also quite a shock as most people come from being one of the best in theirclass. It is quite a change of mind set getting used to 65% being a goodmark.

Brasenose is an exceptionally friendly college which has quite a relaxed atmosphere anda good balance between work and other activities. Having accommodation in the centreof Oxford for all years of our course is really brilliant, as we never have to deal withlandlords and, since we are so central, it makes a bike superfluous. College food is alsoof a very high standard and very reasonably priced so even when living in Frewinwhere there are kitchens, I regularly take the five minute walk back to College fordinner. I thoroughly enjoy the range and variety of conversations that I have withfriends - from arguing over the economywith PPEists to discussing books and playswith English students. Because of the collegiate system you end up spending most ofyour free time andmaking most of your friends with people from other subjects, whichgives life so much variety.

The experiences offered at Oxford are second to none. I learnt to row in my first termbut gave that up in Hilary as it was too cold and joined a choir instead. In my third termI didn’t have time to continue with choir as I was acting in two plays. In second year Ire-joined the choir and in the summer produced the Brasenose College Arts Week,which is the biggest arts week of any Oxford college, as well as acting in a play. So far inthird year I have become social secretary of the choir and joined the University OfficerTraining Corps. Brasenose also has a College debating society where port, wine andcheese are offered and which is muchmore informal than the Union. For instance wehad a mock election debate where a few of us took the part of party leaders whoseviews we didn’t agree with.

Physics at university is muchmore mathematical than at school and actually muchmorelike Maths at A-level than Physics. It is quite exciting that around a third of our lecturershave written the text book on the course andmost of our tutors are world leaders intheir field.

I don’t knowwhat I expected Oxford to be like. However I now find it very hard toimagine life before and I am trying to put off imagining life afterwards.

GAVIN FOURIE

3rd Year

PHYSICS

There are two Tutors in Physics. Professor Jonathan Jones isattempting to build small quantum computers, while Dr LauraHerz studies the optical and electronic properties of carbon-based semiconductors. In those particular subjects in which theCollege Tutors have no special expertise, undergraduates aresent to experts in other colleges.

Students reading Physics & Philosophy are taught jointly withthe Philosophy tutors (see PPE listings) amongst whomDrChristopher Timpson specialises in the Philosophy of Physics,particularly the foundations of quantummechanics. Physics &Philosophy are taught in parallel during the first three years,with an emphasis on the theoretical side of physics and onmetaphysics and the theory of knowledge. During the fourthyear students may specialise in either subject or continue tostudy both in parallel.

CAREERS

Thosewho have read Physics here over the past few years haveentered a variety of careers at home and abroad, in physics andengineering, work in industry and commerce, or professionaltraining, for example, in accountancy.We find that employersvalue a degree in physics very highly for a wide variety of careers.

ADMISSIONS

We usually admit six candidates each year to read Physicsincluding up to two students reading Physics & Philosophy,although this demanding course is only suitable for committedcandidates.

THE COURSE

Oxford has both four-and three-year courses in Physics. In thefourth year, students choose two advanced physics subjects tostudy in depth, and undertake a project. The four-year courseprovides a training in Physics to the highest level possible in anundergraduate course and gives successful graduates an idealqualification for entry into research or scientific employmentthroughout the world. The three-year course providesexcellent intellectual training in physics and qualifies graduatesfor jobs in almost every area of endeavour, including manyscience-based careers.

It is straightforward to change from the four-year to the three-year course, as both courses have common first and secondyears, but we recommend that initial applications should bemade for the four-year course.

Oxford, OX1 4AJ, United Kingdom

Tel: 01865 277510 Email: admissions@bnc.ox.ac.uk

www.bnc.ox.ac.uk

Photography by Keith Barnes, www.photographersworkshop.com. Additional photography by Molyneux Associates, Doug Vernimmen, Giles Wiggs, Owen Lewis, David Humble-White,Liam Cattell, Joe Organ and the Brasenose College photo archive. Designed by GD Associates – 2011.

ALTERNATIVEPROSPECTUS

WELCOMEIf you're applying to Oxford, it can bepretty hard telling one college from another.They all claim to be academically strong,liberal, open and welcoming colleges withgreat atmosphere and attractive freshers, soit can be pretty hard to tell which is right foryou. So what distinguishes Brasenose fromthe others?

The College is in a superb location. Brasenose is one ofthe few colleges right in the middle of town, so whetheryou want easy access to the stunning Radcliffe Cameralibrary (on your doorstep), the biggest theatre in Oxfordor a kebab at three in the morning, it’s all here. Andgiven how great a location we’re in, we want to make

sure you get the most out of it, which iswhy you have guaranteed

accommodation for all threeyears of your course (most

colleges make you moveout into houses in your

2nd year). Second yearslive in the beautifulFrewin Hall, whichis just a 5 minutewalk away fromCollege.

College loyaltiesform quickly, andrivalries even faster –

any event againstLincoln always has that

extra bit of heat.Brasenose has an

outstanding sporting tradition.

In rowing alone, welay claim to theoldest boat clubin world!Whether youwant to playcompetitivelyor just for fun,there will alwaysbe a team for you.

More into your drama?A Brasenose student iscurrently directing a play at The Oxford Playhouse,another has written a new play to great reviews, andwe performed extremely well in Drama Cuppers, andthat's all in the space of one term! Even our Brasenosepantomime attracts big stars, such as Sandra DayO'Connor in 2009 (formerly the second most powerfulwoman in America, who came to give us a talk on"Lessons in Government").

"How do we have the energy to do all this?" I hear youask. Probably due to the fantastic food. We have hall onmost nights, as well as formal hall three nights a week.Brasenose formals are exceptionally good value (at just£4.10 for three courses) and are of very high quality.We are also home to the legendary ‘Gerties’ – thesandwich shop located in our newly refurbished bar.With the best bacon, sausage and egg around, it’s alsothe recovery place of choice on the morning after thenight before.

If the rest of this prospectus doesn’t quench your thirstfor information about Brasenose, check out our JCRwebsite or get in touch. If all this is still not enough, feelfree to arrange a tour or come down for an open day.We're always happy to show you around.

Jing Ouyang (JCR Admissions Rep)Dan Wainwright (JCR President)

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2 3

FOOD &ACCOMMODATIONUnlike other colleges, Brasenose guarantees youaccommodation during your undergraduate coursewhich means you don’t have the stress of finding ahouse of your own! First years live in the College itselfand before you come, you’ll be given the option ofeither a cheaper, smaller room or a larger but moreexpensive one – the powers that be then try their bestto meet these requirements. Second years live in FrewinHall, even closer to the centre of town (if that’s possible)and you get to choose this room depending on whereyou come in a random ballot. Third years then get tochoose a room in either Frewin or College, again basedon the same ballot system.

The rooms in Frewin have kitchen facilities but youwon’t have any living in College. This isn’t a problemthough as the food in College is some of the best in theUniversity (after extensive research into other colleges!)Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served every day withbrunch at weekends (the perfect hangover cure) andformal dinners 3 times a week. These are dinners thatyou have to book in advance and wear your gown to(although this can be over a hoodie and jeans) and youget served an amazing 3 course meal for around £4. Ifbreakfast is too early for you, then there is alwaysGerties for brunch on weekdays, where you can get allsorts of things on toast and baguettes at lunch. All thefood in hall and Gerties operates on a swipe cardsystem that you top up as and when you need to andpay for food with as you go. Everything is prettyreasonably priced – an average meal in hallis around £2.50 depending on howmuch you eat.

Most importantly, from 7pmGerties turns into the Collegebar, the focal point for socialactivities in College. Julie,the bar manager, has a wideselection of reasonablypriced drinks (£1.50 a pintisn’t bad) as well as tablefootball, a quiz machine anda darts board. It’s just beenrefurbished and is a greatplace to chill out and take abreak from work.

COLLEGEFACILITIESBrasenose has most of the mundane facilities you’llneed whilst living here. There’s a laundry room whichoperates on another swipe card system that costs £1.20for a wash or dry as well as free irons. (Woo!)

There is also a computer room with a printer (so don’tfeel it’s necessary to bring your own) and high speedinternet connections in every room, as well as wirelessin some parts of College. Nearly everyone brings theirown laptop to work on (and more importantly watchiplayer on) but there are computer facilities there if youneed them. The computer technicians in College canalso fix even the most virus-ridden laptop and are thereto help out if you get into trouble.

For those of you into ready meals, there are microwavesdotted about College that you can use and, despite nothaving a kitchen, it’s amazing what some people cancook themselves!

You will have a cleaner called a scout who will comeand empty your bin every day as well as clean yourroom once a week. We also have a great team ofmaintenance guys who will fix any problem in yourroom (broken light bulbs etc) very quickly.

LIVING

WELFAREBrasenose is a fantastic place to live, with a very openand friendly atmosphere. However it is important toknow that there are people you can talk to if thingsaren’t going to plan. There is a male and female WelfareRep on the JCR Committee who are responsible forlooking out for the welfare of fellow students. Everyyear a number of students volunteer to become trainedpeer supporters. Their contact details are displayed onposters throughout College and they are happy to beapproached for a confidential chat about any issues, bigor small, (or just a cup of tea! :)) at any time. Membersof the committee run welfare teas where people cancome for a chat about a specific problem or just eat thefree cake and biscuits! There have also been film nightsin the JCR and welfare events down the bar aimedspecifically at the freshers. There are a number of otherpeople in College involved in welfare. The Chaplain isalways happy to talk confidentially to anyone no matterwhat their beliefs, the Junior Deans are always availableto chat and there is a tutor who is Adviser for Women.On the health side of things, the nurse is in Collegeeach weekday lunchtime and every student isregistered with a College doctor. The Welfare Reps arealso responsible for providing sexual health supplies toCollege. There are condom machines providing freecondoms and either of the Welfare Reps can becontacted for free pregnancy tests. We also aim to runChlamydia testing in College once a year. Of course wehope that there won't be any problems, but the welfare

system at Brasenose means that thereare plenty of people who want

to help if anyone is having adifficult time.

LGBT ANDINTERNATIONALSTUDENTSLGBT – The Oxford University Lesbian, Gay andBisexual Society is probably the largest in the country,with a wide range of events ranging from tea parties tospeaker meetings to chocolate fondue parties! EveryFresher will be sent a mailing by the LGBTSoc in thefirst few weeks.

New environments can be lonely andintimidating but it need not be that way.The open-mindedness of Brasenose, andOxford in general, makes them verygood places simply to be yourself.

Coming out is an important step and thefirst steps are often the most difficult. TheJCR has Welfare Officers you can talk to.But if you would prefer an out of Collegecontact, there is a full list in the OxfordHandbook (which you will receive when youarrive).If you are struggling at all, it is important that you dosomething rather than remain unhappy and missOxford’s many opportunities.

International Students – Going to study in a Universityabroad may sound scary at first, but life here keeps youso busy that you have no time to even think of homeand miss it! Brasenose is a very friendly and welcomingCollege for international students, both in terms ofdomestic arrangements, giving priority tointernationals in a system that allows students to keeptheir rooms out of term and most importantly in termsof making us feel no less “at home” than UK studentsdo. And, even if you miss home (which is not verylikely given the good times here) Oxford is known forits short terms which give you long vacation time to bespent at home. Brasenose organizes a JCR guest dinneronce a term which is a great opportunity to have yourfamily and friends visit from abroad and show themaround your new home - a home which you’ll soonadapt to and learn to love despite how different itmight appear in the beginning. From the traditionalEnglish brunch, to playing croquet in the quads in thesummer and punting on the river, it’s all a matter ofbecoming part of a culture different than your own andenjoying every bit of it!

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WORKTHE TUTORIALSYSTEMOxford is unique in the way in which it educates itsstudents. Unlike other universities whose primaryteaching tool is usually lectures and classes, at Oxfordstudents are taught with the tutorial system. Tutorialsare typically one-hour classes with a tutor in yoursubject and generally only one other student.Sometimes students are even lucky enough to have oneon one tutorials. This is the time for you as a student toreflect on what you have read and also the time toclarify any issues that may have arisen when writingyour essay or completing your problem sheet. Thetutors at Oxford are world-experts in their field andso however strange your question or query may bethey will always be able to find an answer.

SUBJECTS –COMMENTS FROMCURRENT STUDENTSBiochemistry: Biochemistry at Brasenose is a four yearcourse, for which you'll be awarded an MBiochemdegree. There are normally 4 students in each year, andwe're a very friendly, close-knit bunch. There are twobiochemistry tutors at Brasenose, Susan and Steven,and you will see them once per week for your tutorial,as well as for regular gatherings for drinks with all theother BNC biochemists! Your workload will normally bebased around one essay per week for your tutorial and,in first year, normally two problem sheets per week andclasses with other colleges to go over them. You canexpect two or three lectures per day in the biochemistrydepartment, and one day per week in the practical labs,with a short write up to accompany this. Biochemistryis a fun, fast moving course, but with regular meetingswith your tutors, it's almost impossible to fall too farbehind. Everyone here is really enjoying the course!

Biology: Biology at Brasenose is hard work but alwaysfun. We have about 11 hours of lectures a week andthen three sets of labs and a tutorial from one of twotutors on top of that. In the first term there's a lot ofemphasis on invertebrates and also cellularorganisation and the tutorials mimic the course in thatsense - although sometimes you have a tutorialquestion before you study the topic. There's a lot ofsupport as all three years get on and see each otherquite a lot, so there's always someone to ask for help,which makes everything a lot easier. The course itself isvery full (a lot of time is spent in lectures and labs) butall the lecturers are engaging and more than happy toexplain anything, so at the end of lectures you canspend quite a while just chatting to them aboutanything you found particularly interesting or difficultin the lecture. All-in-all the course is hard workbut always interesting and the people atBrasenose make it fun!

Chemistry: Chemistry at Oxford has areputation for producing worldrenowned alumni, including the likesof Margaret Thatcher, DorothyHodgkins, and William Henry Perkin,some of whose influence extends farbeyond the realms of the subject.Studying chemistry at Brasenose isequally inspiring, with the course allowingyou to get a very in depth insight into what is a

trulyfascinatingsubject. Thetypical week wouldconsist of 10-12 hours oflectures a week, accompanied by a class, 1-2 pieces oftutorial work, and varying amounts of time spent in thelab. A chemist’s workload is extensive, but by no meansunmanageable, leaving ample time for the otherimportant parts constituting an Oxford education.

Chemistry is divided into the four subject areas of;Organic, Inorganic, Physical, and Maths. Tutors are,more often than not, at the very forefront of their field,but are always on hand to help you with regards tounderstanding of subject matter. The Oxford ChemistrySociety is a University wide society for all Oxfordchemists, meaning by the end of your first term youwill almost certainly know most people in the year.Chemistry is a challenging yet rewarding subject youare certain to find engrossing, and of course there isalways the chance of winning a Nobel prize at the endof your degree if you’re clever (and lucky) enough…

Classics: Classics is a rich and varied course, but alsohighly challenging, especially where learning

the languages is concerned. With daily,early-morning language classes, I rely

on my intense fascination withAncient Greek to motivate me totry and develop my fluency. I alsoremind myself that I will - at somepoint - be able to access a hugevariety of texts, including poetry,drama, history and philosophy.

Classics isn’t all work with otheractivities such as the triennial Oxford

Greek Play for enthusiastic students toget involved with!

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SUBJECTSEconomics and Management: Brasenose is a fantasticplace to study Economics and Management. TheCollege has an extremely well respected andexperienced set of fellows in both disciplines (meaningthe teaching is excellent overall) and the College takesaround 6 students each year (more than the majority ofcolleges), which is always useful if you need to talk tosomeone about work. The workload is reasonable withbetween 5-7 hours of lectures, and 2 tutorials a weekwhich are usually just over an hour long. To prepare forthese tutorials you are usually set 2 essays (or 1 essayand 1 problem sheet) a week, along with the readingthat you need to do in order to complete them.

This means that as long as you're organized there isenough time to complete the work and have outsideinterests. The students get on well with each other andthe tutors at the College, and events such asManagement drinks help to foster a community spirit.E&M is one of the best courses in Oxford; it’s rigorous,interesting, and relevant to the real world. Furthermoregraduates go on to do extremely well.

Engineering: Engineers follow a more structuredtimetable than their arty friends. On average, there areten lectures per week and one day of labs. The lecturenotes provided are fairly comprehensive, so library timeis kept to a minimum. Some of the notes are socomprehensive that there is no need to write anythingduring the course of the lecture! You will have toattempt two problem sheets every week, and these willbe discussed in tutorials in College. Although it issatisfying to complete all of the questions on a problemsheet, sometimes it is just too much of a challenge. Thetutors at Brasenose realize that all students will needhelp at some point, and they are brilliant at helping youto understand any unclear topics.

English: Reading English at Brasenose is a hugelyvaried, wide-ranging and exciting experience withsome truly fantastic tutors who aren’t only world-classbut famed throughout the university. Tutorials arealways interesting (and sometimes surreal) and there’sa lot of choice in terms of what you want to study eachweek, often more than in other colleges, giving youfreedom to explore the topics which really interest youwhilst seminars help you get to grips with the biggerissues of the period. The average workload can rangefrom the standard weekly essay to a mixture of essaysand commentary work for Old English in the first year– all completely manageable with plenty of time for an

actual life! Brasenose is brilliant for the arts, with arenowned Arts Week in summer and eventsthroughout the year to showcase new writing andtalent within and outside College making Brasenose anexcellent site for an incredibly enriching course.

Experimental Psychology: With only three students peryear, psychology's a small subject group at Brasenosebut it means that there's lots of opportunity in tutorialsto discuss ideas and sort out anything you don'tunderstand. Psychology is a fascinating subject becausethere are so many different theories about how wethink and behave and I find it ties in really well withthe neurophysiology module which all experimentalpsychologists take. I'm so glad I picked Brasenose aseveryone is really friendly and the tutors are passionateabout sharing their specialism.

Fine Art: Situated a scant 10 minutes walk from theRuskin School of Art's High Street building, Brasenoseis perfectly located. However, the allure of the Collegedoes not end there. The annual Arts Week is one of theUniversity's largest and includes an exhibition of worksby both Brasenose and Ruskin students. The pastsuccesses of this exhibition are a testament to theCollege's receptiveness, enthusiasm andaccommodating appreciation for the Fine Arts. Fromthe tutors, to the Chaplain, to the porters, the supportand zeal for the arts also creates opportunities, such asnegotiating exhibition space within College or applyingfor grants for the second year placements, amongstothers. Such a supportive climate is crucial as there isonly one space per year to study Fine Art at Brasenose.Although you might think this makes for an isolatedexistence, the Ruskin school - ever the friendly,approachable face - serves as a second, more artistically-minded community. In addition, many prefer to have asmaller number of art students within College, as itincreases the breadth of social, intellectual andacademic environments: on the one hand, the Ruskin'sstudio spaces are rich with the atmosphere of artisticactivity, whilst College life serves as a balance, with asociety - although not art-orientated - that is equallywelcoming, stimulating and vibrant. Studying Fine Artat Oxford is an opportunity which invigorates andchallenges students both intellectually and in theirpractical work. As such, this entirely unprescriptive,unique and versatile course is a venture that continuesto truly engage, exhilarate and fascinate those whoundertake it.

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SUBJECTSModern Languages: Brasenose as a College is aparticularly welcoming one full of supportive staff andfriendly students. Situated in the square opposite theRad Cam, not only is Brasenose one of the mostbeautiful colleges, but it is also in an ideal centrallocation making access to other colleges, subjectfaculties, shops and transport very easy. Studyinglanguages at Oxford is really rewarding - with plenty ofconcentrated tutor attention and teaching in the formof small tutorial groups - academic progress is rapidand efficient. Oxford boasts excellent academicresources such as extensive libraries for each subject,maximising students’ potential during, and graduatesuccess after, their degrees. French and Spanish, alongwith other combinations of modern foreign languagedegrees at Oxford, are often considered superior tolanguage courses at other universities due both to theircommendable balance of literature and language-learning and also to the flexibility within the course.The compulsory 3rd year spent abroad is an invaluableopportunity to engross yourself in the most captivatingof cultures and further mastery of the language andcomprehension of contemporary issues. Ultimately,

with a syllabusencompassing a diverse

range of renownedtexts from a varietyof literary genres,Modern ForeignLanguages atOxford is astimulating and

engaging course ofstudy guaranteed to

enthral all who chooseto further their education

in this field of study.

Music: Music at Brasenose is a niche subject; there areonly one or two students per year who are given theopportunity to do it! Music students here are attachedto a tutor at Lady Margaret Hall and therefore formlarger tutor groups with students at that College aswell. Of course the faculty is only a five minute walkaway and you’re greeted with many musicians fromother colleges! The rarity of your talent within Collegemeans that you have a chance to shine in the MusicSociety which holds concerts whenever possible, as well

as interact with the larger, Uni-wide network ofmusicians, who play in various orchestras, recitals andshows throughout Oxford. The great thing about thiscourse is that it offers students who are both academicallyand musically outstanding an opportunity to developtheir abilities on both fronts with more emphasis on oneor the other, depending on what you’re good at!Generally, history and analysis essays are set on a weeklybasis and, depending on your options, you will probablyhave around four lectures a week. The most appealingpart of the course, in my view, is the range of choiceavailable to students. It is your degree, and after gaining arange of skills in the first year, you can design your choiceof options to meet your strengths for finals.

PPE: Studying PPE at Brasenose is enjoyable andrewarding. The College is strong in each aspect of Politics,Philosophy and Economics, and has several tutors foreach meaning that first year tutorials are always atCollege. Plus, the College generally takes about ninestudents each year, so there’s a nice number of people towork with and bounce ideas around with. PPE atBrasenose has a great atmosphere, with individuals oftenworking together on different aspects of Logic orMicroeconomics, two of the six first year modules.Teaching is generally done in tutorials of two or three,giving everyone an opportunity to share their ideas onthe reading, and then examine contrasting opinions thatothers have written on in an essay, being guided throughthis unique experience by engaging tutors, keen to helppeople understand the writer in addition to developingtheir own ideas. Brasenose is five minutes away from thelocation for almost all first year lectures, and similarlyclose to the two main faculty libraries. Further, theBrasenose library has several copies of most coretextbooks, making life even easier.

Physics: Physics at Brasenose is a thoroughlyenlightening experience. Master the laws of the Universewithin the peaceful surroundings of the College andRadcliffe Square. The Physics department (for lectures orlabs) is only a 5-10 minute walk away and a maximum ofa 5 minute cycle, perfect for casually strolling out of bedat ten to nine. Brasenose also has some of the mostenthusiastic and exciting tutors you can find in Oxford sothere is absolutely no reason why you wouldn’t apply forthe coolest science at the best College (note: this view iscompletely impartial).

SUBJECTSGeography: Brasenose Geography is a great coursewith excellent tutors. The course is structured so youstudy both physical and human geography and there’sa field trip in the first year. The typical workload isabout five hours of lectures with one reading list andone essay per week – meaning there’s time for bothwork and play! The tutorials give you a chance todiscuss your weekly reading and essay with a world-class tutor and the topics change every week meaningthere’s huge variety to what you’re learning about.Geography at Brasenose is a close-knit community. Wehave our own geography society (imaginatively named‘G-Unit’) and do at least one event each term with allBrasenose geographers and tutors, ranging fromdinners to pub trips. Geography is a fantastic way tolearn about the world around you and pick up someuseful skills on your way.

History: History has a great tradition at Brasenose andrightly so. There is a great fraternity between all threeyears and we all know one another quite well. Thetutors are both brilliant academically and they are alsogenuinely nice people who are willing to help you witha variety of matters-whether it be missing home,struggling with an essay or even finding a book! Wealso have a History society which has a variety ofspeaker and social events which, as a BNC historian,cannot be missed. I look forward to welcoming you intothe BNC History family!

Law: Brasenose has a well-known reputation forproducing world-class lawyers. Gracing the walls ofBrasenose Hall are the portraits of Barry Nicholas andHerbert Hart. Both are names that you will becomemore than acquainted with studying law here asOxford is the only university to offer Roman Law andJurisprudence as compulsory modules. We have ourown library, fondly known as the Stally, and sostudying law at BNC can sometimes feel like you are apart of a small legal family! There is also the EllesmereSociety, BNC’s Law society, which holds regulardinners and drinks parties. Work wise wehave three essays every two weeks andlectures are optional although if you dodecide to attend them religiously therewill be, at most, only 4 or 5 a week.Studying law at any Oxford college is aprivilege but Brasenose offers atradition of educating great lawyersthat no other college can match!

Maths: Studying Maths at Oxford is challenging butvery rewarding. The 1st year syllabus covers a reallybroad set of topics, providing an opportunity todevelop a full range of mathematical skills, and thechance to choose your modules in 2nd and 3rd yearsmeans you can focus on the areas of the course whichinterest you most.

Medicine: Brasenose is probably one of the best placesto study medicine in Oxford. The College takes in eightmedics a year, plus we share our tutorials with the fourPembroke medics, so you're never alone and have agreat support system. We also share tutors withPembroke, which means we get taught by some of thebest in Oxford (this includes the current head ofundergraduate medicine at Oxford). Also, the BNCMedical Society organises an incredible formal dinnerevery term, which usually has a famous medical guestspeaker. In general, studying medicine at Brasenose ispretty fun and not too stressful, plus you become partof a great close-knit community.

Brasenose offers fantastic support for its Mathsstudents; both tutors are brilliant mathematicians andwe get on really well with them. In addition Brasenoseis situated less than 5 minutes walk from the UniversityMuseum (where lectures are in 1st year) which allowsfor extra sleep on weekday mornings!

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PLAYARTS AND MUSICThere is a very active Drama scene at Brasenose. Fornewcomers (both on the stage and behind the scenes)there is the Drama Cuppers, which is an inter-collegiatecompetition for freshers only to produce a piece ofshort drama, which is then performed at the BurtonTaylor studio. Drama Cuppers is held in the first termeach year. Also, Brasenose College hosts the secondlargest summer arts festival in Oxford. For seasonedthespians, the University Drama Society website is theplace to check out all the upcoming auditions.

The College has an active choir and the more musicallyminded often put on concerts. There are two musicpractice rooms at the Frewin Hall and you can book thepiano or organ in the Chapel via the Lodge (otherinstruments can also be practiced in the Chapel). TheCollege Music Society organises lunchtime concerts inthe chapel as well as other events includingperformances during the summer arts festival. If youplay anything or are interested, get involved!

THE MAIN LIBRARYAND THE STALLYThe main College Library is open 24 hours a day. Bookscan be taken out for a term by scanning the barcode onyour Bod Card and then the barcode in the book. Thereis a card catalogue system listing all the books in thelibrary. However, it is best to use the OLIS onlinesystem found on the University library website as this ismore up to date. The number and quality of books foreach subject varies, but don’t forget the availability ofnumerous faculty libraries and, of course, the Bodleian.If you can’t find anything, just ask the friendlylibrarian, Liz Kay, and if you really cannot find a bookthat is vital for your studies you should ask your tutorto request that the Librarian purchase it for Brasenose’slibrary collection. Papers/books may only be leftovernight in the library if they are placed in one of thenew library boxes available for rental at a cost of £3 perterm. Brasenose Library has a fantastic Facebook page,updated with library news, recent acquisitions, trainingopportunities and more.

The Stallybrass Memorial Law Library (‘The Stally’) isnext to New Stairs and is the domain of the College’slaw students. It has most of the law books that you willneed. It is also open 24 hours a day.

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SPORTSBrasenose has a great sporting tradition and reputation,and JCR members have traditionally played a role in this.If you represent the University at any major sport againstCambridge you win what is known as a ‘Blue’. In recentyears, JCR members have won Blues in Athletics, Rugby,Hockey, Lacrosse and Modern Pentathlon. College teamsplay against other colleges in most sports in competitionsknown as ‘Cuppers’. Recently the BNC men’s rugby andfootball teams have been promoted. Our rowing Eights,both men’s and women’s, have been very successful inthe past.

The Brasenose Sports Ground is down the AbingdonRoad, on the other side of the river from College. It hasthree hard tennis courts (and eight grass courts insummer), rugby, football, and cricket pitches. The Pavilionis reasonably equipped, with toilets and changing rooms.

Croquet can be played in summer on the New Quadlawn. College Punts can also be booked during TrinityTerm (all JCR members are automatically signed up forthis via the JCR Punting Scheme). When you go punting,don’t forget to bring your Pimm’s and strawberries forthe true Oxford experience.

The College Boathouse is on the side of the river closet tothe city which is accessed by a short walk through ChristChurch Meadows.

Rowing is a particularly important sport at Oxford, andthe Brasenose JCR usually have four crews: the Men’s 1stand 2nd VIII, and the Women’s 1st and 2nd VIII. Over athird of Oxford students row at some point in their timehere. Around 2,000 people take part in the SummerEights and, with as many as 10,000 spectators, theatmosphere is simply incredible. Brasenose has theoldest boat club in Oxford, and usually distinguishes itselfin several categories. Rowing is not only good for thefitness levels but is lots of fun and a good way to meetother people.

College sport is accessible to players of all abilities. Firstteams for major sports tend to be of high standard andCuppers are usually taken quite seriously, if only to showthat Brasenose is a force to be reckoned with. Leaguematches (the other type of inter-college competitionwhich works on a points system) are played by a numberof teams, and enthusiasm and willingness to turn up areoften the main skills required.

It is worth joining up for anything you are interested in atthe BNC Freshers Fair, even if you have never playedbefore. Get involved and have some fun!

ADMISSIONSINTERVIEWSInterviews usually take place in early December. Dates forindividual interviews can be found in the Universityprospectus and website.

You'll probably have to come up to Oxford for at least acouple of days to be interviewed if you are shortlisted, butlook at this as a positive thing. Many people have a greattime when they come up, if you can forget about thenerves. You can go out and see a bit of Oxford, live in astudent room for a couple of days and meet loads of reallycool people, and generally get the feel for the place.

You'll have one or two interviews at Brasenose andpossibly some with other colleges as well. Interviewsnormally last for around 25-40 minutes, although theymay run over. Don't expect to be asked too much aboutyourself during interview - the main part of the interviewwill be for tutors to ask you questions about your subjectand see how you think. Remember, tutors want to get thebest out of you. They're not going to be deliberately nasty -they just want to see that you're smart and that you have areal interest in your subject.

� DO smile. Be confident of your abilities. However, don’tworry if you are shy or nervous. Tutors understand this.

� DO think out loud - otherwise tutors may not realiseyou're thinking at all. It’s also OK to pause to thinkabout something.

� DO ask for clarification if you don't understandthe question.

� DO try to get on with your tutors - they're probably theones who'll teach you for the next three years!

� DON'T think you're the only one who can't finisha question.

� DON'T be bowled over by them arguing with you - theywant to see if you can argue back! (DO however, give upwhen you know you're beaten!)

� DON'T worry too much about your interviewafterwards - you can't tell how well you did, and a lot ofus here felt we did badly anyway!

GOOD LUCK! Above all, remember, there are many manypeople applying to Oxford. It's not the end of the world ifyou don't get in: wherever you go you'll meet really coolpeople and have fantastic opportunities. Everyone has achance of getting in, but not everyone will be successful.

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F.A.Q.Uniform? Midnight Curfew? Is Oxford more expensive?Do Oxford students go out? Are interviews terrifying?

1) Do Oxford students wear a uniform?Don’t be fooled by the sight of the occasional smartlydressed student into thinking that all Oxford studentswear a uniform! At Oxford we do have a traditional dress,known as sub-fusc, however we only pull out our gownson the most special occasions such as matriculation,exams and graduation. At any other time students arefree to dress as they wish.

2) Is there a midnight curfew?Fortunately for students here Oxford has changed a lotsince the early 20th century and gone are the days whenstudents had to climb over the walls to get back into theCollege after midnight! Although the College employsstaff and porters that work through the night they arethere for your safety and not to check what time you aregoing to bed. They also come in particularly handy whenyou have lost your keys!

3) Is Oxford more expensive thanother universities?

Like all other city universities, Oxford can prove to beexpensive to live in. However living costs are in no waymore expensive than other universities. There are alsomany ways to keep your costs down, such as cookingdinner rather than eating out. Brasenose makes thingseasier for students by providing accommodation for theentirety of your degree, cooking three delicious meals aday in hall and by offering financial support to those thatneed it.

4) Do Oxford students spend all their timein the library?

Every student is individual and while some wish todedicate their evenings to studying this is not true of all.Oxford, not unsurprisingly for a city boasting twouniversities, has a lively nightlife. Regular haunts forBrasenose students are the Bridge and Kukui as well asthe infamous Purple Turtle. There are also a wide varietyof pubs that serve quirky beer and delectable food.

5) Is Oxford full of public school pupils?Oxford’s aim is to attract and educate the brightest youngminds in the world. Although Oxford has a reputation foraccepting lots of public school pupils, the reality is that itdoes not matter where you come from, what school youwent to or if you have a particularly impressive lineage.What the university is looking for is intelligence, a thirstfor knowledge and the desire to learn and if you thinkthat you have those attributes then Oxford could be theplace for you.

6) Are Oxford interviews terrifying?Oxford interviews are designed totest you and when faced withOxford tutors for the firsttime it can seem a littledaunting! However thetutors do not wish toscare you; they simplywant to get to know a bitmore about you and theway that you think. Try andrelax and you’ll be fine.

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www.bnc.ox.ac.ukhttp://jcr.bnc.ox.ac.uk

Photography by Keith Barnes, www.photographersworkshop.com.

Additional photography byMolyneux Associates, Doug Vernimmen,

Jing Ouyang, Mary Tetlow, Liam Cattell and other Brasenose students.

Designed by GD Associates – 2011.