Accommodation

The College aims to provide accommodation to as many first-year students as possible, whether they’re single graduates or those have partners and/or families. However, please note that accommodation is limited and demand exceeds supply, so unfortunately we cannot guarantee to fulfil every application.

It is recommended that you apply for accommodation as soon as possible, even if you are awaiting funding confirmation. If, at a later stage, you find that you are unable to obtain the necessary funding, you can let the Accommodation Office know and your application can be withdrawn.

We will notify you of the outcome of your application as soon as we can. Most students who apply early should hear from May onwards. All students who are not offered accommodation at this point will be kept on a waiting list. This process will continue throughout the summer until all accommodation has been allocated. If you are unsuccessful in obtaining Wolfson accommodation, we will contact you with alternative ways to look for accommodation.

• First-year students can apply for accommodation from 1 October to 14 September depending on availability.
• Some accommodation is only available to 30 June each year. Every effort is made to find alternative accommodation for those who need it, but this cannot be guaranteed.
• If you are on a 2 or 3 year course, you can apply in the Accommodation Ballot which is held in January/February each year.

For more information on the order of priority for the allocation of accommodation, click here.

Information for the annual Accommodation Ballot will be emailed to all eligible Members during January each year. Current Graduate Students, Junior Research Fellows and Research Fellows are entitled to enter the ballot.

• Priority is given to applicants who wish to be allocated accommodation for the entire year.
• In exceptional circumstances the College allows members a higher priority in the ballot system. Click here for further information on the Order of Priority. If you feel you qualify for exceptional circumstances, please highlight this on your application form and we will try to accommodate you.
• If you are currently on a one year course, you are not eligible for the Ballot and should apply for a Summer Extension.
• If your current course is ending and you plan to commence a new course in the next academic year, you are not eligible for the Ballot and should instead apply for accommodation via the links sent with your course offer.
• Once the Ballot entry period has closed, accommodation is allocated in order of the number of months previously spent living in College accommodation (from lowest to highest). Unsuccessful applicants will automatically form a waitlist and be contacted in order should any rooms become available afterwards.

The majority of current residents in College accommodation are allocated accommodation until 30th June or 14th September. (Tenancies for single en-suite accommodation in B Block, the Catherine Marriott Building and M Block accommodation finish on 30th June).

If you are a current resident and would like to stay during the Summer, beyond the end of your tenancy, please apply for a Summer Extension. NB do not apply through the ballot process; this is for accommodation from September/October only.

We cannot always guarantee accommodation for the entire summer. The link for Summer Extension Applications will be circulated in January to all eligible residents, and you will hear an outcome before March.

If you originally planned to move out earlier than 30th June or 31st July but now wish to stay longer, please contact the Accommodation Office promptly on accommodation.office@wolfson.ox.ac.uk

If you wish to vacate your accommodation before the date stated on your agreement, you must give two calendar months’ notice in writing via email to the Accommodation Office.  Your original agreement will stand for ballot purposes.

All residents who live on site are required to rent a garage space. Those who live in surrounding properties can park on the grounds but must display the relevant permit.

All keys are available from the Lodge Porter from 12 noon on your arrival date.

You will receive an accommodation license electronically before you arrive. Please make sure you sign your license before you attempt to collect your key.

All rooms must be vacated by 12 noon on the date shown on your license.

Fire Safety

All residents should log in to the University’s training site here to familiarise themselves with the Fire Safety Regulations.

We expect you to follow our fire safety rules, which include:

• Evacuating the building and heading for the nearest fire assembly point during a fire alarm activation
• Ensuring you keep your kitchen door closed when cooking
• Not using candles within your accommodation
• Not tampering with any of the portable firefighting appliances

Details about the College’s fire safety expectations and rules can be found here, and a map of the fire assembly points around site here.

Please note that fire alarms are tested every Monday from 10am. If your alarm sounds for more than 15 seconds during this period, please vacate the building and head to your nearest assembly point to await further instruction.