Your First Week
Arrival times, Freshers Week timetables, and admissions ceremonies.
New graduate students are asked to arrive at Merton on Friday 3rd October 2025 by 5:00pm. If your department requires you to be in Oxford earlier than this, please contact the Accommodation Office as soon as possible for further details and to arrange an arrival date.
International students - please read the separate page for international students for more information about arrivals.
If you're travelling to Merton by car, it is best to enter the High Street from the east, turning left into Rose Lane. Please be aware that the Botley Road, the major route into Oxford from the west, will still be closed in October.
- Oxford Park & Ride - information from Oxfordshire County Council
- Car parking in the city centre - information from Oxford City Council
If you are living in Merton accommodation this year, go to Holywell Lodge (7 Holywell St, OX1 3SA) to introduce yourself to the porters and collect your keys. If you're living in couples accommodation, go to Merton College (Merton St, OX1 4JD) for your key. You'll then have the opportunity to join an orientation tour and complete your University enrolment in the Academic Office. More details on Merton’s location and where to collect your room key can be found in the MCR First Days Checklist and Freshers' Guide.
Please take a look at the Freshers' Timetable: this combines induction meetings with social and welfare events and activities. Some of the events are compulsory, and these are clearly marked on the timetable. Whilst we have done all that we can to avoid timetabling clashes, you may find that two or more events overlap or are scheduled at the same time. It goes without saying that the academic activities and meetings should be prioritised over the (optional) social ones.
The MCR Freshers' Guide and First Days Checklist will let you know what to expect in your first week at Merton. You may also find this map of the main College site helpful.
The College Admission Ceremony is held at 6:30pm on Monday 13th October in the Chapel, and marks your formal admission to the College. It will be followed by the Admissions Dinner on the same evening.
The Admissions Dinner is a (free) celebratory meal. All freshers and those classified as 'readmissions' (i.e. those who were undergraduates at Merton) are automatically signed up for the meal. If you are unexpectedly unable to attend the meal (e.g. because of illness), please notify the Graduate Officer as soon as you can in Freshers' Week.
Remember to complete the Food Allergies Form by 18th September 2025.
The University Matriculation Ceremony takes place on Saturday 18th October. Matriculation is the technical term for your official admittance to the College and University.
You will need a gown for formal events, although most students wait until arriving to buy one. There are a number of stockists of academic gowns in Oxford, including:
