The Open Days team

Open Days for prospective applicants

“…an inclusive community with the perfect balance of fun and academia.”

Welcome to Merton! We hope you’ll find plenty of information on the college and university websites about studying and living here. At our Open Days, which are held in June/July and September each year, you can join us to get a feel for the College, ask any questions you may have, and to meet our tutors and current undergraduate students.

Programme & Timetable

Upcoming Open days: 

June 26th 2024

June 27th 2024

September 20th 2024

We will be running an informal programme of events throughout the day, with current students on hand to speak to you and provide college tours.

A talk on 'Life at Merton' will be held by the Tutor for Admissions.

Meetings with our subject tutors and mock interviews will also be available.

Refreshments (free of charge) and general information will be available all day.

“I felt very welcomed from the moment I arrived until I left. I will definitely be applying to Merton.”

Example timetable:

Event
General information, college tours and free refreshments.
Guided tours of the College with current undergraduates.
'Life at Merton' talk with the Tutor for Admissions.
‘Student Life’ display, showcasing Merton’s many clubs and societies. 
Free sandwich lunch available.
Group meetings with Subject Tutors for prospective applicants.
Talk and Q&A for parents, carers and teachers with the Tutor for Admissions.

Mock interviews with a Tutor and current student:

Sciences (Mathematics)

This mock interview would be relevant for a number of science subjects, particularly those with mathematical components.

Humanities/Social Sciences (Modern Languages/Literature)

This mock interview will be literature based and conducted in English so would be relevant for a wide range of humanities/social science subjects.

Close.

 

At Why Merton you can watch our ‘Everything you ever wanted to know about Merton’ video, and find Merton’s Alternative Prospectus (written by our students).

If you have any questions about the college or applying here then please don’t hesitate to get in touch by emailing: undergraduate.admissions@merton.ox.ac.uk.

Merton College Open Day Video
Accommodation

Booking for the September Open Day is now closed.

Overnight accommodation is only available:

  • to those travelling from outside a 70-mile radius of Oxford;
  • to prospective students - we cannot provide accommodation for parents/guardians/friends;
  • for the night before the Open Day you are attending;
  • to those who also book to attend a subject meeting.

We can also offer you an evening meal if you arrive by 18:00, and breakfast the following morning. There is no charge for accommodation and meals. School groups may book a maximum of five students in for overnight accommodation, along with one accompanying member of staff.

Open day travel funding

We have some funding available to assist prospective applicants who would otherwise be unable to attend an Oxford Open Day. Please contact the Admissions Officer at undergraduate.admissions@merton.ox.ac.uk if you are in need of financial support for travel expenses.

To be eligible you must be a UK resident who attends or has attended a UK school or college, and who would find it difficult to pay for travel to visit Oxford for an Open Day. We can only provide support for travel which is within the UK and by public transport, and can only reimburse expenses into a UK bank account.

Please note that you must also book and attend one of our subject tutor meetings. Costs, up to the amount agreed in advance, will be reimbursed after attendance at the Open Day.

For further information about travelling to Oxford please see below.

Travelling to Merton

Information for those travelling to Oxford by car or public transport is available on the University website:

Please also see the University’s travel advice for open days. If travelling by car Redbridge Park & Ride is the best option to use, but coaches may drop off in St Aldates, between Thames Street and Speedwell Street, or on St Giles.

We look forward to seeing you at a forthcoming Open Day!

External organisations

Please be aware: During your visit to Oxford you may see organisations handing out leaflets in the street, claiming to offer advice on the application process. Please be warned that these businesses are not affiliated with the University of Oxford, and they may charge for their services. We encourage you to take advantage of the many free opportunities that the University is offering to find out more.

Visiting Merton outside of Open Days

“Lovely college, beautiful grounds, friendly people, academically superb.”

Open Days are the ideal opportunity to visit Oxford and gain a comprehensive insight into life here, however, if you are not able to visit on these dates: Individuals who are considering applying to Merton are very welcome to look around the College outside of Open Days, on a self-guided visit, between 9:00am and 5:30pm, Monday to Sunday. Please make yourself known to the Lodge Porters on arrival, indicating that you are a prospective applicant. If the reason you cannot attend an Open Day is that you will be travelling to Oxford from overseas and are therefore restricted by travel arrangements, please contact the Schools Liaison and Access Officer to make an appointment. If you require special arrangements (e.g. for accessibility) please also contact us in advance.