A group of students

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 2025

Welcome to Merton College! We’ll be running an informal programme of events throughout each day, with current undergraduates on hand to speak with you and provide College tours. Meetings with our subject tutors are at 13:15-14:00 and we’ll be holding mock interviews at 14:15-14:45.

Programme of Events

TimeEventVenue
09:30-17:00General information, college tours with undergraduates, and free refreshments.Front Quad
10:00-10:30‘Life at Merton’ talk with the Tutor for Admissions.TS Eliot Lecture Theatre
10:00-17:00‘Student Life’ display, showcasing Merton’s many clubs and societies.JCR (Junior Common Room)
12:00-14:00Free sandwich lunch available.Dining Hall
13:15-14:00Group meetings with Subject Tutors for prospective applicants.Meet in Front Quad at 13:00
13:15-14:00Talk and Q&A for parents, carers and teachers with the Tutor for Admissions.Meet in Front Quad at 13:00
14:15-14:45

Mock interviews with a Tutor and current student:

Sciences Mock Interview

Humanities/Social Sciences Mock Interview

Meet in Front Quad at 14:00
17:00Close 

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).

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

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

Accommodation

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.

Accommodation booking is now closed. 

Subject Meetings

Group meetings with Subject Tutors for prospective applicants. To book on to the relevant meeting please use this booking form.

Open day travel funding

We have some funding available to assist prospective applicants who would otherwise be unable to attend the Merton College Open Day at Oxford. 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 Merton College 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.

Merton College Open Day Video