Financial information

Course fees

All students (both new entrants and continuing students) are charged a combined course fee.

Course fees (for which Home/EU students can currently access a tuition fee loan from the UK government for the full amount) cover your teaching, and other academic services and facilities provided to support your studies. They do not cover your accommodation or other living costs (see Living costs below). For Islands and Overseas students you may have seen separate figures in the past for tuition fees and college fees; we have now combined these into a single figure.

US federal loans

The University of Oxford has produced a guide on applying for and managing a US federal loan as a new or continuing student.

Living costs

Your living costs will vary significantly dependent on your lifestyle. The University website provides lots of information and example costs to help you plan and budget.
 

Accommodation

We are fortunate to be able to offer accommodation for undergraduates for the full duration of their course (excluding second undergraduate degree students who are regarded as graduates for accommodation purposes).

Accommodation charges for 2022-23

  • £4,611 for a single room; or
  • £4,885 for an en suite room

This is charged in three equal instalments and must be paid by the Friday of 1st week of each term.

These sums cover residence (during each academic term only) and include a room cleaning service, web access and an electricity allowance of 1,000 units per term (after which, students are charged at the prevailing rate set out in the licence agreement – 8.4p per unit in 2018/19). Please contact the Admissions Officer at undergraduate.admissions@merton.ox.ac.uk if you require more detailed information.

Meals

Meals are paid for in advance either online (through the meal booking website) or through the Finance Bursary. Your University Card is also your meal card and is credited with £20 before you arrive at Merton, so that you may take meals in the first term immediately. This will be charged to your battels (college account) and is paid at the start of the first term with your other fees and charges.

Daily meal charges for 2022-23

  • Breakfast: £2.45
  • Lunch: £4.46
  • Dinner: £5.50

The College kitchen caters for vegetarians, vegans and anyone with special dietary requirements.

Other charges
  • All students are charged a Charities Levy (currently £10 per term) - this is charged in arrears and can be opted out of before it has been raised.
  • All undergraduates are charged a contribution to the Reach Scholarship (currently £3 per term) - this is charged in arrears and can be opted out of before it has been raised.
  • All graduates and fourth-year undergraduates are charged MCR Levies (currently £13 per term) - these are charged at the start of Michaelmas term; they can then be opted out of for subsequent terms.
Financial support from Merton

Merton College provides a range of financial support to its undergraduate students, in addition to University funds:
 

Merton College Prizes

Exhibitions – undergraduates placed in the First Class or who obtain a Distinction in the First Public Examination, or whose work is deemed to merit such acknowledgement, will be awarded a prize scholarship, normally an Exhibition worth £250 per year in the first instance.

Postmasterships – subsequent award of a Postmastership worth £450 per year may be made in recognition of sustained excellence, but not normally before the Trinity term in the second year of studies.

Exam prizes – are awarded to undergraduates who achieve First Class/Distinction results in examinations during their course. Prizes may also be awarded for distinguished work in other written examinations, including Collections (mock-exams). 

Undergraduate essay prize – for undergraduates in the Humanities and Social Sciences; students can submit one essay (which must have already been submitted for a tutorial in the academic year of the competition), with two prizes of £150 for the winning entries (one for first year students, the other for second, third, or fourth years).

A range of subject-specific prizes are awarded on the basis of academic merit.

Merton College Awards and Grants

Book Grants – undergraduates may apply for a grant of up to £100 per annum towards the cost of books and other materials (including e-books, e-readers, electronic materials, DVDs, software and sheet music) required for academic work.

Travel Grants – grants available by application to undergraduates travelling for educational benefit.

Music Awards – awards worth £450 per annum, as a contribution towards the cost of music and instrumental tuition for instrumentalists and singers who study at Merton.

Gerry Grimstone Travel Awards – grants for students to undertake travel, preferably abroad, in furtherance of a worthwhile purpose/project, which may (but need not) be academic in nature and/or directly linked with the subject being studied. Gerry Grimstone, Baron Grimstone of Boscobel since April 2020, read Chemistry at Merton (1968). In 2020, following a highly successful career in business, Lord Grimstone was appointed unpaid Minister for Investment jointly at the Department for International Trade and the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy. He benefited hugely from a Travel Scholarship during his time at Merton and has generously enabled others to have the benefit of a similar opportunity.

Research Grants – grants for any undergraduate to support costs incurred in researching for their final year thesis.

Vacation Study Grants - grants to undergraduates for study purposes during vacations; this may include the cost of College accommodation during the vacation for the taking of examinations or for other academic purposes.

Summer Projects Scheme - Merton operates two schemes for undergraduates undertaking additional research projects during the Long Vacation (Summer): under the first, eight weeks' free accommodation and college meals are provided for up to six undergraduates - normally those coming up to the end of their second or third year - to enable them to reside in Oxford whilst undertaking a specific programme of research; under the second scheme, two awards worth £800 each are available, to support two undergraduates in undertaking a project requiring at least 80 hours of research and writing up.

Language Courses - support is available from the College for those undertaking certain courses at the University’s Language Centre.

Other Grants – Merton makes a limited number of grants to undergraduates for worthy causes that are ineligible for other forms of College financial support.

Merton College Student Financial Support Fund

The College's Student Support Sub-Committee and the University’s Financial Assistance Scheme can make loans and grants to assist junior members in unforeseen financial need.

Stand Alone Pledge

Merton is committed to supporting the University’s Stand Alone Pledge to improve the student experience for undergraduates who study without family support.

UK Undergraduates who are estranged from their family or are care-experienced, can apply for financial assistance from the College and the University. Applications are assessed on a case-by-case basis according to circumstance and need.

Reports from previous grant and award holders