Nuffield College
New Road, Oxford, OX1 1NF, GB
Rating: 4.4 ★ (30 ratings)
Details
Located on New Road, Nuffield College was founded in 1937 through the generosity of Lord Nuffield, the industrialist and founder of Morris Motors. This graduate college, specialising in the social sciences, particularly economics, politics, and sociology, holds the distinction of being Oxford's first college to admit both men and women from its inception and the first to be exclusively for postgraduate students. Construction, delayed by World War II, commenced in 1949 and concluded in 1960. The architect, Austen Harrison, initially proposed a Mediterranean-influenced design, which Lord Nuffield famously rejected as "un-English," leading to the current Cotswold-inspired architecture. The college buildings are arranged around two quadrangles and include a distinctive tower that was the first to be built in Oxford for 200 years.
The college's tower, a modernist spire that houses the library, is a notable landmark for those approaching Oxford from the west and stands at approximately 150 feet. While some have criticised its "un-English" elements or described it as a "hodge-podge," others, like architectural historian Sir Nikolaus Pevsner, believed the tower contributed positively to the Oxford skyline. Nuffield College is one of Oxford's smallest colleges, fostering a close-knit academic community with around 90 students and 60 academic fellows. Interestingly, it was the wealthiest educational institution per student in the world in 2013 due to its small intake and significant endowment. The college is generally open to visitors on weekdays, free of charge for small groups, though it's worth noting that as of February 2024, the college was temporarily closed for major ground floor works to improve accessibility, with an anticipated reopening to visitors in September 2024.
Location
Opening Hours
Monday: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM; Tuesday: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM; Wednesday: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM; Thursday: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM; Friday: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM; Saturday: Closed; Sunday: Closed
Contact
+44 1865 278500
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