Accommodation

Queen’s can offer College accommodation to all undergraduates for the duration of their course. This means that your Accommodation Licence allows for occupancy just during the terms, when you are required to be resident in Oxford, and you are only charged for these periods. For most students this is about half the year. Generally, this ends up costing much less than it would cost to pay a 12-month lease in privately rented accommodation. However, for some students there are advantages to living out, especially if they wish to remain in Oxford over the vacations. The information below is all correct for the academic year 2023-24.

Incoming undergraduates are automatically allocated a room; you do not need to do anything to apply for accommodation.

We charge everyone the same for all of our standard college rooms: £1,583 per term. All rooms are equipped with a bed, a desk, a desk chair and a wardrobe. There may also be additional storage space or furniture. 

undergraduate bedroom with student seated at her desk

Where will I be housed?

All first-year undergraduates will be housed in main College. Rooms in Carrodus Quad are en suite, as are most rooms in Back Quad. Front Quad rooms and rooms in other parts of the main site have shared bathrooms. Every room in main College has a mini fridge. 

In subsequent years, you will be housed in one of the College annexes, located around the city. These include St Aldates House (10 minutes’ walk from main College), the Cardo Building (12 minutes’ walk) and the James Street Building (15 minutes’ walk). Students in their 2nd, 3rd and 4th years are welcome to choose to ‘live out’ of College if they prefer. 

There is a Kitchen Fixed Charge which is paid termly by all students and contributes towards the College kitchen running costs, and allows us to offer meals at lower prices. This is paid by students living in as part of their accommodation charges, and is a separate charge for those who live out. Kitchen fixed charges for students living out per term, are £39.81 (for 2023 – 2024).

Carrodus Quad exterior

Reducing costs: sharing and small rooms

We do not force any students to share rooms or sets. However, some students may choose to do so, within certain regulations. Doing this will reduce the termly charge to £1,244. We also have a few smaller rooms that we offer to those who want to reduce their charge. They are offered at a cost of £1,312. Please note, this option is only available to students who have completed their first year.

Rules and code of practice

Smoking, e-cigarettes and vaping are not permitted inside any of the buildings, accommodation, cloisters or gardens. Car parking is not permitted for students at any of the College sites. You can find College rules and further information here.

The Universities UK approved code of practice for student accommodation sets out basic standards for student accommodation in Higher Educations Institutions, including the Oxford colleges. The code protects your rights to a safe, good quality place to live. You can find out more information in the Accommodation Code of Practice on the Universities UK website.

Food

Queen’s is a fully catered College, which means that most students come to our meals on a regular basis, turning them into very social occasions! Hall meals are subsidised by the College, offered at cost, and provide healthy and varied menus, including vegetarian and vegan options.  We provide catering as the basis for all students’ meal provision and student kitchens are available for some, but not all, in College accommodation. Queen’s is one of the few colleges in Oxford to attain Fairtrade accreditation.

Breakfast and lunch

Breakfast is served in the main Hall. Both breakfast and lunch are offered on a “pay-as-you-eat” basis with you helping yourself to what you would like in the Servery, and then being charged per item. We always offer a wide range of food and cater for special dietary requirements.

JCR Tea

Fancy a break at 4pm? Every weekday during term-time the students put on their own JCR Tea, with tea, toast, snacks etc. being offered for mere pennies in the Common Room. A popular choice for those who need a social break!

students in the JCR

Dinner

Students book on to our two-course dinner online, for which there is a fixed charge.

We also provide meals at weekends, with the three-course Saturday Formal Dinner being very popular with our students and their guests.

The prices below are for 2023-2024:

Hall dinner£5.67
Average breakfast£2.84 (e.g. croissant and coffee or full English)
Average lunch£3.28 (e.g. soup and roll or cooked option with dessert)

Dining Hall from above

Provision of Halal

The College can provide halal meals for all bookable meals and feasts/formal dinners. Any student wishing to discuss the details of the provision for them should consult the kitchen by email.

Ramadan

For our students observing Ramadan, you can collect a meal to reheat in the JCR microwave once you have opened your fast. The College kitchen offers a takeaway service Monday-Friday so please sign-on for the takeaway option using the meal booking system: https://www.queens.ox.ac.uk/student-meals-and-payments-system.

You can also request a breakfast pack to be collected at takeaway time the night before; please email kitchen@queens.ox.ac.uk to let them know which dates you’d like one. 

Queen’s now