+ Freshers' FAQs

+ What is the "MCR"?

MCR stands for Middle Common Room and refers to the graduate community at our college - the DPhils, Masters, Post-Docs etc. of which there are around 150 members. We have an MCR Committee to represent us at the College governance level. But the term MCR can also refer to the MCR Common Room - people will abbreviate it to “meet in the MCR?”. The Common Room is on the first floor of Kettel Hall (Staircase 2) on the main-site, and has coffee/tea/hot drink-making facilities, wine, port and beer glasses, sofas and tables, as well as a TV, projector and gaming console.

+ What should I bring with me when I come up to Oxford?

In your room there’ll be a desk/desk-chair/desk-lamp, a wardrobe, shelving, a bin, and a bed with a mattress/sheets/duvet/pillow provided. You may want to bring your own duvet/pillow covers to personalise your bed, and personal belongings/books/photos to put on shelves and the corkboard if there’s one in your room. Some rooms come with extra furniture such as a coffee table, or a chest-of-drawers, or mini-fridge.

In terms of clothing: Michaelmas term starts off quite pleasant, warm and autumnal, but quickly turns rainy and cold. In short, bring a little bit of everything (plus formal wear for events), and definitely bring a warm, waterproof coat! A gown can be bought when you arrive at Oxford (see later question).

There’s a laundry room in every college-owned property and on-site, with washing machines, tumble dryers, and irons/ironing boards, though you’ll need to supply your own detergent.

Electronics-wise, bringing a laptop/PC is recommended (there’s WiFi across Oxford and in every room). As Trinity has free printing, there’s no real benefit to bringing a printer unless you want to print from the comfort of your own room. Extension cables are useful as sockets in your room can be in awkward places or sparse. You may want to bring an extra lamp. Toasters, rice-cookers, waffle irons etc. aren’t allowed to be used in student rooms, but you can store them there and use them in the kitchen.

Inside each kitchen there’ll be a kettle, toaster, microwave, oven, fridge, freezer, sink and usually a cupboard or locker you can claim as your own. Although there may be some communal crockery/cutlery/utensils scattered around, it’s worth bringing the basics with you, as well as some basic cooking supplies like oil, rice etc.

Everything in Oxford is walking distance, but a bicycle can be useful for getting around if you live off-site or need to use further-away places such as the University sports facilities in Cowley often. Don’t forget bike-lights, a good bike lock, and a helmet! The porters have a bike pump and spanners etc. if you need to fix your bike while here. There’s outdoor bike racks on-site and at off-site properties.

+ How do I get to Trinity by train/bus/car? Is there parking?

There are bus links to Oxford from Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted and Luton if arriving by plane, as well as train links from London Paddington and London Marylebone. Buses will arrive at Gloucester Green bus station, which is a 5min walk to College (or a 2 min taxi). The train station is a little further away, a 15min walk to college, but as you’ll likely be carrying luggage a bus or taxi is advisable. Train timetables can be found here, and Oxford bus timetables here.

Once you have arrived at Trinity, go to the Porters Lodge and let them know who you are. Ask them for your room keys and bodcard, and they will direct you to your room, or tell you where it is if it’s off-site. Off-site properties are another 15min walk away, so a taxi or bus if carrying luggage is advisable.

If you’re arriving by car and will live on-site, the porters will open the main gates for you to park in College while you’re unloading your belongings (ring the porters when your car is just outside the gates and ask them to do so). There are trolley carts scattered around which are for this use. If you’re going to be living off-site, there’s parking at the off-site properties.

+ What will my postal address be?

As a Trinity student, you can send your post directly to Trinity College, Broad Street, Oxford, OX1 3BH. If it’s a letter or parcel small enough to fit in your pigeon hole (‘pidge’), it will go in there but you won’t be notified. If you’ve ordered a parcel bigger than your pidge, the porters will email you to let you know it’s arrived and to collect it. If you live off-site and want your post delivered directly there, the off-site property addresses are listed on the Accommodation page.

+ What is a Battels account?

Battels are your invoces from College that include all payments due. They are usually sent to all students in the first week of each term and require immediate payment.

+ How can I get access to one of the on-site MCR kitchen lockers?

Coming soon

+ How do I connect to the College WiFi?

Coming soon

+ Does Trinity have a gym?

Yes, Trinity has a gym on-site and an ergo gym in The Nunnery offiste.

+ What is a porter and what do they do?

The better question is what don't they do. As the 'gate-keepers' of the college they are the friendly face of the college to the outside world. They collect your mail and alert you when parcels have arrived. They are also the best people to call whenever you are in a difficult situation or are unsure of who else to call; they can re-route your call and help you find the help you need.

+ Can I bring a musical instrument, what are the rules about playing it?

If you can fit it in your suitcase, you can bring it. There are pianos in the chapel and Britton room for which you can borrow the key. There are college rooms available for you to book should you want to practice an instrument without disturbing your neighbours.

+ What kind of dress is typical at College events?

Coming soon

+ What is sub fusc? When would I have to wear it, and where do I buy it?

Sub fusc is traditional academic dress that is worn to most formal University and College events. There is a particular style for graduate students and is best purchased at Walters of Oxford or Shepherd & Woodward.

+ Does Trinity have any College pets?

Coming soon

+ When do I have to wear a gown in Hall?

Gowns are never required for any regular breakfast or lunch in Hall. In the evenings, there are informal self-serve dinners on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, and formal dinners where gowns are to be worn on Mondays, Wednesdays and Sundays (regular formal, gown over casual clothes) and Fridays for Guest Nights (black tie with gown).

+ Where can I get more information?

More information can be found in the College Handbook on Trinity's Sharepoint site (access to the file requires Oxford SSO login). You can also email a committee member, or ask in the MCR Facebook group, or @ us on Twitter.

+ Current Members' FAQs

+ What times are breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner and formals served, and when is the Beer Cellar (bar) open?

All serving/opening times can be found on the Food & Drink page.

+ Where can I top up my card to pay for food in Hall?

Your bodcard can be topped up online (via the EPOS website), in the Beer Cellar (with cash or card - see opening times here), or in the Bursary (in Staircase 10, opposite the quad from Hall) using card/cash/cheque from 9:15am-2pm on weekdays.

+ Where can I book meals and view upcoming Formal menus?

The EPOS website is where you book meals and access menus for the term. Meals can be booked up to two weeks in advance, and sign-up closes at midday on the day for regular formals, or midday Thursday for Guest Night dinners. Logging in to EPOS requires the seven-digit number on your bodcard.

+ How do I book a punt/tennis court/dinghy/croquet set?

Information about booking these activities can be found on the Activity Booking page.

+ How do I book music rooms? Can I play on the Chapel piano/organ?

Coming soon

+ Can my partner be an MCR member? Can I be a member as an alumnus, post-doc or JRF?

All of the above can apply for “social” membership of the MCR, which allows the social member to attend all MCR events (and can bring a guest), and use all MCR common rooms and kitchens. Social members cannot run for MCR committee positions. Social membership costs £50 annually.

+ How do I report maintenance issues?

Faults and maintenance requests (e.g. problems of any kind with accommodation) can be emailed to maintenance@trinity.ox.ac.uk. However if the fault involves serious property damage or poses any risk to people then you should tell the Porters Lodge, who will call out the on-call maintenance worker.

+ Who can I go to for welfare support?

At Trinity there is a wide range of welfare support available. More information on points of contact and welfare resources can be found here.

+ How do I book a room in College for an event?

Coming soon

+ Is it customary to give your scout a gift at Christmas?

Coming soon

+ Are there college grants available?

Coming soon

+ Where is the Trinity Gym, what equipment is in it, and what are its opening times?

Coming soon

+ COVID-19 FAQs

+ Where can I find up-to-date information about COVID-19 at Trinity/Oxford?

Please check Trinity’s official COVID-19 webpage for the most up-to-date information regarding COVID-19 for current MCR members. The University of Oxford’s own COVID-19 webpage is also relevant for all students, including information on grants and travel.