Information on Fees and Finances changes frequently. The information given below is given as a rough guide, and confirmation of exact figures should be sought from the University and the College.
How much will it cost?
1. Fees
Graduate students at Oxford normally have to pay tuition fees both to the University and to the College.
Information about the University Composition Fees can be found here.
It must be remembered that fees differ for each course and for up to date information it is best to contact the relevant department directly.
Some information about College fees can be found here, but to find out the actual figures you will need to contact the Bursar or his Secretary (see the Who’s Who page for further contact details).
2. Accommodation and catering charges
Information on College accommodation and catering charges can be found on this page, although (at the time of writing) this is currently a bit out of date.
Room rents in 2007-2008 were as follows:
A £120 per week
B £116 per week
C £100 per week
D £ 90 per week
Utility bills are payable on top of this, at a rate of approximately £50 per term (bills are averaged across the whole College population; you do not pay directly for the utilities you use). Normal cleaning of the rooms and communal areas is included in the rent.
Generally, MCR members living in college are offered residence on the basis of the “Out-of-College” plan (as opposed to the “In-College” plan offered to most undergraduates). This means that the college stipulates a residence period of 37 weeks (i.e. from the beginning of Michaelmas Term to the end of Trinity Term) and expects you to pay rent for this period. You can also extend your residence over the summer if you wish to do so. Additionally as part of the “Out-of-College” plan, you are charged for twelve meals in Hall per term, whether or not you actually eat them (this charge applies to all College members whether or not they actually live in College accommodation).
College bills at Oxford are known as ‘battels’. All of your expenses at Lincoln are charged to your battels account. Your first battels bill will appear shortly after your arrival (usually via email to your Oxford account), and it will cover your first term’s rent, the twelve obligatory dinners, as well as a charitable donation collected by the JCR. Battels bills in subsequent terms will include utilities, incidental charges for telephone usage, charges for MCR special events, and catering services. Delaying payment will result in fines, so if you cannot pay immediately, please speak with the Bursar as soon as possible to make his office aware of your financial situation. You can also check your battels online.
3. Cost of living
Oxford is a relatively expensive place to live. Approximate prices for going out would be:
Pint of beer at a pub £3
Meal at a pub £6-9
Meal at a restaurant £7-15
Cinema £6
Nightclub entry £2-6
If you’re strapped for cash, you can save a lot of money by going to Deep Hall rather than to pubs, and by eating in Hall or cooking with friends rather than going out.
This page, from Oxford University’s Student Funding and International Office has some further information on the cost of living in Oxford (primarily aimed at international students, but it may be helpful for UK students too).
Where can I get more money?
The sources of funding available to you will of course vary hugely depending on your individual circumstances, and we certainly do not aim to give a comprehensive guide to funding. Here are just a few extra suggestions:
Lincoln College offers a number of awards and prizes, available to both undergraduates and graduates. Details of these can be found here.
Information on (and application forms for) the Graduate Research Fund and the Graduates’ Book Grant Scheme are available on the Useful Documents page of this site.
OUSU (Oxford University Students’ Union) lists some further suggestions for those needing a bit of extra cash, including info on disability support, childcare support and hardship support. OUSU can also provide independent advice for those who may be experiencing financial difficulties or just require some advice.
Oxford’s International Office also provides a funding search tool, which you may find useful.
Other useful info
Although aimed mostly at undergraduates, the Lincoln College guide toHow to Manage Your Finances may prove useful to some.
If you are an international student, you may find this Guide to Opening a Bank Account in Oxford (copied from the University’s International Office) helpful. Further information specific to international students can be found on the International Students page.
Finally, if you’re short of cash (or even if you’re not) check outwww.moneysavingexpert.com, a UK site devoted to making your money go further without much extra effort. It has a couple of sections specific to students (e.g. finding the best student bank account, and how to manage your debts as a student), but a lot of the tips are useful whether you’re a student or not. Definitely worth a look.