Societies, sport, music and more

There's more to life at Oxford than your studies – much more. Christ Church offers a wide array of clubs, societies and activities to cater to every student's passions and interests, as well as giving students a chance to relax and form new friendships.

Junior Common Room (JCR)

The JCR coordinates social events and generally looks after the well-being of undergraduates. The common room is furnished with table tennis and pool tables, and next door there is a widescreen TV with satellite channels and a DVD player. A number of subject-specific societies arrange dinners, speakers, and discussions. Discos are held regularly, and other events include band nights (to which you can bring your own band!), quiz nights, trips out, and activities that raise money for charity. Students have access to two bars that serve draught beers, wines and soft drinks.

The JCR has a dedicated Arts Rep, so there’s always something arty going on in Christ Church. The Arts Rep organizes regular free film nights in the JCR (complete with popcorn and snacks) and is responsible for the JCR Picture Lending Scheme – this means that for a returnable deposit of £20, anyone in college can borrow a picture for the academic year.

Sport

The Christ Church sports ground is among the best in the University with excellent pitches and a friendly bar. It is a short distance from the College on Iffley Road, and members can now reach it via a shortcut as there is a bridge over the Cherwell from Christ Church Meadow. Members have access to two football pitches, two rugby pitches, a cricket pitch and new artificial cricket nets, grass tennis courts, and all year round there is a floodlit artificial fast tennis court and a Multi-User Games Area (MUGA; tennis, five aside football, netball, basketball, hockey).

Christ Church also has two excellent Squash courts inside St Aldates Quad.

Christ Church students currently enjoy free membership of the University’s Iffley Road Pulse Gym and Rosenblatt Swimming Pool.

Christ Church Boat Club is famous for its achievements in intercollegiate rowing competitions. Students looking for a more leisurely river outing have access to four punts and a rowing boat.

Everyone is welcome to participate at a level that suits his or her abilities. There are various intercollegiate competitions, but it is possible to get involved even if you are more enthusiastic and willing than highly skilled or experienced.

Music and choirs

Music plays a large part in the life of the College and is enjoyed on many different levels. In addition to the internationally renowned Cathedral Choir, there's also a more relaxed College Choir, which is open to all.

Concerts are given regularly in the Cathedral by a wide variety of performers from within the College and beyond, ranging from small chamber groups to full orchestras. The Music Society organises an extremely successful annual Music Festival.

Those with more contemporary interests are invited to showcase their talents at the termly 'open mic' night. There's also a Music Room that all undergraduates are able to use. It's equipped with one of the College’s fine Steinway grand pianos.

Student societies

Our student societies cater for all sorts of interests, from chess to snowboarding! As well as our flourishing music community and sports clubs, we have a Drama Society that puts on regular productions and subject societies that organise talks in college. Some specific college societies are listed here:

Christ Church Music Society
Christ Church College Choir
Christ Church Boat Club
Halford MacKinder Society (the Christ Church Geography Society)
Mansfield Society (the Christ Church Law Society)
S.R. Gardiner History Society (the Christ Church History Society)
Christ Church Chess Club
Christ Church Christian Union

In addition to the extra-curricular opportunities available at Christ Church, all students are eligible to join any of the more than 300 University societies.

Alternative prospectus

You can learn more about student societies and life at Christ Church in our student-written alternative prospectus.