Despite its misleading name, New College is one of Oxford's oldest and grandest institutions.

Ideas & Philosophy · Published 3 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Founded in 1379 by the Bishop of Winchester, New College was designed to be as large as all existing Oxford colleges combined. It pioneered the quadrangle layout and served as a model for royal foundations, while its long-standing choir continues a musical tradition that dates back over six centuries.

William of Wykeham, Bishop of Winchester, established the institution in 1379 to provide prayers for his soul and educate scholars. The site, formerly a dangerous city ditch used for burials during the Black Death, was transformed into a massive architectural statement. By 1386, the college was occupied, featuring a design by master mason William Wynford that included a chapel, dining hall, and cloisters. Its name, which seems ironic today, was chosen simply because an existing institution, Oriel College, was already dedicated to St Mary.

The college was a pioneer in academic and architectural structure. It was the first in Oxford to be built around a main quadrangle and one of the earliest to actively tutor undergraduates. For centuries, it operated as an all-male institution, only admitting its first cohort of women in 1979. Its historical influence was significant enough that King Henry VI reportedly sought to emulate or surpass Wykeham’s dual-institution model when he founded King’s College, Cambridge, and Eton College.

Today, the college balances deep history with modern environmental and social initiatives. While it preserves medieval treasures like 14th-century misericords and the Founder’s Crosier, recent developments like the Gradel Quadrangles feature animal carvings symbolizing endangered species, marking a shift from colonial-era symbolism to contemporary ecological awareness. The college also maintains an active outreach program, including the Step-Up initiative and the Oxford Cymru consortium, aimed at supporting students from state schools in Wales and across England.

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