Mansfield College, Oxford facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Mansfield College
Blazon: Gules an open book inscribed DEUS LOCUTUS EST NOBIS IN FILIO in letters sable bound argent edged and clasped or between three cross crosslets or.
University	University of Oxford
Location	Mansfield Road
Coordinates	51°45′27″N 1°15′10″W / 51.757428°N 1.252876°W / 51.757428; -1.252876
Motto	Nullius boni sine socio iucunda possessio est
Motto in English	No good thing is worth having unless it is shared
Established	1838 as Spring Hill College 1886 as Mansfield College
Named for	George and Elizabeth Mansfield
Architect	Basil Champneys
Sister college	Homerton College, Cambridge
Principal	Helen Mountfield
Undergraduates	239 (2020-2021)
Postgraduates	173
Boat club	Boatclub
Map
Location in Oxford city centre

Mansfield College, Oxford is one of the colleges that make up the famous University of Oxford in Oxford, England. It started in Birmingham in 1838. Back then, it was a special college for students called Nonconformists. These were Protestants who didn't follow the official Church of England.

The college moved to Oxford in 1886. It was then renamed Mansfield College. This new name honored George Mansfield and his sister Elizabeth, who had supported the college. In 1995, it officially became a full college of the university. Mansfield College is located on Mansfield Road, right in the heart of Oxford.

As of 2018, about 231 undergraduate students study here. There are also 158 graduate students. Plus, 34 visiting students and 67 teachers and researchers are part of the college.

Helen Mountfield, a lawyer and legal expert, has been the head of the college since 2018.

College History

How Mansfield College Started

Mansfield College began in 1838. It was first known as Spring Hill College in Birmingham. George Storer Mansfield and his sisters, Sarah and Elizabeth, helped fund it. It was created for Nonconformist students. In the 1800s, students from different religions could attend universities. However, they couldn't get a degree unless they joined the Church of England.

Stained glass window in the college chapel showing Sir Henry Vane, Oliver Cromwell, and John Hampden.

In 1871, a new law changed things. The Universities Tests Act removed these religious rules. This meant Nonconformists could finally earn degrees at Oxford, Cambridge, and Durham. The Prime Minister at the time, William Ewart Gladstone, encouraged a Nonconformist college in Oxford.

Spring Hill College moved to Oxford in 1886. It became Mansfield College, named after its early supporters. The college's Victorian buildings were designed by Basil Champneys. They officially opened in October 1889.

Mansfield was the first Nonconformist college to open in Oxford. At first, only men could attend. The first woman, Constance Coltman, joined in 1913. She studied for an external degree.

During World War II, many staff from a secret code-breaking group worked at the college. They helped with British codes and ciphers.

Like many Oxford colleges, Mansfield started accepting both male and female students in 1979. Before that, women could not get Oxford degrees there.

In 1955, the college became a "permanent private hall" within Oxford University. Then, in 1995, it gained full college status.

Nonconformist Traditions

Over time, the college's Nonconformist roots have become less strong. However, some traditions remain. A painting of Oliver Cromwell hangs in a common room. Portraits of important Nonconformists from 1662 are in the library. These include Viscount Saye and Sele and John Hampden.

The college chapel is not officially blessed by a church. It has stained glass windows showing Nonconformist leaders. These include Cromwell, Sir Henry Vane, and William Penn. Chapel services still follow Nonconformist traditions.

College Buildings and Grounds

Exploring the Campus

Mansfield College is located on Mansfield Road. It is very close to the center of Oxford. The college grounds are near the University Parks and the River Cherwell. It even shares a wall with Wadham College.

Main Buildings

The main college building was designed by architect Basil Champneys. It was built between 1887 and 1889. This building holds the main college library. It also has libraries for law and theology. Students have common rooms here too. The main building surrounds three sides of a large, circular lawn.

The college also has other buildings. These are mostly used for student housing. They are located across from the main building.

Mansfield College is unusual because you don't enter through a porter's lodge. The college staff say this shows its open and welcoming spirit. Early plans for the college actually showed a traditional gatehouse. However, the college didn't have enough money to build it.

The newest building is called the Hands Building. It was designed by Rick Mather Architects. This building uses renewable energy sources. It has 74 bedrooms with their own bathrooms. It also has seminar rooms and a large auditorium. This auditorium can seat 160 people. It is used for lectures, movies, and performances.

Academic Success

The Norrington Table ranks Oxford colleges each year. It looks at how well students do in their degrees. In 2019, Mansfield ranked 5th out of 30 colleges. The university warns that these rankings can change a lot because of the small number of students. Mansfield's academic results are generally similar to most other colleges.

Student Life at Mansfield

Activities and Sports

The Mansfield College Boat Club is very popular. Many other student groups are active too. They often achieve great results, even against larger colleges. Many sports teams combine with Merton College to compete.

Like many Oxford colleges, Mansfield holds a special ball every three years. It's a big event for students.

Mansfield College also has regular formal dinners. These happen every Wednesday and Friday in the Chapel Hall.

Focus on Access and Support

Mansfield is known for helping students from all backgrounds. Over 90% of its students come from state schools. The college is recognized as a "University College of Sanctuary." This means it welcomes students seeking safety. It even offers a special scholarship for them.

College Grace

In 2011, Mansfield College started using two different graces before supper. One is religious, and one is not. This was done to include students of all faiths, or no faith.

Before 2011, the college used a Christian grace from 1953:

Omnipotens Deus, clementissime Pater, omnis boni fons, in donis tuis gaudentes nomen tuum magnificamus, per Jesum Christum Dominum nostrum. Translated: Almighty God, Father of mercies and fount of every good, in the enjoyment of thy gifts we bless thy name, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

People of Mansfield College

College Principals

• 1886 to 1909: Andrew Martin Fairbairn; the first head of Mansfield College
• 1909 to 1932: William Boothby Selbie
• 1932 to 1953: Nathaniel Micklem
• 1953 to 1970: John Marsh
• 1970 to 1977: George Bradford Caird
• 1977 to 1986: Donald Armstrong Sykes
• 1989 to 1996: Dennis John Trevelyan
• 1996 to 2002: David Marquand
• 2002 to 2011: Diana Walford
• 2011 to 2018: Helena Kennedy, Baroness Kennedy of The Shaws
• 2018 to date: Helen Mountfield

Notable Staff and Fellows

The famous theologian Albert Schweitzer was a special lecturer here. He often played the chapel organ. Dame Jocelyn Bell Burnell, a British astrophysicist who discovered radio pulsars, is a visiting professor.

Honorary fellows of the college include Jimmy Carter, a former US President. Also, Shami Chakrabarti, a human rights activist, and actress Dame Maggie Smith. US senator Hillary Clinton is also an honorary fellow.

Famous Alumni

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  Robert Merrihew Adams, a philosopher

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  Sir Chris Bryant, a Member of Parliament

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  Sir Philip Jones, former head of the Royal Navy

Many notable people have studied at Mansfield College, including:

• Robert Merrihew Adams, a philosopher
• Sir Chris Bryant, a politician
• Constance Coltman, one of the first women ordained as a Christian minister in Britain
• Adam Curtis, an award-winning filmmaker
• John Glen, a politician
• Guy Hands, a private equity investor
• Peter Hessler, an American writer and journalist
• Sir Philip Jones, a high-ranking Royal Navy officer
• Michael Pollan, an American author and journalist
• Justin Rowlatt, a TV journalist
• Adam von Trott, a member of the German resistance during World War II

Images for kids

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  Library, Interior

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  Old Hall, Interior

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  Old Hall, Ceiling

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  John Marsh Building

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  Present Time, a sculpture by Sir Anthony Gormley

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  Mansfield College Public Talk

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  Tower Building

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  Mansfield-Ruddock Art Exhibition

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  Aerial view of Mansfield College Quad (L-R: Principal’s Lodgings, JCR; Library, Tower Building, Old Hall, Chapel)

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  Mansfield College Quad

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  Spring Hill College, 1870

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  Spring Hill College, present day