St Antony's College

St Antony's is Oxford's most international college, specialising in area studies across every major world region — from Russia and Eastern Europe to the Middle East, Latin America, East Asia, and Africa. Founded in 1953 with a gift from the French-Aden merchant Antonin Besse, it operates more like a think tank than a traditional college. The Middle East Centre, the Russian and Eurasian Studies Centre, and the Latin American Centre are all housed here, and the public seminars draw notable speakers — if international politics is your thing, check the termcard.

Architecturally, though, there's nothing to see. The college occupies a collection of Victorian houses and modern buildings on Woodstock Road in North Oxford, with none of the quad-and-chapel structure that makes other colleges visually interesting. The Investcorp Building (2015), designed by Zaha Hadid for the Middle East Centre, is architecturally notable — a gleaming, fluid-form structure that's the only Hadid building in Oxford — but it's not generally open to casual visitors.

What makes it special

St Antony's punches well above its weight in international affairs and area studies. The Hadid building is a notable piece of contemporary architecture, and the college's seminar series attracts leading figures in global politics and diplomacy. But these are reasons for academics and policy wonks, not tourists. If you're attending a seminar or lecture here, you'll find a cosmopolitan, intellectually stimulating environment. Otherwise, keep walking.

Visitor info

St Antony's is on Woodstock Road, about 15 minutes' walk from the city centre. The Investcorp Building is visible from the road and worth a look from outside for Hadid fans. The college doesn't have regular visitor hours. Check the college website for public lectures and seminars — these are the real reason to come here, and many are open to all.