Univ North Docuseries Episode Two
University College has released the second episode of the Univ North Docuseries, which moves on from exploring the vision behind Univ North to the complex task of construction. More…

Four buildings named at Univ North
The College is pleased to announce another important milestone relating to Univ North, the naming of a number of buildings within the development. More… 

Pergola in place at Univ North
The College’s Univ North development now includes a wooden pergola, constructed using green oak from the College’s own woodland in Linton-on-Ouse in Yorkshire. More…

Univ North Docuseries Episode One
The College has launched an original docuseries to showcase the work involved in the conception and evolution of the Univ North development. The first episode features personal perspectives from a number of key figures involved in the project including. More…

Univ North Trinity Term 2025 Update
It has been an incredibly busy and productive few months at Univ North, and the College is delighted to announce that the first three completed buildings have now been handed over to the College. More…

Orchard rejuvenation
Tom Bartlett, Head Gardener at Univ, provides an update on Sustainability and Biodiversity at the College’s Staverton Road annexe, where Univ North is taking shape. More…

Carbon, energy sustainability and wellbeing
A conversation between Dr Andrew Grant (1977, Chemistry), Project Director for Univ North, and Richard Todd, Head of Built Environment at Bidwells. More…

Univ North and the Next Generation
Univ’s Mulberry Lawn at the Univ North site provided a huge welcome for almost 100 pre-school children this July, with a special interactive zone just around the corner from which the site could be viewed safely by the children. More…

Meet the Builder
Our Univ North construction contractors, SDC , held a recent Meet the Builder event for local neighbours to come and see the progress on site and hear more about what’s coming up next. More…

Univ North – Buildings Up
Spring is in full swing, and activity on-site is moving at pace. We’re delighted to share that our cross laminated timber (CLT) framing for Water Court West is up. It’s been quite remarkable how quickly this has happened. More…

Name the Crane: Sparkle
The new tower crane on site at Univ North has been named Sparkle, by Zoe Ryan. Zoe is a nursery-aged artist who won the “Name the Crane” competition organised by SDC, the Univ North contractors, and University College, Oxford. More…

Major construction contract awarded
A further milestone was reached on 3 October, 2023, as University College signed the construction contract to deliver its Univ North accommodation scheme with SDC Builders Limited. More…

Artwork at Univ North
To enhance the area directly facing the Fairfield Residential Home at our Univ North development, a local artist, Layla Cope, has teamed up with residents and staff at Fairfield to create a beautiful mural. More…

Read all of our Univ North News

Frederick House (formerly Walnut Lawn Villa)
The building provides 22 en-suite study bedrooms, including two anti-allergy rooms on the first floor and one on the second floor of Frederick House (3 in total), a south-facing café overlooking Frederick Quad, and a wooden pergola constructed from English oak sourced from Univ-owned woodland in Yorkshire.

Booth Pavilion (formerly Woodstock Pavilion)
The building provides 14 en-suite study bedrooms and stands between the Greenwood Building and the new Garden House Nursery.

Crewe House (formerly Water Court West)
The building provides 24 en-suite study bedrooms, including two accessible rooms on the first floor served by a lift, two one-bedroom flats on the ground floor, including one accessible flat, a gym on the ground floor to the north, and views across the Water Rill on one side and Mulberry Lawn on the other.

Amos House (formerly Water Court East)
The building provides 24 en-suite study bedrooms, including two accessible rooms on the first floor served by a lift, two Study Spaces and a large Common Space on the ground floor, with views across the Water Rill on one side and Frederick Quad on the other.

Banbury Road Villa
The building provides 20 en-suite study bedrooms, three of which are anti-allergy rooms, together with three Study Spaces and the new Lodge on the ground floor.

Fairfield House (formerly the Fairfield Residential Home)
The existing Victorian villa has been refurbished inside and out to provide 16 en-suite study bedrooms.

The Garden House Nursery
The nursery provides 54 places, with up to 25 prioritised for Univ staff and students and the remainder allocated by University Childcare Services. It will be operated by Kids Planet.

Univ North at a Glance

• 120 en-suite study bedrooms
• five accessible study bedrooms
• two one-bedroom flats, including 1 accessible flat
• gym, café, study spaces and Common Space
• 54-place nursery
• restored heritage orchards and the new Sophie’s Orchard

In total, the development provides 122 study bedrooms, including five accessible bedrooms and one accessible flat. This figure excludes the College’s existing accommodation in the area, including Percy, Greenwood, Bennet, Skirlaw, Redcliffe Maud and other College-owned properties.

The development also includes a new orchard, “Sophie’s Orchard”, located in the south-east corner of the site near the entrance.

All images for illustrative purposes only.

Univ North Docuseries Episode One
The College has launched an original docuseries to showcase the work involved in the conception and evolution of the Univ North development. The first episode features personal perspectives from a number of key figures involved in the project including. Watch below:

Univ North Docuseries Episode Two
University College has released the second episode of the Univ North Docuseries, which moves on from exploring the vision behind Univ North to the complex task of construction. Watch below:

Valerie Amos with David Frederick and his wife Sophie Lynn

“Our vision for Univ North is being made a reality thanks to the incredible generosity of our Old Members. It is testimony to their passion for and commitment to Univ, and we would like to thank all our supporters for joining us in this exciting project, which will benefit the College community for generations to come.”
Felice Nassar, Director of Development, Communications and Alumni Relations

“Univ North” is the name given by University College, Oxford (Univ) to an area of land which is bounded by Staverton Road to the north, Banbury Road to the east, Rawlinson Road to the south and Woodstock Road to the west. This site is located within one of the most beautiful parts of Oxford: the North Oxford Victorian Conservation Area (NOVSCA). Being a “good neighbour” is integral to Univ’s vision for the development of Univ North, and as such the College understands the importance of integrating well with the residential community in North Oxford.

To help build and sustain strong and supportive local relationships, Univ and local residents have jointly formed the Univ North Neighbourhood Review Group (UNNRG). The UNNRG helps to raise awareness of the site’s impact on the local neighbourhood and thus helps inform decision making by Univ as the scheme develops.

UNNRG comprises representatives of the local community, College Fellows and senior members of the Univ management team, architects, as well as other team members with specialist skills. The preferred construction contractor, SDC, has also joined the UNNRG and will contribute actively to the discussions.

The group has been meeting monthly since January 2021 and has provided a helpful way for Univ to understand local pressures, needs, and concerns; and to ask for the neighbours’ views on key concepts as the site is designed. Initial discussions have covered design principles, planning permissions, construction traffic movements, and the scheme’s integration within the surrounding residential community, as well as specific concerns from residents.

UNNRG is supported by an Environmental Subgroup with members from both the community and College. The group has paid close attention to Univ’s plans for biodiversity, sustainability, and other factors, such as considering the site’s impact on its immediate neighbours and the wider landscape and environment.

This information will be updated by the College to help keep neighbours aware of the project and its next steps. To discover more about the project and to stay up-to-date with the schedule, please see the forthcoming activities section, “What is coming next and when?” below.

What is being built?

The first phase of this development comprises five new-build villa and pavilion buildings and the renovation and refurbishment of 115 Banbury Road villa and the Garden House, which sits behind 98 Woodstock Road. The completed development will offer up to 150 new study bedspaces, making a total of up to 275 at Univ North. In addition, a gym, café, study, meeting and lecture spaces, as well as a children’s nursery for up to 54 children including outdoor play area will be built. The enhanced collegiate community will benefit from easy access to the natural environment through landscaped gardens, a rejuvenated heritage orchard and buildings which maximise natural light. Univ North creates a cohesive, thoughtful design, maximising space in a great North Oxford location, which is sympathetic to the North Oxford Victorian suburb conservation area (NOVSCA).

Click for larger image

The project will be conducted in two phases, as shown on the location and phasing plan. The phasing is still subject to optimised logistics and may be adjusted by the College and construction contractor in consultation with neighbours. The main entrance to Univ North will be on Banbury Road, where a new lodge and entranceway will be built. Other entrances will be designed to minimise vehicle use and impact on the local streets.

During construction Univ will instruct its contractors to minimise vehicle movements and noise to the fullest extent practicable. Some site accesses will be inevitable through Staverton Road and into the Staverton Road Annexe entranceway. These will be carefully designed and supervised when in operation to ensure the safety of cyclists and other road users. The contract will include provisions requiring site workers to use the Park and Ride rather than park on site or on local streets. For a fuller explanation of the proposals to control the movement of site personnel and vehicles during construction, please refer to the Construction Environmental Management Plan.

When was the planning permission granted?

Planning permission was granted by Oxford City Council in October 2020. The reference number for the main planning application is 20/00116/FUL. Should you wish to review the details of the proposals, simply include the reference number on the search function of the planning portal.

SDC contact details

Phil Doherty, Project Director
T: 07984 609094
E: Phil.Doherty@sdc.co.uk

Phil will act as the Project Director during the Construction Phase. Phil has been with SDC since 1990, making him one of the company’s longest-serving employees. As Project Director, he brings a broad range of expertise across all project stages, ensuring exceptional quality, and on-time completion. His problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and commitment to SDC’s values ensure strong communication and efficient project execution.

Keeping in touch.

Please refer to this information, which will be regularly updated by the College with the construction timeline and key decisions.

Univ has also provided a special email address for neighbours should they have concerns which they would like to raise directly with the College: neighbours@univ.ox.ac.uk

A photographic record of the Univ North development progress produced by SDC Builders for University College, Oxford.

Photo Book 2026
Photo Book 2025
Photo Book October 2024
Photo Book April 2024

What is Univ North?
Univ North is University College’s North Oxford residential community. The development provides modern student accommodation, shared social and study spaces, landscaped gardens, a nursery and facilities that support teaching, research and College life.

Where is Univ North located?
Univ North is located between Staverton Road, Banbury Road, Rawlinson Road and Woodstock Road in North Oxford, close to Summertown.

Who lives at Univ North?
Univ North provides accommodation for undergraduate and graduate students, including accessible accommodation and family accommodation.

What facilities are available at Univ North?
Facilities include student accommodation, study and meeting spaces, communal areas, landscaped gardens, heritage orchards, a gym, café and a nursery.

How was Univ North funded?
Univ North was made possible through the generosity of alumni and supporters of the College.

Who built Univ North?
Univ North was designed by Níall McLaughlin Architects Ltd and the landscape architect Kim Wilkie. SDC was the contractor on site.

How was Univ North funded?
Univ North was made possible through the generosity of alumni and supporters of the College.

How will Univ North benefit people?
Univ North offers students and academics high-quality, modern accommodation (including some for families) and facilities. Univ North’s occupants benefit from easy access to the natural environment through rejuvenated historical orchards, gardens and seating areas, as well as indoor common areas and meeting spaces, which maximise natural light.

Univ North provides accommodation for more of Univ’s students, taking pressure off the challenging Oxford housing market. Also supporting the College’s promise to “house their own”, a stipulation of Oxfordshire City Council.

Univ North is based on a cohesive, thoughtful design in a great North Oxford location, which is sympathetic to the expectations of the North Oxford Victorian Suburb Conservation Area (NOVSCA).

How sustainable is Univ North?
The development incorporates energy-efficient buildings, air source heat pumps, heat recovery ventilation systems, biodiversity enhancements, and restored green spaces.

A number of measures have been put in place to maximise the biodiversity of the site including the planting of new trees, hedgerows and wildflower meadows, resulting in a biodiversity net gain of 20.62% over 30 years. For more information, please see our biodiversity infographic below:

Click for full-size PDF.

Also see our Biodiversity and Ecology Video below.