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North · Founded 1950

St Antony's College

A cosmopolitan graduate college whose fluid, futuristic Zaha Hadid pavilion is among Oxford's boldest pieces of contemporary architecture.

Official site ↗

Founded 1950. Founded in 1950 by the French merchant Antonin Besse of Aden, it is a graduate college specialising in international relations, politics, economics and regional area studies.

Combines a Victorian former convent building and 1960s work, most strikingly the stainless-steel-and-glass Investcorp Building (2015) by Zaha Hadid Architects, which houses the Middle East Centre.

Don’t miss

  • Investcorp Building by Zaha Hadid Architects
  • Grade II-listed 1960s Hilda Besse Building
  • Victorian former convent as the main quad building
  • Middle East Centre and regional studies centres

Notable names

The Investcorp Building by Zaha Hadid Architects · Founded by Antonin Besse · International alumni including numerous diplomats and heads of state · Centre for Middle East and area-studies scholarship

Visiting

A graduate research college rather than a tourist attraction; visitor access is limited, though the Investcorp Building hosts occasional public lectures — verify arrangements in advance.

Opening hours, admission and current access change often — check the official site before you go.