THE WARDEN AND SCHOLARS OF THE HOUSE OR COLLEGE OF SCHOLARS OF MERTON IN THE UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD
THE ADVANCEMENT OF EDUCATION AND LEARNING THROUGH PROVISION OF TEACHING AND EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT TO APPROXIMATELY 600 RESIDENT UNDERGRADUATE AND GRADUATE STUDENTS WHO ARE ENGAGED ON A COURSE OF STUDIES LEADING TO THE AWARD OF A DEGREE IN THE UNIVERISTY OF OXFORD AND THROUGH THE APPOINTMENT OR EMPLOYMENT OF FELLOWS AND ACADEMIC STAFF WHO ARE ACTIVELY ENGAGED IN RESEARCH
Financial health, per its FY2025 accounts
The accounts state that the College reported a net deficit of £3.65 million for the year, primarily due to a reduction in donations and legacies and higher maintenance costs. However, total net assets increased to £419.59 million, supported by significant investment gains of £15.68 million and a healthy cash position. The trustees confirm the College has adequate resources to continue its activities for the foreseeable future.
What the accounts disclose
“The College’s target is to maintain free reserves of two to four months of expected expenditure.” — page 20
“No Fellow receives any remuneration for acting as a Trustee. However, those Fellows who are also employees of the College receive salaries in respect of their employment.” — page 55
“During the year, the College entered into a contract to commission a painting at a cost of £10,000 from an artist who is a partner of a Trustee of the College. As at the 31 July 2025, £10,000 had been paid in respect of this transaction.” — page 60
Property (HM Land Registry)
Structured financials (annual return, FY ending 31/07/2025)
Trustees
- ANDREW MACKIE
- CHARLES ALAN HEATHCOTE ALEXANDER
- Dr Alice Brooke
- Dr Andres Bustamante
- Dr Bassel Tarbush
- Dr Gabrielle Messeder
- Dr JULIA CAROLINE WALWORTH
- Dr James Laing
- Dr Jan Marek Furst-Ache
- Dr Jane Gover
- Dr Jennifer Altehenger
- Dr Kate Blackmon
- Dr Katharina Friege
- Dr Lewis Williams
- Dr Lindsay Baker
- Dr Matthew Grimley
- Dr Raz Slutsky
- Dr Rory Gregson
- Dr Sumali Bajaj
- Dr Ted Tregear
- FRA' JOHN EIDINOW
- Mark Coote
- PROF DAVID PATERSON
- PROFESSOR ALAN MORRISON
- PROFESSOR ALEXANDER SCOTT
- PROFESSOR ARTUR EKERT
- PROFESSOR HUGH WATKINS
- PROFESSOR IRENE LEMOS
- PROFESSOR PETER WILLIAM HAROLD HOLLAND
- PROFESSOR SIMON MARTIN HOOKER
- Prof Radek Erban
- Prof. Daniel MacGregor Grimley
- Professor ALAN BARR
- Professor ALEXANDER SCHEKOCHIHIN
- Professor Ehud Hrushovski
- Professor Eva Micheler
- Professor Helen Small
- Professor IAN MACLACHLAN
- Professor JONATHAN RALPH WARBURG PRAG
- Professor James Newton
Income and spending
| Financial year end | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 31/07/2025 | £20.4m | £24.0m |
| 31/07/2024 | £21.2m | £21.9m |
| 31/07/2023 | £19.3m | £19.0m |
| 31/07/2022 | £15.1m | £19.0m |
| 31/07/2021 | £13.8m | £17.0m |
Common questions
Is THE WARDEN AND SCHOLARS OF THE HOUSE OR COLLEGE OF SCHOLARS OF MERTON IN THE UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD financially healthy?
Per its FY2025 accounts: The accounts state that the College reported a net deficit of £3.65 million for the year, primarily due to a reduction in donations and legacies and higher maintenance costs. However, total net assets increased to £419.59 million, supported by significant investment gains of £15.68 million and a healthy cash position. The trustees confirm the College has adequate resources to continue its activities for the foreseeable future. Its FY2025 accounts were audited by Gravita Audit Oxford LLP.
Who funds THE WARDEN AND SCHOLARS OF THE HOUSE OR COLLEGE OF SCHOLARS OF MERTON IN THE UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD?
Funders whose own accounts filings name THE WARDEN AND SCHOLARS OF THE HOUSE OR COLLEGE OF SCHOLARS OF MERTON IN THE UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD as a grant recipient include THE SAVOY EDUCATIONAL TRUST, JOHN SWIRE 1989 CHARITABLE TRUST.
Known funders
| Funder | Year | Amount | Purpose (as stated by the funder) |
|---|---|---|---|
| THE SAVOY EDUCATIONAL TRUST | FY2022 | £50k | |
| THE SAVOY EDUCATIONAL TRUST | FY2025 | £13k | Replacement and maintenance of kitchen equipment |
| JOHN SWIRE 1989 CHARITABLE TRUST | FY2024 | £2k | |
| JOHN SWIRE 1989 CHARITABLE TRUST | FY2023 | £1k |
Funders of similar charities
| Funder | Similar charities funded | Amount to them |
|---|---|---|
| THE ISAAC NEWTON TRUST | 3 | £80k |
| WORCESTER COLLEGE OXFORD ENDOWMENT TRUST | 1 | £675k |
| CAMBRIDGE IN AMERICA (UK) LIMITED | 1 | £275k |
| THE BRENLEY TRUST | 1 | £260k |
| THE TOLKIEN TRUST | 1 | £200k |
| MONDAY CHARITABLE TRUST | 1 | £191k |
| Tinsley Charitable Trust | 1 | £85k |
| THE KAJATAWA FOUNDATION | 1 | £60k |
Charities like this
- THE PRINCIPAL AND FELLOWS OF THE COLLEGE OF THE LADY MARGARET IN THE UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD
- THE WARDEN AND SCHOLARS OF ST MARY COLLEGE OF WINCHESTER
- THE MASTER AND SCHOLARS OF BALLIOL COLLEGE IN THE UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD
- WORCESTER COLLEGE, OXFORD
- THE MASTER AND FELLOWS OF THE COLLEGE OR HALL OF SAINT CATHARINE THE VIRGIN IN THE UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE
- THE RECTOR AND SCHOLARS OF EXETER COLLEGE IN THE UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD
Side by side with its peers
| Charity | Income | Top pay band | Staff >£60k | Reserves vs policy | Fundraising cost | Going concern |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| THE WARDEN AND SCHOLARS OF THE HOUSE OR COLLEGE OF SCHOLARS OF MERTON IN THE UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD | £20.4m | — | — | unclear | — | no doubt |
| THE PRINCIPAL AND FELLOWS OF THE COLLEGE OF THE LADY MARGARET IN THE UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD | £16.7m | — | — | unclear | — | no doubt |
| THE WARDEN AND SCHOLARS OF ST MARY COLLEGE OF WINCHESTER | £45.9m | — | — | unclear | — | no doubt |
| THE MASTER AND SCHOLARS OF BALLIOL COLLEGE IN THE UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD | £18.8m | — | — | unclear | — | no doubt |
| WORCESTER COLLEGE, OXFORD | £20.3m | £169,000 - £169,999 | — | unclear | — | no doubt |
| THE MASTER AND FELLOWS OF THE COLLEGE OR HALL OF SAINT CATHARINE THE VIRGIN IN THE UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE | £19.9m | — | — | unclear | — | no doubt |