Student Life
In 2024–25, donations from alumni and friends contributed £503,432, significantly enriching the extra-curricular opportunities available to our students.
Keble Sports Fund—Widening Participation in Sport
2024–25 marked the first stage in the completion of the Keble Sports Fund, making a significant difference to sport at the College. With donor support, Keble is now able to cover the full costs of student participation in University sport until 2030 — a major step forward from the previous arrangement, when only 30–40% of expenses could be reimbursed.
Annual sports funding has more than doubled, rising from £16,000 to nearly £35,000. As a result, every College team is now fully funded. Students will no longer be asked to contribute towards match fees, officials, or equipment. Team kit is also covered, and the Fund is supporting coaching costs where these are most needed.
The Fund also provides financial assistance for Keble students who represent the University. This support extends not only to Blues athletes but also to those competing in 2nd and 3rd teams or as squad members, helping to ensure wider participation at all levels.
By removing the financial barriers to participation, the Sports Fund is enabling more students to take part in sport during their time at Keble. Over the next five years, this investment will continue to make sport more accessible and inclusive, while supporting both College and University representation.
If you would like to know more about joining the Keble Sports Fund please contact Jenny Tudge.
Mark George
1993 PPE
“Sport was a huge part of my time at Keble as a student and it provided me with some of my happiest memories and strongest friendships. Sport is a vital part of College life, not only providing huge benefits to any individual taking part but also to the overall cohesion and identity of the College. We hope that the Keble Sports Fund will allow sport at Keble to continue to thrive by making it accessible to everyone wanting to play sport in College and more affordable to those representing the University.”
Keble Poetry Internship in collaboration with Oxford Poetry
An innovative Poetry Internship will commence this Michaelmas, opening a unique pathway for students to gain hands-on experience at the heart of literary publishing. In partnership with Oxford Poetry, the UK’s oldest poetry magazine, the internship offers unparalleled insight into the workings of a successful literary institution while deepening the academic and creative study of literature already flourishing at Keble.
For over a decade, Keble has developed a reputation as a vibrant hub for poetry, hosting initiatives such as the Poets at Keble series, The Poet’s Essay seminars, and Poetry and Painting discussions, alongside pioneering projects such as Poetry at Grendon, a collaboration with Europe’s only therapeutic community prison. These initiatives have drawn diverse audiences and established the College as a leader in fostering poetry’s role in contemporary culture. The new internship builds directly on this foundation, creating a tangible link between scholarly study and professional practice.
Founded in 1910, Oxford Poetry boasts a storied history, having been edited by figures such as W H Auden, Vera Brittain and Kingsley Amis, and publishing voices ranging from Seamus Heaney to Anne Carson. Today, the magazine reaches global audiences through its print issues, annual poetry prize and growing digital presence. By joining the editorial team, interns will contribute to all aspects of production, from managing submissions and shaping online content to supporting live events, while also carving out projects tailored to their individual interests.
The 18-month rolling post has been designed to be substantial yet flexible, balancing editorial responsibility with academic study. Each intern will gain valuable professional skills, industry connections and deeper literary understanding, leaving them well prepared for careers in publishing or the Arts. Above all, this achievement marks a significant step in Keble’s mission to connect scholarship, creativity and cultural engagement through poetry. We are very grateful to the individual donor who has generously funded this opportunity.
Chapel and Keble Choir
In March, the Keble College Choir embarked on a memorable tour to Hong Kong, Macau and Singapore, performing to great acclaim. The tour was made possible only through the continuing generosity of alumni, whose support ensured that the Choir could share its music on an international stage.
Audiences were treated to a varied programme of music that reflected both Keble Chapel’s rich musical tradition and the wider English choral heritage. The performances carried listeners on a “whistle-stop” journey through the centuries — from the intricate polyphony of the Renaissance and the grandeur of the Baroque to the expressive works of the Romantic period and vibrant compositions of the 20th century.
The Choir’s visit to Asia was a testament to the strength of the Keble network abroad.
Alumnus Richard Orders (1973 English) welcomed guests to Hong Kong with a reception at the China Club, where the Choir performed a short selection of music, ending with Charles Wood’s ‘Hail, gladdening Light’, whose text was translated by John Keble.
Upon arrival in Singapore Sutat Chew (1993 PPE), offered extraordinary hospitality hosting a wonderful reception for the Keble Choir and alumni at Bar-A-Thym.
These events created opportunities for connection and celebration that reinforced the sense of global Keble community.
Jemima Kinley
Graduate Choral Assistant
“After a busy and highly successful term, including the annual appearance at the Keble Early Music Festival, Keble Choir jetted off to East Asia for its 2025 international tour. The Choir performed in Hong Kong, Macau and Singapore, singing evensong, concerts and more. The Choir extends a huge thank you to the Warden and its donors for making this tour possible, and to its audiences, congregations and more for continued support.”
Library Manuscript Digitisation
Thanks to the generous support of Alistair Tucker (1955 Jurisprudence), this year marks the completion of the digitisation of Manuscript 30, a treasured volume in Keble College’s collection.
Originally written in 1404 for Abbot Enrico Tomacelli of Monte Cassino by his Neapolitan compatriot Francesco Guantari, the manuscript carries with it centuries of history. It later became part of the private library of Sir Thomas Brooke (1830–1908), before being bequeathed to his brother, Canon Charles Edward Brooke (1847–1911). In 1911, Canon Brooke entrusted the manuscript to Keble College, where it has been carefully preserved ever since.
The digitisation of this manuscript not only safeguards its fragile pages but also opens access to a global audience, allowing scholars, students and enthusiasts beyond Oxford to engage with this extraordinary work.
Looking ahead, the momentum continues. In 2025–26, the digitisation of Manuscripts 38 and 52 will begin, further enriching the online collection and showcasing the spectacular artistry and cultural heritage housed in Keble’s library.
Through these efforts, Keble is ensuring that these irreplaceable works of art are not only preserved but shared — illuminating history for generations to come.
“Thanks to the generosity of alumnus Alistair Tucker, we have been able to digitise one of the treasures of the library.”