Ruskin College

Ruskin College is an independent college based in Oxford that specialises in providing educational opportunities for adults with few or no qualifications. We aim to change the lives of those who need a second chance in education. Ruskin welcomes students who not only want to develop themselves but also want to put something back into society.

For many of our students financial, personal or social obstacles made it impossible for them to seize educational chances earlier in their lives. We understand that. We also recognise that, for many adults, returning to education raises fears and anxieties as well as awakening hopes and excitement. We offer university-standard education in the informal setting of a small residential college. We aim to support our students through the emotional and personal difficulties of learning while helping them to 'give of their best'.

Founded in 1899 at a time of ferment in political and educational ideas, Ruskin College aimed to provide university-standard education for working class people so that they could act more effectively on behalf of working class communities and organisations - trade unions, political parties, co-operative societies, working men's institutes and so on. Our founders understood that education is power. We remain deeply committed to the belief that education can and does transform individual lives and societies.