Undergraduate & Taught Postgraduate Dissertations
Undergraduates and some taught postgraduates are only issued with standard (S) reader’s card or a vacation (V) card which does not grant access to manuscripts (unpublished material), special collections or rare books. We are, however, prepared to grant access to such material on the prior recommendation and support of your dissertation supervisor or tutor.
Oxford University undergraduates
Undergraduates and some taught postgraduates at Oxford University are automatically issued with a Group S card when they first arrive. To obtain permission to consult manuscript, special and rare book collections you should produce a letter of support from your dissertation supervisor or tutor. In the case of Modern History finalists, you should ask your supervisor to complete the form [PDF, 12kb] provided on the History Faculty website.
Completed forms or letters should be handed to the Special Collections Reading Room staff before material may be requested.
Undergraduates and taught postgraduates outside Oxford
In all instances application to consult manuscript, special and rare book collections should be made prior to a visit, with an advance letter or email from your dissertation supervisor, supporting your request for access, addressed to the Superintendent of the Special Collections Reading Rooms. In general admission is during Oxford University vacations, but visits during term will be considered.
For further details of the admissions’ requirements and procedure, view the Admissions web pages and/or contact us for our specific advice:
Colin Harris
Superintendent
Special Collections Reading Rooms
Department of Special Collections
Bodleian Library
University of Oxford
OXFORD
OX1 3BG
tel: 01865 (2)77046
fax: 01865 (2)77182
email: enquiries.sc@bodleian.ox.ac.uk