All Souls College Oxford: A One-of-a-Kind Institution

All Souls College Oxford: A One-of-a-Kind Oxford Institution  

All Souls College, Oxford, stands out as perhaps the most exclusive and unique college in the University of Oxford. With no undergraduate members – only Fellows who form the College’s academic body – All Souls has long captured public imagination as an elite scholarly oasis. From its historic founding in 1438 to its fabled traditions and famously challenging Fellowship examination, All Souls College offers a glimpse into Oxford’s most rarified academic pathways.

This article delves into what makes All Souls College exceptional, focusing especially on the Prize Fellowship examination (now formally called the Examination Fellowship) – including its format, eligibility, difficulty, and the traditions surrounding it.  

To start, let’s look at some key facts and figures about All Souls College:

Key Facts – All Souls College, Oxford	Details
Founded	1438, by King Henry VI and Archbishop Henry Chichele
Original Purpose	Pray for souls of war dead and advance learning (no undergrads)
Fellows (2025)	85 Fellows (plus 3 Honorary, 22 Visiting, 31 Emeritus)
Undergraduate Students	0 – All members are Fellows; no undergrads.
Endowment	~£486.7 million (2023), among Oxford’s largest.
New Examination Fellows per Year	Typically 2 selected from 150+ candidates (~1–2% success rate).
Fellowship Term	7 years (non-renewable) for each Examination Fellow.
Eligibility for Fellowship Exam	Oxford graduates in Humanities/Social Sciences, within ~3 years of degree.
Women Admitted as Fellows	Since 1979 (over 500 years all-male until then).
Unique Tradition	“Mallard” ceremony every 100 years (eccentric duck hunt ritual, last held 2001).
Public Visiting Hours	Front quadrangles & chapel open to visitors 2–4pm on weekdays and Sundays (closed in August and holidays).

What Makes All Souls College Unique?

All Souls College is often described as Oxford’s most exclusive and mysterious college, and for good reason. Founded in 1438 by Henry VI and Henry Chichele (Archbishop of Canterbury), the College was established with dual aims: a religious purpose – to pray for the souls of the founders and those fallen in the wars with France – and an academic purpose as a sort of medieval graduate institute. From the outset, All Souls differed from other colleges by not admitting undergraduates, instead consisting only of Fellows engaged in advanced study or public service. Chichele envisioned the Fellows as an “unarmed militia” of scholars, trained to serve church and state rather than cloistered away – a very practical mission for the time.

Over the centuries, All Souls has retained this character. All of its members automatically become Fellows, forming the College’s governing body. There are no students at All Souls – an arrangement unique among Oxford colleges. This gives All Souls an aura of scholarly prestige and exclusivity. Admission as a Fellow is typically possible only through the Examination Fellowship competition (formerly called the Prize Fellowship). Each year, only one or two exceptionally talented recent graduates succeed in this arduous exam and join the ranks of All Souls. The result is a tiny academic community of some of the brightest minds, all of whom enjoy the privileges of fellowship (such as a stipend, rooms, and dining rights) without the responsibility of teaching undergraduates.

Another aspect of All Souls’ uniqueness is its considerable wealth and resources. With an endowment of nearly half a billion pounds, All Souls is able to support its Fellows with generous research funding, beautiful facilities, and one of Oxford’s most outstanding libraries. This financial strength, combined with the absence of tuition-dependent students, allows the College to focus wholly on research and intellectual life. Fellows at All Souls can truly pursue knowledge for its own sake, in ideal conditions, which is a rare academic luxury.

A Brief History and Legacy of All Souls College

Historical Context

All Souls College was founded in the late medieval period, receiving its charter in 1438. The timing was significant: England was nearing the end of the Hundred Years’ War. The College’s full name, The College of All Souls of the Faithful Departed, reflects its memorial purpose: to honour all souls lost in the wars against France, as well as to pray for the souls of the founders and “all the faithful departed”. The initial foundation provided for a Warden and forty Fellows, all of whom were to be celibate clerics pursuing advanced study in theology, law, or medicine. All Souls was thus intended from the start as an elite postgraduate institution, a rarity in an age when most colleges focused on educating undergraduates.

Over the next centuries, All Souls evolved but kept its distinctive character. It never took in undergraduates (aside from a brief 17th-century experiment with a few students serving as choirboys and servants, which ended by 1700). Instead, the Fellowship became a mix of academics and distinguished public servants. By the 19th century, under the leadership of Sir William Anson (Warden 1881–1914), the College reformed its fellowship examination and opened up to a broader range of subjects beyond theology and law. Notably, women were admitted as Fellows from 1979 onward, ending over 500 years of male-only tradition.

Notable Fellows and Influence

Throughout its history, All Souls has been associated with eminent intellectuals. For example, Christopher Wren, the great architect, was a Fellow of All Souls in the 17th century and even designed the College’s iconic sundial. Other famous names include Sir Isaiah Berlin (philosopher), Lawrence of Arabia (who was a fellow by examination), William Gladstone (British Prime Minister, who studied at Oxford and later became an Honorary Fellow), and many judges, bishops, and scholars. Because All Souls Fellows often go on to illustrious careers in academia, government, or other fields, the College has wielded a quiet influence on British intellectual life disproportionate to its size. It’s sometimes said that being elected to All Souls Fellowship marks one as a future leader in scholarship or public service.

Traditions and Eccentricities

All Souls is also steeped in quirky traditions. The most famous is the Mallard Ceremony, an eccentric celebration held once every hundred years. According to legend, a giant mallard duck flew out of the foundations during the College’s construction in the 15th century. In commemoration, the Fellows organize a centennial ritual: a torchlit midnight procession through the College led by a “Lord Mallard” carrying a wooden duck aloft on a pole, with Fellows marching behind singing the “Mallard Song” at full volume. This bizarre rite dates back to the 17th century and was most recently performed in January 2001 (the next is due in 2101). In earlier times, the Mallard festivities were apparently quite rowdy. One 17th-century report notes that Oliver Cromwell’s soldiers nearly broke into All Souls to stop the racket in the middle of the night!

Beyond the Mallard, All Souls has other customs. Fellows observe formal dining traditions; newly elected Examination Fellows traditionally celebrate with a black-tie dinner. There is also the folklore of the All Souls “ghosts” – with centuries of history, the College has its share of ghost stories associated with its chapel and halls. All in all, these historical layers and rituals contribute to the aura that makes All Souls College legendary within Oxford lore.

The Legendary All Souls Prize Fellowship Examination

While All Souls College’s history and architecture are fascinating, perhaps the most famous aspect of the College (at least in Oxford folklore) is the All Souls Prize Fellowship examination, often simply called “the All Souls exam”. Over time it has gained a reputation as “the hardest exam in the world”, shrouded in mystique due to its rigorous questions and absurdly low pass rate.

Purpose of the Examination Fellowship

All Souls has no undergraduates, so unlike other colleges it doesn’t admit students via UCAS or entrance interviews. Instead, its “admissions” process is the Examination Fellowship competition. The College uses this exam to elect a handful of brilliant recent graduates to seven-year fellowships. These Examination Fellowships (formerly called Prize Fellowships) are full membership of the College’s governing body. Those who win become Fellows of All Souls on par with senior academics, albeit in a junior role. The fellowship comes with prestige and material benefits: Examination Fellows receive a generous stipend or scholarship, free board and lodging at College, and research support. Essentially, it gives some of the brightest young scholars a funded opportunity to pursue research or further study for up to seven years, free from financial pressures. Many use the time to complete a doctorate or kick-start an academic career, though some Fellows also go into high-powered careers in law, government, etc., while still retaining their Fellowship status.

Success in the All Souls exam is a ticket to intellectual stardom. Only around 10 to 15 Examination Fellows may be in residence at any time (two are chosen per year on average), which underlines how rare and special this opportunity is.

Format and Structure of the Exam

As of mid-2025, the All Souls examination is a two-day written exam followed by an oral examination (viva voce) for those shortlisted. The written portion currently consists of four papers, each three hours long. Candidates sit two papers in a specific specialist subject of their choice, and two “general” papers. The list of specialist subjects is given by the College and typically includes fields like Classical Studies, Literature, Law, History, Philosophy, Politics, Economics, etc.. A candidate will choose the field most aligned with their degree or expertise. For example, a History graduate might choose the History papers; a physics graduate (if eligible) might have to choose Philosophy or another offered subject since pure sciences are not on offer.

Written Exam

The two specialist papers contain difficult questions within that broad discipline. The twist is that the questions, while demanding, are often open-ended and thought-provoking rather than testing rote knowledge. For instance, past questions have included: “Why was resistance to the Mongols so seldom successful?” (History) or “Can animals think?” (Philosophy). Candidates must answer a handful of questions (usually three) in each paper, demonstrating depth of knowledge and analytical skill in their field.

The two general papers are where All Souls exam gets especially interesting. These papers present a long list (often 30 or more) of very broad questions spanning literature, sciences, ethics, current affairs – virtually anything. Candidates can choose any three questions to answer in each general paper. Examples of real past general paper questions include: “Is it ethical to bring back extinct species?”, “What can we learn from Las Vegas?”, “If the Greeks invented democracy, what is it?”, “Should you be allowed internet access during this exam?”, and “Is Dark Energy more interesting than Dark Matter?”. The sheer range of topics forces candidates to draw on a broad education and think on their feet. One paper’s questions may range from politics to art to science in one go.

Historically – up until a significant change in 2010 – there used to be a fifth paper in the All Souls exam. This was the infamous one-word essay question. Candidates would open an envelope to find a single word, such as “Justice”, “Chaos”, “Water”, “Innocence”, or “Miracles”, and then spend three hours writing an essay about that one word. This daunting exercise was a nearly pure test of intelligence, creativity, and the ability to think deeply under pressure. The one-word essay became the stuff of legend – crowds reportedly gathered at the exam hall’s doors each year just to hear what the magic word was. However, this one-word essay tradition was discontinued in 2010, after almost a century, as the College decided it wasn’t as useful in distinguishing candidates’ abilities.

Oral Exam

After the written exams, the examiners (who are Fellows of All Souls) mark the scripts anonymously and draw up a shortlist of usually about 5–6 candidates who particularly impressed. These shortlisted individuals are then invited to an oral examination, or viva, typically held a few weeks later in late October. The viva involves facing a room of around 50 Fellows and answering questions, mainly about the candidate’s written exam essays. Once vivas are done, the Fellows of All Souls vote to elect the new Examination Fellow(s) – usually two are chosen, though the number is not rigid. In some years, only one might be elected if only one truly stands out; historically there were even years when none were elected, though that’s rare.

The Unparalleled Difficulty and Prestige

Why is the All Souls Fellowship exam regarded with such awe? For starters, the odds of success are extraordinarily low. Around 80 to 150 candidates sit the exam each year. Only two at most will be chosen. That’s a pass rate often under 2%. To even be competitive, candidates are typically top-of-class Oxford graduates, with many having earned the highest honors (Firsts) in their subject. In effect, you’re pitting the best against the best. And yet, even among Oxford’s elite, this exam will distinguish a mere one or two individuals. Little wonder it’s sometimes dubbed the “hardest exam in the world”.

The content of the exam also contributes to its fearsome reputation. The questions demand not just knowledge, but original thinking and intellectual agility. There are no easy marks here, meaning one cannot simply revise a syllabus and expect to predict questions. In fact, preparation is notoriously hard because of the exam’s breadth and unpredictability. A famous saying is that “it is impossible to prepare for the All Souls exam”. It tests how you think, not just what you know.

Eligibility and How to Apply

Who can try their hand at this formidable exam? Eligibility is restricted to keep the field to those for whom the opportunity is intended. As of 2025, you can apply for the All Souls Examination Fellowship if you: (1) have either completed an Oxford undergraduate degree or are currently registered for an Oxford postgraduate degree (so, you must be an Oxford graduate or grad student), and (2) your degree (completed or in progress) is in a subject from the Humanities or Social Sciences, and (3) you completed your first degree no more than about three years (seven Oxford terms) ago. In practice, this means the typical candidate is a recent Oxford graduate, often one who just received a First in their final exams, or someone in the first couple of years of a doctorate at Oxford. Occasionally Oxford graduates who have gone elsewhere (or into jobs) come back to sit the exam within the allowed time window.

It’s worth noting that science students are generally not eligible unless they also have humanities training. The College explicitly limits subjects to humanities and social sciences. Historically, there used to be some science candidates, but none ever won the Fellowship, and the College has stated that young scientists have plenty of other funding opportunities, whereas the All Souls fellowship is one of the few for humanities. So today, a brilliant physicist or biochemist unfortunately cannot apply for the Prize Fellowship unless they somehow also meet the humanities degree criteria.

Application involves submitting an online form by a late summer deadline (usually August). All eligible applicants are invited to sit the exam – there is no pre-selection. The exam is held in Oxford (usually in September, just before the start of the academic year). Interestingly, All Souls even holds a briefing session the day before the exam where the Warden explains the process to candidates. After the exam and viva, successful candidates are notified and immediately become Fellows (typically from November 1 of that year).

Life as an All Souls Fellow

What happens after the dust settles and you find yourself a newly minted Fellow of All Souls at age 23 or 24? The life of an Examination Fellow is designed to foster academic growth and broad intellectual exposure. Examination Fellows (also called Prize Fellows) have full governing rights in the College: they dine with other Fellows, participate in decision-making, and can truly call All Souls their academic home. They receive a stipend (the figure was about £15,000 per year in 2010; it is likely higher now with inflation, and if a Fellow has no other job or income it may be supplemented accordingly) and free accommodation and meals in College. All Souls also often pays the university fees for any Prize Fellow who continues formal studies (like a DPhil/PhD). In short, one’s basic living and study needs are generously covered.

Examination Fellows have no tutorial duties, unlike Fellows at other colleges who teach undergraduates. Instead, they are expected to pursue some form of academic work or intellectual development. The College encourages all Fellows to engage in conversation and exchange of ideas. In fact, new Fellows are expected to attend College dinners regularly (at least 28 times each Oxford term) to integrate into the community and spark interdisciplinary discussions.

After seven years, Examination Fellowships expire (non-renewable). By that time, many Prize Fellows will have secured a university post or decided on their next career move. All Souls has, by tradition, a somewhat bittersweet “goodbye” – Prize Fellows leave the College at the end of their term, though particularly distinguished ones might later return in another capacity (some eventually become Senior Fellows or even the Warden). Regardless, to have been a Fellow of All Souls is a lifelong badge of honour and connection. The alumni network of former All Souls Fellows is small but eminent.

Conclusion

All Souls College represents one of Oxford’s most competitive and prestigious pathways. Whether or not your ambitions specifically include the All Souls Fellowship, it epitomises the heights of academic achievement at Oxford. If you’re inspired by the legacy of Oxford or Cambridge and dream of studying at one of these prestigious universities, Dukes Plus is here to help make that dream a reality. With our friendly and professional educational consultancy services, we specialise in guiding students through every step of the admissions process – from choosing the right subjects and writing a compelling personal statement to preparing for Oxbridge interviews and entrance exams. Our expert consultants have a deep understanding of what top UK universities are looking for, and we’ve helped countless students secure places at Oxford, Cambridge, and other elite institutions.

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