Launching at the 1980s Decade Reunion
September 2025
The Talbot Bursary Decade Gift initiative will launch at the 1980s Decade Reunion, on 20 September. We hope as many of you as possible will come together to celebrate, reconnect, and reflect on your time at Keble—while making a tangible difference to the lives of our current and future students.
Even if you can’t attend in person, you can still take part in this collective effort by making a regular or one-off donation. Every gift helps us move closer to our goal.
What about the other alumni decades?
Every year the next decade of alumni will be invited to join in as they return to College for their reunions; the 1990s in 2026, the 2000s in 2027, 2010s in 2028, the 2020s in 2029, then back to the pre-1970s in 2030. If you prefer to jump in early, please do!
Our Goal: to add significantly to our Bursary support
Currently the College and University combine to fund means-tested Oxford Bursaries for c100 Keble undergraduates per year.
We are now looking to enhance this provision by raising £30,000 per year from the new alumni Decade Gifts, to add to other bursary income streams, namely one-off major gifts, and the Bursary Endowment Fund.
If successful, this campaign would enable the Talbot Bursary Fund to reach £150,000 per year—enough to provide Talbot Bursaries of approximately £1,500 per student in receipt of a means-tested Oxford Bursary. This would be made up of:
➤c£1,000 annual rent rebate, and
➤c£500 Hall meal subsidy.
Such a level of support would be truly transformative—providing real, tangible relief to our most financially vulnerable undergraduates.
Why are Talbot Bursaries needed?
While the University-wide Oxford Bursary provides essential financial support, it often isn’t enough to cover all the living costs students face today. Keble’s accommodation and food costs are significant expenses, particularly for students from low-income families. Talbot Bursaries aim to reduce these burdens and ensure equitable access to the full student experience.
How can you help?
If just 200 alumni from a decade group sign up to a donation of £10 per month for three-years—with Gift Aid (25%), that’s £150 per donor per year—adding up to £30,000 annually.
How much are room rents at Keble?
The average annual rent at Keble is currently approximately £6,300, placing us in the top quartile of college rents at Oxford. This is not where we want to be, but as one of the University’s less-wealthy colleges we currently lack the resources to offer cheaper rents.
However, Keble provides some of the highest-quality undergraduate accommodation in Oxford, and our room rates are still lower than private rental prices in the city, and compare favourably with other university accommodation charges across the UK.
How much does it cost to eat in Hall?
Eating in Hall is a vital part of College life, fostering community and shared experience. The current meal costs are:
➤£6.28 for a regular dinner
➤£11.63 for a formal dinner
➤Around £18.84 per day for three meals
A £500 annual meal subsidy would enable a bursary recipient to attend:
➤63 regular dinners (21 per term) and
➤9 formal dinners (3 per term)
We believe it’s essential that all students feel able to eat regularly with friends and participate in the full social and communal experience of College life, including attending formal Hall.
Students on 4-year courses
We are committed to supporting 4th-year undergraduates who receive an Oxford Bursary. Even though they typically live out of College in their final year, they will still be eligible for a Talbot Bursary. The £1,000 rent rebate will help offset the higher costs of the private rental market in Oxford, while the Hall meal subsidy will enable them to continue eating regularly in College—maintaining their connection to the Keble community throughout their final year.
Together, we can make a difference.
Already a regular donor to the College? Thank you!
Please consider adding an extra £10 per month to your existing donation, and be part of your Decade Gift in support of Talbot Bursaries.
Thinking of making a larger, or one-time gift?
Please do! While we hope many alumni will join the Decade Gift with a regular monthly contribution, larger regular and one-off gifts are also greatly appreciated and can help grow the Fund more quickly.
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