Hertford has a long tradition of championing access to Oxford on merit, rather than background. To this end, Hertford provides bursaries to support students, allowing them to study where previously it may have been impossible. We are cycling from Morecambe bay to Robin Hood's bay over the course of 3 days this July to raise money so Hertford can continue to support students for many years to come.

This year, we are celebrating the 50th anniversary of Neil Tanner becoming Tutor for Admissions at Hertford, and the implementation of the highly successful "Tanner scheme", in a time where the Oxford admissions system relied upon an entrance exam, requiring knowledge beyond A level, and requiring an extra term at sixth form, and was thus weighted towards those who could afford to pay for the extra tutoring for that time.

With the help of other fellows, Neil visited state grammar schools, and asked for the best pupils to be put forwards, to be interviewed early, independent of the standard process, and these were offered a place without having to sit the exam (provided they did OK in A levels). This lead to Hertford significantly improving its academic standing within Oxford.

When many grammar schools became comprehensive, Hertford maintained the links, and thus had a high comprehensive school intake.

The scheme was dissolved in 1984, as a result of a university ruling demanding uniformity across admissions. Hertford still endeavours to be consistent with this ethos, however.

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