Founded in 1950 by Antonin Besse of Aden in honor of Saint Anthony of Egypt. Full Member of the University in 1963. Sister College – Wolfson College Cambridge. Men and Women – Postgraduates 480.St Antony's is one of seven dedicated postgraduate colleges in Oxford. It specializes in international relations, history, politics, economics and anthropology and has nearly 500 students made up of around 70 nationalities. They are taught by a hand-picked group of fellows with international reputations in their areas of specialization. The institution is located on a pleasant and green site just north of the city center, 5 minutes by bike. Cosmopolitan mix The international flavor of the student composition and field of study was the direct wish of Antonin Besse of Aden, a wealthy merchant of French origin, who provided the initial resources that enabled the college to open in 1950. In 1953 it received its royal charter which was amended in 1962 to allow women to enter the college. Full university status was granted the following year. Besse's original approach to funding a new college was not entirely encouraged by the university, which, not unreasonably, was keen to make some of the poorer institutions safer. Besse duly donated substantial sums to several struggling colleges before reiterating his initial offer, which was subsequently accepted. The first principal was Sir William Deakin, a dynamic soldier and Oxford academic, who had impressed Besse - he was to play a crucial role in the development of the college which now enjoyed an enviable reputation around the world as a center of 'Excellency. St Antony's has established specific international study areas and centers: African Studies, Asian Studies, European Studies, Latin American Center, Middle Eastern Center, ...... middle of paper ...... East Study Center is a cross between a shiny spaceship and a dinosaur bone curved around existing trees. The architect is the remarkable and controversial Zaha Hadid (London Olympic Swimming Pool), who demonstrates that flights of fancy can indeed be adapted to a purpose – a steel and glass construction with unpredictable staircases. Accommodation is only provided for first-year students, most of whom are on-site. Several off-site apartments are available in a number of Victorian houses. The dining room is designed to encourage social diversity and the exchange of ideas, noble or trivial. On sunny days, the soft green spaces around the Besse building fulfill a similar function. The college's cosmopolitan culture is reflected in the events organized by its students, including: a Balkan evening, a Latin American party and the not-to-be-missed Australian bop.