Queen's College (telephone 279120) is named after Edward III's Queen Philippa and was founded in 1340. The present buildings, including the Cupula over the High Street entrance, date back to the early 18th century, and are an unrivalled example of the Palladian style. Queen's College has always been associated with the North of England and is generally thought of as being "sporty", a reputation it shares with neighbouring St. Edmund Hall (telephone 279000).

Opposite Queen's College is University College, which was traditionally believed to have been founded by King Alfred but which was actually founded in about 1280. The present buildings are largely 17th century. On the right as you enter the main gate of the college is a passage which leads to the Shelley Memorial, presented to the college by Lady Shelley. Whether the college actually wanted it could be disputed, since Shelley marked his stay by charging the door handle of his room with electricity, spilling acid on the carpets of his tutors and snatching babies out of prams in the High Street.

West of Queen's College along the High Street is All Souls College (telephone 279379), full title The College of All the Souls of the Faithful Departed, which was built in 1483 as a memorial to all those who died in Henry V's wars in France. Only the most brilliant scholars are admitted as Fellows.