Front Quad of Lincoln College, the walls covered in bright green ivy

Matthew Foster

Matthew Foster

  • Second-year undergraduate, Music

Profile

My name is Matthew Foster, and I am a second-year undergraduate reading Music. I grew up in Chelmsford, Essex, and attended a comprehensive school, followed by a grammar school, before moving to Bury St Edmunds for my gap year as the Organ Scholar, and then Acting Assistant Director of Music at the cathedral there. The ability to undertake an organ scholarship whilst studying for a degree in Music was one of the main reasons I applied to Oxford, and Lincoln College is especially unique, having a completely student-run auditioned choir.

What I enjoy most about my course is the ability to specialise and really focus on what you enjoy and are good at. For people thinking of applying, my top advice is not to worry too much if there are some bits you are not good at. There is lots of support to improve, but it is also possible to stick to your strengths and focus on those.

My favourite thing about the College is its small and family like atmosphere. There is a real intermingling between year groups, and everyone gets to know everyone, even the staff and tutors of other subjects. It means you always feel as though there is someone to talk to and it’s easy to make friends with people you weren’t expecting to. Lincoln also supports people with their extracurricular activities. When I’m not studying or working with the choir, I spend most of my time at the local ice rink training with the university ice hockey team.