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The University of Oxford has published its 2007 league table of colleges, based on the exam results gained by undergraduates in their final exams.

Merton College remained in the top spot, a position it has now held for several years running. Magdalen was second, Christ Church third and Balliol College was fourth.

The Warden of Merton College, Professor Jessica Rawson, said: ‘Our undergraduates have enjoyed extremely good examination results for many years, and we think this is because they create among themselves a spirit of intellectual co-operation that enables each them to realise their potential.

"A college like Merton provides the kind of environment that can help them give of their best, but it could not be achieved without the dedicated support of both the academics and the non-academic staff."

Degrees at Oxford are awarded by the University, not by the individual Colleges, and examinations are set and marked by the University.

Teaching is provided by both the University - on a departmental basis through lectures, seminars and practical work - and by the student’s College through tutorials.

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