 During the First World War , " the college in the ordinary sense almost ceased to exist " . From 129 students in the summer of 1914 , numbers dropped to 36 in the spring of 1916 . Some refugee students from Belgium and Serbia lodged in empty rooms in the college during 1916 , and officers of the Royal Flying Corps resided from August 1916 to December 1918 . After the war , numbers rose and fellowships were added in new subjects : history ( 1919 and 1933 ) ; theology ( 1927 ) ; physics ( 1934 ) ; a second fellowship in chemistry ( 1924 ) ; and modern languages ( lectureship 1921 , fellowship 1944 ) . The improved teaching led to greater success in university examinations and prizes . 
