Unlike a college, a hall is owned and governed by an outside institution (in this case, the resident community of the Priory of the Holy Spirit and the English Province of the Order of Preachers) and not by its fellows.

Although historically a centre for the study of theology and philosophy informed by the intellectual tradition of St Thomas Aquinas, it now admits men and women of any faith to a wide range of postgraduate degree programmes in the humanities and social sciences.

[3] Launched in November 2008, the institute contributes to the hall's founding vision to be a centre of the social as well as the sacred sciences.

"[14] In 2018 Blackfriars invested £1.5 million converting a disused Bank into additional facilities, including four student bedrooms, offices for various academic departments and seminar rooms.

Reporting financial "harm being suffered at the current time by Blackfriars Hall" a 'Fighting Fund' was launched raising £25k from alumni and others.

Moving academic offie to their former location in the Priory, the Hall announced plans to open a profit making cafe on the ground floor in September 2024.