About the University
The University of Oxford has an outstanding global reputation for its teaching, research, and contributions to society. We combine rich history and tradition with the innovative and forward-thinking approach of a modern university.
The exact date of the University of Oxford’s founding is unknown, but the school traces its roots back to at least 1096. Oxford is located around 60 miles northwest of London, and around 45 percent of its student body is made up of graduate students. Oxford is an independent and self-governing institution consisting of the University, its divisions, departments and faculties, and the colleges.
The university has no central campus and is made up of over 30 colleges and halls spread across the city center and beyond. These colleges are at the heart of Oxford's reputation as one of the best universities in the world and make it a very special place to study and live. Every student belongs to a college as well as being a member of their course department and the University. This means all Oxford students have the benefits of belonging to both a large, world-class university and a small and friendly academic community.
Overview
Location: United Kingdom
Type: Public Research University
Founded: 1096
Tuition: Between £28,950 and £44,240
Fun Facts
Oxford uses a tutorial system
Unlike most other British universities, where teaching is done through lectures and seminars, Oxford uses a tutorial system. Tutorial system means that twice a week, students research and write a 2000-word essay, and then spend an hour either one-on-one or in groups of two or three, discussing that essay and the topic it covers with their tutor.
There is one college you will never, ever go to
One side of Radcliffe Square is occupied by what looks like a huge, white medieval fortress – All Souls. It is one of Oxford’s most elusive and mysterious institutions; a college founded in the 1400s, which stopped accepting undergraduates in the 19th century. The college accepts up to two new members a year from its applicants and has a total of 76 members who receive free accommodation and food in Oxford, and a generous allowance on top to fund their research.
You will socialise according to bizarre rituals
The Oxford social scene is really just a collection of curious traditions that have somehow remained intact from the very, very olden days. Not all of it is good – but it is all very idiosyncratic, often fun, and definitely to be experienced while you’re at Oxford.
The town has highest number of published authors per square mile
Oxfordphiles boast that the town has more published authors per square mile than any other place in the world. The town is positively bursting with sites of real literary interest.
...And a lot of space to store their books
Oxford University has more than 100 libraries crammed together in the city center and hundreds of miles of out-of-town book storage. As a student here, the abundance of libraries means there are always new places to explore and treasures to find.
On Wednesdays students wear bat suits
Oxford might be the only university whose students wear a uniform for exams and other special occasions – it’s called subfusc, and consists of a black suit for men, or a black skirt and cardigan for women, with a white shirt underneath, a black ribbon round the neck, and a huge, billowing black robe with funny ties that come off the shoulders. You could be forgiven for thinking you’d accidentally intruded upon the convocation of bats, or maybe witches.
Find the door to Narnia
Close to the University Church of St Mary the Virgin, if you look hard enough, you will find the door to Narnia. Bold and undoubtedly eye-catching, with a fiery lion reaching out to you from the center of its wooden core, this is the ‘Narnia Door’.
Oldest Botanic Garden in the world
Founded in 1621, Oxford’s Botanical Garden is not only the oldest botanical garden in the world but also where the old Jewish cemetery is too.
Admissions
Average SAT | 1470 |
Average ACT | 33 |
TOEFL | 7.0 |
UCAS Code | 033 |
Application Deadline | 15 October 2022 |
Application Requirements
The application requirements for each course at Oxford University differ significantly. Therefore, we recommend going to the official website to see the course-specific application requirements, or you can visit:
Choose a course and make sure that you have met or are on target to meet the admission requirements.
Explore the Oxford colleges and decide whether to express a college preference or make an open application on your UCAS form.
Look at the admissions timeline and make a note of them to get your submissions ready in time.
Craft your Personal Statement and any other additional documents required by the university.
Rankings
The Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2022 rank the University of Oxford as the best university in the world for an impressive sixth consecutive year.
Oxford was also ranked first in the THE's 2022 subject rankings for clinical and health and the subject rankings for computer science. The University was also ranked in the top 5 in the THE's World University Rankings by subject for social sciences, life sciences, business and economics, arts and humanities, law, and education.
The QS World University Rankings 2022 place Oxford as the second-best university in the world and the best university in Europe. Oxford also ranked first in the global subject rankings for arts and humanities and top five for natural sciences, life sciences and medicine, and social sciences and management.
Majors Available
Archaeology and Anthropology
Biochemistry (Molecular and Cellular)
Biology
Biomedical Sciences
Chemistry
Classical Archaeology and Ancient History
Classics
Classics and English
Classics and Modern Languages
Classics and Oriental Studies
Computer Science
Computer Science and Philosophy
Earth Sciences (Geology)
Economics and Management
Engineering Science
English Language and Literature
English and Modern Languages
European and Middle Eastern Languages
Fine Art
Foundation Year (Chemistry, Engineering and Materials Science)
Foundation Year (Humanities)
Foundation Year (Law)
Foundation Year (PPE)
Geography
History
History (Ancient and Modern)
History and Economics
History and English
History and Modern Languages
History and Politics
History of Art
Human Sciences
Law (Jurisprudence)
Materials Science
Mathematics
Mathematics and Computer Science
Mathematics and Philosophy
Mathematics and Statistics
Medicine
Medicine (graduate entry)
Modern Languages
Modern Languages and Linguistics
Music
Oriental Studies
Philosophy and Modern Languages
Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE)
Philosophy and Theology
Physics
Physics and Philosophy
Psychology (Experimental)
Psychology, Philosophy and Linguistics
Religion and Oriental Studies
Theology and Religion
Famous Alumni
Tony Abbott, former Prime Minister of Australia
Emilia Fox, actor
Hugh Grant, actor
Indira Gandhi, former Indian Prime Minister
William Golding, Nobel Prize-winning novelist
Harold Macmillan, former British Prime Minister
Dr. Manmohan Singh, Prime Minister of India
Chief Justice Mrs. Sujata Vasant Manohar, former Judge of the Supreme Court of India
Mansoor Ali Khan ("Tiger") Pataudi, captain of the Indian cricket team
Cornelia Sorabji, India’s first female lawyer
Headmaster Student Experience
“What makes Oxford unique is how traditions have evolved here; whether it’s throwing pennies in your friend's glasses at a crew date, dressing up in wacky costumes for a bop, or giving your exams in a gown. As advice to prospective applicants, it’s firstly important to have a passion for whichever degree you choose to pursue. And secondly, to make sure that you will be comfortable with the tutorial system of teaching, which is unique to Oxford and Cambridge”
- Headmaster Student,
Class of 2024, Philosophy, Politics, and Economics (PPE)
Sources
25 fascinating facts about Oxford You Need To Know. Summer Boarding Courses. (2021, December 18). Retrieved October 8, 2022, from https://www.summerboardingcourses.com/blogs/fascinating-facts-about-oxford/
Supreme T Shirt. "8 Fascinating Facts about Life as an Oxford Student." Oxford Royale Academy. 17 Mar. 2022. Web. 8 Oct. 2022. "What Are Oxford Colleges?" The University of Oxford. Web. 8 Oct. 2022.
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