University of Oxford

Overview

The University of Oxford is the oldest university in the English-speaking world and is regarded as one of the world's leading academic institutions, with 38 independent colleges and 6 permanent private halls. The University is a member of the Russell Group of research-led British universities, the Coimbra Group (a network of leading European universities), the League of European Research Universities, and is also a core member of the Europaeum. Academically, Oxford is consistently ranked in the world's top five universities.

The University of Oxford was rated Gold in the Teaching Excellence Framework and career prospects for graduates remain some of the best in the UK. Five years after graduation Oxford graduates salaries average almost £43,000. The University also has the highest proportion of students achieving 2:1s and above and the highest proportion of students achieving firsts in the UK.

A unique University of Oxford benefit to students is the weekly one-to-one tutorial, where undergraduates will spend an hour with an expert in their field. The University is also home to the Bodleian library, which is the second biggest library in the UK after the British Library. International students are currently enrolled from over 140 different countries and study a wide range of subjects, making up 1/3 of the student body.

Services for International Students

The International Office at Oxford provides a wide range of services to applicants and students, including advice on general enquiries about studying at the University of Oxford, visas and immigration, to living in the U.K. It is also responsible for running interviews conducted internationally and the international orientation programme at the beginning of the year. The Oxford Language Centre provides specific language support for international students. Personal support can also be found in the college administration.

Ranking

• 2nd in the Times University Guide 2020
• 3rd in the Guardian University Guide 2020
• 5th in the QS World University Rankings 2021
• 1st in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2020

The University of Oxford is considered as one of the best universities in the world, and belongs to the elite group of six ‘super-brand’ universities according to the THE World Rankings. The University of Oxford is also ranked number one in the UK for the quality of its research. 48% of University's research was in the top 4* category while 39% was rated 3*. Oxford also ranked first in 12 subjects for their volume of world-leading research.

Accommodation

The 38 Colleges which make up the University of Oxford provide accommodation for all first year undergraduate students. These colleges are not only houses of residence, but also have substantial responsibility for the teaching of undergraduates.

A typical college consists of a hall for dining, a chapel, a library, a college bar, senior, middle (postgraduate) and junior common rooms, rooms for 200-400 undergraduates as well as lodgings for the head of the college and other dons. College buildings range from the medieval to modern, but most are made up of interlinked courtyards.

Location

Oxford is in south England, around 90 minutes from London, and has a population of 150,000. Buildings in Oxford reflect every English architectural period since the arrival of the Saxons, including the mid-18th century Radcliffe Camera.

Oxford is known as the "city of dreaming spires", a term coined by poet Matthew Arnold in reference to the harmonious architecture of the University of Oxford buildings. It is very much a student city, and much is actually owned by the University, leading to discounts for students in almost all areas.

Alumni

• 26 British Prime Ministers, most recently David Cameron
• President Bill Clinton
• Tim Berners-Lee (Inventor of the World Wide Web)
• At least 12 saints and 20 Archbishops of Canterbury
• 50 Olympic Medal winners
• 27 Nobel Laureates across all six categories