Oxford University

It is known that teaching has been practiced in Oxford since 1096, but the exact year when the university came into existence is unknown. However, Oxford University, undoubtedly, is one of the oldest universities ever existed in the English speaking world.

Within a century of its establishment, Oxford became an important set of learning & was appraised by the popes, kinds & sages. The university was appreciated for its antiquity, curriculum, privileges & philosophical system. In the 20th and 21st centuries, the university included several courses like natural and applied sciences & medication in its curriculum. In the last 80 years, Oxford has been known to make a significant contribution to society.

Oxford University is situated 60 miles northwest of London. With more than 260 buildings across 13 sites, the university ranks in the list of universities with a vast landscape.

To ensure the smooth functioning of departments, faculties, and institutions, four divisions have been created. These are:

• The Humanities Division
• The Social Sciences Division
• The Mathematical, Physical & Life Sciences Division
• The Medical Sciences Division

Each division holds its set of responsibilities and has its own head & elected board.

Vision of Oxford University:

The university is not only known for its academic work, but it also contributes to Oxford’s reputation as a city of learning, heritage & culture. Oxford University provides its staff and students with state-of-the-art facilities within an inspiring and historic setting, while protecting its cultural heritage. The university aims at improving opportunities for interdisciplinary working and minimizing environmental impact.

Administrations & Operations at Oxford University:

The formal head of Oxford University is its Chancellor, who is elected by the members of Convocation - a body comprising all the graduates of the University. Chancellor holds his position until his/her death, and after his demise, another chancellor is elected.

The vice-chancellor is the de facto (in practice) head of the university. He holds the office for 7 years. The vice-chancellor further elects six pro-vice-chancellors who are responsible for education, innovation, research, planning & resources, development & external affairs, and people & gardens, libraries & museums.

There can be around 10 pro-vice-chancellors without any portfolio who undertake the responsibilities on behalf of the Vice-Chancellor, including presiding at degree ceremonies & chairing electoral boards.

The executive policy-forming body of the university is its Council, which consists of the vice-chancellor, heads of the departments, members elected by Congregation & student’s union.

The congregation comprises more than 5000 members of the university’s staff (both academic & administrative).

The responsibilities of Congregation include:

• Approving charges to the University’s statutes & regulations.
• Considering major policy issues
• Electing members of council

Furthermore, two university proctors are elected to ensure that the university & its members adhere to the university’s status. Student complaints, and university proceedings also come under the prevue of these proctors.

Colleges & PPHs That are a Part of the Oxford University:

Oxford University comprises thirty-nine colleges & six permanent private halls. These colleges & PPHs are independent and self-governing corporations within Oxford University. These colleges that are a part of Oxford University are:

• All Souls College
• Balliol College
• Brasenose College
• Christ Church College
• Corpus Christi College
• Exeter College
• Green Templeton College
• Harris Manchester College
• Hertford College
• Jesus College
• Keble College
• Kellogg College
• Lady Margaret Hall
• Linacre College
• Lincoln College
• Magdalen College
• Mansfield College
• Merton College
• New College
• Nuffield College
• Oriel College
• Pembroke College
• The Queen’s College
• Reuben College
• St Anne’s College
• St Antony’s College
• St Catherine’s College
• St Cross College
• St Edmund Hall
• St Hilda’s College
• St Hugh’s College
• St John’s College
• St Peter’s College
• Somerville College
• Trinity College
• University College
• Wadham College
• Wolfson College
• Worcester College

The Permanent Private Halls were founded by different Christian denominations. The difference between a college & a PPH - colleges are governed by fellows of the colleges, and the governance of a PPH resides with the corresponding Christian denomination.

Currently, Oxford University has 6 permanent private halls. These include:

• Blackfriars
• Campion Hall
• Regent’s Park College
• St Benet’s Hall
• St Stephen’s House
• Wycliffe Hall

Globalization of Oxford University

Oxford University has a strong international character and a presence around the world. Some of the facts that support the internationalization methodology of the university are:

• Oxford University admitted its first international student, Emo of Friesland, in 1190.
• Today 41% of the students and 48% of the staff at the university hail from different countries across the world.
• Oxford academics have built umpteen research collaborations with international partners.
• Oxford has defined the English language through Oxford dictionaries & other books of Oxford University Press.
• The alumni of Oxford University have a strong presence in all the prominent countries across the globe. Some of the noted politicians, historians, scholars, scientists, & sportsperson are from Oxford University.

Highlights of Oxford University

Some of the highlights of the Oxford University are:

How to get admission into Oxford University?

Academic ability & intellectual curiosity are things that unite Oxford students and differentiate them from others. Students from all over the world come to the university and bring their diverse backgrounds & interests, giving the university an exciting learning environment.

If you are also willing to apply to Oxford University, here are the steps that you need to follow.

Step 1: Choose the Course:

The first step is to select a course that you want to pursue. You can choose from the list of courses listed on the Oxford website.

Step 2: Choose the College:

Out of 39 colleges and 6 permanent private halls, you need to choose a college for you. You can put the college’s campus code on your application form as a preference; however, shortlisting can come for different colleges in the Oxford Group (if selected).

Step 3: Submit application:

Once you have the required documents (discussed later), complete your application form & submit with all the required details.

How to Choose the College at Oxford University?

When you are choosing the right college at Oxford University for you, consider the reputation of the college, the courses it offers, location, facilities, grants & other funding options.

If you are not able to choose a particular college, you can mention 9 campus codes on your UCAS application. It will mean that your application will be assigned to a college or hall with fewer applications for the course of your choice in the year you apply, giving you better chances of an admit.

The competition for all the colleges at Oxford University is very high. Thus, there are chances that your application might get reallocated to a different college (under Oxford) if your choice of college is oversubscribed.

Admission Requirements at Oxford University:

The foremost requirement of Oxford University is near-perfect grades. Other than this, other requirements are:

• Submission of online application & payment of non-refundable application fee
• High grades/GPA in high school
• Statement of purpose about the subject that you want to study
• Letters of Recommendation
• References from your recommenders
• Standardized Test Scores (Many courses will require an admission test)
• Several courses require additional submission of written work produced by the applicant
• Photocopy of Valid Passport
• Valid Visa
• Passport Size photographs
• CV, Portfolio or Resume

Once your application is shortlisted, you will be called for an interview. For international students, the interview will be held on the telephone or internet.

A few things that you need to know about Oxford applications:

• If your course has more than one deadline, know that the applications will be considered in two or more separate batches.
• At Oxford University, November is the deadline for several courses. The January deadline is generally applicable for the courses related to Medical Science Department.
• International students applying in March will not be eligible for scholarships.

Oxford University Fees

Scholarship Options at Oxford University:

Oxford University offers several kinds of financial aid in terms of scholarships & grants to the students who are willing to study in the UK. Some of the popular scholarships, funds & grants are:

Simon & June Li Undergraduate Scholarship: This scholarship is available for students from Asian countries. The scholarship covers the course fee and living costs of the student.

Reach Oxford Scholarships: This scholarship is given to students who come from the family with low-income. The scholarship covers the course fees, living costs & one return air fare per year.

Oxford-Weidenfeld & Hoffmann Scholarship: All the students pursuing PG programs are eligible for the scholarship. In this scholarship, the entire tuition fees & a part of living costs are covered.

Oxford & Cambridge Society of India (OCSI) Scholarship: Students applying for Oxford or Cambridge university are eligible for this scholarship. It grants an annual amount of 4,680 Euros to a student.

Ranking of Oxford University

Oxford is one of the prestigious universities in the world and regularly ranks within the top 5 universities. The university has been ranked #1 in Medicine for five years (2011-2016) by the Times Higher Education Supplement. Some of the Oxford University Rankings are:

Subjects Offered by Oxford University:

The university offers a wide range of courses at both undergraduate & graduate levels.

Undergraduate Programs:

• Archaeology and Anthropology
• BA Geography
• BA History
• BA Mathematics
• BA Law
• BA Economics & Management
• BA Oriental Science
• BSC Medicine

Graduate Programs:

• MSc in Advanced Computer Science
• Master of Business Administration
• MSc in Mathematical & Computational Finance
• MPhil in Politics
• MPhil in International Relations
• MSc in Social Data Science
• MSc in Engineering Science

Alumni at Oxford University:

Oxford University has a strong base of more than 275,000 alumni. These alumni, also known as Oxonians, are spread across almost every country. For the past 800 years, the university has been producing some of the acknowledged people in all the fields like – 27 British Prime Ministers, 30 international leaders, 120 Olympic winners, 50 Nobel Prize winners, and more.

Some of the notable alumni that the university has produced in the years are:

• Dr Manmohan Singh, former Prime Minister of India
• Bill Clinton, former President of the United States
• Indira Gandhi, the 1st Female Primer Minister of India
• Boris Johnson, the Prime Minister of the UK
• Oscar Wilde, an Irish poet & playwright
• Hugh Grant, British actor

All the Alumni of Oxford University enjoy several benefits. These include:

• Access to library/journals/JSTOR
• Trips on bespoke travel programs
• Discounts of 10% on Economist Subscription
• Discount of 15% on Blackwell Store
• Discount of 15% on OUP Bookshop

Apart from being a great learning institution, Oxford also operates the world’s oldest university museum and the largest university press in the world. Also, the university boasts of the largest academic university system nationwide.

In the end, Oxford aims to deliver an exceptional education, to carry out world-leading research, and to make significant contributions to society – locally, nationally and internationally.