The University of Oxford is the oldest university in the English-speaking world, with evidence of teaching existing as early as 1096. It grew rapidly in the 12th century after English students were banned from studying in Paris in 1167, leading to the establishment of the first colleges in the 13th century, such as University College (1249), Balliol (1263), and Merton (1264). Over the centuries, Oxford evolved through the Renaissance, Reformation, 19th-century reforms (including women's admission starting in the late 1800s and full membership from 1920), and modern expansions, becoming a global leader in research and education while maintaining its collegiate tradition.
Oxford has no single central campus; instead, its buildings and facilities are spread throughout the historic city of Oxford and surrounding areas. The university comprises 39 self-governing colleges (plus permanent private halls), each with its own architecture, libraries, dining halls, and gardens, blending medieval stone buildings, Gothic spires, and modern additions. Iconic sites include the Bodleian Libraries (one of the world's oldest and largest), the Radcliffe Camera, Sheldonian Theatre, Ashmolean Museum (the world's oldest university museum), University Parks, and the Oxford University Museum of Natural History, creating a picturesque, walkable environment integrated into the city.
Oxford is governed by a complex structure including the Chancellor (a ceremonial role, currently Lord Hague of Richmond, elected in 2024 and admitted in 2025), the Vice-Chancellor (Professor Irene Tracey, who serves as the chief executive since January 2023), and several Pro-Vice-Chancellors overseeing key areas like education, research, and global engagement. The University Council handles strategic decisions, while the Conference of Colleges coordinates among the autonomous colleges. The university operates as a charity with a consolidated income of around £3 billion annually and a substantial endowment (over £8 billion including colleges as of recent figures).
Organized into four academic divisions—Humanities; Mathematical, Physical and Life Sciences; Medical Sciences; and Social Sciences—Oxford offers a tutorial-based system for undergraduates (small-group teaching with experts) alongside lectures, labs, and research. It consistently ranks as one of the world's top universities (often #1 or #2 globally in major rankings like Times Higher Education and QS for 2025–2026), excelling in subjects from philosophy and law to medicine, computer science, and physics. The university is affiliated with 76 Nobel laureates (as of 2025), operates world-leading facilities like the Bodleian Libraries and major research centers, and emphasizes interdisciplinary innovation.
Oxford enrolls around 26,000–27,000 students (about half undergraduates, half postgraduates), with a highly international community from over 160 countries. Life revolves around the collegiate system: students belong to one of the 39 colleges for accommodation, meals (formal halls), social events, and tutorials, fostering tight-knit communities and traditions like wearing subfusc (academic dress) for exams, college balls, May Morning celebrations, and rowing in events like Summer Eights. With over 400 clubs and societies—from the Oxford Union debating society to sports, music, drama, and entrepreneurship—plus access to Oxford's cultural scene, the atmosphere blends intense academics, historic rituals, and vibrant extracurriculars in one of the world's most inspiring university cities.
Professors at University of Oxford
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