Oxford, University of, often called Oxford University, is the oldest university in the United Kingdom and one of the world’s most famous institutions of higher learning. Oxford University started to develop during the 1100’s. It is in Oxford, England, about 50 miles (80 kilometers) northwest of London.
The university consists of 38 colleges, plus several private halls established by various religious groups. The colleges include All Souls, Balliol << BAYL yuhl >> , Brasenose, Christ Church, Jesus, Lady Margaret Hall, Magdalen << MAWD lihn >> , Merton, New College, Nuffield, Oriel, St. John’s, Somerville, Trinity, and University.
At Oxford, each college is a corporate body distinct from the university and is governed by its own head and fellows. Most fellows are college instructors called tutors, and the rest are university professors, readers, and lecturers. Each college manages its own buildings and property, elects its own fellows, and selects and admits its own undergraduate students. The university provides some libraries, laboratories, and other facilities, but the colleges take primary responsibility for the teaching and well-being of their students. Oxford’s website at https://www.ox.ac.uk/ presents information about the university.
Educational program.
Each student at Oxford is assigned to a tutor, who supervises the student’s course of study, primarily through tutorials. Tutorials are weekly meetings of one or two students with their tutor. Students may see other tutors for specialized instruction. They may also attend lectures given by university teachers. Students choose which lectures to attend on the basis of their own special interests and on the advice of their tutor.
The university, not the individual colleges, grants degrees. The first degree in the arts or sciences is the Bachelor of Arts with honors. Oxford also grants higher degrees, diplomas, and certificates in a wide variety of subjects.
The Rhodes scholarship program enables students from the United States, Canada, and many other nations to study at Oxford for a minimum of two years (see Rhodes scholarship). The British government grants Marshall scholarships to citizens of the United States for study at Oxford and other universities in the United Kingdom.
History.
During the 1100’s, a university gradually developed from a number of schools in the city of Oxford. Its development was aided by a break in relations between England and France in 1167. Hostility between the two nations prevented English students from attending the University of Paris, and many of them went to Oxford instead. The university received its first official recognition in 1214.
The three oldest Oxford colleges—University, Balliol, and Merton—-date from the 1200’s. Twelve more colleges were founded between 1300 and 1555. The first colleges for women were established during the late 1800’s. The university did not grant degrees to women until 1920.
See also Bodleian Library.
