Oxford University

Oxford

One of the oldest surviving universities in the English-speaking world, and among one of the highest renowned universities in the world.

University Colours: Oxford Blue

Motto: Dominus Illuminatio Mea (The Lord is my Light)

Oxford student population of over twenty thousand comprises of students from 140 countries and territories, a third of which are from outside of UK.

The academic year runs from October to June, and is divided into 3 eight week terms: Michaelmas (autumn), Hilary (Spring) and Trinity (summer).

Major events include: The Boat Race, Varsity Football Match,Varsity Rugby Match, Encaenia (when the University awards honorary degrees and commemorates its benefactors) and Degree Days (takes place throughout the year, when students graduate).

The Collegiate System

Oxford University comprises of 38 independent, self-governing colleges.

"All Colleges invest heavily in facilities for extensive library and IT provision, accommodation and welfare support, and sports and social events. The relatively small number of students at each college allows for close and supportive personal attention to be given to the induction, academic development and welfare of individuals.

Each college has its own Governing Body, comprising the Head of House and a number of Fellows, most of whom also hold University posts. There are also six Permanent Private Halls, which were founded by various Christian denominations and still retain their religious character."

History: Key Events

1096: Some form of teaching known to have existed in Oxford

1167: This developed rapidly when Henry II banned students from attending the University of Paris

1190: Arrival of first overseas student, Emo of Friesland (haha, what a name.)

1355: Edward III paid tribute to the university for its unsurpassable education and the services rendered to the state by alumni

1833: From this year, Oxford sought to revitalise the Catholic aspects of the Angelican Church

1860: Historical debate between Thomas Huxley and Bishop Wilderforce takes place in University Museum

1878: Academic halls establish for women

1974: All colleges changed their statutes to admit both men and women

Norrington Table:

The Norrington Table is an annual ranking that lists the colleges of the University of Oxford that have undergraduate students in order of the performance of their undergraduate students on that year's final examinations.

Currently, the Norrington Table is calculated by awarding 5 points for a student who receives a 1st Class degree, 3 points for a 2:1, 2 for a 2:2 and 1 for a 3rd, divided by the maximum possible score (i.e. the number of finalists in that college multiplied by 5), and expressed as a percentage (rounded to 2 decimal places) per college. Although the difference between the highest places on the table is usually very slight, the top colleges remain very competitive about their rankings on the Table. Their competitiveness has been heightened in recent years by increased media attention on the rankings.

Previously the university had refused to endorse an official table, leading to inaccuracies (see Criticisms below), so the university finally published its own rankings using examination results from all final year undergraduates in 2005.

Applications to Colleges:

· Apply around September-October in your J2 year, results are out usually in December-January

· UCAS forms (Common Application) allows you to fill in five UK schools of your choice

· You can only choose either Oxford or Cambridge to apply for, you cannot choose both

· When applying, you can choose colleges in Oxbridge of your choice; alternatively you submit an open application, which means if accepted you would be placed in colleges which have vacancies

· Some colleges look more at your academic performance as compared to your extra-curricular activities

Notable Alumni:

26 British Prime Ministers, including Margeret Thatcher, Tony Blair and most recently, David Cameron.

Bill Clinton, 42^nd Prime Minister of the United States

Authors like C.S Lewis, author of the Narnia Chronicles; J.R.R. Tolkien, author of the Lord of the Rings Trilogy; Joseph Heller, author of Catch 22; Lewis Carroll, author of Alice in Wonderland, and many others.

Poets like Percy Shelley, T.S. Elliot, A.E. Housman and John Donne.

Actors like Hugh Grant and Kate Beckinsale.

The world renowned composer Andrew Lloyd Webber is also affiliated to Oxford University.