Oxford University is internationally respected as a center for teaching and research. Its long history and elevated status are reflected in the ancient and beautiful buildings that dominate the city. Oxford does not depend on past glories for its reputation, however. The quality of those teaching and learning here today continues to attract both established and aspiring scholars.

History

Oxford is the oldest university in the English-speaking world. It has no formal date of foundation, but became an important center for learning towards the end of the twelfth century. Study at Oxford traditionally focused on theology, the classics, mathematics and medicine. Students either aspired to a life of learning as 'dons' (masters) in the University; or more often used their training as a preparation for influential positions in Church or State.

The later years of the nineteenth century saw a period of dramatic social change. Oxford threw off the last remnants of its monastic origins by allowing dons to marry. Women students were permitted to attend lectures for the first time, although they could not receive degrees until 1920. In 1919, Oxford accepted government funding and joined an expanding national system of higher education while retaining many of the distinctive features it owed to its long history of scholarship.

A Community of Scholars

Oxford remains an independent and self-governing institution, and every member of the academic staff has the right to participate in its decision-making. Final responsibility for all legislative matters rests with congregation, the 'parliament of dons' comprising 3,000 members from the permanent academic, administrative and library staff. Every four years a Vice-Chancellor is appointed, who is effectively the University's Chief Executive and presides over Council, an elected board of academics responsible for the day-to-day governance of the University.

Oxford's Colleges

The first colleges began as medieval halls of residence for students under the supervision of a Master. They were quickly seen as opportunities for great men to enhance their prestige through generous endowments and substantial buildings.

Today, 39 independent, Self-governing colleges are related to the University in a type of federal system, unlike the United States. Each is governed by a Head of House and a number of Fellows, Who are academics specializing in a wide variety of disciplines, most of whom also hold University posts. Colleges select Oxford's students, look after their accommodation and welfare, and supervise their teaching. Undergraduates belonged to single-sex colleges until 1974; today all colleges accept both men and women, with the exception of one college for women only.

Teaching

An Oxford education trains students to seek out and assimilate information, to construct and defend their own arguments, to think for themselves. Few of the courses have an explicitly vocational content, yet Oxford students are among the most successful in the country at finding jobs after graduation. Many opt for further study or research.

The student population of Oxford includes around 10,500 undergraduates and 4,500 graduate students. Undergraduates usually study a single discipline, such as History or Biochemistry, in considerable depth over a three- or four-year course. There are also joint courses in related disciplines such as Philosophy, Polities and Economies, or Mathematics and Computation. The courses are designed by the academic faculties of the University, which organize lectures and practical classes.

Students also receive intensive teaching. Singly or in pairs, in weekly tutorials with tutors provided by their colleges. Tutorial teaching challenges students to think creatively about their subjects, and is the most highly regarded feature of the Oxford system. All courses are assessed through examinations set by the University, typically at the end of the first year and at the end of the final year.

The proportion of graduate students is steadily increasing, with a high proportion from overseas. Around a quarter are following taught courses leading to a master's degree; the remaining three-quarters are carrying out research for a doctorate.

Research The 1,500 academic staffs that take responsibility for teaching Oxford's students are also actively engaged in original research. An even greater number of research workers on short-or long-term contracts make up one of the largest and most productive research communities in Europe. In 1994-5 Oxford attracted over L94 million (US¡ç150.4 million) in research grants, the highest figure for any British university, equivalent to about one-third of its current annual revenue budget. Oxford scientists play a leading role in many international projects, including the European Laboratory for Particle Physics in Geneva, and the Human Genome Napping Project. They collaborate closely with industry, and the University promotes the transfer of its technology through licensing and intellectual property agreements.
The top-class research laboratories of the sciences are matched in the humanities by the unique collections held in Oxford's libraries and museums, which continue to inspire scholars as they have done for centuries.

Oxford and the World

Oxford maintains a high level of interchange with universities elsewhere, including more than 3,000 overseas students currently from over 100 countries. Most researchers maintain informal links with colleagues overseas, and distinguished international visitors play an important role in enhancing the academic environment. Oxford also participates in a number of formal schemes to encourage the exchange of students and staff. World affairs form a significant part of the teaching and research of the University, with centers specializing in Europe, Japan and China, for example, as well as in refugee studies and global environmental change.

Oxford and the Future

Oxford is proud of its ancient origins and illustrious past. While actively preparing for the challenges of the twenty-first century, it has embarked upon an ambitious development program to raise support for new interdisciplinary areas of teaching and research. To enhance its international links and to enable it to respond flexibly as new opportunities arise. The generosity of Oxford's many alumni and friends has given the University the confidence to plan boldly for the future

Editor: Catherine