One of the oldest universities in Europe and the world is Oxford University, which became the first in England. Although the exact date of its origin is unknown, it is believed that it was taught here as early as the 11th century.
The traditions of Oxford, the numerous Nobel laureates that have emerged from the university, high places in various ratings in England itself and around the world, the ineradicable desire to be better than their main rival are known all over the world.
Oxford University is located in England, in the county of Oxfordshire. It is one of the "oldest and of Ireland" and the "Russell" list of the most prestigious and elite universities in the UK. Going to Oxford is the dream of many high school and college graduates from all over the world.
University structure
Oxford University consists of 38 separate colleges that are independent and self-governing, each has its own leadership, including the head of the house and research staff.
Also, the university has 6 so-called dormitories that belong to religious orders, but they do not have college status. Each college that is part of the university has premises where students live, eat, study, as well as a bar, lounges, various clubs and societies that create a friendly atmosphere among students.
The oldest colleges in the University of Oxford are University College, Balliol and Merton colleges. This is generally one of the oldest buildings in Oxford.
Colleges host mainly seminars and one-to-one classes, and most of the lectures, laboratory work and exams are organized centrally.
About 20 thousand students study at Oxford University, and almost a quarter of them are foreign citizens. In the summer, when language schools are operating at the university, the number of students increases significantly.
The number of teachers in Oxford is about 4 thousand people, which allows you to organize an effective system of tutoring in it. The essence of tutoring is that over each student is carried out the so-called guardianship or supervision by a specialist in the specialty chosen by the student. In general, there are 4-5 students for every teacher in Oxford.
The list of courses provided is huge, the number of departments or faculties at the university is about 60. Students are invited to enroll in various faculties in the following areas: mathematics, humanities, social, physical sciences, life sciences, environment, nature, etc.
Features of admission and tuition fees
To enroll in Oxford, applicants apply to specific colleges in the fall prior to their planned year of study. The admissions committee reviews grades and letters of recommendation, conducts interviews and interviews.
The admission criteria are very high(only the highest scores in final exams and tests for knowledge of the English language), in addition, the commission can give assignments: write an essay, check written work, conduct an additional test.
In order to enroll in one of the areas of the university, you need to submit an application through a portal common to all universities in England - http://www.ucas.com/. There you can indicate in which college you would like to study, or leave this decision to the admissions committee. To enter the desired college, you need to clarify its profile, the availability of places in the hostel, as well as the prestige and location of all buildings.
To find out the cost of training, you can go to the official website of the University of Oxford http://www.ox.ac.uk/. There you can calculate the cost on a special calculator, indicating your citizenship, chosen specialization and year of study.
In general, the cost of training for foreigners is quite high here, and it will pay off only when the graduate then actually goes to work in the chosen specialty in a large corporation.
The cost of education for undergraduate programs is from 20 thousand pounds, for master's and postgraduate programs - from 15 thousand pounds per year.
Additionally, the cost of living and the cost of technical and material support is calculated. It is worth noting that there is no such thing as "enroll for free" in Oxford at all, but it is possible to get grants that fully or partially cover the cost of education.
At the end of the calendar year, lists of candidates are usually determined to be invited for interviews. To do this, you do not need to visit England again, since interviews can also be conducted online. Taking into account the fact that the lists are formed before the applicant graduates from school or college, he must guarantee a certain score in some subjects.
When an applicant enters Oxford and becomes his student, he accepts the traditions of the university and a particular college in particular. For example, in some colleges with conservative foundations, they are not allowed into the dining room without a uniform: a mantle, a suit and a four-cornered cap familiar to many from the films.
After enrolling in one of the colleges, everyone takes the student's oath in Latin in front of the leaders of Oxford... And after graduating from the university, those who have successfully passed all the exams take an oath and change the old student's robe for a new one, corresponding to the new title of graduate.
These procedures take place in the Sheldonian Theater, famous in England, which was built by Christopher Wren in the 17th century.
Oxford landmarks
Both on the territory of Oxford as a city, and on the territory of the University of Oxford there are many attractions, thanks to which about 9 million tourists visit Oxford annually.
The campus of the university is divided into institutes, colleges, faculties, research centers, dormitories, libraries and other buildings. They occupy a huge part of central Oxford. Even in the colleges themselves, the interiors resemble medieval castles or fortresses, and therefore there is something to see. Hikers will love the numerous parks, one of the largest being the University Park.
Oxford University has the largest university library in England with 102 separate libraries. 30 of these libraries belong to the Bodleian, one of the oldest in Europe and the second largest in England.
Oxford's museums are also diverse: Museum of Natural History and Nature, Ashmolean Museum, Ethnographic Museum, Musical Instrument Collection, Art Gallery at Christ Church College, etc. Visiting almost all cultural sites is free.
Diverse student life
In the universities of England, students are provided not only with the organization of educational activities, but also with a rich entertainment program. Oxford University is no exception in this regard.
Oxford students can join various student societies or clubs, and there are almost three hundred of them. Some can practice fencing or ping-pong, others can participate in debates or make videos, and still others can go hiking or participate in excavations.
Here everyone will find entertainment to their liking and friends of interest. For Russian students organized "Russian Student Society" where you can communicate not only about current scientific research, but also watch films in your native language, dance at discos or even balls, meet leading politicians, science luminaries or people of art.
Particular attention in this University of England is paid to the sports component. Moreover, many sports in Oxford can be practiced not only at the amateur level, but also at the semi-professional level. Competitions are held both within the university between colleges and in the inter-university arena.
There are swimming pools, soccer fields, tennis courts, squash, cricket and much more. Rivers and canals in and around Oxford are suitable for rowing. The central event in the sports field is the rowing championship between the inveterate rivals - Oxford and Cambridge.
To get around the city, students use bicycles, as there are enough paths for them, as in all of England.
We can safely say that studying at Oxford University will allow you to spend unforgettable student years, get to know people from all over the world, and also ensure yourself a fast, fast-paced career in the field of interest. Naturally, for this you need to try hard to enter this oldest prestigious university.
Top 24 UK universities. Tuition is paid. Oxford University occupies a leading position in the prestigious rankings of universities in the world, in The World University Ranking 2016 and 2017, the university took 1st place in the world.
| Oxford University (Oxford) |
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| original name | University of Oxford |
| Motto |
Dominus illuminatio mea ("The Lord is my enlightenment") |
| Year of foundation | before 1096 |
| Rector (Chancellor) | Chris Patten (English) Russian |
| Students | 19 791 |
| Location | Oxford, Oxfordshire, England |
| Site | www.ox.ac.uk |
History
The exact date of the founding of Oxford University is unknown, but education at Oxford was conducted already in 1096. The expulsion of foreigners from the University of Paris in 1167 (as a result of the reform of Henry II Plantagenet, he forbade English students to study at the Sorbonne) forced many English students to leave France and settle in Oxford. Historian Gerard of Wales lectured to students as early as 1188, and the first mention of foreign students was in 1190, the first foreign student by documents was "Emo of Friesland". The head of the university was (and still is) the chancellor. Non-English British students were divided into northern (Scots) and southern (Irish and Welsh). In the centuries that followed, geography continued to influence many students as friendships between colleges or dorms became customary. Members of many monastic orders - Dominicans, Franciscans, Carmelites, Augustinians - settled in Oxford in the middle of the 13th century; they influenced and supported student homes. Around the same time, colleges were created by private philanthropists to live as independent student communities. Among the first were William Durham, who founded University College (Oxford) in 1249, and John I de Balliol, father of the future King of Scotland, after whom Balliol College is named. The English Lord Chancellor and founder of Merton College, Walter de Merton, developed the rules for colleges. Merton College has become a model for other colleges in Oxford and Cambridge. After that, many students left life in dorms and houses of worship and moved to colleges.
In the years 1333-1334. several disaffected Oxford scholars attempted to found a new university at Stamford, Lincolnshire. Protests against King Edward III began to come from Oxford and Cambridge, and he banned its creation - until the 1820s. new universities were not allowed in England, not even in London - and Oxford and Cambridge maintained monopoly.
If in the course of time members of high society passed through Oxford almost without fail, then in the Middle Ages it was still far away. Only priests studied there, they rented rooms from local residents and were often poor.
in 1879, Somerville College became one of two newly formed educational institutions created at the same time in Oxford for the education of women: Lady Margaret Hall - influenced by the Church of England, and the second - Somerville - as non-religious, and in 1920 the degrees awarded to them were recognized as Oxford University.
University admission
In October-November, before the planned start of the year of study, applicants apply to colleges. A special commission considers grades (only excellent, A-level), letters of recommendation, conducts interviews. In some cases, the prospective student may be asked to show their written work, to conduct their own written tests. (School exams in the UK are standardized and are not administered by schools, but central examination boards accredited by the state). Since places at the university are offered before most applicants have completed their school exams, students are generally accepted on the condition that their grades by the beginning of the school year will be at least the agreed point ( conditional offer). It is also necessary to know English no worse than an Englishman (according to IELTS certificates - 7.0, TOEFL-Internet - 110). Tuition is paid: living expenses per year - about 8 thousand pounds; tuition fees depend on the chosen specialty - humanities - 6300 pounds; exact sciences - 8,400 pounds, medicine - 15,400 pounds. For admission to graduate and postgraduate studies, candidates apply to the relevant faculty.
It is not allowed to submit applications in the same year at the same time to Oxford and Cambridge universities.
University structure
The university consists of 38 colleges, as well as 6 dormitories - closed educational institutions belonging to religious orders without college status. Exams, most lectures and labs are organized centrally, and colleges conduct individual student sessions and workshops.
Now Oxford has more than 20 thousand students, about a quarter of them are foreigners. Their number increases dramatically in the summer when summer language schools open. The rector of Oxford is Sir Chris Patten. Oxford began accepting women only in the 1920s, but already in the 1970s. split training was abolished.
The staff of Oxford teachers is huge - almost 4 thousand people, of which 70 are members of the Royal Society, more than 100 are members of the British Academy. Oxford uses a unique tutoring system in teaching - a personal tutor is established over each student by a specialist in the chosen specialty.
The main areas of student training are humanitarian, mathematical, physical, social sciences, medicine, life and environmental sciences.
Departments:
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Oxford is not only a university, but also the largest research center; Oxford has more than a hundred libraries (the largest university library in England) and museums, and its own publishing house.
Students have the opportunity to devote a large amount of their time to leisure - more than 300 hobby groups are at their service. Traditionally, close attention in Oxford is paid to sports as a useful and prestigious form of recreation.
A whole galaxy of brilliant scientists, literature, and the arts emerged from the walls of Oxford - Christopher Wren, John Tolkien, Lewis Carroll taught here, Roger Bacon and Margaret Thatcher studied. 25 British Prime Ministers graduated from Oxford.
Oxford colleges
The very first college of Oxford University - University College - was founded in 1249. Two other Oxford colleges claiming historical primacy - Balliol (1260) and Merton College (1264) - are named after their founders: John Balliol was the father of John I, the future King of Scotland, and the second was founded by Lord Chancellor Walter de Merton. Subsequently, about forty colleges were founded.
The University of Oxford is the oldest institution of higher education in the UK and the second oldest in Europe. Teaching has been conducted here since the end of the 11th century. It is difficult to enter this university, it is even more difficult to study, but it is incredibly prestigious to have a diploma from Oxford University. For graduates with such an education, the doors of the most respectable companies in the world are open. Only an absolutely uneducated person does not know about the existence of such an institution. Millions of students dream of enrolling in Oxford, but only a few succeed in making this dream come true.
History and development of the educational institution
The University of Oxford is located in the UK, in the city of Oxford (Oxfordshire). The exact date of the opening of the university is unknown, but, as mentioned above, scientists managed to establish that education has been conducted here since the 11th century. The university began to develop quite rapidly. He gained particular popularity after 1167: at this time, Henry II issued an order prohibiting students from England to study at the Sorbonne.
As a result, most of the students and teachers were expelled from the Sorbonne, and they had to move to Great Britain, namely to Oxford. After a while, they were joined by colleagues from other countries. Since 1201, the chancellor has been considered the head of the university. The University of Oxford changed dramatically during the Renaissance: changes affected both the content of the institution and the teaching system in it.
In 1636, the Bishop of Canterbury William Loud approved the charter of the university, which existed unchanged until the middle of the 19th century. During this period, some amendments were made to it, for example, written entrance examinations were introduced instead of oral entrance examinations, and four colleges for women were opened.
How to go to Oxford?
The University of Oxford has challenging requirements for its applicants. It is equally difficult for graduates of European or American schools to enter it, as well as for schoolchildren studying in domestic educational institutions. Russian secondary education for admission to a university of this level is not enough. In order to enter the University of Oxford, you must study in the UK under the A-levels or International Baccalaureate (IB) program for at least two years. At the same time, it is necessary to complete the training with the highest marks.
Since the educational process takes place in Oxford in English, foreign applicants are required to confirm the level of knowledge of the language. To do this, you need to pass one of the international level exams. For example, IELTS, which should have a total score of 7.0, or TOEFL, the average for it should not be less than 600 points. In addition, a number of certain specialties require prospective students to pass special written tests. Such tests are passed for admission to biomedical specialties, specialties in literature and others.
After successfully passing the tests and exams, students receive an invitation for a personal interview, which takes place in mid-December. Based on the results of exams, tests and interviews, a decision is made about whether the applicant will study at Oxford or not.
What the cost of studying?
But knowledge is still not enough to enter Oxford (university). The cost of training is quite high here. Therefore, before you start preparing for admission, you need to carefully think about whether you or your parents can pay for the tuition. For foreign applicants (not from the countries of the European Union) the price of the issue is from 15 to 30 thousand pounds per year. The amount depends on the specialization and additional payment to the college in which the study is planned (there are several colleges in the University of Oxford). This supplement is equal to the sum of seven thousand pounds per year. In addition, you will need money for living (approximately 12 thousand pounds for one study period).
What is being studied here?
Oxford (university) gives knowledge in many specialties. The faculties most often chosen by students are the humanities, medicine, mathematics, physics, and the natural and social sciences. These departments train graduates in various fields. The university has 38 colleges, where most of the basic subjects are taught. There is a mentoring system in place, thanks to which there is no clear division of students according to specialties. The university provides training in almost all existing branches and areas for undergraduate studies. The Master's program covers everything except accounting.
The staff of the institution has 8.5 thousand employees, three thousand of whom are teachers. Roger Bacon and Margaret Thatcher studied here.
One of the most popular colleges
Another popular university in the city of Oxford is Oxford Brooks. The university was opened in 1865. Then it was called the Oxford School of Art. From 1970 to 1992, the institution was called Oxford Polytechnic. The university received the status of a university only in 1992.
The college got its name in honor of John Henry Brooks - its first rector. It was at Oxford Brooks that the modular form of education was first introduced. The university has more than 130 different study programs for obtaining bachelor's degrees and more than one hundred master's programs.
Free Internet access is available in every Oxford Brooks University building. All campuses have computer rooms that can be used around the clock. There are also libraries, restaurants, recreational facilities, sports complexes and student shops at the disposal of students and teachers.
Studying at Oxford through the eyes of its graduates
Tourists will also be pleased to visit Oxford - the university where the soul and heart of modern science is located. The institution has presented the world with 40 Nobel laureates, fifty heads of government and an infinite number of the most famous scientists, philosophers, politicians and writers. All those who graduated from this institution say that studying there is incomparable with any other educational system. Graduates say it is incredibly difficult to study here. They argue that teachers at Oxford teach self-study and are asked quite a lot to read.
So, according to those who graduated from the University of Oxford, we can conclude that a student every week needs to read one thousand pages of texts and write 45 pages of his own essays. At Oxford, students are taught to express their thoughts, so students are constantly writing various essays.
But none of the students regretted the years spent at this university. Most of them today hold honorary and prestigious positions, speak English fluently and can hold a conversation on almost any topic.
- Location Oxford Sixth Form College (formerly Oxford Tutorial College): Oxford, UK
- Founded: in 1988
- Training programs: GCSE, A-level, BTEC, academic English courses, preparation for IELTS, University Pathway, special programs for preparing for retaking exams
- Students age: 15+ years
- Total number of students: 170 people
- Accommodation type: host family or residence (boarding house).
Oxford Sixth Form College enjoys an excellent reputation among educational institutions specializing in preparing students for British universities. Sixth Form Private College was created by the Oxford Foundation for Education in 1988 with five honorary trustees, including the director of the college. In 2010, the college came under the control of the ISIS Group company, funded from the Prince Charles Charitable Foundation, among other things - this made it possible to open effective summer and winter language schools on the campus, conduct seasonal tours and combined programs.
Oxford Tutorial College accepts children from 15 to 18 years old to study: the total number of students today reaches about 200 people, boys and girls are approximately equally divided (most students have already reached the age of majority and are studying in programs for high school students). The first week of college is devoted to the adaptation of foreign students: they get acquainted with British cultural and national characteristics, learn the rules of safety and behavior, master on the campus and in the house chosen for living, walk around Oxford.
In 2013, Oxford Tutorial College was ranked 30th among the private schools in the country according to final examinations - for such a young educational institution, this is more than an impressive success. Accredited by the British Council, has repeatedly received high marks from specialized independent organizations for effective preparation for the university. The total number of graduates today already exceeds 30 thousand people - they continued their studies at such prestigious universities as:
- University College London
- Cambridge
- Edinburgh
- Durham
- Oxford
- St Andrews and others.
Another valuable feature of the college is the ability to choose the most optimal educational form for each student:
- 6 classroom lessons in each subject weekly
- Weekly - 4 lessons in mini-groups (7 people each) and 1 individual lesson
- 3 individual lessons per week on the chosen subject.
Many college teachers are Oxford alumni: working in small classes and giving each student personal attention, they are able to achieve truly impressive learning outcomes.
About 35% of Oxford Sixth Form College students are foreigners: most of all are from Europe, USA, Russia, Thailand and China. Parents every trimester (at least once) receive a full-fledged school report: on the progress and behavior, success and difficulties of the child, recommendations of teachers and educators. If desired, parents or guardians can order supervised learning: once a week, the student will do his homework under the supervision of a qualified teacher. It helps to fill knowledge gaps, improve academic performance, learn to concentrate and work more effectively and attentively.
Each student at Oxford Tutorial College is given an individual approach and personal attention: for this purpose, a personal tutor is assigned. It is the mentor who first of all helps the students to solve any questions (for everyday matters, it is better to contact a special support officer who is available throughout the working day). If necessary, an independent counselor is invited to meet confidentially with the student, parent or guardian. Together with the tutor, the student conducts individual lessons every week: he learns to write and critically analyze essays, discuss a novel or a philosophical treatise, analyze ideas of fiction, etc. A similar technique is successfully used at the University of Oxford, so such preparation for students will be very useful.
Oxford Tutorial College works with medical professionals under a partnership agreement: each arriving student must register with a British doctor, have a medical record indicating vaccinations, allergies and contraindications (it is recommended to register not only with a therapist, but also with an ophthalmologist and dentist). Usually, medical services for students are free (they are covered by insurance, including hospitalization, intensive care and return to their homeland).
