| Oxford University is the oldest English-speaking
university in the world. There is no clear date of foundation
but teaching has existed in some form since 1096. Its ancient
and beautiful buildings still dominate the city, many of them
owned by Colleges. The first three Colleges, University, Merton
and Balliol, were formed in the late 13th |
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| century and today, 39
independent, self-governing Colleges are the basis of the
University. The city is compact and you can get between most
university and college buildings on foot or by bicycle. |
| All students belong to a College. Undergraduates are admitted
by Colleges which also form the focus of their academic and
social life. Weekly meetings with an academic tutor (tutorials)
on a one-to-one basis or with one or two other students are
a distinctive feature of undergraduate teaching. The University
sets course syllabi and examinations, provides lectures, group
teaching and laboratories, admits and supervises postgraduates
and awards degrees. Over a quarter of Oxford's student population
of 17,715 is made up of international students with more than
130 nationalities represented. |
| At Oxford, students benefit from studying in a
large, international university, whilst living in a smaller
supporitive college community. The University welcomes students
from all backgrounds. Candidates are considered on individual
merit and potential. Entry requirements are very high but tutors
also look beyond grades to examine motivation and commitment
to a subject. |
| In both the arts and sciences, Oxford research
is consistently in the top rank, nationally and internationally,
and there are strong links with research institutions and industrial
companies. |
| There are around 100 libraries in Oxford. The
world-famous Bodleian Library has a stock of over 6.5 million
items. There are also major research libraries, college, faculty
and departmental libraries. |
| Colleges offer computing facilities and support
for their students, including internet and ethernet connections
in most rooms. The University’s computer service offers additional
facilities and training in aspects of academic computing. |
| ?Within the college system, opportunities exist
for all levels of sporting ability. The majority of Colleges
provide sports grounds, squash courts and boat houses on the
river for annual inter-college rowing competitions. The Iffley
Road sports complex caters for the major sports of athletics,
football, rugby, hockey and tennis. |
| College accommodation is provided for most international
students for at least their first year. |
| The city of Oxford has a youthful and cosmopolitan
atmosphere with all the main shops and amenities that can be
expected of a town of its size. There is a wide range of restaurants
including Lebanese, Thai, Jamaican and French. Oxford’s historic
architecture is world renowned; less well known is the large
amount of green space in and around the centre, including parks,
gardens and meadows. |
| There are more than 300 student clubs and societies
including sports ranging from aikido to water polo, music,
drama and media, including two student newspapers and a radio
station. The Oxford Union is the largest student society in
Oxford and is the place where high-profile speakers take part
in debates or address students. Most colleges have an Anglican
chapel and there is a Roman Catholic Chaplaincy. Within the
city there is an Orthodox Church, United Reform, Methodist
and Baptist churches, a Jewish Centre, a prayer room in the
Islamic Studies Centre, a Mosque and an active Buddhist Society. |
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