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 teaching here dates back to the 11th century.
The traditions of Oxford, numerous Nobel laureates who graduated from the university, high places in various rankings in England itself and around the world, an indestructible desire to be better than its main rival are known all over the world.
Oxford University is located in England, in the county of Oxfordshire. It is one of the "old and Ireland" and "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
The University of Oxford is made up of 38 separate colleges., which are independent and self-governing, each has its own leadership, including the head of the house and research assistants.
Also, the university has 6 so-called dormitories that belong to religious orders, but they do not have the status of a college. 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, which determine the friendly atmosphere among students.
The oldest colleges within the University of Oxford are University College, Balliol and Merton Colleges. This is generally one of the oldest buildings in Oxford.
The colleges are mostly seminars and individual classes, and most of the lectures, laboratory work and examinations are organized centrally.
Nearly 20,000 students study at Oxford University, with almost a quarter of them being foreign nationals. In the summer, when language schools at the university are open, the number of students increases significantly.
The number of teachers at Oxford is about 4 thousand people which allows organizing an effective tutoring system in it. The essence of tutoring is that over each student the so-called guardianship or supervision by a specialist in the specialty chosen by the student is carried out. In general, there are 4-5 students for every teacher at 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 sciences, physical sciences, life sciences, environmental sciences, nature, etc.
Features of admission and tuition fees
To enroll in Oxford, applicants apply to certain colleges in the fall before the planned year of study. The admissions committee reviews grades and letters of recommendation, conducts interviews and interviews.
Entry 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 tasks: write an essay, check written work, conduct an additional test.
In order to enroll in one of the directions of the university, you need to apply through a portal common to all universities in England - http://www.ucas.com/. There you can indicate which college you would like to study at, 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 education, 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 education for foreigners here is quite high, and it will pay off only when the graduate really then 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 are calculated. It is worth noting that there is no such thing as “entering for free” at Oxford, but it is possible to receive grants that fully or partially cover the cost of education.
At the end of the calendar year, lists of candidates who are invited for interviews are usually determined. To do this, you can once again not visit England, since the interview can also be conducted online. Given 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 a student, he accepts the traditions of the university and a particular college in particular. For example, in some colleges with conservative principles, they are not allowed into the dining room without a uniform: a mantle, a suit and a square hat familiar to many from films.
After enrolling in one of the colleges, each takes the student's oath in Latin before the leaders of Oxford. And after graduating from the university, those who successfully passed all the exams take an oath and change the old student gown for a new one corresponding to the new rank of the graduate.
These treatments take place in England's famous Sheldonian Theatre, which was built by Christopher Wren back in the 17th century.
Attractions in Oxford
Both on the territory of Oxford as a city and on the territory of Oxford University there are many attractions, thanks to which Oxford is visited by about 9 million tourists a year.
The university campus 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.
Museums in Oxford are also diverse: the Museum of Natural History and Nature, the Ashmolean Museum, the Ethnographic Museum, the Collection of Musical Instruments, the 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 may engage in fencing or ping-pong, others participate in debates or make videos, and others may go hiking or participate in excavations.
Here everyone will find entertainment to their liking and friends of the same interests. For Russian students organized "Russian student society", where you can talk not only about current scientific research, but also watch films in your native language, dance at discos or even balls, meet leading politicians, luminaries of science or people of art.
Particular attention at this university in 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 interuniversity arena.
There are swimming pools, football fields, tennis courts, squash fields, cricket fields and much more. The rivers and canals in and around Oxford allow rowing. The rowing championship between inveterate rivals Oxford and Cambridge is considered the central event in the sports field.
To move 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, meet people from all over the world, and also secure a fast-paced career in your field of interest. Naturally, for this you need to try hard to enter this oldest prestigious university.
