OXBRIDGE

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


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, 42nd 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.

Cambridge University

Said to have formed when disputes between the townsfolk and students in Oxford started to arise, thus leading to the students fleeing to Cambridge.

University Colours: Cambridge Blue

Motto: Hinc lucem et pocula sacra (From this place, we gain enlightenment and precious knowledge)

Cambridge comprises 31 Colleges and over 150 departments, faculties, schools and other institutions. Of these 31 colleges, 3 are exclusively for females. Her core values are freedom of thought and expression, and freedom from discrimination.
Cambridge University Press publishes over 2500 titles and 200 journals each year, since its first print in 1584. Its published works include academic and educational writing from around the world

Cambridge Assessment is Europe’s largest assessment agency and plays a highly influential role in the research and development of school examinations in the UK and around the world. Through its three examination boards it delivers mainstream qualifications to over 8 million candidates a year.

Notable Alumni:
Sir Isaac Newton, Physicist
William Wordsworth, Poet
Virginia Wolfe, Author
Sylvia Plath, Poet
Stephen Fry, Actor and comedian and a brilliant man
John Cleese, Actor and comedian


Bibliography
1) http://www.ox.ac.uk/about_the_university/introducing_oxford/an_oxford_education/studying/
2) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_of_Cambridge
3) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_of_Oxford