Where is Oxford University city. Requirements for applicants. Professional assistance in obtaining higher education at the University of Oxford

Oh Oxford !!! Once my thoughts were only about you ....))) And today my article is about you!

Let's start with history

Oxford University is the oldest (!) University in the English-speaking world. Education here began in 1096 and developed rapidly in the 12th century.

From the very beginning of its foundation, the university played an important role in the intellectual life of the country. For more than nine centuries, it has been the center of controversy and controversy in science, religion and art.

Time passed ... During the 20th and 21st centuries, Oxford significantly increased its research capacity in the field of natural and applied sciences, including medicine, and is now one of the the best universities in the world with its powerful research base.

Location

The campus is located about 100km (62 miles) northwest of London and is a vibrant mid-size city with a population of over 40,000. This number includes students from all 38 colleges that make up the university. Most university buildings are located in the center and easily accessible on foot. In general, students are energetic people and often prefer bicycles.

Training

The educational system here is strikingly different from our own. In most areas (and there are a lot of them: physics and mathematics, humanities, medicine, sociological sciences, anthropology, biology, geography, jurisprudence, mechanical and technical, philosophy, linguistics, art, history, etc.) in the first a year of study requires the passage of a number of compulsory courses in subjects. As for the subsequent years, students are given the opportunity to choose the subjects studied (in my opinion, this is great!).

The Oxford teaching system is based on tutoring- attaching students to individual consultants who are the best experts in their field, often recognized at the world level. Such classes with a consultant teacher are held 1-2 times a week and are called tutorials ( tutorials).

Students usually need to prepare for them in advance, for example, write an essay or complete several math problems that are discussed in class. As a rule, 2-3 students participate in such a tutorial.

According to experts (I will also modestly be one of them :)), such an organization of educational activities develops independence, critical thinking, analytical ability, and oral and written communication skills.

But what about seminars and lectures? - you ask! Yes, they also have a place to be, but their role fades into the background. Attendance at lectures is generally optional and does not significantly affect academic performance and learning outcomes. Here are the things.

College equipment and services

There are 38 colleges in Oxford University. Each (!) Of them has its own library, by the way, most of which work around the clock. In addition, there are large scientific libraries, for example, the world famous library Bodleian which may request copies of any books published in the UK. This is power!

The university is well equipped technically. Computer rooms, network access and IT support are available in every faculty and in every building. There is also Central Oxford Computer Center which offers free training.

All students can also use Language centre, which offers a variety of courses, and audiovisual classrooms are equipped with the latest technology.

The university also has Center for Confidential Student Advice.

A well-known Career Center offers students the best innovative programs to help them make more informed career choices after graduation. In other words, a student can, in principle, partially convey the headache of employment here).

Sport

He is far from the last place in the life of Oxford students. Who knows, maybe it is thanks to such a healthy attitude to sports that the university can boast of such a high quality of education received there?

The University of Oxford offers access to a variety of sports facilities: a 25-meter swimming pool, ice hockey field, fully equipped athletics stadium, equipped fitness room, cricket ground, tennis courts and numerous indoor sports facilities. Well, it is simply impossible to study here and not play sports!

Some tasty facts

• Film Harry Potter starred in one of the colleges of Oxford
• The university's research teams account for most of the Nobel prizes
• 25 British Prime Ministers - University alumni
• Each college in Oxford has its own coat of arms
• In the laboratory of the University of Oxford there is an electric bell that has been ringing continuously (!) Since 1840
• The University Publishing House, which publishes well-known dictionaries, is the world's largest university publishing house.
• There is one strict prohibition - you cannot submit documents to Oxford and at the same time
• The university has more than 150 libraries at its disposal - the largest of them has 6 million books!
• Alice in Wonderland(one of my favorite childhood books!) was written by Lewis Carroll at Oxford
• Only in the 1920s, women began to be admitted to the university, and until the 70s, education was separate (women's colleges)
• There are more than 300 student clubs on the territory of Oxford (you can practice music, theater, politics, rowing, make films, etc.)
• Education here became paid only from the end of the 90s - before that it was budgetary
• For the receipt of money alone, alas, is not enough - you need to go through several stages of selection, one of the most important is an interview referee that assesses the potential of the student
• With a strong desire, even a Russian applicant, student or graduate can get a classical or degree at Oxford for free - by receiving a grant or compensating for the fee through scholarships

For dessert

I think there were enough facts to get ready for what Oxford students are doing in their free time))

P.S. Students sing a cappella!

P.P.S. I'd like to believe that the plastic movements of these talented guys are not a sign of their "disorientation")

The University of Oxford is synonymous with prestige and elite, the quality of education, science and knowledge. The university differs from other educational institutions by a high level of academic excellence, scientific research, excellent funding, the ability to receive grants and contracts for training, conduct experiments, and implement various projects. According to these criteria, the University of Oxford is in the TOP of higher educational institutions in the world and in the UK, competing with Cambridge and Cardiff.

Studying at Oxford opens up great prospects for graduates, many of whom become Nobel and Pulitzer Prize winners, receive world recognition in literature, physics, chemistry, biology, and manage transnational corporations and international organizations.

Why Choose Oxford?

• Funded by the state, and also has its own sources of income. For example, these are receipts from famous alumni, philanthropists, private foundations, oil and gas companies owned by the university;
• It is a member of such famous associations of higher education institutions as the Ivy League and the Golden Triangle;
• Oxford owns a huge parkland covering an area of ​​28 hectares. There are also many forests, its own arboretum;
• University education is a brand whose quality is underpinned by centuries of student work and education;
• Centuries-old traditions that are unique, unrepeatable, rather conservative, requiring you to devote all the main time to study;
• The presence of the so-called Norrington score, which was introduced in order to carry out the classification of bachelor's degrees and award scholarships to all interested students.

History of University

Oxford legends say that the school was founded by Alfred the Great in 872, who held lengthy debates with monks on various scholarly topics. But historians cannot find reliable evidence that it was from this date that the development of Oxford as a university began.

In 1074, the College of Secular Laws of the Church of St. George was founded on the territory of the castle, from which the history of the university began. Already in 1096, the educational process was in full swing here, but information about lectures, seminars and practical exercises remained rather fragmentary. It is only known that the courses were taught by outstanding thinkers of the 11th-12th centuries, such as R. Pallen, R. de Chesney and Z. Stampensis.

During the 12th century. large religious centers were formed around the university - monasteries, abbeys and churches. 1167 was a turning point in the development of the university, which was caused by a conflict between the supreme pontiff of the Catholic world, Pope Alexander III, Archbishop Beckett and King Henry of England. In the midst of the confrontation, the monarch ordered all students from England to leave France, forbidding them to return abroad at all. This required a special royal license, but the king did not give it. Therefore, students were forced to go on to study at Oxford in order to obtain a document on higher education.

In the further development of the university, the following stages can be distinguished:

• 13-14 c. - the university received a huge number of rights, occupying a privileged position in the city. For students and teachers, campus accommodation fees have been significantly reduced. Also, the administration has created a system of discounts for them for the purchase of goods, products, textbooks. In addition, both staff and students received protection from the city government. At the same time, a chancellor appeared in Oxford, i.e. the head of the educational institution;
• In the 13th century. a system of colleges appeared (at first there were only ten), which owned the adjacent land. On their territory, the administration of the institutions built buildings in which students lived, ate and studied. The oldest colleges are Merton and Balliol, which appeared in 1264. From the beginning of the 15th century. students no longer rented apartments in the city, they were prohibited from doing this by the Oxford administration, completely transferring the educational process and students' leisure under the control of the chancellor;
• In the 14th century. the university turned into a major educational, scientific and educational center in England, where there were constant disputes on political, ideological and theological topics;
• Until 1878, women did not have the right to enter the university, and then they were allowed to do so, who received full membership only in 1920;
• 1974 college charters were changed to include a clause stating that women and men can study together;
• In the 20th century. courses in applied sciences, natural sciences and medical sciences have been added to the humanities.

Features of academic training

In the Middle Ages, training was carried out according to the method of commenting on the works of ancient authors, which was boring and unnecessary for students. They demanded that training be of an applied, practical nature. The conditions for this developed in the 15th century, when the ideas of the Renaissance began to spread in England.

The teaching course at that time included the following areas:

• Humanities, in particular music, arithmetic, logic, rhetoric, geometry, astronomy, etc. Anyone who wanted to study these disciplines could enter the humanitarian department;
• Medicine;
• Civil and Church Law;
• Theology.

The bachelor's degree program provided for a four-year study period. During this time, students had to regularly attend lectures and take part in scientific disputes. Four years later, students could apply for a Bachelor of Arts degree. This allowed the young man to later lecture on music, law, astronomy, rhetoric, or other disciplines.

After working for three years, the bachelor could enter the magistracy. But for this it is necessary that the graduate of the undergraduate degree attended lectures by other teachers or his colleagues. " When a person entered the magistracy, then he was introduced to the board of the faculty. Here he gave lectures, which lasted for several years (everything depended on the faculty: two for the humanitarian faculty, six for the medical faculty, nine for the theological faculty). Completion of the master's education was accompanied by the receipt of a master's license, after which the student could resign from the boards and leave Oxford. It was possible to teach only for a fee.

University structure

Oxford is a system of colleges, of which there are 38 in the university. Among them, it is worth noting the following, founded during 13-196:

• University;
• Balliol or Balliol;
• Merton;
• Exeter;
• Oriel;
• Queens;
• New College;
• Magdalene;
• St. John;
• Saint Anne;
• Saint Hilda;
• Benets;
• Harris Manchester etc.

In the 20th century. the colleges of St. Peter, St. Anthony, St. Edmond (Edmond Hall), Newfield, Linear, St. Catherine, Holy Cross, Wolfson, Green Templeton (until 2008, these were two separate colleges Green and Templeton), Kellogg appeared.

The university operates separately. Each college has its own government.

Among the functions of colleges, it is worth noting:

• Selection and admission of students;
• Organization and establishment of the educational process;
• Organization of meals and accommodation for students;
• Sports activities;
• Organization of free time.

The university, on the other hand, provides students with auditoriums for conducting classes, laboratory, experiments. In addition, libraries and laboratories, clubs and societies are located on the territory of the central campus. The administration of the university takes exams, sets the schedule of lectures and practical classes, and is engaged in the awarding of master's and doctoral degrees.

The infrastructure of Oxford includes other objects:

• There are many libraries, the number of which is several hundred, including the Bodleian one. Her funds contain all the books that were once published in the UK;
• Museums;
• Publisher;
• Botanical Garden;
• Clubs;
• Student societies;
• Sports and gyms;
• Recreation areas;
• Canteens;
• Dormitories;
• Private college-dormitories (halls), which were founded by Christian religious orders;
• Parks;
• Computer classes and auditoriums;
• Theatre;
• Music rooms;
• Chapel.

In colleges, it is possible to rent a room for the first two courses of study, although in many institutions the settlement is provided for the entire period of undergraduate, graduate or doctoral studies. Student housing is a room that can only be shared by one person. Accommodation is organized in the dorm or outside the college. The annual payment for housing is about 8 thousand pounds.

It is run by the Oxford Vice-Chancellor who heads the central administration. There is also a chancellor, but his position and functions are nominal.

Colleges are known for assigning a separate tutor to each newcomer, i.e. mentor.

Faculties and specialties

Bachelor's, master's and doctoral programs are presented in various departments that are created at colleges and universities. Among such departments-faculties it is worth noting:

• Additional education;
• International relations;
• Countries and regions of the world (separately for Africa, Latin America, Russia, Japan, etc.);
• Various areas of medicine - clinical, molecular;
• Psychiatry, Pediatrics, Surgery;
• Chemistry, biology, physics, physiology;
• Materials Science;
• Stories from different periods;
• Languages;
• Literature;
• Philology;
• Computer Science;
• IT and programming.

The most popular majors in Oxford are law, design, biology, biomedicine, economics, history, IT, humanities, chemistry.

Colleges only offer individual course classes. In particular, history is studied in 32 institutions, computer science is in 13 colleges, postgraduate and master's degrees - in seven institutions.

A huge staff of qualified employees is engaged in training students, 70 of which are part of the British Royal Society, another hundred people have become members of the British Academy.

The academic year at Oxford runs from October to the end of June. The educational process is divided into three semesters or trimesters:

• Trinity, which covers the spring semester;
• Miklmass (autumn);
• Hillary (winter).

The education system is based on such forms of education as seminars, lectures, practical, laboratory classes, experiments, as well as individual lessons with a tutor.

University customs

During the long existence of the university, all students were divided into two large groups - the northern ones, which included immigrants from Scotland, and the southern ones, which include the people of Ireland and the Welsh. The geographical factor affects the distribution by educational institutions, clubs, societies, associations.

Other traditions of the University of Oxford include:

• The custom of walking in robes;
• A college has a unique color;
• Students wear unique navy blue scarves;
• A huge place in student life is occupied by sports, including rowing ("eight") and tennis.

How to enter Oxford and features of training

The admission of documents to the university by the commission is conducted every year during October and November, when applicants can bring papers and write applications for admission to Oxford. The learning process itself begins only after a year. For admission to a university or one of the colleges of the university, each applicant must send a package of papers to a special British document reception service. This state structure was created in order to consider applications from applicants.

The prerequisites for admission to the university are:

• The presence of a diploma of secondary education, in which there should be only grades of level A (excellent;
• Letters of recommendation;
• Written works;
• Grades at the time of admission should not be lower than school grades;
• English language proficiency certificates. Toefl certificates are accepted (only applicants with 230 points are allowed) or IELTS (the average score must be at least 6.5). If the number is less than indicated, then documents from applicants will not be accepted. Although the level of knowledge of English may differ, depending on the chosen faculty (department) and specialty;
• The age limit for applicants has been established, which is equal to 18 years;
• The grade point average of all grades must be 3.33 points.

At the university, during admission, tests are carried out in writing and interviews in the chosen specialty.

Applicants, when submitting documents, are obliged to indicate the college to which they want to go to study. But at the same time, the university administration has the right to offer a person another college, based on test results, written works, knowledge of English. In the event that applicants “fall short” in terms of their language level, they are offered to take courses in a summer school. For those who cannot pay, a wide scholarship and grant support is provided. Financial assistance can be obtained for numerous studies, travel to conferences, and testing theories and theorems.

The total number of students who study at Oxford is, on average, from 20 to 26 thousand people. More than 8 thousand of them came from 140 countries of the world. Basically, these are students from France, Singapore, Australia, India, Canada, USA, China, Germany, Italy. Students from other countries have the opportunity to take a two-year course of study, which is equal to two pre-university courses. During this time, you can get an education, bringing it up to level A. Usually, every foreigner uses the services of a tutor college, whose staff help to properly and effectively prepare for the necessary exams. Education in this educational institution is carried out in a group form (the number of students in academic groups is small) or individually. The types of training can be combined, choosing the most optimal and suitable option.

It is difficult to enroll in Oxford, given the level of requirements. Moreover, the training is not cheap. But material, financial and mental investments pay off very quickly. Graduates find work 100% of the time. This usually happens within six months after graduation from the walls of a college or university.

Attention upon admission should be paid to the academic profile that the college has, reviews about it, geographical distance from the central campus, the ability to settle in a hostel, faculty, disciplines.

The admission process takes place according to the following scheme:

1. It is necessary to collect all the necessary documents, making sure that all knowledge and qualifications correspond to the chosen profile of the university or college;
2. Send paper;
3. After passing the initial selection, applicants are invited for an interview. During their stay in Oxford, foreigners and British students are provided with free meals and accommodation;
4. Passing tests and written works.

Master's and doctoral studies

If a student has completed a bachelor's degree, then he can try his hand at a master's degree. To do this, you need to successfully defend your diploma, again confirm your knowledge of the English language, having received a certificate - either IELTS, Cambridge Certificate, TOEFL. In the application, it is necessary to clearly and concisely justify the choice of a master's program, specialty. You must attach three letters of recommendation from university professors to the application.

For doctoral studies, you need to indicate the directions of research, intended actions and possible results.

There is a business school at Oxford called Said. To get here, you must provide the following documents:

• Bachelor's degree;
• Language certificate of excellent proficiency in English;
• Essay;
• Several letters of recommendation;
• GMAT exam results;
• An extract from the place of work on the availability of work experience (will be a significant advantage over other candidates.

Cost of education

There are two rates for education at the university - for “insiders”, which include residents of the UK or EU countries, and for “strangers,” that is, foreigners. If prospective applicants have already studied at one of the British secondary educational institutions or college, then upon admission to the university, a tuition fee of 9 thousand pounds sterling / year will be set for them. The prices for the programs change every year, so the cost of training is constantly increasing.

Foreign students are required to pay from 15 to 22.5 thousand pounds (price for the 2016-2017 academic year). The price for a bachelor's or master's degree depends on the prestige of the profession, college, faculty.

Humanities will cost students from 10 to 12 thousand pounds, while for the natural sciences you need to pay about 15 thousand per year. Training in such specialties as painting, music or design is somewhat more expensive. For these professions you will have to pay 15-17 thousand pounds / year.

The most expensive faculty is the medical one. In particular, students who dream of becoming cardiologists, neurosurgeons or resuscitators must donate more than 21 thousand pounds a year.

Future marketers, economists or managers will pay from 25 thousand pounds, and future lawyers, legal scholars or notaries - almost 31 thousand.

The following factor should also be taken into account. To obtain a bachelor's degree in most specialties in Oxford, you need to pay three years, and doctors - five, therefore, the cost of training for students at the medical faculty is higher, as well as the level of requirements. After completing the main course of study, medical students will pay for a master's degree for another two years. While the master programs at other faculties are one-year.

Famous alumni

• Such famous personalities as J. Swift, O. Wilde, J.R.R. studied and taught at the university. Tolkien, T. Blair, Edward Seventh, G. Wilson, D. Cameron, M. Thatcher, W.Yu. Gladstone;
• Among the graduates are 6 kings and 12 saints;
• Olympic medalists such as E. Triggs Hodge, D. Tarwater, P. Reid;
• Economist A. Smith;
• Physicist S. Hawking;
• Philosopher T. More;
• The poet Percy B. Shelley;
• US President Bill Clinton.

• Every year in Oxford there is a May Day, which has been celebrated for several centuries;
• The film Harry Potter was filmed at Christ Church College, and also here L. Carroll wrote "Alice in Wonderland";
• In one of the laboratories in Oxford, called Clarendon, there is a bell that has been ringing since 1840. Thanks to an electrostatic attraction mechanism, the bell makes sounds all the time;
• The university has the oldest coffee house in the country, opened in the 17th century;
• Presumably in the 13th century. in Oxford, the Turf Tavern pub was opened, which tourists and students love to visit;
• When entering a university, it is worth remembering that for an applicant who has sent documents to Cambridge at the same time, the case may end in litigation. In one year, you can choose only one of the prestigious universities.

Location

The university is located in the picturesque town of Oxford, which is the center of Oxfordshire. The capital of Great Britain is located just 90 kilometers from the settlement, a little further - 110 km - Birmingham.

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"The city of brooding spiers" - this is how the singer Matthew Arnold called Oxford in England in one of his songs. Refined architecture and majestic buildings - everything here preserves history. Did you know that even Hitler during the Second World War ordered not to bombard the city, while London was constantly subjected to air attacks? The thing is that it was this city that he wanted to turn into the capital of England in the event of its conquest. What is so special about this place? We will tell you now.

Historic Downtown Oxford (source - Unsplash)

History of Oxford

Legend has it that Oxford appeared in England thanks to the Princess Frideswide. A beautiful girl dreamed of becoming a nun, but the king became an obstacle. He wanted to marry Fridesweid. To avoid this, she fled to a small village. When the king followed her, he lost his sight on the way. And he acquired it only after the forgiveness of the princess. For this, he promised the girl freedom. Fridsweid founded the monastery, around which the first collegiate colleges and then the city emerged.

Saxon Fort

The history of Oxford begins in the 9th century. Then King Alfred the Great ordered the construction of fortifications in several English villages to defend against the conquerors. Soon the Saxon fortress turned into a flourishing city. The key to this was the favorable location between the two rivers, which made it possible to develop trade.

The local places were periodically attacked by the Danes, and in the 11th century the city was completely burnt down. After reconstruction, it came into the possession of the Norman conquerors. They created the first castle here. At this time, the city was the second largest in England in terms of population after London.

University of Oxford (source - Unsplash)

Oxford University

The oldest university in England was founded in 1167. Its students received privileges from the government, which caused discontent among the population. Because of this, numerous conflicts occurred between residents and students. To prevent them, students were redirected to study at Cambridge. This marked the creation of the second oldest university in the English-speaking world. Over time, the term "Oxbridge" even appeared - a union of Oxford and Cambridge universities.

During the Tudor era, the city's economy revolved around an educational institution. Students became the main source of income for local manufactures and industrialists. Trade turns a small town into a developed and wealthy city.

Center for industrialism in the post-war years

Panorama of the old city (source - PhotosForClass)

During the First World War, the number of students here decreased markedly. Most of them were called up to serve in the army, and some of the university premises were used as military hospitals.

After the war, the city quickly recovered and became a large industrial center. In World War II, the destruction is bypassed: heavy industry was not developed in Oxford, which would provide the army with military vehicles and sea vessels.

Mass labor migration at that time turned it into a multicultural city. It remains so today: the number of foreign students from all over the world is constantly increasing. Oxford in England has become a kind of center of intellectual potential with technological and scientific bases that attract young minds.

Studying at Oxford

Oxford in Great Britain has been and remains a city of great scientific potential. In addition to the oldest educational institution, there is also Brooks University and the Islamic Azad University.

Oxford University the largest and most famous of them. It has 38 colleges and 6 higher peasant schools. The institution is divided into 9 faculties: English language and literature; stories; linguistics; philology and phonetics; medieval and modern languages; music; philosophy, theology and religion; ancient sciences; oriental languages ​​and culture. It also includes scientific centers where scientists and students work.

Brooks University was founded as an art school. Now it is divided into 4 faculties: biological and medical sciences; humanities and social sciences; technology, design and environment; and a business school. The institution is in the top 50 best universities in the world, created less than 50 years ago.

Azad ranks 5th in the list of the largest universities in the world. It includes 6 faculties: technological; Persian literature and foreign languages; law and political science; management; art and architecture; industrial engineering. The university has 33 departments in Iran and 4 abroad: in the United Kingdom, the United Arab Emirates, Lebanon and Afghanistan.

Oxford landmarks

The City of Spiers is one of the most recognizable in Britain. Once you get here, you definitely want to come back. Ancient buildings with sharp spiers cut through the sky above. Narrow alleys lined with colorful houses turn into spacious streets. Despite its age, this city is young at heart. In it you will find both centuries-old wisdom and youthful
carelessness.

Harforth Bridge on New College Street (source - Unsplash)

Carfax Tower

In the very center of the city, at the Carfax junction, there is a stone tower. This is the only surviving part of St. Martin's Church. It dates back to the XIV century. The tower has a built-in clock with a special mechanism. Two figures can be seen under the dial, they ring the bells every 25 minutes. If you climb the tower, an incredible view of the city will open in front of you from a height of 22 meters.

Harforth Bridge

This is a kind of balcony-bridge that connects two buildings of one college above New College Street. It is also called the “Bridge of Sighs” because of its similarity to the bridge in Venice. According to one of the legends, the students of this college had the highest weight among the local students. To make them healthier, the bridge was closed. In this regard, young people had to constantly use the stairs.

Bodleian Library

The Bodleian Libraries include 40 libraries that belong to the funds of the University of Oxford. Just imagine, their collection is 11 million publications, and the staff is 400 people. You can visit the premises along with the excursion. They are also allowed to be rented for photo and video filming.

Oxford palace

You can get to the Norman palace of the 11th century by ordering a guided tour. During it, you will climb the oldest building here - St. George's Tower. It offers a beautiful view of the city. Descend into the 900-year-old underground chapel, see the tower of debtors and the prison. After the tour, visitors have free time to explore the secrets of the ancient fortress on their own.

West of the sun on a ship

Just imagine - the sun is setting over the Thames in one of the most magnificent cities in the Kingdom. This fairy tale comes true on a cruise in Oxford. Of course, you can order yourself a daytime skiing, and even a picnic or a party on the boat. But isn't it wonderful to watch the last rays of light bathing in the mysterious waters. In addition to all this, you will also be offered champagne, wine or another drink of your choice for the most pleasant end of the day.

Refectory from the Harry Potter movie (source - Unsplash)

Oxford for tourists

The city attracts not only talented students, but also eminent directors. Local New College and Divinity School have become a semblance of a mysterious Hogwarts in the Harry Potter saga ... Fans of a magical movie can book a tour of the filming locations. It will tell you little-known stories and secrets of creating one of the most successful films.

Love from childhood "Alice in Wonderland" ? And if we say that she is a very real person who lived here? Lewis Carroll, the author of the tale, was friends with the abbot of the local church, his daughter and became the prototype of the main character. Now there is a shop dedicated to the girl. Previously, Alice Liddell herself bought her favorite sweets in this shop. Now you also have the opportunity to get into a world where everything is upside down.

Lovers of conversation over a pint of beer can feel like real writers in The Eagle and Child pub ... For more than 20 years, it has been a meeting place for the most famous English authors: John Tolkien, Clive Lewis, Charles Williams and others. This literary group, called Inklings, met regularly to discuss their lyrics. Their discussions have had a significant impact on English classical literature. Maybe you will find your inspiration in this pub.

Double-decker buses in Oxford (source - PhotosForClass)

Transport

Wondering how to get to Oxford from London? Direct trains run from London Paddington and London Marylebone stations. From the central station, you can walk to the center in 10 minutes. There are also express buses from Heathrow and Gatwick airports to the city.

The city of Oxford is very compact, so it is easy to get around on foot or by bike. The car will be much more difficult. There are very few parking spaces in the historic center. If you do travel by your own car, it is better to leave it in the parking lot farther from the center, and get around the city by bus.

The Park and Ride system operates here: buses run from large parking lots to the city center. Such transport also runs between other stops, but note that, for example, buses # 3 and # 3A move to different places. A detailed map and timetable can be found on the Oxford Bus website.

Rental housing in Oxford

The average price for a double room per night will be around £ 120-130, of course cheaper options can be found. Most hotels provide free parking and WiFi access.

If you want to live at home with your own space, use the apartment. Price per person per night starts at £ 40.

A place in a hostel for one will cost from 15 pounds. The price will also depend on the distance to the center, living conditions and time of booking.

Postcard depicting old Oxford (source - PhotosForClass)

What to bring from Oxford

Would you like to bring home something special Oxford? Then we'll give you some tips on where to find your perfect souvenir.

Sanders of Oxford. Here you will find a stunning collection of maps, books and drawings of the old city. Your purchase can become an exclusive gift for connoisseurs of antiques.

The University of Oxford Shop. If your dream of studying at a renowned university never came true, buy yourself something to remember this wonderful place. From cups to university-branded sweatshirts, there's something for everyone here.

Fudge Kitchen. A paradise for sweets lovers. Traditional fudge with different flavors is prepared here: from vanilla to lemon pie. It is unlikely that you will be able to resist such a sweet temptation.

Blackwell's of Oxford. How can one come from the city of science without a book? Blackwells is a huge bookstore with constant discounts and promotions. It sells both samples of modern literature and world classics.

Boswell & Co. Here you will find the most popular gifts and souvenirs from Oxford. Magnets, postcards, cups and other little things with the symbols of the city. The prices will pleasantly surprise you.

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Cambridge, Oxford, Harvard, Yale, MIT are universities that, in the minds of the average applicant, are in a different reality: with green lawns, wise professors, old libraries and tidy campuses. T&P found out how much the tuition costs, what the admission procedure looks like and what requirements are imposed on applicants by the world's top universities. New issue - Oxford University.

Among Oxford alumni, 26 Nobel laureates and 26 British Prime Ministers, it is the second oldest university in the world, so the competition for admission here is on average about five people per seat. According to statistics, 91% of graduates are satisfied with the quality of their education. The application will cost £ 60 if you are trying to apply for one specialty, and £ 22 for unlimited attempts this year. Interestingly, an applicant cannot send his application to both Oxford and Cambridge, which is always competing with it.

Any person can be admitted to the university, regardless of their age. The main criteria are his school performance and the quality of knowledge. In addition, in the process of interviewing, additional qualities of candidates are revealed: general intellectual level, interest and motivation in getting an education. Over the years of the university's existence, students from 140 countries have visited its walls. At the moment, there are two students from the UK for every foreigner.

The peculiarity of Oxford in its unique system, consisting of 44 colleges and 5 closed Christian communities, differing in the number of students and disciplines studied, charter and routine. Each college pays great attention to expanding its own library and improving equipment, improving the quality of living in hostels, developing infrastructure, sports and social functions.

The date of foundation of the university has not yet been established, the very first mentions of it date back to 1096. In 1167, by order of King Henry II, most English students were forced to leave French universities and return to Oxford. At first, the territory of the university was quite small, and it was mainly monks who studied there. Since the 13th century, various colleges began to form, a kind of community, united by geography or religion. The first college for women appeared in 1878, but it was not until 1920 that the first degrees were awarded to women.

Deadline for submission of documents

The deadline for submission of applications is October 15, the results of the exams are announced in the middle of next year.

Admission procedure

First you need to decide on the direction of your future specialty and clarify the entrance requirements, which may vary depending on your choice: you may have to pass special tests and / or write an essay on a given topic. Submission of the application is carried out through the UCAS portal, which is common for all UK universities, where you will be asked to indicate in which college you want to study, or leave the decision to the admissions committee.

Requirements for applicants

Excellent grades and knowledge of English. For foreign students, the requirements are different: in particular, Russian students need to pass A-Levels or International Baccalaureate (IB) qualifications, American SAT or ACT are also suitable. A first year of bachelor's degree from another university may be sufficient to apply. Minimum scores Internet-TOEFL - 100 points, IELTS - 7.0, A-Levels - AAA or AAA *, IB - 38, SAT-Critical Reading - 1400, SAT-Math - 1400, SAT-Writing - 700, SAT-Subject Test - 700.

Entrance tests

In December, based on the results of tests and written work of applicants, a list of candidates is drawn up, which are then sent for interviews. If applicants have any difficulties related to obtaining a visa or paying for an additional trip, you can ask for an interview by phone or via Skype.

Cost of education

Using a calculator on the official website, a prospective student can calculate the amount of payment, which depends on his specialization, citizenship and year of study. For example, for foreigners pursuing a PhD in Chemical Biology in the 2016/17 academic year, the amount would be £ 21,703.

Available grants

The Hill Charitable Foundation provides Russian students with a scholarship that covers 100% of the tuition fees. The candidate must have a degree from a Russian university.

There are a huge number of charitable foundations that provide small scholarships for students, but it is quite difficult to find them on your own. For its students, Oxford provides an alternative guide of over 100 additional funding options, published by two graduate students from the UK, detailing the grant process and application guidelines.

Campus

Throughout its centuries-old history, Oxford has seen many famous and greatest people, and an infinite number of mysterious and mysterious stories are associated with its walls. It was here that the filming of Harry Potter films took place, Lewis Carroll wrote "Alice", and Tolkien, inspired by the ancient Gothic buildings on the campus, painted images of castles for "The Lord of the Rings".

Oxford is one of the few universities where there is a system of attaching students to curators who develop an individual approach for students in accordance with their abilities.

Located in Oxfordshire at a distance of 90 kilometers from London, Oxford covers an area of ​​45.6 square kilometers. With a population of about 150,000, one quarter are students and faculty members of the university. The interiors of colleges resemble those of ancient castles or palaces. In the main cathedral of the New College, for example, you can find the original painting by El Greco, the stained glass windows created by the master Reynolds, as well as the work of the contemporary sculptor Jacob Epstein. On the walls of buildings you can often see the coat of arms of Oxford, depicting a bull wading a river. Subsequently, by order of Queen Elizabeth I, figures of an elephant, a beaver and a leopard, taken from the coats of arms of famous figures of the 16th century, were added to the classical image.

The interiors of colleges resemble those of ancient castles or palaces. In the main cathedral of the New College, for example, you can find the original painting by El Greco, the stained glass windows created by the master Reynolds, as well as the work of the contemporary sculptor Jacob Epstein. On the walls of buildings you can often see the coat of arms of Oxford, depicting a bull wading a river. Subsequently, by order of Queen Elizabeth I, figures of an elephant, a beaver and a leopard, taken from the coats of arms of famous figures of the 16th century, were added to the classical image.

Minicooper taxis with a picture of the periodic table ride around Oxford.

On the streets you can find one of the most authentic pubs in Oxford, where Richard Burton, Elizabeth Taylor and future US President Bill Clinton once had fun. Or find a vintage infographic - a series of busts illustrating the classification of men's beards and located around the Sheldonian Theater building.

Oxford is always associated with a certain university, but not many people know that the city has a second huge university - Oxford Brooks, founded in 1992. It teaches almost as many students as the first (the only difference is in the ratio between the number of bachelors and masters). It turns out that Brooks' students come from wealthier and more affluent families.

Museums and Libraries

Oxford has a network of more than 100 libraries, 30 of which belong to one of the oldest libraries in Europe and the second largest in England, the Bodleian. Its archive contains over 12 million copies. The University Museum Collection houses the collections of the Ashmolean Museum of Art and Archeology, University Museum of Natural History, Pitt Rivers Museum, Museum of the History of Science, Bate Collection of Musical Instruments, University of Oxford Botanic Garden, Harcourt Arboretum and Christ Church Picture Gallery ...

Oxford's online courses can teach you how to write dramatic novels, learn the basics of nanotechnology, or learn about Viking history.

Icons: 1) iconoci, 2) Vignesh Nandha Kumar, 3) Catalina Cuevas, 4) James Kocsis, 5) Roy Milton, 6) NAMI A, 7), 10) parkjisun, 8) Kate Kobielsky, 9) Nick Novell, 11 ) Michael V. Suriano, 12) Alfredo Hernandez - from the Noun Project.

Oxford is one of the "best" universities in the world. In terms of age, it is second only to Bologna, and in the UK and the English-speaking world it is the oldest institution of higher education. It is not easy to enter here, it is difficult to study, and it is very prestigious to have a diploma from Oxford, one of the best universities in the world.

History

Unfortunately, we do not know the exact date when Oxford University was founded, however, it is known from ancient documents that education was conducted here as far back as 1096. In 1167, the rapid development of the university began and its transformation into one of the world's largest educational centers: the fact is that the French king Henry II issued a decree according to which the British could no longer study at the University of Paris, so those wishing to gnaw the granite of science had to look for an educational institution at home. Oxford became the destination for young minds.

Around 1190, the first foreign student appeared in Oxford and the tradition of close international university ties began. In the 12th century, the first colleges within the university were formed, and just a century later, Oxford was recognized as one of the leading universities of its time.

At first, Oxford, like all higher educational institutions of the Middle Ages, was exclusively a place for the training of future clergy, but gradually it became an almost obligatory educational institution for representatives of high society. Until now, Oxford is one of the most prestigious and famous universities in the world.

Programs

At Oxford, you can study in a wide variety of areas and study mathematics, physics, social sciences, humanities, natural sciences and medicine. Oxford offers bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees and short-term non-degree courses.

Number of students

2 thousand students. Almost 12 thousand of them are studying in bachelor's degree. 62% of graduate and postgraduate students come to study in the UK from overseas. Each year, about 3,200 undergraduate (with 17,000 applications) and 4,500 graduate and postgraduate (with 20,000 applications) open at Oxford.

Famous alumni

Over its centuries-old history, Oxford has produced many students who have become famous in various fields. University of Oxford - alma mater of poet John Donne, philosopher Thomas More, economist Adam Smith, writer Jonathan Swift, architect Christopher Wren, poet Percy Bee Shelley, writer Oscar Wilde, philologist and writer J.R.R. Tolkien, writer Aldous Huxley, physicist Stephen Hawking, English kings Edward VII and Edward VIII, British Prime Ministers Margaret Thatcher, Tony Blair and David Cameron and many other representatives of science, politics and culture. There are many Nobel Prize winners among Oxford alumni

UNIVERSITY STRUCTURE

Oxford is a collegiate university, that is, its structure consists of a central university (Central University) and colleges (colleges). The Central University includes academic departments and research centers, as well as administrative departments, libraries and museums. There are 38 colleges at Oxford. These are self-governing and self-funded independent educational institutions that are affiliated with a central university. In addition, there are six private halls founded by religious orders. Dormitories do not have college status and are still Christian in nature.

The central university and colleges have different functions.

The university determines the content of the courses taught in colleges, organizes lectures, seminars and laboratory work, provides resources for teaching and learning (libraries, laboratories, museums, computer labs, etc.), provides administrative services, engages in admissions and examinations of graduate and postgraduate students and determines the knowledge assessment system, as well as awards academic degrees.

Colleges are responsible for admitting undergraduate students, as well as selecting graduate students after they are admitted to the university, providing students with accommodation, meals, libraries, sports opportunities and participation in student clubs. In addition, colleges are responsible for teaching undergraduate students.

It is believed that it is the collegial structure of Oxford that is the key to the success of the university. Its students, on the one hand, belong to a large, internationally recognized university, and on the other, they have the opportunity to study in a small interdisciplinary community. In this way, the Oxford structure helps to establish a connection between leading scientists and students from different fields of knowledge, age groups, countries and cultures. An interdisciplinary approach is Oxford's trademark and pride.

Another feature of Oxford is its tutoring system. It assumes that each student has a mentor (tutor) in the chosen specialty.

In addition to colleges, Oxford has the prestigious Said Business School, where you can get an MBA in two years.

TERMS OF ADMISSION:

Given the collegial structure of the university and a large number of colleges, applicants face the question of choice. In fact, everything is much simpler. There is no strict requirement to choose a college for admission. Applicants can indicate the college they want (for example, based on location or scholarship opportunities), but this is not required. Other Oxford colleges may also invite you for an interview and, if successful, offer you a place. According to statistics, 34% of admitted students receive an invitation from the wrong college, which they designated as desired upon admission. No matter which college you go to, you will receive a high quality education.

Oxford colleges are non-specialized and offer a wide variety of courses. On the university website, you will find information on which colleges offer specific programs. For example, if you are interested in earth sciences, you will find that you can study them at one of six colleges. Computer science is taught in thirteen colleges, and history in thirty-two. 7 out of 38 Oxford colleges only accept graduate and postgraduate students.

Undergraduate

17% of undergraduate students are foreigners. With the exception of the Medicine major, Oxford does not have a quota for international students, which gives applicants from different countries equal opportunities.

Find out in advance by what date you need to apply. As a rule, the application must be submitted one year before the planned start of the studies. You can fill out an application online on the centralized portal UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service) for applicants to British universities. The application must, among other things, indicate why you want to study this particular discipline, as well as provide recommendations from teachers. Copies or originals of documents are not required. For admission to most programs, you must also pass tests and / or provide a written work.

Initially selected applicants are invited for an interview, with the inviting college providing room and board for the duration of prospective students' travel to Oxford.

Foreign applicants must also prove their high proficiency in English and pass the IELTS, TOEFL, Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English or others (check in advance the requirements for points on the Oxford website).

A Russian certificate of secondary school education is not sufficient for admission to Oxford, so Russian applicants will first have to unlearn at least one year in a bachelor's degree in a university in Russia.

Information for undergraduate applicants: www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/undergraduate

Portal for applying to UK universities: www.ucas.com.

Master's degree

Those who already have a bachelor's degree and are fluent in English (you must provide the results of the IELTS test, TOEFL or Cambridge Certificate) can enroll in the Oxford master's program. The application must indicate why you want to study in this particular program, as well as provide official transcripts of existing diplomas and three recommendations.

Postgraduate studies

The process for admission to graduate school at Oxford is similar to the application process for a master's program, but there are differences. Those who already have a master's degree can apply to graduate school, and in the application you must indicate what kind of research you would like to do and why.

Information for applicants for graduate and postgraduate studies: www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/graduate

Oxford Graduate and Postgraduate Admissions Portal: www.graduate.ox.ac.uk/applyonline

MBA

You can get an MBA from Said Business School, Oxford. Requirements include a bachelor's degree, excellent English proficiency, proven by an IELTS or TOEFL test, and a successful GMAT exam. You will also need to write an essay and provide recommendations. Work experience is highly desirable. On average, MBA students at Said Business School have 6 years of experience.

TRAINING COST (per year)

The cost of studying at Oxford depends on whether you are a citizen of the UK or the European Union or not, as well as the level of education received. Russian students cannot count on financial assistance from the British government, and the tuition fees for them are also higher than for British citizens and citizens of the European Union.

• Bachelor's degree. From 15 to 22 thousand pounds. An annual college fee of £ 7,000 is also charged.
• Master's degree. From 15 to 30 thousand pounds. In addition, each college will charge a fee of £ 7,000 annually.
• Said School of Business (MBA): 42 thousand pounds.
• Postgraduate studies. From 15 to 30 thousand pounds. Typically, tuition fees are covered by a grant or scholarship.

Scholarships: Russian students will most often have to pay for their bachelor's degree studies themselves. In graduate and postgraduate studies, there is an opportunity to receive a scholarship or grant, which will partially or fully cover the cost of training. About a thousand different scholarships are awarded annually at Oxford. Each of them has its own requirements (including the country of residence of the future student, the university where the bachelor's degree was completed, the chosen specialty and the college of Oxford). Scholarships are awarded by a university, college, department, or external organizations.