University of Oxford, Oxford

University of Oxford, Oxford (must see)

The University of Oxford, officially known as The Chancellor, Masters and Scholars of the University of Oxford, is a prestigious research university with a rich history. Its origins trace back to as early as 1096, making it the oldest university in the English-speaking world and the second-oldest continuously operating university globally. Its rapid growth began in 1167 when King Henry II prohibited English students from attending the University of Paris. In 1209, due to conflicts between Oxford students and the local townspeople, some academics relocated to the northeast, establishing what we now know as the University of Cambridge. These two venerable institutions, often referred to collectively as "Oxbridge," share many similarities.

Oxford University comprises 39 semi-autonomous constituent colleges, six permanent private halls, and various academic departments organized into four divisions. Each college operates independently within the university, managing its own membership, internal structure, and activities. Every student belongs to a specific college. Unlike universities with a central campus, Oxford's facilities and buildings are spread throughout the city center. Undergraduate education at Oxford revolves around small-group tutorials held at the colleges and halls, a distinctive feature of the Oxbridge system. These tutorials are supplemented by classes, lectures, seminars, laboratory work, and occasional additional tutorials offered by the central university faculties and departments. Postgraduate education primarily takes place centrally.

Oxford University is home to the world's oldest university museum, the largest university press globally, and the most extensive academic library system in the country. Oxford boasts an impressive list of alumni, including 28 British prime ministers, numerous heads of state and government worldwide, 72 Nobel Prize laureates, 3 Fields Medalists, and 6 Turing Award winners as of November 2019. Its alumni have also earned a remarkable 160 Olympic medals. Oxford is renowned for its scholarship opportunities, including the prestigious Rhodes Scholarship, one of the oldest international graduate scholarship programs in existence.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Oxford. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

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University of Oxford on Map

Sight Name: University of Oxford
Sight Location: Oxford, England (See walking tours in Oxford)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark

Walking Tours in Oxford, England

Create Your Own Walk in Oxford

Create Your Own Walk in Oxford

Creating your own self-guided walk in Oxford is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Harry Potter Walk in Oxford

Harry Potter Walk in Oxford

In addition to its conventional university fame, more recently Oxford has emerged as a major filming location for the magical world of Harry Potter.

The picturesque New College served as the backdrop for several scenes in the Harry Potter movies. Its cloisters were used as the setting for Hogwarts' interiors, where characters like Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, and Ron Weasley walked...  view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.0 Km or 0.6 Miles
Oxford Introduction Walking Tour

Oxford Introduction Walking Tour

Oxford, a city in central England, has captivated the minds of scholars and travelers for centuries. The name "Oxford" originates from the Old English "Oxenaford," which means "shallow crossing of the oxen." It harks back to the early days (circa 900 AD) when a small settlement established by the Anglo-Saxons served as an important crossing point on the upper reaches...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.5 Km or 2.2 Miles
Colleges of Oxford University

Colleges of Oxford University

The University of Oxford is the oldest educational institution in England and one of the best in the world. Alma mater for thousands of the most influential people on the planet, it is also a major attraction for architecture and history buffs.

The university represents a "federation" incorporating 38 self-governing colleges and six permanent private halls. Let's take a closer...  view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.5 Km or 0.9 Miles