Oxford University
A Brief History of the Oxford University
Oxford is a unique and historic institution. As the oldest English-speaking
university in the world, it lays claim to eight centuries of continuous
existence. There is no clear date of foundation, but teaching existed at
Oxford in some form in 1096 and developed rapidly from 1167, when Henry II
banned English students from attending the University of Paris.
In 1188, the historian, Gerald of Wales, gave a public reading to the
assembled Oxford dons and in 1190 the arrival of Emo of Friesland, the
first known overseas student, initiated the University's tradition of
international scholarship. By 1201, the University was headed by a magister
scolarum Oxonie, on whom the title of Chancellor was conferred in 1214, and
in 1231 the masters were recognized as a universitas or corporation.
In the 13th century, rioting between town and gown (students and
townspeople) hastened the establishment of primitive halls of residence.
These were succeeded by the first of Oxford's colleges, which began as
medieval 'halls of residence' or endowed houses under the supervision of a
Master. University, Balliol and Merton Colleges, established between 1249
and 1264, were the oldest.
Less than a century later, Oxford had achieved eminence above every other
seat of learning, and won the praises of popes, kings and sages by virtue
of its antiquity, curriculum, doctrine and privileges. In 1355, Edward III
paid tribute to the University for its invaluable contribution to learning;
he also commented on the services rendered to the state by distinguished
Oxford graduates.
Oxford early on became a centre for lively controversy, with scholars
involved in religious and political disputes. John Wyclif, a 14th-century
Master of Balliol, campaigned for a bible in the vernacular, against the
wishes of the papacy. In 1530, Henry VIII forced the University to accept
his divorce from Catherine of Aragon. During the Reformation in the 16th
century, the Anglican churchmen Cranmer, Latimer and Ridley were tried for
heresy and burnt at the stake in Oxford. The University was Royalist in the
Civil War, and Charles I held a counter-Parliament in Convocation House.
In the late 17th century, the Oxford philosopher John Locke, suspected of
treason, was forced to flee the country. The 18th century, when Oxford was
said to have forsaken port for politics, was also an era of scientific
discovery and religious revival. Edmund Halley, Professor of Geometry,
predicted the return of the comet that bears his name; John and Charles
Wesley's prayer meetings laid the foundations of the Methodist Society.
The University assumed a leading role in the Victorian era, especially in
religious controversy. From 1811 onwards The Oxford Movement sought to
revitalise the Catholic aspects of the Anglican Church. One of its leaders,
John Henry Newman, became a Roman Catholic in 1845 and was later made a
Cardinal. In 1860 the new University Museum was the site of a famous debate
between Thomas Huxley, the champion of evolution, and Bishop Wilberforce.
From 1878, academic halls were established for women, who became members of
the University in 1920. Since 1974, all but one of Oxford's 39 colleges
have changed their statutes to admit both men and women. St Hilda's remains
the only women's college.
In the years since the war, Oxford has added to its humanistic core a major
new research capacity in the natural and applied sciences, including
medicine. In so doing, it has enhanced and strengthened its traditional
role as a focus for learning and a forum for intellectual debate.
Structure of the University
Oxford is an independent and self-governing institution, consisting of the
central University and the Colleges.
The Vice-Chancellor, who holds office for seven years, is effectively the
'Chief Executive' of the University. Three Pro-Vice-Chancellors have
specific, functional responsibility for Academic Matters, Academic Services
and University Collections, and Planning and Resource Allocation. The
Chancellor, who is usually an eminent public figure elected for life,
serves as the titular head of the University, presiding over all major
ceremonies.
The principal policy-making body is the Council of the University, which
has 26 members, including those elected by Congregation, representatives of
the Colleges and two members from outside the University. Council is
responsible for the academic policy and strategic direction of the
University, and operates through four major committees: Educational Policy
and Standards, General Purposes, Personnel, and Planning and Resource
Allocation.
Final responsibility for legislative matters rests with Congregation, which
comprises over 3600 members of the academic, senior research, library,
museum and administrative staff.
Day-to-day decision-making in matters such as finance and planning is
devolved to the University's five Academic Divisions - Humanities, Life and
Environmental Sciences, Mathematical and Physical Sciences, Medical
Sciences and Social Sciences. Each division has a full-time divisional head
and an elected divisional board. Continuing Education is the responsibility
of a separate board.
The Colleges, though independent and self-governing, form a core element of
the University, to which they are related in a federal system, not unlike
the United States. In time, each college is granted a charter approved by
the Privy Council, under which it is governed by a Head of House and a
Governing Body comprising of a number of Fellows, most of whom also hold
University posts. There are also six Permanent Private Halls, which were
founded by different Christian denominations, and which still retain their
religious character. Thirty colleges and all six halls admit students for
both undergraduate and graduate degrees. Seven other colleges are for
graduates only; one, All Souls, has fellows only, and one, Kellogg College,
specialises in part-time graduate and continuing education.
Oxford's current academic community includes 78 Fellows of the Royal
Society and 112 Fellows of the British Academy. A further 100 Emeritus and
Honorary College Fellows are Fellows of the Royal Society and 145 Emeritus
and Honorary College Fellows are also Fellows of the British Academy.
The University of Oxford has more academic staff working in world-class
research departments (rated 5* or 5 in the RAE 2001) than any other UK
university.
Staff
Oxford's current academic community includes 78 Fellows of the Royal
Society and 112 Fellows of the British Academy. A further 100 Emeritus and
Honorary College Fellows are Fellows of the Royal Society and 145 Emeritus
and Honorary College Fellows are also Fellows of the British Academy.
The University of Oxford has more academic staff working in world-class
research departments (rated 5* or 5 in the RAE 2001) than any other UK
university.
Students
The University of Oxford's total student population numbers just over
16,500 (students in residence, 2000-2001).
Almost a quarter of these students are from overseas.
More than 130 nationalities are represented among our student body.
Almost 5,000 students are engaged in postgraduate work. Of these, around
3,000 are working in the arts and humanities.
Every year more than 16,500 people take part in courses offered by the
University's Department for Continuing Education.
Latest figures show that only 5.5 per cent of Oxford graduates were
unemployed six months after graduation, compared with the national sector
average of over 6 per cent.
Oxford has a higher number of first degree graduates (36%) entering further
training than the national average (20%).
Our students and staff are currently involved in over 55 initiatives,
including visits to more than 3,700 schools and colleges, to encourage the
brightest and best students to apply to Oxford, whatever their background.
Studying at Oxford
Graduate study at Oxford
Across both the Arts and the Sciences, Oxford research is consistently in
the top rank both nationally and internationally. As well as being in the
forefront of scientific, medical and technological achievement, the
University has strong links with research institutions and industrial
concerns both in the United Kingdom and overseas. The University's income
from externally funded research grants and contracts in 2000-1 totalled
over Ј142-4 million. The University's great age also allows its teaching
staff and research students to draw on a heritage of magnificent library
and museum collections.
In all these fields, Oxford attracts scholars from many parts of the world
to join its teaching and research staff, and values also the important role
of overseas graduate students (approximately one quarter of the total
graduate body) in providing intellectual stimulation and creating and
maintaining academic links with colleagues abroad. A hundred countries are
at present represented in this way.
The development of graduate studies has largely taken place in the 20th
century and in the last 30 years seven new graduate colleges have been set
up. However, most graduate students still belong to a traditional
undergraduate college where their presence is valuable to teachers and
undergraduates alike.
Graduate courses
The University offers a wide range of taught graduate courses and research
degrees, ranging from one to three or more years in length. While the
Master of Studies (MSt) degree is awarded after examination at the end of
three terms' work, three or more years are normally required to complete a
thesis for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy.
For all diplomas and degrees, except the few offered as part-time courses,
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