The University of Oxford is synonymous with prestige and elite, the quality of education, science and knowledge. The university differs from other educational institutions with a high level of academicism, scientific research, excellent funding, the possibility of obtaining grants and contracts for training, conducting experiments, and implementing various projects. According to these criteria, Oxford University is included 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 worldwide recognition in literature, physics, chemistry, biology, manage transnational corporations and international organizations.

Why choose Oxford?

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

History of University

Oxford legends say that the educational institution was founded by Alfred the Great in 872, who held lengthy debates with the monks on various scientific 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 was preserved quite 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 the conflict between the supreme pontiff of the Catholic world, Pope Alexander III, Archbishop Becket and the English King Henry. 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 receive a document on higher education.

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

• 13th-14th century – the university received a huge amount of rights, taking a privileged position in the city. Students and faculty have received significant reductions in campus accommodation fees. The administration also created a system of discounts for them to purchase goods, products, textbooks. In addition, both employees and students received protection from the city government. At the same time, a chancellor appeared in Oxford, i.e. head of an educational institution;
• In the 13th century a system of colleges appeared (at first there were only ten of them), which owned the land adjacent to them. On their territory, the administration of 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, the administration of Oxford forbade them to do this, completely transferring the educational process and leisure of students under the control of the chancellor;
• In the 14th century the university has become a major educational, scientific and educational center in England, where disputes on political, ideological and theological topics were constantly held;
• 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;
• In 1974, the charters of colleges were changed - they made a clause that women and men can study together;
• In the 20th century courses in applied, natural and medical sciences were added to the humanities.

Features of academic training

In the Middle Ages, teaching 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 the training be of an applied, practical nature. The conditions for this were formed in the 15th century, when the ideas of the Renaissance began to spread in England.

The curriculum 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 humanities department;
• The medicine;
• Civil and church law;
• Theology.

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

After working for three years, a bachelor could enter a master's program. But for this it is necessary that the bachelor's graduate go to the lectures of 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 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 leave 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;
• Magdalen;
• Saint John;
• Saint Anne;
• Saint Hilda;
• Benets;
• Harris Manchester, etc.

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

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

Among the functions of colleges it is worth noting:

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

The university also provides students with classrooms for classes, laboratories, and experiments. In addition, libraries and laboratories, clubs, and societies are located on the territory of the central campus. The administration of the university takes examinations, sets the schedule of lectures and practical classes, deals with the awarding of master's and doctoral degrees.

The infrastructure of Oxford includes other objects:

• Many libraries, the number of which is several hundred, including the Bodleian. Its funds contain all the books that were once published in the UK;
• Museums;
• Publishing house;
• Botanical Garden;
• Clubs;
• student societies;
• Sports and gyms;
• Recreation areas;
• Canteens;
• Dormitories;
• Private dormitory colleges (halls), which were founded by Christian religious orders;
• parks;
• Computer classes and audiences;
• Theatre;
• Music rooms;
• Chapel.

In colleges, you can rent a room for the first two years of study, although many institutions provide accommodation for the entire period of undergraduate, graduate or doctoral studies. Student housing is a room in which only one person can live. Accommodation is organized in a hostel or outside the college. The annual fee for housing is about 8 thousand pounds.

Oxford is governed by a 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 the university. Among these 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;
• History of different periods;
• languages;
• Literature;
• Philology;
• Computer Science;
• IT and programming.

The most popular majors at Oxford are Law, Design, Biology, Biomedicine, Economics, History, IT, Humanities, Chemistry.

Colleges conduct only classes in selected courses. In particular, history is studied in 32 institutions, computer science is available in 13 colleges, postgraduate and master's programs in seven institutions.

Students are trained by a huge staff of qualified employees, 70 of which are members 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);
• Hilary (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 - northern, which included immigrants from Scotland, and southern, which included residents of Ireland and the Welsh. The geographical factor affects the distribution among educational institutions, clubs, societies, associations.

Other traditions of Oxford University include:

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

How to enter Oxford and learning features

The admission of documents to the university by the commission is carried out 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 is required to send a package of papers to a special British document acceptance service. This state structure was created in order to consider applications from applicants.

The necessary conditions for admission to the university are:

• The presence of a diploma of secondary education, in which there should be only A grades (excellent;
• Letters of recommendation;
• Written works;
• Grades at the time of admission should not be lower than school ones;
• English proficiency certificates. Toefl certificates are accepted (only applicants with a score of 230 are allowed) or IELTS (average score must be at least 6.5). If the number is less than specified, 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, which is equal to 18 years, has been established;
• The average score of all grades in the certificate (grade point average) should be 3.33 points.

At the university, during admission, written tests and interviews in the chosen specialty are conducted.

Applicants, when submitting documents, must indicate the college 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 work, knowledge of English. In the event that applicants are a little “not up to par” in terms of the level of the language, they are offered to be like 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, trips to conferences, testing of theories and theorems.

The total number of students who study at Oxford averages between 20,000 and 26,000. Of these, more than 8 thousand 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 complete a two-year course of study, which is equal to two pre-university courses. During this time, you can get an education, pulling it up to level A. Usually, every foreigner uses the services of a tutor college, whose employees help to prepare correctly and effectively for passing 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 on an individual basis. Types of training can be combined, choosing the most optimal and suitable option.

Getting into Oxford is difficult given the level of requirements. Also, training is not cheap. But material, financial and mental investments pay off very quickly. Graduates find work in 100% of cases. This usually happens within six months after graduation from the college or university.

When applying, attention should be paid to the academic profile that the college has, reviews about it, geographical distance from the central campus, the opportunity to live in a hostel, faculty, disciplines.

The admission process goes like this:

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 papers;
3. After passing the initial selection, applicants are invited to an interview. For the duration of their stay in Oxford, foreigners and British students are provided with free meals and accommodation;
4. Submission of 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, confirm your knowledge of English again by obtaining a certificate - either IELTS, Cambridge Certificate, TOEFL. In the application, it is necessary to clearly and concisely justify the choice of the master's program, specialty. Attached to the application must be three letters of recommendation from university teachers.

For doctoral studies, it is necessary to indicate the directions of research, the proposed actions and possible results.

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

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

Cost of education

The university has two tariffs for education - for "their own", which include residents of the UK or EU countries, and for "strangers", i.e., foreigners. If prospective applicants have already studied at one of the British secondary schools or a college, then upon admission to a university, they will be charged an education fee of 9 thousand pounds sterling / year. Prices for programs change every year, so the cost of education is constantly growing.

Foreign students are required to pay from 15 to 22.5 thousand pounds (the 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 a year. Somewhat more expensive is training in such specialties as painting, music or design. For these professions, you will have to pay 15-17 thousand pounds sterling / year.

The most expensive faculty is considered to be medical. Specifically, students who aspire to be cardiologists, neurosurgeons or resuscitators need to donate more than £21,000 a year.

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

It is worth considering the following factor. To obtain a bachelor's degree in most specialties at Oxford, you need to pay three years, and doctors need five, so the cost of education for students at the medical faculty is higher, as is the level of requirements. After the completion of the main course of study, medical students will pay for a master's program for another two years. While master programs at other faculties are one-year.

Famous Alumni

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

• Every year in Oxford there is a May Day, which has been celebrated for several centuries;
• Harry Potter was filmed at Christ Church College, and here L. Carroll wrote Alice in Wonderland;
• In one of the Oxford laboratories, called Clarendon, there is a bell that has been ringing since 1840. Thanks to a mechanism that works on electrostatic attraction, the bell makes sounds all the time;
• The oldest coffee shop in the country, opened in the 17th century, operates at the university;
• Presumably in the 13th century. the Turf Tavern pub was opened in Oxford, which tourists and students like to visit;
• When entering a university, it is worth remembering that for an applicant who 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 city of Oxford, which is the center of Oxfordshire. Just 90 kilometers from the village is the capital of Great Britain, a little further - 110 km - Birmingham.

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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 the "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 mainly seminars and individual lessons, 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 still 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 communicate 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 the field of interest. Naturally, for this you need to try hard to enter this oldest prestigious university.

The University of Oxford is the oldest institution of higher education in the UK and the second oldest in Europe. Teaching has been going on here since the end of the 11th century. Getting into this university is difficult, studying is even more difficult, but having a diploma from Oxford University is incredibly prestigious. For graduates with such an education, the doors of the most respectable companies in the world are open. Only an absolutely uneducated person does not know about the existence of such an institution. Millions of students dream of entering Oxford, but only a few manage to fulfill the dream.

History and development of the educational institution

The University of Oxford is located in the UK, in the city of Oxford (Oxfordshire). The exact date of the opening of the university is unknown, but, as mentioned above, scientists were able to establish that education has been conducted here since the 11th century. The university began to develop quite quickly. He gained particular popularity after 1167: at this time, Henry II issued an order prohibiting students from England from studying at the Sorbonne.

As a result, most of the students and teachers were expelled from the Sorbonne, and they had to move to the UK, namely to Oxford. After a while they were joined by colleagues from other countries. Since 1201, the chancellor has been considered the head of the university. The University of Oxford changed a lot during the Renaissance: the changes affected both the content of the institution and the teaching system in it.

In 1636, Bishop of Canterbury William Laud approved the charter of the university, which existed unchanged until the middle of the 19th century. During this period, some amendments are made to it, for example, written examinations are introduced instead of oral entrance examinations, and four colleges for women are opened.

How to get into Oxford?

Oxford University puts forward complex requirements for its applicants. It is equally difficult to enter it both for graduates of European or American schools, and for schoolchildren studying in domestic educational institutions. Russian secondary education is not enough to enter a university of this level. In order to enter the University of Oxford, you need to study in the UK under the A-levels or International Baccalaureate (IB) program for at least two years. At the same time, it is necessary to graduate with the highest marks.

Since the educational process takes place in Oxford in English, foreign applicants are required to confirm the level of knowledge of the language. To do this, you need to pass one of the international level exams. For example, IELTS, the total score for which should be 7.0, or TOEFL, the average score for it should not be lower than 600 points. In addition, a number of some specialties require prospective students to pass special written tests. Such tests are passed for admission to biomedical specialties, specialties in literature and others.

After successfully passing the tests and exams, students receive an invitation to a personal interview, which takes place in mid-December. Based on the results of exams, tests and interviews, a decision is made as to whether the applicant will study at Oxford or not.

What the cost of studying?

But knowledge is not yet enough to enter Oxford (University). The cost of education here is quite high. Therefore, before you start preparing for admission, you need to carefully consider whether you or your parents can pay for the education. For foreign applicants (not from the powers of the European Union), the price of the issue is from 15 to 30 thousand pounds per year. The amount depends on the specialization and additional payment to the college where you plan to study (the University of Oxford includes several colleges). This surcharge is equal to the amount of seven thousand pounds per year. In addition, you will need money for accommodation (approximately 12 thousand pounds for one study period).

What are they studying here?

In many specialties gives knowledge of Oxford (University). The faculties most often chosen by students are the humanities, medicine, mathematics, physics, and the faculties of natural and social sciences. These departments train graduates in various fields. The university has 38 colleges, where most of the basic subjects are taught. There is a mentoring system here, thanks to which there is no clear division of students into specialties. The university provides training in almost all existing industries and areas for undergraduate studies. The Master's program includes everything except accounting.

The staff of the institution has 8.5 thousand employees, three thousand of which are teachers. Roger Bacon and Margaret Thatcher studied here.

One of the most popular colleges

Another popular university in the city of Oxford is Oxford Brooks. The university was opened in 1865. Then it was called the Oxford School of Art. From 1970 until 1992 the institution was called Oxford Polytechnic. The university received the status of a university only in 1992.

The college got its name in honor of John Henry Brooks, its first rector. The modular form of education was first introduced at Oxford Brooks. The university has more than 130 various programs of study for a bachelor's degree and more than a hundred programs for masters.

Every Oxford Brookes University building provides free internet access. All campuses have computer rooms that can be used around the clock. There are also libraries, restaurants, recreational facilities, sports complexes and student shops at the disposal of students and teachers.

Education at Oxford through the eyes of its graduates

Tourists will also be pleased to visit Oxford - the university where the soul and heart of modern science is located. The institution has given the world 40 Nobel Prize winners, fifty heads of government and an infinite number of the most famous scientists, philosophers, politicians and writers. All those who graduated from this institution say that studying in it is incomparable with any other education system. Graduates say that studying here is incredibly difficult. They claim that the teachers at Oxford teach independent work and ask quite a lot of reading.

So, according to those who graduated from the University of Oxford, we can conclude that every week a student needs to read one thousand pages of texts and write 45 pages of his own essays. At Oxford, they teach to express their thoughts, so students constantly write various essays.

But none of the students regretted the years spent at this university. Most of them today occupy honorary and prestigious positions, speak English fluently and can keep up a conversation on almost any topic.

The city of Oxford is the capital of the Oxfordshire county of the same name. I'm not afraid to call it the "core" of England; perhaps here - in Oxford and its environs - the spirit of the "good old" is felt to the maximum extent. There are, of course, other "spirits" of England - for example, industrial Manchester, but nobody is interested in it, and I have never seen this place in tourist offers.

Dusty books on the shelves of an ancient library, pedestals in dimly lit showcases, rumors of ancient traditions, dark, winding aisles with gothic gargoyles: Oxford in England is truly a home that gives rise to the most extraordinary fantasies.

Former university student and resident of Oxford, Philip Pullman, painted the city itself and its rich history through the lips of the extraordinary girl Lyra in his Dark Materials trilogy. Pullman's alma mater, Exeter College, was the prototype of the fantastic Jordan College; Lyra and Will said goodbye to the benches in the Botanical Garden; and the said Bodley, or Bodleian Library, is one of the most famous buildings in Oxford.

However, Lyra and her demon friend were not the first fantasy creatures: entire generations of fantasy writers used ancient Oxford buildings, amazing artifacts and the most interesting and eccentric personalities. Hobbits, wizards, sorcerers, Muggles and, of course, the White Rabbit - all these creatures began or ended their history here, and even today the famous university is fraught with mysteries and mysteries. Magnificent buildings, quiet campuses and ancient libraries are under strict protection and beckon with their magnificence.

Oxford ("ox ford", "bull ford") is a city in Great Britain, the capital of the county of Oxfordshire. Known for the oldest in English-speaking countries and one of the oldest institutions of higher education in Europe - Oxford University. All leading ratings of educational institutions in the UK call this university the best in the country; in addition, he gave the world about 50 Nobel laureates.

Oxford stands on the banks of the Thames. It is noteworthy that the 10-mile stretch of river flowing through the city is commonly called The Isis. In 2008 the population was 153,900, of which about 30,000 are university students.

Oxford was first mentioned in writing in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle in 912. Then in its place was the monastery of St Frideswide's nunnery.

In 1117, the first Oxford University in Great Britain was founded with the aim of giving the clergy a more complete education. Only under Henry II did Oxford become a real university town.

The Radcliffe Rotunda is one of the Bodleian Library buildings.

In 1355, a pogrom took place in the city on the day of St. Scholastica, as a result of which 63 students died, for which the city paid a symbolic fine to the university over the next 470 years.

The oldest English-speaking university in the world and also the first university in the UK. It is included in the group of "old universities" in Great Britain and Ireland, as well as in the elite "Russell" group of the top 20 universities in the UK.

The exact date of the founding of the University of Oxford is not known. Education at Oxford has been going on since 1096. The expulsion of foreigners from the University of Paris in 1167 (as a result of the reform of Henry II Plantagenet, he forbade English students to study at the Sorbonne) forced many English students to leave France and settle in Oxford. Historian Gerard of Wales lectured to students as early as 1188, and the first mention of foreign students was in 1190, the first foreign student is documented as "Emo of Friesland". The head of the university was (and is to this day) the chancellor. Non-English British students were divided into northern (Scots) and southern (Irish and Welsh).

In later centuries, geographic affiliation continued to influence many students as friendships between colleges or dormitories became the custom. Members of many monastic orders: Dominicans, Franciscans, Carmelites, Augustines settled in Oxford in the middle of the 13th century.

They influenced and supported the student houses. Around the same time, colleges were established by private benefactors to live as a student community in their own right. Among the first were William Durham, who, in 1249, founded University College (Oxford) (English University College), and John I de Balliol, father of the future King of Scotland, after whom Balliol College is named (English Balliol College). The English Lord Chancellor and founder of (eng. Merton College), Walter de Merton developed the rules for colleges. Merton College has become a model for other colleges in Oxford and Cambridge. After that, many students left the life in hostels and religious houses and moved to colleges.

If over time, members of high society almost without fail passed through Oxford, then in the Middle Ages this was still far away. Only clergymen studied there, they rented rooms from local residents and were often poor.

The university consists of 38 colleges, as well as 6 dormitories - closed educational institutions belonging to religious orders without college status. Examinations, most lectures and laboratory classes are organized centrally, and colleges conduct individual classes with students and seminars. Now more than 20 thousand students study at Oxford, about a quarter of them are foreign. Their number increases sharply in the summer, when summer language schools open. The Chancellor of Oxford is Sir Chris Patten. Women began to be admitted to Oxford only in the 1920s, but already in the 70s separate education was abolished.

The staff of Oxford teachers is huge - almost 4 thousand people, of which 70 are members of the Royal Society, more than 100 are members of the British Academy (English). Oxford uses a unique tutoring system in teaching - each student is given personal care by a specialist in the chosen specialty. The main areas of student training are the humanities, mathematics, physical, social sciences, medicine, life sciences and the environment.

Oxford is not only a university, but also the largest research center, Oxford has more than a hundred libraries (the largest university library in England) and museums, its own publishing house. Students have the opportunity to devote a large amount of their time to leisure - more than 300 circles are at their service by interest. Traditionally, close attention in Oxford is paid to sports as a useful and prestigious form of recreation.

A whole galaxy of brilliant figures of science, literature, and art emerged from the walls of Oxford - Christopher Wren, John Tolkien, Lewis Carroll taught here, Roger Bacon and Margaret Thatcher studied. 25 British prime ministers have graduated from Oxford.

At Oxford University, in the Clarendon Laboratory, there is an electric bell that has been ringing continuously since 1840. It uses the forces of electrostatic attraction, so a very small amount of energy is spent to maintain work. Dry batteries for the bell were installed during its creation and hermetically sealed with molten sulfur, so no one knows exactly how they work. Operating for over 170 years, the instrument represents one of the longest continuous experiments in history.

Oxford University has also had an impact on culture. The student costume is world famous, one of the attributes of which is Oxford "bags".

Oxford colleges
The very first college at Oxford University, University College, was founded in 1249. Two other colleges in Oxford, claiming the historical championship - "Ballyol" (English Balliol, 1260) and "Merton" (English Merton, 1264) - are named after their founders. John Balliol was the father of John I - the future king of Scotland, and the founder of the second was Lord Chancellor Walter de Merton.

The college was founded on February 10, 1438 by King Henry VI and Henry Chichel, Archbishop of Canterbury. The charter provided for the presence in the educational institution of the headman at the head of forty students. All college graduates were required to take holy orders. 24 of them studied art, philosophy and theology, 16 - civil or canon law.

Codrington Library

In 1751, in accordance with the will of Sir Christopher Codrington, former Governor of the Leeward Islands, a library was built in the college, later named after him.

Every 100 years, usually on January 14th, students in black ties and robes go duck hunting. They parade around the college with burning torches and singing the "Wild Duck Song" led by "Mr. Wild Duck" who is carried in a chair. The procession is dedicated to the search for the legendary wild duck, which, according to legend, took off at the founding of the college from the very place where it was later built. During the hunt, a man walks in front of the "Mr. Wild Duck" carrying a pole to which a mallard is tied. Initially, it was a living bird (in 1901 they tied a stuffed animal, and in 2001 a wooden sculpture). The ceremony was last held in 2001. The next one is to take place in 2101. The exact origin of the custom is not known. Estimated dating puts it in 1632.

Christ Church

One of the largest aristocratic colleges at Oxford University. Founded in 1525 by Cardinal Thomas Wolsey.

The college is the setting for literary works such as Evelyn Waugh's Brideshead Revisited and Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland. In addition, certain episodes of the Harry Potter films based on the novels by JK Rowling, as well as the film adaptation of Philip Pullman's novel Northern Lights (the film was called the American edition of the book, The Golden Compass) were filmed on the college campus.

The architecture was perceived rather gloomy. Maybe a bad day is to blame, maybe dark walls ... even a little depressing (in my opinion, it was not by chance that Robert Burton, the author of the fundamental work Anatomy of Melancholy, studied at Oxford). The architectural complex includes several significant objects.

The tallest building is the chapel - Christ Church Cathedral

Christ Church built in 1546 by order of Henry VIII. It is the largest college in Oxford. Since the founding of the college, its Old Tom bell has been rung every evening 101 times (according to the number of founding monks); this used to announce the closing of the gate and call the monks back to the college grounds.

Good old "Tom"

College Chapel - Oxford Cathedral is the smallest in England.

Balliol College was founded in 1263 with the blessing of the Bishop of Durham, John de Balliol, father of King John I of Scotland.

After the death of the founder in 1269, his widow, Dervorgila of Galway, was engaged in its improvement, allocating a sufficient amount of money for the long-term existence of the educational institution. In 1282, it constitutes the "college status", which retains its significance up to the present day.

Balliol students are traditionally the most politically active at Oxford University. Many prime ministers of Great Britain studied within its walls. It also has the largest percentage of international students studying at Oxford. In the 19th century, when Benjamin Jowett served as rector, Balliol became the most important of Oxford's colleges, and has retained one of the leading positions to this day.

Balliol College currently has 403 students. Andrew Graham is its rector.

Corpus Christi College,

The college, located on Merton Street between Merton College and Oriel College, is one of the smallest in Oxford in terms of student population, with about 230 students and 120 alumni. Founded in 1517

Green Templeton College

• Location Oxford Sixth Form College (formerly Oxford Tutorial College): Oxford, UK
• Founded: in 1988
• Educational programs: GCSE, A-level, BTEC, academic English courses, preparation for IELTS, University Pathway, special programs for preparing for retaking exams
• Age of students: 15+ years
• Total number of students: 170 people
• Accommodation type: host family or residence (boarding house).

Oxford Sixth Form College deservedly enjoys an excellent reputation among educational institutions specializing in preparing students for British universities. The Sixth Form Private College was established by the Oxford Educational Foundation in 1988 by five honorary trustees, including the director of the college. In 2010, the college came under the control of the ISIS Group, financed from the Prince Charles Charitable Foundation, among other things - this made it possible to open effective summer and winter language schools on the campus, conduct seasonal tours and combined programs.

Oxford Tutorial College accepts children from 15 to 18 years old for education: the total number of students today reaches about 200 people, boys and girls are approximately equal (most students have already reached the age of majority and are studying in high school programs). The first week at the college is devoted to the adaptation of foreign students: they get acquainted with British cultural and national characteristics, learn the rules of safety and behavior, get used to the campus and in the house chosen for living, walk around Oxford.

In 2013, Oxford Tutorial College was ranked 30th among private schools in the country according to final exams - for such a young institution, this is more than an impressive success. Accredited by the British Council, has repeatedly received high marks from specialized independent organizations for effective preparation before the university. The total number of graduates today already exceeds 30 thousand people - they continued their education in such prestigious universities as:

• University College London
• Cambridge
• Edinburgh
• Durham
• Oxford
• St Andrews and others.

Another valuable feature of the college is the ability to choose the most optimal educational form for each student:

• 6 class lessons in each subject weekly
• Weekly - 4 lessons in mini-groups (7 people each) and 1 individual lesson
• 3 individual lessons per week in the chosen subject.

Many college teachers are Oxford graduates: working in small classes and giving each student personal attention, they are able to achieve truly impressive learning outcomes.

Approximately 35% of Oxford Sixth Form College students are foreigners: most of all children from Europe, the USA, Russia, Thailand and China. Parents each trimester (at least once) receive a full-fledged school report: on the progress and behavior, successes and difficulties of the child, recommendations from teachers and educators. If desired, parents or guardians can order supervised learning: once a week, the student will do homework under the supervision of a qualified teacher. This helps to fill gaps in knowledge, improve academic performance, learn to concentrate and work more efficiently and attentively.

Each student at Oxford Tutorial College is provided with an individual approach and personal attention: for this purpose, a personal mentor is assigned. It is the mentor who, first of all, helps the students to solve any issues (for everyday issues, it is better to contact a special support officer available throughout the working day). If necessary, an independent consultant is invited to meet confidentially with the student, his parents or guardian. Together with the tutor every week the student conducts individual lessons: learns to write and critically analyze essays, discuss a novel or a philosophical treatise, analyze the ideas of fiction, etc. A similar technique is successfully used at Oxford University, so such training for students will be very helpful.

Oxford Tutorial College works with professional doctors under a partnership agreement: each arriving student must register with a British doctor, have a medical card indicating vaccinations, allergies and contraindications (it is recommended to register not only with a general practitioner, but also with an ophthalmologist and dentist). Usually, medical services for students are free (under insurance, including hospitalization, intensive treatment and return to their homeland).