Oxford University

Back to school: Lessons about Oxford University

Oxford University is one of the most prestigious destinations in the UK

The University of Oxford is renowned around the world, and for good reason. Teaching dates as far back as 1096, making it the oldest university in the English-speaking world. Over the years, it’s grown to be known as one of the most prestigious educational institutions, with impressive alumni across all fields, including Stephen Hawking, Dr. Seuss, J.R.R. Tolkien, Bill Clinton, Margaret Thatcher, Oscar Wilde, Hugh Grant and Emma Watson. Whether you’re thinking about enrolling, or simply want to get some inspiration in its hallowed grounds, here’s everything you need to know about Oxford.
An overview of Oxford
Unlike many other universities, there is no main campus but rather 38 constituent colleges and a full range of academic departments. The colleges all operate independently and were founded differently – some date back to the 13th century; others are only a few decades old. As it’s a working university, many of the colleges are closed to visitors, especially during term and exam time, although a few of the major attractions are open all year round.
Visit Christ Church
Christ Church is probably one of the most recognisable sights within the University of Oxford – it has been the setting for many films and books, including Harry Potter, Brideshead Revisited and Alice in Wonderland. You can wander around the grand quadrangle, visit the celebrated Christ Church Picture Gallery, with drawings from Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael and Michelangelo, and stop by the beautiful Christ Church cathedral, home to the famous Christ Church Cathedral Choir.
Spend a day in the library
The University of Oxford is also known for the Bodleian Library and its students’ reading rooms, the Radcliffe Camera. Opened in 1602, the Bodleian is one of the oldest libraries in Europe and is still today used as the university’s main research library. You can take guided tours to see the smaller Duke Humfrey’s Library; the Divinity School, the school’s first examination hall; the Chancellor’s Court and Convocation House.
See some museums
Colleges aside, the university is also home to some incredible museums – the Ashmolean Museum is believed to be the oldest museum in the world and has impressive collections of art and antiquities. There’s also the anthropological museum, the Pitt Rivers, the Oxford University Museum of Natural History and the Museum of the History of Science.
Famous facts
The University of Oxford has educated many notable figures throughout the millennia, including 27 Nobel Prize laureates, 26 British Prime Ministers and many foreign heads of states, as well as actors, scientists, artists and more. It’s become particularly associated with three great authors – C.S. Lewis, J.R.R Tolkien and Lewis Carroll. While studying and teaching at Oxford, Lewis and Tolkien formed a literary group and would often go down to the local pub to discuss their work. Oxford is said to the inspiration behind The Lord of the Rings and it was in that very pub that Lewis presented his first draft of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. Meanwhile, Lewis Carroll studied mathematics at Oxford, and it was here that he met his muse, Alice Liddell, the daughter of a Dean at Christ Church. Upon entering the Great Hall, you’ll immediately recognise it as the Great Hall at Hogwarts in the Harry Potter film series, but if you look closely, you’ll also see a window dedicated to Alice Liddell.
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