Oxford, founded sometime during the 9th century, expanded during the middle ages as a center for learning- first theology, then medicine, and then law. Over the centuries, more departments have been added to the university and now you can study with the best and brightest in any field.
The small city of Oxford is basically one giant school. Every few feet a new college springs up on you. The spires, ancient buildings, and courtyards make Oxford a beautiful place to stroll through. I spent three days there hosted by someone from Couchsurfing. Like my previous Couchsurfing experiences, this one was a lot of fun and the host was really welcoming. He hosts a new person every week and loves the experience. In a “small world moment,” one of his friends is moving back to Thailand next week and she lives right down the street from where I live.
Oxford was beautiful, despite it raining every day I was there. I explored the area during small gaps in the storm but, since this is England, the rain quickly returned and I quickly turned inside. Not always back home- often I went exploring inside the colleges, shops, and museums.
While I don’t often take guided tours, I decided to do so here and it was worth the price- they tell you a lot about the university. The Oxford system is unique. The university comprises 38 colleges and each college is
separate. Each does their own hiring, firing, and admissions. The “university” is just an umbrella group run by the government and hands out the degrees. While you may go to New College or Exeter College, you still get an Oxford degree. There aren’t departments like in other universities around the world. Here, each college teaches all the subjects, though there is a seperate science and medicine department. However, in graduate school, curriculums become more specialized.
When you apply to Oxford, you apply to a college. Each college accepts its own applicants and, since they all teach the same thing, a lot of it is a crap shoot and based on reputation. Each week students meet with a tutor who helps with their studies. These tutorials are the foundation of the Oxford system and comprise the bulk of a student’s work.
Another interesting fact about the Oxford system is that there aren’t exams. In most universities, when the term finishes, you take a final. At Oxford, you may have little tests here and there, but there is no real semester final. Your degree rests on a final examination you have at the end of your time at Oxford. One test. Sick huh?
I thought the whole Oxford system was overly complex but that is the consequence of people starting their own colleges year after year over many centuries and then not wanting to integrate into one system.
Because of the weather I didn’t get a chance to go punting in the river. Punting is when you take a sort of gondola ride through the river- drinking, relaxing, and hoping you don’t fall in when it is your turn to push that pole (punt). Disappointing.
Oxford is one hour away from London and makes for a good overnight trip out of the city or, if you want to be a little rushes, a day trip. There’s a lot of history here and, if you are a Harry Potter fan, the college where Hogwarts was filmed is also here. There’s history, education, and cool architecture in this city. and when you go, make sure you go punting for me!
You know what- I studied at the University College Cork in Cork, Ireland and their quad closely resembles your first picture. Oh I miss it…
You should be sorry or those poor students who at the end of 3 years have to swot up on all they learned to take one set of exams – believe me it is stressful.
At least they get 3 years having fun in a lovely city as some compensation.
There’s a great youthful vibrant buzz about Oxford – great town to stroll for sure
@Susan: It was a cool place.
@heather: I feel for them.. that seems very hard.
@quick: it sure is!
I love the architecture of Oxford. It is a dreamy place to walk around.