The University of Oxford, founded in the late 11th century, is the oldest university in the English-speaking world and the second-oldest university still in operation globally. Located in the historic city of Oxford, England, the university has a rich heritage spanning over 900 years of continuous existence.Oxford's foundation date is uncertain, but teaching is known to have existed there as early as 1096. The university grew rapidly in the late 12th century, attracting scholars from across Europe. Some academics fled to Cambridge after disputes in 1209 between students and Oxford townspeople, where they established the University of Cambridge.
Today, the University of Oxford consists of 43 colleges, including 36 constituent colleges, four permanent private halls, and three societies. Each college is a self-governing institution within the university, with its own internal structure and activities. Oxford is a world-leading centre of learning, teaching, and research, with a global reputation for excellence.The university is home to numerous notable alumni, including 30 British prime ministers, many heads of state and government worldwide, and 73 Nobel Prize laureates. Oxford also operates the Ashmolean Museum, the world's oldest university museum, and Oxford University Press, the largest university press in the world.
History of University of oxford
With evidence of teaching dating back to 1096, the University of Oxford is the oldest university in the English-speaking world. Since Henry II banned English students from attending the University of Paris in 1167, the university has experienced rapid expansion. Some academics fled to Cambridge after disputes in 1209 between students and Oxford townspeople, where they established the University of Cambridge.With the establishment of several religious orders in Oxford during the 13th century, the university gained additional strength, particularly in theology.
The earliest colleges, such as University College (founded in 1249), Balliol College (founded c.1263), and Merton College (founded in 1264), were originally endowed boarding houses for impoverished scholars.During the early history of Oxford, its reputation was based on theology and the liberal arts, though it also gave more serious treatment to the physical sciences than the University of Paris. Roger Bacon, Duns Scotus, and William of Ockham were among the notable academics who were associated with Oxford during this time.
In the 19th century, the university's enrollment and professorial staff were greatly expanded, and the first women's college, Lady Margaret Hall, was founded in 1878. In the 20th century, Oxford's curriculum was modernised, with science and postgraduate studies expanding significantly. Today, the College of Oxford comprises 43 schools and is a world-driving focus of picking up, instructing, and research.
Major conflicts between students and townsfolk in Oxford
The town was fined £200 in damages but no students were punished.In 1355 on St Scholastica's Day, a riot broke out after two students complained about the quality of wine at a tavern. The conflict escalated, with buildings burned and over 60 scholars and several locals killed. The lord favoured the college, sending townsmen to the Pinnacle and expanding the college's honours
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From the 17th century, town vs gown battles became a Bonfire Night tradition, exacerbated by disputes over money and privileges at the start of each academic year.
The conflicts stemmed from tensions over jurisdiction, space, and privileges, with the university often favoured in settlements imposed on the two sides. The violence highlighted the uneasy relationship between the scholars and the townspeople in mediaeval Oxford.
Main academic divisions
There are four main academic divisions at Oxford University:
Humanities DivisionIncludes faculties and departments such as Classics, English, History, Linguistics, Medieval and Modern Languages, Music, Philosophy, and Theology and Religion.
Mathematical, Physical & Life Sciences DivisionIncludes departments such as Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Earth Sciences, Engineering, Materials, Mathematics, Physics, and Statistics.
Medical Sciences DivisionIncludes departments such as Biochemistry, Clinical Medicine, Neurosciences, Pathology, Pharmacology, Physiology, and various clinical sciences.
Social Sciences DivisionIncludes schools and departments such as Anthropology, Archaeology, Business, Economics, Education, Geography, Government, International Development, Law, Politics, and Sociology.
Each division has a full-time divisional head and an elected divisional board that oversees the academic activities within that division. The university also operates the Ashmolean Museum, the world's oldest university museum, and Oxford University Press, the largest university press in the world.
Humanities Division
The Humanities Division at the University of Oxford is one of the four main academic divisions, along with the Social Sciences Division, the Mathematical, Physical & Life Sciences Division, and the Medical Sciences Division.
Faculty of Classics
Faculty of English Language and Literature
Faculty of History
Faculty of Linguistics, Philology & Phonetics
Faculty of Medieval and Modern Languages
Faculty of Music
Faculty of Philosophy
Faculty of Theology and Religion
Rothermere American Institute
Ruskin School of Art
History of Art Department
Voltaire Foundation
The division has received praise for its work in digitising the humanities. Previous heads include Professor Sally Shuttleworth, Professor Shearer West, and Professor Chris Wickham.
The Humanities Division enables Oxford to offer research and teaching in the arts and humanities that is unparalleled in its range of subjects, backed by superb libraries and collections. It plays a key role in analysing complex problems, informing debate, exchanging ideas and influencing positive change in the world.
Medical Sciences Division
The Medical Sciences Division at the University of Oxford is one of the four main academic divisions, along with the Humanities Division, the Social Sciences Division, and the Mathematical, Physical & Life Sciences Division.Oxford is one of the largest biomedical research centres in Europe, with access to large patient data sets, over 2,500 researchers, and 3,000 students.
The division is ranked #1 in the world for Clinical, Pre-Clinical and Health for the 7th year running. It is leading research into pressing global health challenges and was recognized for discoveries like penicillin and the link between smoking and cancer.Previous heads include Professor Alastair Buchan, who served from 2007 to 2017.
Faculty of Biochemistry
Faculty of Biomedical Sciences
Faculty of Clinical Medicine
Faculty of Experimental Psychology
Faculty of Neuroscience
Faculty of Pharmacology
Faculty of Physiology
And various other clinical science departments
The division is committed to developing world-class facilities, securing scholarships to attract top graduate students, and retaining the best academics to support its research programs. Philanthropic support plays a vital role in helping the Medical Sciences Division achieve these goals.
Social Sciences Division
The Social Sciences Division at the University of Oxford is one of the four main academic divisions, along with the Humanities Division, the Medical Sciences Division, and the Mathematical, Physical & Life Sciences Division.
It is a major provider of social science research and is accredited by the Economic and Social Research Council as a Doctoral Training Centre of excellence in research training.
The current head of the Social Sciences Division is Professor Timothy Power, who took over the role in 2021. The previous head was Professor Roger Goodman, who served from 2008 to 2017.
School of Anthropology and Museum Ethnography
School of Archaeology
Saïd Business School
Department of Economics
Department of Education
School of Geography and the Environment
Oxford School of Global and Area Studies
Blavatnik School of Government
Department of International Development
Oxford Internet Institute
Faculty of Law
Oxford Martin School
Department of Politics and International Relations
Department of Social Policy and Intervention
Department of Sociology
The division is committed to tackling humanity's major challenges, such as sustainable resource management, migration, global governance, justice, poverty and development.
The Social Sciences Division is ranked #1 in the world for Social Sciences according to the Times Higher Education University Rankings in 2022, 2019 and 2018. It attracts over 5,000 students to its wide-ranging, innovative undergraduate and postgraduate programs.
Conclusion
The University of Oxford has undergone significant changes over its long history, particularly between 1845 and 1945, but has also maintained important elements of continuity. Today, the Oxford of 2024 is vastly different from the pre-war university, with radical changes in its size, diversity, and academic offerings.
Despite these transformations, Oxford remains one of the most prestigious and elite universities in the UK, forming a top two with the University of Cambridge. It continues to be a world-renowned centre of research and innovation, with a strong focus on tackling major global challenges.
