University of Oxford
University of Oxford overview
The University of Oxford, in Oxford, England, is one of the world's oldest and most prestigious institutions of higher learning. It is widely recognized for its academic excellence, its distinguished faculty, and its rich history. The university dates back to the 12th century, and the first official record of teaching comes from 1096. The exact founding date remains uncertain, but Oxford has been in continuous operation for over 900 years.
The university is made up of 39 self-governing colleges and 6 permanent private halls, each with its own distinct character and traditions. Your college or hall gives you accommodation, academic support, and a strong sense of community. Oxford runs a collegiate system, so students and faculty belong both to the central university and to one college or hall. You can study a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs across many disciplines, including humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, mathematics, and medical sciences.
The university places strong emphasis on research, and many of its academic departments lead their fields worldwide.
Notable alumni include renowned authors such as J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis. World leaders like Margaret Thatcher and Bill Clinton are also alumni, as are prominent scientists including Sir Isaac Newton and Stephen Hawking. The university has a long association with the Rhodes Scholarship, one of the world's most prestigious scholarships for international students. Its cultural and academic heritage is rich, and its famous spires, historic buildings, and beautiful gardens shape the city's atmosphere.
As a center of learning and scholarship, Oxford has fostered many great minds and continues to shape the academic landscape worldwide.
About University of Oxford
The University of Oxford, in Oxford, England, is one of the world's oldest and most prestigious institutions of higher learning. It is widely recognized for its academic excellence, its distinguished faculty, and its rich history. The university dates back to the 12th century, and the first official record of teaching comes from 1096. The exact founding date remains uncertain, but Oxford has been in continuous operation for over 900 years.
The university is made up of 39 self-governing colleges and 6 permanent private halls, each with its own distinct character and traditions. Your college or hall gives you accommodation, academic support, and a strong sense of community. Oxford runs a collegiate system, so students and faculty belong both to the central university and to one college or hall. You can study a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs across many disciplines, including humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, mathematics, and medical sciences.
The university places strong emphasis on research, and many of its academic departments lead their fields worldwide.
Notable alumni include renowned authors such as J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis. World leaders like Margaret Thatcher and Bill Clinton are also alumni, as are prominent scientists including Sir Isaac Newton and Stephen Hawking. The university has a long association with the Rhodes Scholarship, one of the world's most prestigious scholarships for international students. Its cultural and academic heritage is rich, and its famous spires, historic buildings, and beautiful gardens shape the city's atmosphere.
As a center of learning and scholarship, Oxford has fostered many great minds and continues to shape the academic landscape worldwide.
University of Oxford faculties and programs
Theology
Surgical Sciences (Research)
Sustainability, Enterprise and the Environment
Oncology (Research)
Paediatrics
Pharmacology
Philosophical Theology
Philosophy
Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics
Political Theory Research
University of Oxford scholarships and financial aid
The University of Oxford offers a range of scholarships and financial aid options for international students. Some scholarships are tied to certain countries or regions, while others are open to students from all over the world. Many individual colleges within the University of Oxford run their own scholarships for international students. These may be based on academic merit, financial need, or specific subject areas. Some academic departments at the University of Oxford also offer scholarships for international students.
University of Oxford Exam Requirements
Submitting at least one of the exams below with the required score is a prerequisite for application. The score threshold may vary by program.
How to get into University of Oxford
Admission Requirements for International Students
Undergraduate
International Baccalaureate
- You need a total score of 38, 39 or 40 points, depending on the course, including core points. Your grades in subjects taken at the Higher level must be 6s and 7s.
- Any Oxford course that requires Mathematics accepts both the Analysis and Approaches and the Application and Interpretation courses at the Higher Level (HL). Chemistry is the exception. For Chemistry, you must have taken either of the Mathematics courses at HL, or the Analysis and Approaches course at the Standard Level (SL). Which one depends on your other chosen subjects.
European Baccalaureate
- You need an average of 85% or above, with scores of between 8 and 9 in subjects specified at A-level or equivalent.
International A-Levels
- International A-levels from Cambridge Assessment International Education, Pearson Edexcel, and Oxford AQA are considered equivalent to UK GCE A-levels. Grades match up on a one-to-one basis.
- Please note that the University of Oxford does not accept the Cambridge Assessment International Education A-Levels.
- Offers for students studying A-Levels range between AAA and A*A*A
- A*A*A: Chemistry, Engineering Science, Mathematics, Mathematics and Philosophy, Mathematics and Statistics
- A*AA: Biochemistry, Biological Sciences, Biomedical Sciences, Computer Science, Computer Science and Philosophy, Earth Sciences (Geology), Economics and Management, Geography, Materials Science, Mathematics and Computer Science, Medicine, Physics, Physics and Philosophy, Psychology (Experimental), Psychology, Philosophy and Linguistics (PPL)
- AAA: Archaeology and Anthropology, Asian and Middle Eastern Studies, Classical Archaeology and Ancient History, Classics, Classics and Asian and Middle Eastern Studies, Classics and English, Classics and Modern Languages, English Language and Literature, English and Modern Languages, European and Middle Eastern Languages, Fine Art, History, History (Ancient and Modern), History and Economics, History and English, History and Modern Languages, History and Politics, History of Art, Human Sciences, Law (Jurisprudence), Modern Languages, Modern Languages and Linguistics, Music, Philosophy and Modern Languages, Philosophy and Theology, Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE), Religion and Asian and Middle Eastern Studies, Theology and Religion
For students from the US
- Either four APs at grade 5 (including any subjects required for the course you are applying to), or
- Three APs at grade 5 (including any subjects required for the course you are applying to) plus a score of 33 or above in the ACT or 1480 or above (out of 1600) in the SAT.
Certificate in English Proficiency (for students from countries whose first language is not English)
- A certificate in English proficiency from an internationally recognized proficiency test such as IELTS Academic, TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, CAE, CPE.
In addition, Oxford University may require you to sit various exams (BMAT, CAT, Oxford ELAT, HAT, LNAT, etc.) and to obtain a sufficient score in line with the admission requirements specific to the program you are applying to.
Admission Requirements for International Students
Graduate
- Bachelor's Degree Diploma
- High Grade Point Average
- Official transcripts of the courses you took during your college or university education
- Work experience may be required for certain programs
- Certificate in English Proficiency (for students from countries whose first language is not English)
- A certificate in English proficiency from an internationally recognized proficiency test such as IELTS Academic, TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, CAE, CPE.
- A GRE/GMAT exam score may be required in accordance with the specific admission requirements of certain programs.
- In addition, Oxford University may require you to sit various exams and to obtain a sufficient score in line with the admission requirements specific to the program you are applying to.
Application Deadlines
* These dates are subject to change. Get in touch with our Dream Uni advisors to learn the up-to-date deadlines and all the details about the University of Oxford application process.
Take a closer look at University of Oxford
The University of Oxford does not have a traditional centralized campus like many other universities. It is spread across the city of Oxford, with its colleges, academic departments, libraries, museums, and other facilities woven into the urban landscape. This layout gives the university a distinctive character, blending the historic and the modern. The colleges, which serve as the university's main residential and academic communities, sit throughout the city. Each college has its own architectural style.
These styles range from the medieval grandeur of Magdalen College and Christ Church to the more contemporary designs of St. Catherine's College and Wolfson College. Colleges often have picturesque quads (quadrangles), ringed by residential and academic buildings and dining halls. College gardens and green spaces are another notable feature of the university's setting.
The university's academic departments, research centers, and administrative buildings are also spread across the city. The Bodleian Library is one of the oldest libraries in Europe and the main research library of the university. It holds an extensive collection of books, manuscripts, and historical documents. The Radcliffe Camera, an iconic circular building that forms part of the Bodleian Library, serves as a reading room for both students and researchers. The Clarendon Building houses administrative offices and was formerly the main printing house for the university.
The Sheldonian Theatre, a historic venue designed by Sir Christopher Wren, is used for university ceremonies, concerts, and public lectures. The university's museums include the Ashmolean Museum (art and archaeology), the Museum of Natural History, and the Pitt Rivers Museum (anthropology and world archaeology). Oxford is often called the "City of Dreaming Spires," a term coined by the poet Matthew Arnold. The name comes from its stunning skyline of Gothic and neo-Gothic architecture.
The university's buildings and their surroundings give the city its unique atmosphere, blending history, culture, and academic excellence.
Campus life at the University of Oxford combines academic rigor, rich traditions, and a vibrant social scene. The collegiate system shapes much of that life, as each college has its own atmosphere, facilities, and traditions. You will usually live, dine, and socialize within your own college. Each college provides accommodation, dining facilities, and common rooms where you can relax and meet other students. Colleges also organize events such as formal dinners, guest lectures, and social gatherings, which build a strong sense of community among their members.
Oxford is known for its tutorial system. You meet your tutor one-on-one or in a small group and discuss your subject in depth. This personalized teaching approach encourages independent learning and intellectual exploration. Alongside your college tutorials, you usually attend lectures, seminars, and practical sessions organized by your academic department. There are over 400 clubs and societies at Oxford, covering a wide range of interests, including sports, music, drama, politics, and more.
They give you room to pursue your hobbies, develop new skills, and meet students who share your interests.
The university has a strong tradition of sports, and many colleges run their own sports teams and facilities. University-wide teams also compete against other institutions. These include the annual Oxford-Cambridge competitions, such as the Boat Race and the Varsity Matches in rugby and other sports. Oxford has a lively social scene, with a range of events running throughout the year. These include college balls, which are formal events with live music, dancing, and entertainment. They also include the annual May Day celebrations and various cultural festivals and performances.
The university and its colleges offer various support services to help you handle academic and personal challenges. These include college tutors, welfare officers, counseling services, and career advice. Beyond your studies, you can draw on the city's rich history, cultural attractions, and natural beauty. Oxford has numerous museums, galleries, historic buildings, parks, and scenic spots, which make it an inspiring place to live and study in.
The University of Oxford has produced many notable alumni in a range of fields. Among the best known and most accomplished alumni of the University of Oxford are:
- William of Ockham
- Erasmus
- Sir Thomas More
- William Henry Drayton
- John Ford
- Edmund Halley
- William Harvey
- Thomas Hobbes
- Samuel Johnson
- John Locke
- William Penn
- Sir Thomas Beecham
- Gertrude Bell
- Lewis Carroll
- John Ruskin
- Frederick Soddy
- Oscar Wilde
- Tony Abbott
- Dame Josephine Barnes
- Sir Tim Berners-Lee
- Tony Blair
- William Boyd
- Cecil Day Lewis
- Sir John Eccles
- T S Eliot
- Malcolm Fraser
- William Fulbright
- Tony Hall
- Dorothy Hodgkin
- Aldous Huxley
- Imran Khan
- Neil MacGregor
- Emperor Naruhito of Japan
- Rosamund Pike
- Oliver Smithies
- J R R Tolkien
University of Oxford awards and achievements
- 73 Nobel Prize Laureates
- 4 Fields Medalists
- 6 Turing Award Winners
- 28 Prime Ministers of the United Kingdom
- 160 Olympic Medal Winners
University of Oxford Frequently Asked Questions
University of Oxford Location
Oxford, United Kingdom
University of Oxford Contact
University of Oxford
Take a Closer Look
How to Get Into University of Oxford
In your first meeting with a Dream Uni advisor, your academic background, goals, and expectations are analyzed in detail.
By assessing your English level and academic grades, your eligibility for the universities and colleges Dream Uni partners with is determined.
The application process is managed meticulously by our professional team, and your acceptance letter is delivered to you.
Why University of Oxford?
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