Oxford, a historic city in Oxfordshire county, is famously known as ‘the city of dreaming spires'—a phrase coined by Victorian poet Matthew Arnold, who was inspired by the town's stunning university architecture. Home to the world's oldest English-speaking university, the University of Oxford, the city remains a premier destination for international students seeking world-class education. If you're ready to make the move, here's how to enrol in a university and how to get the most out of your student life.
The best universities in Oxford
Oxford hosts two world-renowned institutions, each offering distinct advantages for international students. Studying at either of these two higher education institutions guarantees international recognition of your degree and is a vital tool in your hands to enter the job market after graduation.
University of Oxford
Although the truth about when the university was founded is still unclear, the evidence goes back to the year 1096, making it the first university in Anglo-Saxon society.
Ever since, the university has been home to many outstanding students, including 28 Nobel Prize winners, 27 prime ministers of the United Kingdom, and many heads of state and government around the world.
The University of Oxford is steadily ranked among the top ten universities in the world by and the . It's unsurprising, then, that there are only around 3,300 undergraduate places annually.
It has four academic divisions:
- Human Sciences;
- Mathematics Physics and Life Sciences;
- Medical Sciences;
- Social Sciences.
These divisions are spread across 39 colleges that function as semi-independent communities with between 100 and 500 students each.
Unlike other universities in England, the University of Oxford promotes interactive learning via a tutorial system. This encourages small group learning (between one and three students) with dedicated tutors, which promotes critical academic skills and debate.
Good to know:
Find are currently enrolled at the University of Oxford.
Applying to the University of Oxford
The road to getting accepted into this prestigious institute is long and challenging. Hence, being well-prepared, determined and motivated is best.
After sending your application form via the and before October 15th, you will be asked to pass some tests based on your field of study. If you are curious about which subjects are more likely to require an exam, check for information and guidance on .
The admissions exams begin in November, so you should prepare well.
You can take your test in an approved centre, or on your university premises if it is an authorised institution. In addition, many University of Oxford courses require applicants to submit a sample of as part of their application for the university to assess their analytical, reasoning, language and writing skills.
As a final step, students are invited for and a conversation about their chosen subject with college representatives.
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Oxford Brookes University
Founded in 1865, Oxford Brookes University is a public university that started as a small art school. The university was renamed in 1992 in honour of its former director, John Henry Brookes.
It is ranked among the top 500 universities in the world by both the and .
This university offers various courses ranging from business studies to the building sector. The university's architecture school is one of the largest in Britain. Brookes is also known in England for its law studies program. There are also a few sought-after fields, such as robotics and automotive engineering.
To have an opportunity to study at Oxford Brookes University, you will have to meet pretty strict criteria. You must have obtained good grades and demonstrated proficiency in English.
Good to know:
There are more than 140 countries represented at Oxford Brookes University.
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Fees, scholarships and financial support in Oxford
Contrary to what one might think, it is not necessarily more expensive to study at Oxford University than in London, Birmingham or even Edinburgh in Scotland.
The government sets school fees, and they apply to all universities.
Depending on your country of origin, the university will determine whether you will pay home fees (for UK and Irish students) or international fees. EU nationals without settled status typically pay international fees and aren't eligible for UK government loans.
It's unlikely that your fee status will change once you have enrolled in your course and classes have started. If you enroll in a new course and your circumstances have changed since you started your previous course, your fee status will be reassessed.
Applying for a student loan
If you qualify for home fees and need help to fund your studies, you can apply to the government for a tuition loan.
England's loan system is very responsive: you only have to pay back your loan after graduation and only if your salary exceeds a certain threshold. The amount that must be refunded depends on your earnings.
Besides the government loan, several individual grants and scholarships are available for both the University of Oxford and Oxford Brookes University, depending on the courses taken.
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Student life in Oxford
Oxford offers an exceptional environment for international students to immerse themselves in British culture while maintaining global connections.
The city is home to two large universities—the , as we've mentioned, as well as . As a result, Oxford hosts one of the world's most international student bodies, with over being born outside of England.
Every year, the city welcomes some of the brightest minds from around the world, making it a great place for those looking forward to studying in a prestigious institute while adapting to an international environment and leaving their comfort zone.
Sure, joining a first-class university like the University of Oxford comes with preconceptions and can be intimidating. However, the best way to familiarise yourself with what to expect is to speak to alumni or students who are already in their second or third year.
You needn't worry, though, as student life in Oxford is full of events and happenings throughout the academic year, so there are plenty of things to get involved with and lots of opportunities to meet other people. It's definitely worth looking into the 500+ clubs and societies offered by both universities and joining a couple, depending on your interests:
Last but not least, before the start of the academic year, your chosen university will send students a fresher's pack with a lot of helpful information on student life in Oxford, including:
- Opening a UK bank account;
- Using local transportation;
- Finding accommodation, if not done already;
- Part-time work opportunities;
- Healthcare registration.
Make sure you read this booklet because it will answer many questions that may make you nervous.
In addition, to expand your social network early on, try to attend the welcoming events and introductory sessions and participate in the activities during freshers' week. There, you stand the best chances of meeting new people in England and making friends.
We do our best to provide accurate and up to date information. However, if you have noticed any inaccuracies in this article, please let us know in the comments section below.
