After an initial screening of submitted applications, short-listed candidates at Oxford and Cambridge are invited to a series of tests and interviews with the academics who may eventually be teaching them. The Universities of Oxford and Cambridge have a great deal in common, including their collegiate structure, personalised teaching methods and wealth of resources available to students. Cambridge is easier and more charming — with its lovely gardens along the River Cam. For an undergraduate course, you can only apply to either Oxford or Cambridge in the same year, so it’s important you make the right decision for you. Oxford is also a stone’s throw from several other charming English destinations: the Cotswolds, Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwick and Blenheim Palace. Cambridge currently has 64 wins, Oxford has 60 (Cambridge won the most recent match in December 2019), and 14 games have ended in draws. Cambridge has a graduate prospects score of 86.7%. rugby, rowing, athletics and chess), but will pool their talent to form university teams for inter-university contests. Oxford has a uniformity of building material, as a large proportion of the buildings are in the local sandstone. Oxbridge interviews have acquired something of a mythical status in the British media, becoming a source of various humorous anecdotes and urban legends due to the perception that the interviews themselves are bizarre, intimidating and/or frequently involve unusual questions and requests. Furthermore, a significant proportion of academic staff has at some point been a member of the "other place". But year-on-year there is very little difference. Do your research and find the course and college that suits you best. Concerns are often raised that Oxford and Cambridge do not project a socially inclusive image to potential applicants from state schools, and thus Oxbridge students are disproportionately from wealthy backgrounds. Better rankings. Optometry, Ophthalmology & Orthoptics is a branch of medicine that looks after the eye.... Get the latest updates with hints, tips and guidance for your journey to university – from application to enrolment. The student to staff ratio at Oxford is about 10.5:1, and approximately 11:1 at Cambridge, hence, they are pretty similar. Most student housing is on site or close by. For example: It is still compulsory at Oxford to wear formal academic dress (sub fusc) for all university examinations, although this is not the case at Cambridge. (from a Law interview at Cambridge)[24] and "Talk about a light bulb" (from an Engineering interview at Oxford). Cambridge is much targeted for studying natural sciences than the Oxford. Degrees are also awarded by the central university and not by the individual colleges. Typical entry standards at Cambridge are A*AA – A*A*A at A Level, 40 – 42 points at IB, or equivalent. Although the Cambridge system in its most competitive form was dropped in the early twentieth century ... [the effect it had on the quality of Oxford applicants] can be seen in the rueful reflections in 1912 of Arthur Joliffe, Fellow and tutor at Corpus Christi College from 1891 to 1920, upon the evidence presented by candidates for Oxford entrance scholarships: it is undeniable that the average candidate [at Oxford] is not as good as the average candidate at Cambridge. There are some differences between the two institutions, which we'll explain below. For instance, Cambridge offers a course in Architecture, which Oxford doesn’t. Copy link. Cambridge is thought of as quieter and more picturesque. The University of Cambridge has topped the UK university league table for ten years. Oxford’s Engineering Science course leads to an MEng degree. Whilst not having the history of its Union counterpart, the fixture has been contested for over 30 years, and is broadcast live on Sky Sports. In 2008, Oxford's last all-female college, St Hilda's, admitted men and became coeducational. That’s not to say that they offer completely different subjects, of course; but you certainly shouldn’t assume that every subject will be offered by both universities, and, if offered, it will be taught in the same way. If you’re wondering how to choose between Oxford and Cambridge, remember that figures and stats don’t tell the whole story. One thing that every ambitious student should know: you can’t apply to both The university grew out of an association of scholars who left the University of Oxford … In the world of academia there are two university giants whose battle has been raging for generations: Oxford vs Cambridge. Watch later. The Cambridge Engineering course allows students to graduate with a BA after three years and, if they wish, continue to study for a MEng degree. Learning takes place through lectures, classes and laboratories and are led by expert professors. Within the cities of Oxford and Cambridge are campuses of other universities, respectively Oxford Brookes University and Anglia Ruskin University. But if … [34] The Rugby Football Union chose to advertise the 2006 match with a campaign promoting inter-university rivalry: their advertising agency Lowe London produced posters showing the number of Prime Ministers produced by the universities (Oxford 26 â Cambridge 14), with the tagline "It's time to get even".[35]. Oxford is featured more often in literature and the cinema; films with scenes shot in Oxford include Shadowlands and the Harry Potter movies, while Radcliffe Square was used in the filming of His Dark Materials: Northern Lights. During the first two years students study the fundamentals of engineering. [36][37], As of 2012, Cambridge has been ranked above Oxford in three out of the four major UK university league tables. The University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge, often known collectively as Oxbridge, are the UK’s oldest universities. If you’re into pubs more than clubs, Cambridge won’t disappoint. Entry requirements are typically AAA at A Level, AAB at Advanced Highers with an additional Higher grade A, 38 points at IB with 666 at HL, or equivalent. It’s important to remember that, at this level, the differences between institutions are generally very minor – and as longstanding members of the global top 10, both Oxford and Cambridge are firmly established among the world’s higher education elite. All other significant sports have their own varsity match at some point during the year; some of these, such as the cricket fixture, the Ice Hockey Varsity Match and the Varsity Polo Match have attracted significant attention in the past. If you're a teacher or careers advisor helping students apply for uni, please complete our short survey for a chance to win a £100 Amazon voucher. Oxford vs. Cambridge: England’s Rival College Towns. Both universities are collegiate, where individual colleges and academic departments comprise the university. 85% of students are in employment or further study within six months of graduating (DLHE 2017). Read our guide to student safety and security at university and find out the things you... Information about sexual assault at university, and where you can find support and advice. It’s a specialised degree that uses ideas from other disciplines such as sociology, politics, history and mathematics. While Oxford may be two places lower than Cambridge in the QS World University Rankings, Oxford is the number one university in the world for four different subjects, according to the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2017. For more detailed information about each University, please refer to their respective websites and BothOxford and Cambridgestudents benefit from one-on-one sessions with experts in their field. This restriction does not apply to potential organ scholars[28] or students who already have a degree and are applying for a second undergraduate degree or a graduate degree at Oxbridge. In addition, various English language schools, secretarial and other non-university colleges are based in the two cities. In recent years, Cambridge has placed slightly more emphasis than Oxford on public exam results during the selection process. After completing the first three years, students are awarded a BA degree. Academics and novelists have viewed Oxford as the quintessential English university ... authors who portray universities in their novels, as Ian Carter's definitive study of British university fiction since 1945 demonstrated, have been attracted to Oxford by a huge majority. [5][6] However, all colleges are part of the university and students studying the same subject attend the same lectures and exams, irrespective of which college they belong to. The University of Oxford outranks Cambridge in the QS World University Rankings® 2020, but only marginally. Teaching methods at both institutions are similar. Tap to unmute. Software tycoon Bill Gates gives scholarships to Cambridge, while Oxford is home to what is the oldest and arguably the most prestigious academic award for graduates, the Rhodes Scholarship instituted by Cecil Rhodes. Students can expect around 10–15 hours of teaching per week in their first year. There are differences in the terminology traditionally used at the two universities. During Hilary Term 2006, the students of Oxford voted 81% in favour of keeping formal academic dress at university exams. Some colleges at both universities would prefer full-time students not to undertake part-time work during term time. The University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge, sometimes collectively known as Oxbridge, are the two oldest universities in England. 97% of students are in employment or further study within six months of graduating (DLHE 2017). At Oxford, students are guaranteed accommodation with their college in the first year. By Rick Steves. Some colleges offer accommodation for the entirety of their degree, but many students choose to arrange their own elsewhere in the city. Depending on where you are from, there are definitely more scholarship opportunities at Oxford ; however, if you have a disability, Cambridge has more financial support for you. They then complete clinical studies and are awarded the Bachelor of Medicine and the Bachelor of Surgery (MB, BChir). US News and World Report rankings support this stereotype; Cambridge tends to rank higher in the sciences, and Oxford in the humanities. First contested in 1829, the race pits Cambridge University Boat Club against their Oxford counterparts over a four-mile (6 km) stretch of the River Thames. ", "2.9 Applicants who have already studied at the University of Cambridge: : Undergraduate Admissions Handbook 2014-15", "UCAS â Can I apply to both the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge? This page was last edited on 24 April 2021, at 17:43. Oxford tends to be known as a bit larger and livelier than Cambridge. It’s an academic subject delivered by the Social Sciences Division, but taught by both Saïd Business School and the Department of Economics. Those applying to Oxford don’t usually need to submit any extra forms. Starting in the late 19th century, both universities saw the establishment of residential colleges exclusively for women students: Girton College, Cambridge, was founded in 1869, and Somerville College and Lady Margaret Hall, Oxford both opened in 1879. Oxford definition: 1. a city in south east England, famous for its university 2. a type of fairly formal man's shoe…. Sportsmen who have competed at a Varsity Match in the prestigious Full Blue sports are eligible for an Oxford Blue or Cambridge Blue respectively. The Universities of Oxford and Cambridge have a great deal in common, including their collegiate structure, more personalised teaching methods and wealth of resources available to students. [25] Admissions staff have said that there are no correct answers to such questions, but that applicants are assessed on their ability to approach unfamiliar, open-ended problems and discuss them articulately, incorporating new ideas and evidence as the discussion progresses. The city of Oxford lies around 60 miles north-west of London, which takes about an hour to reach by train. Oxford: Cambridge: Prerequisites: Maths, with Further Maths highly recommended. Either way, both unis' study costs are cheaper than US colleges . For example in the FCE if you achieve 160 – 173 you are awarded a grade C, 174 – 180 a grade B and 180 – 190 a grade A. In 2012 the Times Higher Education World Reputation Rankings, based on a survey of 13,388 academics over 131 countries which was then the largest evaluation of academic reputation to date found that both Cambridge and Oxford belonged to the elite group of six universities touted as the 'globally recognized super brands'; The other four were Harvard University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the University of California, Berkeley, and Stanford University. Both universities often ask applicants to complete a written assessment as part of the application. The contrasts in architecture in Cambridge are more pronounced, as can be seen when comparing King's College with the neighbouring Senate House. Furthermore ... no student could go on to [study classics unless they had already done well in mathematics]. A typical week could include six lectures and two tutorials or classes. The only difference is that Oxford calls the small-group sessions ‘tutorials’ while Cambridge calls them ‘supervisions’. [33], The other major Oxbridge competitions are the Rugby Union and Rugby league Varsity Matches: The Varsity Match is a rugby union game played annually in December at Twickenham stadium. You can use the full league table to compare the universities in other areas. Some of the candidates sent to Oxford from large public schools are occasionally so bad that one can only suppose that their masters think that a willingness to come to Oxford is a sufficient qualification for a Mathematical Scholarship there. Share. On the 2021 league table, Oxford has a graduate prospects score of 83.4%. Both universities have similar offerings. There are still three colleges at Cambridge which only accept women: Newnham, Murray Edwards and Lucy Cavendish. However, the river is slightly more prominent in Cambridge, flowing closer to the city centre than the two rivers (Isis and Cherwell) which flow around the centre of Oxford. Interview prompts reportedly used in the past include "Do you think you're clever?" Of the 204 novels written between 1945 and 1988 that featured British academic life, 119 depicted Oxford; Cambridge, with 26 appearances, came in a distant second place ... Carter showed that fictional Oxford signified those values thought to epitomize English society: tolerance, civility, pluralism, and democracy ... To judge from novels on academic life, one would surmise that England's soul dwelled in Oxford. Oxford vs. Cambridge - YouTube. Every student belongs to a college, an academic department and the university itself, meaning you have the benefits of belonging to a large university and a small and friendly community. What Are The Different Courses Offered at Oxford and Cambridge? Cambridge has been ranked 1st and Oxford 2nd in the tables compiled by the Guardian,[38] and The Sunday Times,[39] and 3rd behind the London School of Economics in The Complete University Guide,[40] whereas Oxford is ranked 1st and Cambridge 2nd in The Times Good University Guide. Cambridge is more laidback than Oxford and arguably prettier, with a river flowing through the city centre and countryside surroundings. Known all around the world, these prestigious institutions have many similarities – but many things set them apart. The high number of staff indicates both universities’ commitment to quality teaching. Almost every medical school has a similar level of employment due to a high demand for medically qualified students. [23] Depending on which subject an applicant wishes to specialise in, there are often compulsory subject-specific entrance tests as well. Learn more. This includes hundreds of clubs and societies, competitive and recreational sports, active students’ unions, financial assistance, and strong academic and pastoral support networks. Over the last few years, British universities have been subjected to the increasing popularity of national university league tables, which rank universities based on criteria such as their student-staff ratio, drop-out rates and spending on services and facilities. ", "Times University Rankings League Table 2010", "Top UK University League Tables and Rankings 2016", "Cambridge drops foreign language rule for applicants", "Oxford attempts to woo state school pupils through their teachers", Oxford Journal â It's Not Duke-North Carolina, but Oxford-Cambridge Is Unrivaled, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=OxfordâCambridge_rivalry&oldid=1019662375, Articles with dead external links from October 2017, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, At Oxford, the three terms of the academic year are called. Lectures and practicals take up around half of the study week. Students undertake formal and informal assessments via written exams, practical assessments, supervised work, coursework and final-year dissertations. Both Oxford and Cambridge cost around the same amount, although Cambridge is a bit more expensive if you are a non-EU students. Punting is especially popular in Cambridge along the famous stretch called 'The Backs', which features a number of bridges and 'the backs' of several colleges that abut the River Cam (punting is also popular at Oxford). Students are normally required to complete an essay or assignment in advance of the supervision/tutorial, which they will discuss with the supervisor/tutor during the session, along with any concerns or difficulties they have had with the material presented in that week's lectures. There is a quote: I'm a scientist and I don't find Oxford inferior to Cambridge. It ranks first for 31 subjects, including: The University of Oxford features in the top ten for 37 subjects in the 2021 university subject tables. It’s exactly what you imagine when you think of a quintessential university town in England. Rivalry between the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge, Similarities between Oxford and Cambridge, Neighbouring universities and other institutions, The "Oxford for humanities, Cambridge for sciences" belief, Direct competition between the two universities, Constitution of the Churchill College Junior Common Room, Cambridge University Amateur Dramatic Club, "Early records | University of Cambridge", "World's top 100 universities 2011: their reputations ranked by Times Higher Education", "Six 'super brands': their reputations precede them", "21st-century students vote to keep Oxford tradition", "Oxford and Cambridge: the similarities and differences", "Oxford Figures: The tradition of rivalry with Cambridge", "University guide 2011: University league table", "Would you rather be a novel or a poem? Despite Oxford University having been the home of almost 60 Nobel prize winners, Cambridge has been associated with an even larger number of Nobel Prize-winning breakthroughs (ca. They both date back over 800 years and are steeped in tradition. Candidates are also expected to show a willingness to challenge their own preconceptions about the topics under discussion, as well as the preconceptions adopted by their interviewers. At Cambridge, students live within their college’s designated accommodation throughout their studies. In 2010, the new A* grade for A-level exams (an A* indicating a high A) was introduced. There is a common impression that Oxford is stronger in politics and the humanities, while Cambridge is stronger in the sciences and engineering. Those applying to Cambridge may have to complete a Cambridge Online Preliminary Application (COPA) and a Supplementary Application Questionnaire (SAQ) to support their UCAS application. 70% of students are in employment or further study within six months of graduating (DLHE 2017). Oxford’s pre-clinical Medicine course starts with the five-term ‘First BM’, where students study medical science and clinical problems. Both cities were built near rivers. This is essentially a test of whether the student would do well under the tutorial/supervision system at Oxford and Cambridge, and a poor performance at interview may negate an otherwise strong application. The BA in Jurisprudence at Oxford has an emphasis on studying legal sources firsthand. Oxbridge interview questions and how to answer them", "Homerton College Cambridge: Undergraduate Entry Requirements", "Frequently Asked Questions: Will I need A* grades to get in to Oxford? In addition to their printing houses, the Oxford English Dictionary is a prominent English-language dictionary worldwide, while Cambridge Assessment provides a number of widely recognised qualifications for students (including GCSEs, A-levels and English-language proficiency certificates such as the Certificate in Advanced English). Applicants must choose a specific college when applying to Oxford or Cambridge, or allow the university to select one for them, as every undergraduate and graduate student must be a member of one of the colleges. Similarities and differences between Oxford and Cambridge. Activate your free month of lessons (special offer for new users, with no obligation to buy) - and receive a level assessment! They then choose to specialise in one of six branches: Biomedical, Civil, Chemical, Information, Electrical or Mechanical. Cambridge asses their students by the examinations which is more than one year, while Cambridge asses at the end of each year. Prerequisites: Maths, with Further Maths recommended. Both universities offer rigorous academic teaching, but the two universities differ in what they call this teaching. I confirm I am over 16 and I agree to the. During the next three years, students learn how to apply this knowledge to medical practice through clinical placements. Students typically receive one to four tutorials/supervisions per week.[7]. at Oxford. Entrance to Oxford and Cambridge is academically competitive. Cambridge University has got better rankings than Oxford University in many areas … Key Difference: The main difference between the Oxford and Cambridge Dictionaries is that the Oxford Dictionary is published by the Oxford University Press, whereas the Cambridge Dictionary is published by the Cambridge University Press. Despite both universities' stressing that there is no significant difference between them in either the sciences or humanities today,[19][20] this disparity in the popular imagination has existed since at least the late 1820s, when The Times newspaper reported on the appointment of Oxford and Cambridge academics to the newly established professorships of University College London: "it is known to be the intention to choose classical professors at Oxford, and mathematical at Cambridge", although in the event both the classical and mathematical professors were eventually chosen from Cambridge.[21]. The BA Economics course at Cambridge covers the core, pure and applied areas of the subject. The results of all the varsity matches in The Varsity Games are aggregated and each year one university wins the Varsity Games title. All that means is that over 800 years Oxford has produced more famous artists and Cambridge has produced more famous scientists. Cambridge may be best known in film as the real-life location of the court race scene portrayed in the film Chariots of Fire (although the scene was filmed at Eton College instead), or for the television series Porterhouse Blue. Cambridge town is around 60 miles north of London, and takes under an hour to get to. College staircases in Oxford are typically numbered whereas those in Cambridge are assigned letters or double letters when there are more than 26 staircases in a given college. There are some differences between the two institutions which we’ll explain below. Some Oxford and Cambridge colleges with the same name are 'sisters': for example, Jesus College, Cambridge, and Jesus College, Oxford. One of the best ways to see the University of Cambridge is by punting on the River Cam. Oxford. But that is a VERY long period of time! On the 2021 league table, Oxford has a graduate prospects score of 83.4%. The Oxford English Dictionary is published by the Oxford University Press and the Cambridge version is published by the Cambridge University Press. While the Oxford University Press pips the Cambridge University Press to the post when it comes to size (the Oxford University Press is the largest university press in the world), the Cambridge University Press is the older of the two. [29], Many annual competitions are held between Oxford and Cambridge, including the annual Boat Race. If playback doesn't begin shortly, try restarting your device. 88% of students are in employment or further study within six months of graduating (DLHE 2017). A Doctor of Philosophy degree is referred to as a "Ph.D." in Cambridge and a "D.Phil." You must also sit the PAT (the Physics Aptitude Test). (photo: Cameron Hewitt) Oxford's skyline is peppered with spires and domes from its venerable colleges. Oxford vs. Cambridge: England's rival college towns Back to video Both towns are only an hour’s train ride away from London, with Oxford to the west and Cambridge … Both are an easy train ride from central London. In contrast, disclosure of exact scores for Oxford applications is voluntary. If you’re choosing between them, consider this: Cambridge feels like a lazy, easygoing small town; Oxford has more urban energy and more stately buildings than its rival. In terms of teaching, both Oxford and Cambridge follow a traditional system of lectures and small-group personalised teaching sessions with professors. Typical entry standards at Oxford are AAA – A*A*A at A Level, 38 – 40 points at IB, or equivalent. During most of that time, they were the only two universities in England and Wales, making the rivalry more intense than it is now. The BA in Law, often referred to as LLB, covers English law, but also touches on other legal systems from history and around the world. Cambridge wins the Cambridge vs Oxford debate primarily because it’s more picturesque and compact. The genius from the small grammar school, the promising student from a provincial university, the ablest boy at the large public school, all are sent to Cambridge in preference to Oxford as a rule. The regular teaching meetings between student and tutor are called. Students then have the opportunity to apply to the Oxford Clinical School and complete their clinical training through placements (BM BCh). Oxford offers a BA course in Economics & Management. Competition between Oxford and Cambridge also has a long history, dating back to around 1208 when Cambridge was founded by scholars taking refuge from hostile townsmen in Oxford.[1]. Because of its relation to the power elite and its hold on the middle-class imagination, Oxford often provided the mental landscape for national self-examination ... [A] major charge against Oxford was that ... it was anti-science and unconcerned with contributing to economic growth. [44] The two universities have made individual and combined efforts in recent years to promote themselves to potential applicants from disadvantaged backgrounds. For most of their history, only men were permitted to study at and receive degrees from Oxford and Cambridge. 100% of students are in employment or further study within six months of graduating (DLHE 2017). Yet for many of these centuries the two universities were unrecognisable as universities in the modern sense, as they were largely institutions for producing clergymen and were thus strongly tied to the Church. Cambridge currently lead the series 16â14, with one draw in 1994. Students gain a broad understanding of engineering, and specialise in a professional discipline from the third year. Colleges within each university regularly compete with each other in a variety of sporting and other events (e.g. Shopping. Cambridge started requesting that its applicants achieve at least one A* grade if they were taking A-levels, letting students earn a place through their performance in public examinations; Oxford initially stated that it relies more on its own internal aptitude tests and waited to see how effective the A* grade is at highlighting the best candidates, before deciding to implement it as a requirement for most courses starting in 2012. Arrangements between sister colleges vary, but may include reciprocal offers of accommodation to students from the other university when they are visiting. Definitely the highest calorie thing to do in Cambridge is to drop into … These are typically weekly or more frequent hour-long sessions in which small groups of students â usually between one and three â meet with a member of the university's teaching staff or a doctoral student. cookie policy. Both universities welcome interested students to one of their many open days and events. 90) and a greater fraction of Britain's most culturally significant scientists, including Charles Darwin and Isaac Newton. You will be given a score based on your performance. Oxford offers the course of Philosophy, Politics, and Economics, while Cambridge offers Human, Social and Political Sciences. Oxford and Cambridge have been a constant presence at the top end of the tables, never appearing outside the overall top three and rarely not holding the first and second places, but their dominance in individual subjects has been challenged by other institutions. To apply to Oxford or Cambridge, students must apply online via UCAS before 6pm (GMT) on 15 October. There is, however, some discrepancy between colleges; a few state Further Maths as a compulsory prerequisite. In 2012 the Times Higher Education World Reputation Rankings, based on a survey of 13,388 academics over 131 countries which was then the largest evaluation of academic reputation to date[2] found that both Cambridge and Oxford belonged to the elite group of six universities touted as the 'globally recognized super brands';[3][4] The other four were Harvard University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the University of California, Berkeley, and Stanford University.
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