Deserves its reputation (Oxford University in general)

Member Name: purplehibiscus

Product:	Oxford University in general
Date:	24/01/09 (192 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Amazing city, Amazing teaching, Amazing people

Disadvantages: You have to work hard, but you play hard as well.

Oxford seems to have generated so many myths around itself and these get perpetuated year on year. You should know you don't have to be cleverer than Einstein, discoverer of the cure for cancer and Mother Teresa all in one before you even think of applying!

The University of Oxford, or to give its Latin name Universitas Oxoniensis, is a UK university that is all things considered rather good. It is the oldest university in England and was founded at the end of the 12th century. Some cowardly academics fled Oxford in 1209 to found "The Other Place". (Cambridge is also a pretty good university so consider them too...). It is always in the top ten of worldwide universities and there are about 12,000 undergraduates at a time. Oxford is in the south of England and there is easy to access to many of the UK's major cities: there are direct rail links to Manchester and London as well as direct bus services to London such as the "Oxford Tube".

There are a wide range of courses on offer from Music to Medicine and English to Engineering although courses tend to be of a more traditional nature so if you are thinking of studying a more modern course such as Media Studies then it would be worth looking at other universities although there are degrees that may incorporate these subjects as options.

Oxford has a quite unique teaching system. As well as the usual lectures and practicals, you will also have tutorials where individually or in small groups you will discuss a subject with a leading academic in your field. This usually also involves writing an essay to be handed beforehand as well. It can seem quite intimidating at first however it provides the perfect opportunity to not only discuss the interesting areas but also gain (and often remember!) a deeper understanding.

Oxford is a collegiate university and so every student will belong to a college, these are much more than just halls of residence. As everyone belongs to a year group of about a hundred, the atmosphere is much more welcoming and friendly. As well as the usual university-wide initiatives, the college will also provide welfare, social and academic support through your JCR (Junior Common Room).

There is so much more to Oxford than a few paragraphs can convey so all I can recommend if you are thinking of applying is to go down on an open day and have a look around.

Summary: Come and see for yourself