Oxford University - Student View

It's the oldest university in the english-speaking world, laden with tradition and with many beautiful buildings dating from every century since the 1200s.

The university is made up of 39 semi-autonomous colleges. Students live, eat, socialise and are taught there and the college identity is strong. Most colleges guarantee students accommodation for at least two years - sometimes the whole course - but many live in rented accommodation for one year.

All colleges are mixed except St Hilda's (women only). There is a low proportion of mature students (although Harris Manchester caters specifically for them) but a high percentage of international students, particularly graduates.

Most high-street chains are represented in town; a fantastic range of restaurants and cafes; less choice when it comes to clubs but the pubs are great.

Oxford is easily accessible by train and two bus services from London (every 12 minutes, 24 hours a day). Reasonable city bus service, especially along Cowley Road which is a popular student area. Most people use bikes as it's a small place and car parking extremely restricted.

Every college has a JCR (Junior Common Room) for undergraduates and an MCR (Middle Common Room) for graduates - some more political than others. These are separate from, but affiliated to, the university-wide Student Union, OUSU, an umbrella organisation which provides representation and services for all students. There are over 300 university societies and voluntary groups.

The academic year is short with three terms of eight weeks. Relatively easy to change course in first term (as long as you are qualified). Courses are highly specialised with heavy workloads. Instruction is largely by tutorial, with a tutor to student ratio of 1:3 at the most. Most courses have no continuous assessment - entire degree hinges on one set of exams at the end of the course.

University libraries very well stocked and college libraries open 24 hours. Public schools and the south are over-represented but there is an active Target Schools programme (run by OUSU), aimed at encouraging state school applicants: statistics show that public and state school applicants have equal chances of success (about one in three). Employment prospects after graduation much better than average with many firms recruiting only in Oxbridge. Oxford is becoming an increasingly diverse place.