Oxford is an independent and self-governing institution consisting of the University, its divisions, departments and faculties, and the colleges.
The colleges and halls
The 36 colleges and three societies are a core element of the University, to which they are related via a federal system.
Each college is independent and self-governing, having a charter approved by the Privy Council, under which it is governed by a Head of House, elected and appointed by the governing body directly. The governing body comprises a number of Fellows, most of whom also hold University posts.
The three societies – Kellogg College, Reuben College and St Cross College – operate very much like the other colleges but are considered departments of the University rather than independent colleges because, unlike the others, they do not have a royal charter. One of the main differences is that the governing body recommends a president, who is then appointed by Council.
There are also four permanent private halls, which were founded by different Christian denominations, and still retain their religious character today.
Undergraduates are admitted to 32 of the colleges and permanent private halls. All colleges accept applications from mature students, while Harris Manchester College is solely for mature students.
Campion Hall and Green Templeton, Kellogg, Linacre, Nuffield, Reuben, St Antony’s, St Cross and Wolfson Colleges admit only postgraduate students. All Souls is unique among Oxford colleges because it has no student members; all are Fellows, except the Warden.
University, Balliol, and Merton Colleges are the oldest and were established by the 13th century.
Green Templeton, which came into existence in 2008 following the merger of Green and Templeton Colleges, is the University’s newest college, and Reuben College, which was founded by the University in 2019, is the newest society.
作为世界闻名的顶尖学府，牛津大学在过去数百年间里一直以其在教育、科研、医药、数学、经济及历史等各领域所取得的卓越成就而著称。
如今，牛津大学拥有约250项本科课程，以及超过300项研究生课程，其吸引了超过两万两千名学生在此就读。其中，约百分之四十的牛津学生来自世界各地。
牛津大学是英国最大的科研中心。学校在世界顶尖刊物刊发的科研学术报告超过英国任何其他大学。同时，牛津大学也是全英拥有科研专利最多的学术机构，其下公司超过百余家。目前，牛津地区的一千五百多家高科技企业中，多数都与学校有着深度合作。