
The University of Oxford is a
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of students | 21,000+ |
| Number of undergraduate students | 14,873 (2021-22) |
| Number of postgraduate students | 10,965 (2021-22) |
| Number of students enrolled in courses at the Department for Continuing Education | 15,000+ |
| Number of students enrolled for full-time study at Oxford University and Oxford Brookes University | 34,945 (2021-22) |
| Number of international students | Over 1/3rd of the student population |
| Number of countries and territories students come from | 160+ |
| Number of applications for undergraduate courses | 23,000 (2023) |
| Number of undergraduate places | 3,300 |
| Number of applications from UK state school students | 35 (2023) |
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What You'll Learn

Oxford University has over 21,000 students
Oxford University is a collegiate university, meaning that it is made up of multiple colleges. The university comprises 43 constituent colleges, consisting of 36 semi-autonomous colleges, four permanent private halls, and three societies (colleges that are departments of the university and do not have their own royal charter). Each college is a self-governing institution within the university and controls its own membership and has its own internal structure and activities. All students are members of a college.
Oxford University is a "city university" and does not have a main campus. Instead, its buildings and facilities are scattered throughout the medieval city centre and around the town. The university's colleges each have their own distinctive character and traditions, often dating back centuries. The importance of collegiate life is such that, for many students, their college JCR (Junior Common Room, for undergraduates) or MCR (Middle Common Room, for graduates) is seen as more important than the central student union.
Oxford University is regularly ranked as one of the top three universities in the world and is known for its academic excellence. It has produced numerous notable alumni, including over 70 Nobel prize winners, three Fields Medallists, two British kings, and at least 15 monarchs of 11 other sovereign states. The university also has the largest endowment of any university in the UK, with a combined endowment of £8.708 billion.
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The University is comprised of 43 colleges
The University of Oxford is a "city university" with no main campus. Instead, its buildings and facilities are scattered throughout the city centre and around the town. The University is comprised of 43 colleges, consisting of 36 semi-autonomous colleges, four permanent private halls, and three societies (colleges that are departments of the university and do not have their own royal charter). Each college is a self-governing institution within the university that controls its membership and has its own internal structure and activities. All students are members of a college.
Colleges play a significant role in the Oxford University experience. They provide residential and dining facilities, as well as social, cultural, and recreational activities for their members. Additionally, colleges are responsible for admitting undergraduates and organising their tuition. For graduates, this responsibility falls on the departments. The colleges have distinctive characters and traditions, many of which date back centuries.
Oxford University has a rich history and is known for its collegiate nature. The Oxford University Student Union (OUSU), now rebranded as Oxford SU, reflects this structure. It represents the interests of the university's more than 21,000 individual students and also functions as a federation of affiliated college common rooms and other organisations representing subsets of undergraduates and graduates. The importance of collegiate life is evident as many students consider their college JCR (for undergraduates) or MCR (for graduates) to be highly significant during their time at Oxford.
Oxford University's colleges contribute to the university's overall financial endowment, which is the largest of any university in the UK, totalling £8.708 billion. The central University's endowment, along with some colleges', is managed by the university's endowment management office, Oxford University Endowment Management. The university's colleges also play a role in generating income, particularly through tourism, contributing an estimated £611 million in 2018/19.
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3,300 undergraduate places available
The University of Oxford is a highly competitive institution, with a limited number of undergraduate places available each year. On average, the university offers around 3,300 undergraduate places, with a much higher number of applicants vying for these spots. In 2023, for instance, over 23,000 people applied to start their undergraduate studies at Oxford, resulting in an average of around seven applications for each available place. This trend is not unusual, as Oxford consistently attracts a large number of applicants due to its prestigious reputation and high ranking in global university lists.
Oxford's position as one of the top universities in the world is well-established. It has been ranked as the number one university in the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings for nine consecutive years, from 2017 to 2025. Additionally, Oxford has been ranked highly in specific subject areas, such as medical and health subjects, computer science, English Language and Literature, Anatomy and Physiology, and Geography. This reputation for academic excellence attracts students from around the globe, contributing to the high number of undergraduate applications.
The university's rich history, dating back to the 13th century, and its association with notable alumni further enhance its appeal. Oxford has a long tradition of academic excellence, with more than 70 Nobel prize-winners having studied or taught at the university. The university has also educated numerous prominent figures, including British monarchs, prime ministers, and presidents and prime ministers of other nations. This prestigious academic heritage is a significant draw for prospective undergraduates.
Despite the limited number of undergraduate places, Oxford has a relatively large student population. The university comprises 43 constituent colleges, with students hailing from over 160 countries and territories. While the university does not have a main campus, its buildings and facilities are scattered throughout the medieval city centre and around the town. This unique structure contributes to a vibrant and diverse student community, with each college having its own distinctive character and traditions.
In conclusion, while the University of Oxford offers a limited number of undergraduate places, typically around 3,300, it remains a highly sought-after institution attracting a large number of applicants each year. Its prestigious reputation, top global rankings, rich history, and diverse student community contribute to its appeal for prospective undergraduates. Oxford's competitive nature and high application rates underscore its position as one of the world's leading universities.
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10,965 postgraduates in 2021/22
In the 2021/22 academic year, there were 10,965 postgraduate students enrolled at Oxford University and Oxford Brookes University, combined. The majority of these postgraduates were at the University of Oxford.
The University of Oxford is made up of 43 constituent colleges, comprising 36 semi-autonomous colleges, four permanent private halls, and three societies. It is a city university, with buildings and facilities scattered throughout the city centre and beyond. The University does not have a main campus.
The University of Oxford is one of the largest providers of continuing education in the UK, with over 15,000 students enrolling in courses at the Department for Continuing Education each year. The University's contribution to the UK economy is significant, supporting more than 28,000 full-time jobs and generating £611 million in tourism revenue in 2018/19.
In terms of student numbers, the latest figures from 2021-22 show that the University of Oxford had 14,873 full-time students requiring accommodation in Oxford. Around 2,500 University of Oxford students live outside of university-provided accommodations. The University of Oxford's full-time student population is predominantly made up of undergraduates, with 23,985 undergraduates and 10,965 postgraduates enrolled in 2021/22.
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14,873 students needed accommodation in 2021/22
The University of Oxford is a "city university" with no central campus. Its buildings and facilities are scattered throughout the city centre and beyond. This means that the student population has a significant impact on the city's demographics. In 2021/22, 14,873 University of Oxford students needed accommodation in the city. This is a large proportion of the 26,500 full-time students recorded in the 2021 Census as living in Oxford, which was 36,217 people or 26.5% of the city's adult population.
The University of Oxford's students come from a range of backgrounds, with a mix of UK and international students. In 2021/22, there were 23,985 undergraduates at Oxford, split almost equally between Oxford University and Oxford Brookes University. Of these, 14,873 needed accommodation, indicating that many students have an address in Oxford but live elsewhere during term time. The University's website reports that in 2023, 67% of UK students admitted were from the state sector, and over 1,000 year-12 state school students from across the UK participated in Oxford's free online programme, UNIQ, which aims to encourage applications from underrepresented groups.
The University of Oxford's accommodation situation reflects the structure of the university, with students applying directly to colleges, which are self-governing institutions. Colleges organise accommodation for undergraduates, while departments organise it for graduates. The University of Oxford and Oxford Brookes University are registered with Universities UK, which provides a list of buildings used for student accommodation.
The high number of students in Oxford has an impact on the city's population. During term time, the city's population increases, with students and schoolchildren living at their term-time addresses. However, during the holidays, the population decreases as these individuals return to their home addresses. This decrease is particularly noticeable in the 18-22 age group, which is the typical age range for undergraduate students.
The University of Oxford's large student population also contributes significantly to the city's economy and culture. The University estimates that it supports more than 28,000 full-time jobs and contributes around £15.7 billion to the UK economy, with £611 million generated by tourism and £6 billion from the spending of the University and its colleges (2018/19 figures).
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Frequently asked questions
Oxford University has over 21,000 students.
In 2021/22, there were 23,985 undergraduate students enrolled at Oxford University.
As of 1 December 2022, students at Oxford University came from more than 160 countries and territories. In 2021, over one-third of full-time students were born outside the UK.
Oxford University comprises 43 colleges, consisting of 36 semi-autonomous colleges, four permanent private halls, and three societies.
In 2021/22, there were 34,945 students enrolled for full-time study at Oxford University and Oxford Brookes University combined. Of these, 14,873 were enrolled at Oxford University.











































