
The University of Oxford is the oldest university in the English-speaking world, with a rich history of academic excellence. With a total of 22,000 students, Oxford is a cosmopolitan city with a youthful population. The university comprises 44 colleges and halls, with a unique character and traditions, and the largest library system in the UK. Undergraduate teaching at Oxford takes place during three eight-week academic terms, with students expected to engage in academic work during the holidays as well. The university offers a range of scholarships and bursaries to support its diverse student body, attracting students from over 160 countries. Oxford's graduate programmes are highly competitive, with over 37,500 applications received for 6,056 places in the 2022/23 academic year. The university is renowned for its research capabilities, generating numerous spin-out companies and holding thousands of patents.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Total number of students | 22,000 |
| Number of undergraduate students | 11,000 |
| Number of graduate students | 13,000 |
| Number of international students | 9,200 (46% of the total student body) |
| Number of full-time students | 14,873 |
| Number of part-time students | 9,815 |
| Number of students enrolled in the Department for Continuing Education | 15,000 |
| Number of students enrolled in postgraduate courses by research | 54% of graduate students |
| Number of applicants for the 2022/23 academic year | 37,500 |
| Number of applicants for the 2023 academic year | 23,000 |
| Number of applicants for the Astrophoria Foundation Year | 35 |
| Number of applicants for the UNIQ programme | 1,000 |
| Number of Rhodes Scholars | Data unavailable |
| Number of Weidenfeld Scholars | Data unavailable |
| Number of Clarendon Scholars | Data unavailable |
| Number of Nobel prize winners who have studied or taught at the university | 70+ |
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What You'll Learn
- Oxford University has around 22,000 students, with 40% being international
- The university has four academic divisions: Humanities, Mathematical, Physical and Life Sciences, Medical Sciences, and Social Sciences
- There are 3,300 undergraduate places, with over 23,000 applicants in 2023
- % of students are graduates, with over 37,500 applications for 6,056 places in 2022/23
- Oxford has the highest research income of any UK university, totalling £865.7 million in 2021/22

Oxford University has around 22,000 students, with 40% being international
Oxford University is the oldest university in the English-speaking world, with a history dating back to the 11th century. The university is renowned for its academic excellence and has produced numerous notable alumni, including over 70 Nobel prize winners. With 22,000 students, Oxford's student body is diverse, with approximately 40% of its students being international, representing over 160 countries and territories. The university offers a rich academic experience through its four academic divisions: Humanities, Mathematical, Physical and Life Sciences, Medical Sciences, and Social Sciences.
The undergraduate experience at Oxford is unique, with students traditionally spending their first year preparing for examinations heavily focused on classical languages. This tradition has evolved over time, now offering alternatives such as the "natural science preliminary." Undergraduate teaching is structured into three eight-week academic terms: Michaelmas, Hilary, and Trinity. During these terms, undergraduates are expected to reside in Oxford and engage in academic pursuits. The university also offers various opportunities for financial aid, such as the Oxford Opportunity Bursaries, providing up to £10,235 over a 3-year degree.
Oxford's graduate programmes are highly competitive, attracting students from diverse backgrounds and nationalities. The university provides an array of scholarships, including the prestigious Clarendon Scholarship, open to graduate applicants worldwide. Graduate students benefit from world-class resources, including 24-hour access to college libraries and the renowned Bodleian Libraries. The university also offers graduate students free access to museums and collections, such as the Ashmolean Museum, enhancing their academic experience.
Oxford University is a hub of research and innovation, consistently generating spin-out companies and leading in patent filings within the UK. The university's research income totals over £865 million, reflecting its prominence in the academic world. Oxford's reputation extends beyond academics, with a strong musical presence and a rich offering of extracurricular activities. The university is also known for its sporting achievements, particularly the annual boat race with the University of Cambridge.
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The university has four academic divisions: Humanities, Mathematical, Physical and Life Sciences, Medical Sciences, and Social Sciences
The University of Oxford is divided into four academic divisions: Humanities, Mathematical, Physical and Life Sciences, Medical Sciences, and Social Sciences. Each division has its own Head and elected board.
The Humanities Division has been praised for its work in digitising the Humanities and is currently led by Professor Daniel Grimley. It includes faculties and departments such as Medicine. The Mathematical, Physical, and Life Sciences Division (MPLS) is headed by Professor James Naismith, who took office in October 2023. The Social Sciences Division, accredited by the Economic and Social Research Council, is led by Professor Timothy Power. It is the largest grouping of social scientists in the UK.
Oxford's total research income is consistently the highest of any UK university. In 2021/22, the university earned £711.4 million in external research funding. The Medical Sciences Division includes the Nuffield Department of Medicine, which has a partnership with CUHK for Disaster and Medical Humanitarian Response. The Humanities Division is expanding physically into the new Radcliffe Observatory Quarter in Oxford.
Oxford University has a rich history, with scholars dating back to the Renaissance. The collegiate life is an important aspect of the student experience, with many students considering their college JCR or MCR a central part of their time at the university. The university has produced over 70 Nobel prize-winners and continues to attract students from around the world.
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There are 3,300 undergraduate places, with over 23,000 applicants in 2023
The University of Oxford is the oldest university in the English-speaking world, with a history so ancient that its founding date is unknown. However, teaching at the university is thought to have taken place as early as the 11th century. The university is located in and around the medieval city centre of Oxford, which has been dubbed "the dreaming city of spires" by the 19th-century poet Matthew Arnold. The university comprises 44 colleges and halls, as well as the largest library system in the UK. Oxford is known for its rich heritage and cosmopolitan atmosphere, attracting students from diverse backgrounds and nationalities.
In terms of student numbers, there are around 22,000 students at the University of Oxford in total, with approximately half of them being undergraduates and the other half comprising graduate students. Specifically, for undergraduate admissions in 2023, there were 3,300 available places, with over 23,000 applicants vying for those spots. This highlights the highly competitive nature of undergraduate admissions at Oxford, with only a limited number of places available. The university also receives a significant number of postgraduate applications. For the 2022/23 academic year, over 37,500 applications were received for 6,056 postgraduate places.
The University of Oxford is committed to supporting students from all backgrounds and has implemented initiatives to enhance diversity. The Oxford Opportunity Bursaries, introduced in 2006, offer means-based financial support to British undergraduates, with a total possible grant of £10,235 over a three-year degree. Additionally, individual colleges provide their own bursaries and funds to assist their students. The university also runs the UNIQ programme, which is a free online programme aimed at helping underrepresented students explore what it's like to study at Oxford and make competitive applications. Since its launch in 2010, UNIQ has supported over 14,500 participants, with a focus on students from disadvantaged backgrounds and state schools.
Oxford's student body is diverse, with international students comprising 40% of the total student population. The university attracts students from over 160 countries and territories, with the largest groups of international students coming from the USA, China, Germany, Canada, India, Australia, Hong Kong, Singapore, Italy, France, and the Netherlands. The presence of international students contributes to the cultural exchange and global perspective within the Oxford community.
The university life at Oxford revolves around its colleges, which are self-governing institutions. Students typically apply directly to these colleges, which become a central part of their university experience. Each college has its own unique character and traditions, often with a rich history dating back centuries. The Junior Common Room (JCR) and Middle Common Room (MCR) are essential aspects of college life, providing social and representation functions for undergraduates and graduates, respectively. These common rooms organise events and have significant budgets to enhance the student experience.
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50% of students are graduates, with over 37,500 applications for 6,056 places in 2022/23
The University of Oxford is the oldest university in the English-speaking world, with a history dating back to the 11th century. The university is renowned for its academic excellence and has produced numerous notable alumni, including over 70 Nobel prize winners. With a total student population of approximately 22,000, Oxford is a vibrant and cosmopolitan city, attracting students from diverse backgrounds and nationalities.
Graduate students comprise around 50% of the student body, reflecting the university's emphasis on advanced studies and research. In the 2022/23 academic year, Oxford received over 37,500 applications for approximately 6,056 postgraduate places, highlighting the competitiveness of its graduate programs. This competitiveness is further evident in the university's expectation to offer around 1,000 full or partial graduate scholarships for new students in the 2023/24 academic year.
The university's graduate programs offer a wide range of courses, with 450 postgraduate courses receiving applications for the 2022/23 academic year. These programs attract students from various nationalities, with international students making up 46% of the total student body. The university's graduate community is diverse, with students hailing from more than 160 countries and territories, including the USA, China, Germany, Canada, and India, among others.
Life as a graduate student at Oxford is enriched by access to world-class resources and facilities. Graduate students are issued Bodleian Reader Cards, providing access to the renowned Bodleian Libraries and their extensive resources. Additionally, graduate students can take advantage of 24-hour access to well-equipped college libraries, offering quiet and comfortable study spaces. Oxford also boasts world-famous museums, such as the Ashmolean Museum, which serves as a unique resource for students, particularly those working with historical materials.
The university's strength in research is evident, with 54% of postgraduate students pursuing degrees by research. Oxford consistently attracts significant research funding, earning £711.4 million in external research funding in 2021/22. The university's research endeavours have led to the creation of numerous spin-out companies and startups through Oxford University Innovation (OUI). OUI has established Oxford as the UK leader in generating spin-out companies, fostering a dynamic environment for graduate students engaged in research and innovation.
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Oxford has the highest research income of any UK university, totalling £865.7 million in 2021/22
The University of Oxford is a collegiate research university in Oxford, England. It is the oldest university in the English-speaking world and the world's second-oldest university in continuous operation, with evidence of teaching as early as 1096. Oxford's total research income is consistently the highest of any UK university. In the financial year 2021/22, the university's total research income, including the QR funding, totalled £856.1 million or £865.7 million when including the block grant for research from Research England.
Oxford University, through Oxford University Innovation (OUI), is the UK leader in generating spinout companies. OUI created ten spinouts for the academic year 2021-2022, as well as five more startups and social ventures. Overall, OUI has created over 300 companies, more than any other UK institution. OUI is also the most prolific university filer of patents in the UK, with close to 5,000 under management, and receives more income from intellectual property than its UK peers.
Oxford's research income is reflective of its status as a leading research university. The university comprises 43 constituent colleges, consisting of 36 semi-autonomous colleges, four permanent private halls, and three societies. The colleges are independent, self-governing, and financially autonomous, and their accounts are published annually. The university maintains the largest university library system in the UK, with over 11 million volumes housed on 120 miles of shelving, making the Bodleian group the second-largest library in the UK after the British Library.
Oxford offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate courses, with a total of around 3,300 undergraduate places available each year. The university also offers numerous scholarships, including the prestigious Rhodes Scholarship, one of the oldest international graduate scholarship programmes in the world. In addition, Oxford provides opportunities for continuing education, with over 15,000 students enrolling in courses at the Department for Continuing Education each year. The university supports a diverse student body, with international students making up 46% of the total student population.
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Frequently asked questions
There are 22,000 students at Oxford University, with around half being undergraduates.
There are over 13,000 graduate students at Oxford University, making up around 50% of the total student body.
International students make up 46% of Oxford University's total student body, with more than 12,000 students.











































