University of Oxford : Ranking, Admissions, Reviews, Notable Alumni

University of Oxford comprises 36 colleges, three societies as well as four permanent private halls of religious foundation. If we talk about the history of colleges being established at University of Oxford, the oldest colleges include University College, Balliol and Merton that were founded between 1249 and 1264 and the fourth the oldest college is University of Exeter.

After women entered the University of Oxford in 1879, the oldest colleges or halls that were established include Lady Margaret Hall and Somerville College that are becoming members of the university as well in the year 1920. Some of the other women colleges before the university was integrated are St Anne's, St Hilda's, and St Hugh's college. 

The application process for undergraduate and postgraduate international students at University of Oxford are given as follows:

• University of Oxford applicants are required to submit their admission application through the UCAS admission portal by Oct 15, 2025 which is earlier than most of the universities. 
• International applicants cannot apply to both Oxford and Cambridge in the same year unless they want to apply for certain scholarships. 
• Most undergraduate student applicants have applied to a specific college and applicants with an excellent academic record can also receive admissions from other top universities. 
• Around 60% of the international student applicants have been shortlisted and selected based on their academic grades, letter of references, admissions test scores and written work. 

For Oxford University admissions, the selection criteria specified below are followed:

Undergraduate Admissions

• Applications are evaluated by the University of Oxford’s tutors using the selection criteria for each course
• The academic tutors look for the academic ability and potential of students. They look for students with a deep interest in the subject to which they are applying
• At Oxford, extra-curricular activities are not considered at the time of evaluation of the application, unless they are relevant to the course to which an applicant is applying and help to demonstrate the selection criteria for the selected course

Graduate Admissions

• Oxford University graduate application is academically evaluated against the entry requirements for the course. The applications are relatively assessed in terms of the quality of previous academic excellence and future potential in comparison with the applications received from other applicants for that particular course
• The University of Oxford seeks to admit the very best applicants. Note that meeting the entry requirements may not be enough to guarantee a place and competition for places is very strong
• The University of Oxford departments receive many more excellent applications than they have places available, so it is crucial to take care of the application in order to showcase academic achievement and future potential

The students and academic staff who wish to be a member of Oxford University should also become a member of one of the colleges or halls. The University of Oxford has 39 permanent colleges and 4 permanent private halls and each of them are controlling its membership with their internal structure and activities. Some of the colleges under Oxford University are given as follows:

• All Souls College
• Lincoln College
• St Catherine's College
• Christ Church College
• Exeter College
• St John's College
• Trinity College
• The Queen's College  

Oxford University has been ranked among the top British universities for sports because of their coaching and student commitment. The university also hosts the British Universities and Colleges Sports (BUCS) championships and other tournaments, as well as inter-university competitions and college leagues.

University of Oxford has more than 80 sports clubs to choose from, relaxed competitions between different colleges and an annual Varsity series (against Cambridge University). This also includes an extensive University sports centre that is accessible to all students from Oxford colleges.

The students at University of Oxford are known as Oxonians which is a term used for members, students or alumni of the university. This includes two British kings and around 15 monarchs of 11 other sovereign states, 28 British prime ministers and 35 presidents and prime ministers of 19 other countries in the world.

University of Oxford has more than 30 colleges and halls and all the undergraduate students are a part of one of them. All of these colleges provide a safe and supportive environment where students can focus on their studies, have leisure time with friends and are able to make the most out of many opportunities that the university offers. Most of the colleges under Oxford University are running their own clubs and societies and the students can set up their respective club.