A GUIDE TO THE UNITED KINGDOM’S OLDEST UNIVERSITY By Marlene Paradee

OXFORD UNIVERSITY

OXFORD’S BEGINNINGS- There is no clear foundation date, but teaching existed as early as 1096- Henry II banned the English from attending the University of Paris in 1167, which caused Oxford to experience a rapid growth- Geographical and religious differences led to the establishment of various colleges and halls at the university

OXFORD DURING THE RENAISSANCE

• Many scholars, such as William Grocyn and John Colet contributed to the revival of Greek language studies

• With the introduction of Caxton’s printing press in 1476, students no longer had to rely solely on lectures- books became prominent and Oxford’s first library was founded

• The method of teaching at Oxford was transformed from the medieval Scholastic method to Renaissance education

“I’m so glad I received a degree from Oxford University” - scholar and humanist William Grocyn

- Administrative reforms during the 19h century included the replacement of oral examinations with written entrance tests, greater tolerance for religious dissent, and the establishment of four women’s colleges

- Many decisions from the Privy Council loosened the link with traditional belief and practice

- Oxford’s curriculum expanded from classical knowledge to encompass scientific and medical studies

A NEW ERA, A NEW OXFORD

FACT: Despite the modernization of Oxford, students have continuously voted to keep the traditional academic dress

FAMOUS OXONIANS- Oscar Wilde- C.S. Lewis- J.R.R. Tolkein- Aldous Huxley- Dr. Seuss- Margaret Thatcher- Stephen Hawking- Andrew Lloyd Webber- Bill Clinton- Hugh Grant- Kate Beckinsale

“If you don’t like Oxford, I don’t like you.” – real actual quote from former U.S. president Bill Clinton

- The University of Cambridge was founded by Oxford scholars who fled the first of many 'Town versus Gown' riots that erupted in Oxford in 1209

- Being the only two universities in the UK for centuries, a rivalry developed between “Oxbridge”

- Today, many annual competitions are held between Oxford and Cambridge, including the Boat Race and the Rugby League Varsity Match

THAT OTHER UNIVERSITY

100% REAL FACT: Les Miserables actor Eddie Redmayne is the most attractive and only important alumnus of Cambridge

NOTABLE OXFORD FACTS AND FIGURES

- Oxford's research activity involves more than 70 departments, the colleges, over 1,600 academic staff, more than 3,800 research and research support staff, and over 5,300 graduate research students.

- The university has had a constant presence at the top end of international league tables across the world

- 93% of Oxford leavers are employed six months after graduating

- 26 prime ministers have attended Oxford

“Oxford is the world’s greatest university.” – a quote from actor Hugh Jackman that is not made up

MORE OXFORD FUN FACTS• Just east of Oxford, in the suburb of

Headington, is the famous Shark House - a house with a 25-foot long headless shark protruding from the roof.

• The Great Hall at Christ Church was used as inspiration for the Hogwarts dining hall in the Harry Potter films. The staircase leading up to the hall was actually used in several scenes in the films.

• The term Oxford Comma comes from the Oxford University Press, where the use of the comma is standard.

• Hitler was intending to use Oxford as his capital if he conquered England which is one of the reasons it was not bombed. FACT: Like many other

Oxford locations, Bodleian Library was used as a setting in the Harry Potter films

BIBLIOGRAPHY• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oxford_University• http

://www.businessinsider.com/most-famous-oxford-students-2012-9?op=1

• http://www.ox.ac.uk/about_the_university/introducing_oxford/a_brief_history_of_the_university/index.html

• http://www.cwrl.utexas.edu/~bump/oxford/• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/

Oxford_and_Cambridge_rivalry• http://www.oxfordcityguide.com/ee2/index.php

?/FunStuff/FunFacts/• http://www.localhistories.org/oxuni.html

FACT: Receiving a degree from Oxford is guaranteed to bring happiness and success to every graduate