History of Oxford University

Oxford University was a boy’s only school founded in 872. It was founded when Alfred the Great met some monks and had a scholarly debate with them. Although the school was founded in 872, teaching didn’t really start until 1096 when Henry II forbade students from attending the University of Paris. Over time, new colleges opened within the university and allowed more students to study what they wanted. Included in the university were 38 colleges and 6 private halls. The small number of students in each college allows for specific attention to the students (www.ox.ac.uk). Every school was built for more students to study at their will. The professors at these colleges included extremely talented men that came to teach students the wonders of things such as math and science. Over the years, this school has made very little changes but now includes new difficulties and rules.
Oxford University remained an all-boys school for a very long time. Women were first accepted into other colleges at Oxford in 1920. In 1878, academic halls were established for women. They allowed them to sit in on different lectures and help them study anything they wished. They wanted to promote the higher education of women, so beginning in 1879 they opened women only schools as a part of the university. Lady Margaret Hall and Somerville were both opened in 1879, followed by St. Hugh’s in 1886, St. Hilda’s in 1893, and St. Anne’s in 1952. These 5 schools eventually let in men. St. Hilda’s college was the last all-girls school until it accepted men in 2008 (www.ox.ac.uk).
When the school was first opened, students attending the university would live with local townspeople. If the student came from a higher class family, their fathers would rent whole houses for their sons. The first living hall, St. Edmund Hall opened in 1238. From this point on, students were forbidden to live with the townspeople. More living halls opened soon after that. In the 20th century, St. Edmund Hall became a college. Students living in this hall were required to move to other living halls (Lambert).
Over the years, there were new things created at the University to help teach the students learn everything they needed to know. “In the Middle Ages students learned from lectures as books were rare luxuries” (Lambert). Fortunately, in 1476, Caxton introduced the printing press to England. Students then began learning the seven liberal arts of music, grammar, geometry, logic, astronomy, rhetoric, and arithmetic. They then started studying the humanities in the 16th century. In 1621 a physic garden was created for students to learn about medical plants and how they’re grown (Lambert). In addition, there were new colleges being built over the years to offer different units of study and bring in more students to the university.
There were numerous professors at Oxford University. Most of them born around the same year and began teaching in the 17th century (Lambert). Robert Wood, born in 1621, came to Oxford to teach math. In addition to this, he was licensed to practice medicine. He was also a member of the Royal Society in 1681. The Royal Society is a group of the world’s most well-known scientists. John Wallis became a professor of geometry in 1649. He was also a renowned cryptographer; someone who practices and studies techniques for secure communication. Seth Ward, born in 1617, was a professor of astronomy and defended the importance of scientific education in schools. Christopher Wren, born in 1632, became a famous architect. In addition to this, he was also a mathematician, astronomer, anatomist, and inventor. Robert Hooke, also known as ‘The Father of Microscopy’, was an assistant professor to Thomas Willis, and English doctor, and Robert Boyle, a scientist. John Wilkins, born in 1614, became the warden of Wadham College from Oxford University in 1648 – 1659. It was said that ‘his thirst for knowledge ensured that Oxford became a Mecca for early scientists. All of these professors were brought to Oxford University to teach young men the importance of studies. In 2011, eight Oxford professors were elected to the Fellowship of the British Academy and eight others were elected to the Fellowship of the Royal Society (www.ox.ac.uk).
Some of the different students and professors at Oxford University have helped shape the world we live in today. For instance, Dr. Manmohan Singh, the prime minister of India, played a part in opening up trade in India in the 1990’s. This caused an increase in economic growth and reduced poverty rates. He was able to do this after receiving a doctorate in Economics at Oxford. In addition to this, Tim Berners – Lee, an undergraduate at Oxford, created the worldwide web. One other professor at Oxford was Professor Nick White. White was the one that proved how artemesinin, the world’s most effective anti – malarial drug, could be used as a treatment for severe malaria (www.ox.ac.uk). These former students and professors as well as many others have shown people that going to a school and getting a proper education can help one discover different ways to help and change society.
To this day there are multiple things to study at Oxford University. Different studies include; theology, law, medicine, modern history, English language and literature, oriental studies, physical science, music, fine arts, archaeology, anthropology, and geography. Around the time when the school was just opened, young boys studied things such as math, science, and medicine. “Each student writes a weekly paper on a prescribed subject and discusses it with his tutor” (Encyclopedia). This is known as the tutorial system. Completing a full course at Oxford could take up to 9 years. A majority of students only stayed for 1 or 2 years. During this time they would study Latin, make new friends, and study law. The few that stayed past this have already received a Master of the Arts degree. They would stay to receive a doctorate in law or medicine (Times). “Drawing on an 800 – year tradition of discovery and invention, modern Oxford leads the way in creating jobs, wealth, skills, and innovation.” (www.ox.ac.uk). “About one fifth of those matriculating at tree Oxford colleges between 1874 and 1938 are known to have found employment in the empire” (Marshall).
Oxford University has a chancellor and a vice chancellor. They act as the principal and vice principle of a school. They also have pro – vice – chancellors that are in charge of different parts of the university (www.ox.ac.uk). A chancellor is “the only one that can confirm a proposal for conferment of an honorary degree.” “He shall preside the convocations for award of academic and honorary degrees.” (www.sai.uni). The chancellor of Oxford University is The RT Hon the Lord Patten of Barnes, also known as Chris Barnes. He has maintained this role at the university since 2003. He attended Oxford and studied Modern History. In April of 1992 he became the governor of Hong Kong until 1997. The vice chancellor is Professor Andrew Hamilton, who is a research scientist (www.ox.ac.uk).
Oxford University is a very competitive school. It attracts students from around the world and has become more popular over the years. There are about 17,000 students that apply every year. Unfortunately there are only about 3,000 accepted. There are over 21,000 students at this school which includes 11,723 undergraduates and 9,327 postgraduates (www.ox.ac.uk). Within these students, there are more than 130 nationalities. “The competitive examination for the East Indie Company’s service, later the Indian Civil Service, was based on existing academic subjects and was intended to favour candidates from Oxford” (Marshall).
Since the day the school was created, it has done nothing but offer great things to every single one if its students. Over the years, it has opened new colleges within the university opening more opportunities for people around the world. With this school being so multicultural, it allows students to meet new people that come from a different background and learn more about the different cultures of people across the globe. Without this school, it could be slightly harder for students to find a high end school where they can meet new people, experience new activities, and get the education they need.

Works Cited

C. E. Mallet. History of the University of Oxford. 1924 – 1927
Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia Volume 6. 2011
Lambert, Tim. The History of Oxford University. www.picturesofengland.com/history/oxford-university-history.html
P. J. Marshall. British Empire. Cambridge University Press. 1996.
University of Oxford. 9 Mar. 2012. University of Oxford. 28 Mar. 2012