The History of Oxford University

The History of Oxford University

Oxford University is one of the oldest and most influential seats of learning in the world, and continues to educate leaders, drive innovative research, and shape the future to this day. Read this guide to learn more about the rich history of Oxford University, and perhaps even study there yourself one day.

The Founding of Oxford University

There is evidence of teaching at Oxford as early as 1096, though there is debate about when precisely it came into being, making it the oldest university in the English-speaking world and the world’s second-oldest university in continuous operation. Its exact foundation date is unknown, but we do know that the scholar Theobald of Étampes lectured at Oxford in the early 1100s.

Key Figures in the Establishment

Oxford grew quickly from 1167 when English students returned from the University of Paris following the ban by Henry II on them studying there. The historian Gerald of Wales lectured to such scholars in 1188, and the first known foreign scholar, Emo of Friesland, arrived in 1190. The head of the university had the title of chancellor from at least 1201, and the masters were recognised as a universitas or corporation in 1231. The university was granted a royal charter in 1248 during the reign of King Henry III.

Oxbridge

During this period, following disputes between students and Oxford townsfolk in 1209, some academics fled from the violence to Cambridge, and later formed the University of Cambridge.

In 1333–1334, an attempt by some dissatisfied Oxford scholars to found a new university at Stamford, Lincolnshire, was blocked by the universities of Oxford and Cambridge petitioning King Edward III. Thereafter, until the 1820s, no new universities were allowed to be founded in England, even in London; thus, Oxford and Cambridge had a duopoly, which was unusual in large western European countries. These two ancient and prestigious universities to this day share many common features, a friendly rivalry, and are jointly referred to as Oxbridge.

Oxford University During the Renaissance

The new learning of the Renaissance greatly influenced Oxford from the late 15th century onwards. Among university scholars of the period were William Grocyn, who contributed to the revival of Greek language studies, and John Colet, the biblical scholar.

With the English Reformation and the breaking of communion with the Roman Catholic Church, recusant scholars from Oxford fled to continental Europe, settling especially at the University of Douai. The method of teaching at Oxford was transformed from the medieval scholastic method to Renaissance education, although institutions associated with the university suffered losses of land and revenues. As a centre of learning and scholarship, Oxford’s reputation declined in the Age of Enlightenment; enrolments fell, and teaching was neglected.

In 1636, William Laud, the chancellor and Archbishop of Canterbury, codified the university’s statutes. These, to a large extent, remained its governing regulations until the mid-19th century. Laud was also responsible for the granting of a charter securing privileges for the University Press, and he made significant contributions to the Bodleian Library, the main library of the university.

Oxford University’s Role in the English Civil War

The university was a centre of the Royalist party during the English Civil War (1642–1649), while the town favoured the opposing Parliamentarian cause.

Wadham College, founded in 1610, was the undergraduate college of Sir Christopher Wren. Wren was part of a brilliant group of experimental scientists at Oxford in the 1650s, the Oxford Philosophical Club, which included Robert Boyle and Robert Hooke. This group, which has at times been linked with Boyle’s “Invisible College”, held regular meetings at Wadham under the guidance of the college’s Warden, John Wilkins, and the group formed the nucleus that went on to found the Royal Society.

Oxford University in the Modern Period

Before reforms in the early 19th century, the curriculum at Oxford was notoriously narrow and impractical. Sir Spencer Walpole, a historian of contemporary Britain and a senior government official, had not attended any university. He said, “Few medical men, few solicitors, few persons intended for commerce or trade, ever dreamed of passing through a university career.” He quoted the Oxford University Commissioners in 1852 stating: “The education imparted at Oxford was not such as to conduce to the advancement in life of many persons, except those intended for the ministry.”

Oxford University During World War I

At the start of 1914, the university housed about 3,000 undergraduates and about 100 postgraduate students. During the First World War, many undergraduates and fellows joined the armed forces. By 1918 virtually all fellows were in uniform, and the student population in residence was reduced to 12 per cent of the pre-war total. The University Roll of Service records that, in total, 14,792 members of the university served in the war, with 2,716 (18.36%) killed.

Not all the members of Oxford university who served in the Great War were on the Allied side; there is a memorial to members of New College who served in the German armed forces, bearing the inscription, ‘In memory of the men of this college who coming from a foreign land entered into the inheritance of this place and returning fought and died for their country in the war 1914–1918’.

During the war years the university buildings became hospitals, cadet schools and military training camps.

Women at Oxford University

The university passed a statute in 1875 allowing examinations for women at roughly undergraduate level; for a brief period in the early 1900s, this allowed the “steamboat ladies” to receive ad eundem degrees from the University of Dublin. In June 1878, the Association for the Education of Women (AEW) was formed, aiming for the eventual creation of a college for women in Oxford. Some of the more prominent members of the association were George Granville Bradley, T. H. Green and Edward Stuart Talbot. 

Talbot insisted on a specifically Anglican institution, which was unacceptable to most of the other members. The two parties eventually split, and Talbot’s group founded Lady Margaret Hall in 1878, while T. H. Green founded the non-denominational Somerville College in 1879. Lady Margaret Hall and Somerville opened their doors to their first 21 students (12 at Somerville, 9 at Lady Margaret Hall) in 1879, who attended lectures in rooms above an Oxford baker’s shop. There were also 25 women students living at home or with friends in 1879, a group which evolved into the Society of Oxford Home-Students and in 1952 into St Anne’s College.

Controversies

The university has faced criticism for some of its sources of donations and funding. In 2017, attention was drawn to historical donations including All Souls College receiving £10,000 from slave trader Christopher Codrington in 1710, and Oriel College having taken £100,000 from the will of the imperialist Cecil Rhodes in 1902. A donation of £20 million from Wafic Saïd, who was involved in the Al-Yammah arms deal, in 1996, and one of £150 million from the US businessman Stephen A. Schwarzman in 2019 were both criticised. The university has defended its decisions saying that it “takes legal, ethical and reputational issues into consideration”.

The university has also come under criticism for the number of students it accepts from private schools; for instance, Laura Spence’s rejection from the university in 2000 led to widespread debate. In 2016, the University of Oxford gave 59% of offers to UK students to students from state schools, while about 93% of all UK pupils and 86% of post-16 UK pupils are educated in state schools. However, 64% of UK applicants were from state schools and the university notes that state school students apply disproportionately to oversubscribed subjects. The proportion of students coming from state schools has been increasing.

Future of Oxford University

Oxford University is ranked number one in the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings for the eighth year running, and at the heart of this success is the university continuing to lead in innovative research in a wide range of subjects from physics, to finance, to environmental science. You can read more on the university’s own research website.

Studying at Oxford

At Dukes, we provide support for applications to various universities across the world, including Oxford. Our programs offer personalised guidance, and strategic advice to strengthen your Oxford application. 

Looking to study at Oxford? Look no further than our comprehensive guide to applying to Oxford, How to get into Oxford University in 2024 .

Speak to an Admissions Expert

Sources:

https://www.ox.ac.uk/about/organisation/history

https://www.ox.ac.uk/research