Oxford – View of the city from the church tower
Oxford is perhaps the best-known university city of all (alongside its great rival Cambridge, of course). It is only about 90 km from London in a north-westerly direction. It is a typically pleasant student town which is lively and has a lot of atmosphere.
Oxford Radcliffe Camera – now reading room for the students
However, Oxford is something very special in terms of the university: Oxford University consists of 38 colleges and 6 permanent private halls (PPHs) – the latter run by religious foundations.
All students and faculty must be from one of the colleges and PPHs. The course itself is divided – the general courses and class-like learning take place in the colleges and PPHs, while major lectures, laboratory work and the examinations are the responsibility of the university proper.
This also includes the central library and the historic reading room in the “Radcliffe Camera“, which is only accessible to students.
We have documented what one of the typical old dining rooms looks like – but unfortunately Harry Potter wasn’t there at the time.
However, Oxford is not just purely for students. It also has a surprising amount of industry and “normal” life. The “Covered Market” is also very nice. A little tip: ‘Bens Cookies‘ – delicious homemade biscuits to die for!
More info: Oxford University website and Website of the city of Oyford
Oxford – in the city centre
Oxford (Oxfordshire) – All Souls College
Oxford – Covered Market
Of course, little things like the coat of arms of the college are also very important, and this is reflected in a very simplified form on the scarves and the oars of the boat crews. (The annual rowing competition between Oxford and Cambridge is legendary).
It is not only seen there – a simplified coat of arms can even be found on the college teacups.
Oxford – Teacup with college coat of arms
As a little appetizer, the University of Oxford from above:
