One of the oldest universities in the world currently enjoying the prestige that is matchless by other universities, is undoubtedly University of Oxford, informally referred Oxford University or simply Oxford, located in Oxford, England. The history of the University of Oxford is so widespread that the exact origin of the university is still unknown. However, the evidences reveal that the academic activities of the University of Oxford were existed in some form in 1096.
Administration:
Technically, University of Oxford is an organization with 38 self-governing colleges and a few halls. The administration of the university is headed by the Vice Chancellor.
Courses:
University of Oxford offers a variety of undergraduate, graduate and post graduate study programs. Besides, degree programs, short courses of the languages and some technical education diplomas are also offered. The main courses offered by the university relate to the fields of Medicine, Research, Management, Economics, Arts, Engineering, Biological Sciences, and Physical Sciences.
Financing:
The large structure of the university requires a lot amount of funds to run its operations smoothly. The budget figure of University of Oxford in the year 2011-12 was 1.02 billion pounds, while the net income was 361 million pounds. Such a huge amount of the budget is sponsored by research grants, academic fees, teaching funds and many other sources.
Library System:
The library system of the university is very rich and counted among the largest library systems in the world It contains more than eleven million volumes, which, if placed on a single shelf, could occupy190km long shelf. Oxford can ask for a free copy of every book published within the territory of the Britain for being the legal depository Library in the UK. University of Oxford house 28 libraries, which were grouped up in the year 2000 to form a central library system of Oxford.
Museums:
University of Oxford represents the culture and long established traditions of the Britain. It is very classical in a sense, but at the same time it does meet the requirements of the modern world, especially in the arts. Therefore, Oxford has many museums and art galleries, which is accessible not only by the students, but also by the tourists and the general public free of cost. The famous names among these museums and galleries are Ashmole an Museum, Pitt Rivers Museum, University Museum of Natural History, Museum of the History of Science.
Oxford University Press:
The largest university press in the world and the second-oldest in the world comes under the domain of the Oxford. Oxford University Press publishes more than 6000 new books, references, journals and professional and academic authorship each year and sell nearly 110 million books and other published material. It publishes books in more than 40 different popular languages of the world.
Alumni:
University of Oxford is also distinct for its Alumni that include many a famous politicians, leaders, sportsman and Noble Prize winners. It has produced 30 international leaders, 26 Britain Prime Ministers, and 58 Noble Prize winners. More than 50 Olympic medal winners were the part of Alumni of Oxford.
Ranking:
Oxford University has always enjoyed a high rank and remained in the list of top 10 universities of the world. Currently it has been ranked as the third best university in the world by the Times Higher Education World University Rankings, and the fifth best in the world by the QS World University Ranking.
