History
Oxford College England is the oldest university in the world. Teaching at Oxford College began in 1096 and has since played a significant role, developing rapidly throughout the next centuries. It became a prominent platform for debate in science, arts and religion. In the 20th –and early 21st centuries, the University added a new research capacity in the natural and applied sciences, which now include medicine. There are 38 colleges that are financially independent and self-governing institutions.
Within the University
The University is located close to north-west of London. A student population of the city is 40,000 students, with over 22,000 being undergraduates and graduates of the College. Students are provided with meals, accommodation, libraries, public rooms, pastoral care and social facilities. The college takes the responsibility of tutorial teaching for students, free computer training for example. But the heart of the success of Oxford University is in its collegiate system. Students are offered vast benefits of an interdisciplinary academic community, where different countries and cultures are brought together, helping to achieve leadership in many academic fields.
The Tutorial System
The University is also known for its tutorial system. It holds one-hour meetings, where experts in a particular field, often world-leaders, teach students. The instructor assigns a topic beforehand and discusses it at the meeting. The teacher leads the discussion with emphasis placed on providing insight on the particular subject. The tutor assigns further subjects at the end of the meeting along with a recommendation on reading material. Tutorials are arranged according to the individual and the expertise of the tutor. Tutorials are akin to an independent study course. The Oxford University organizes lectures on varied academic subjects on a weekly basis. The University expects students to do their work and learn to think independently. The role of the instructor is not just to present facts, but to guide students through the studies, to develop their analytical abilities, improve communication skills.
The College System
Each student is a member of the University. Your college will be your home for the next four years. The College will provide support in all aspects, from accommodation and meals to IT assistance. Each college has a small number of students. It allows paying close and personal attention to each student, helping to develop his academic welfare. It is also commonly known that Oxford provides generous financial assistance to students from low-income households living in the United Kingdom, the college is committed to offering financial aid.
Career after Oxford
Top employers in the country seek graduates of Oxford University. They value them for their leadership and communication skills. Recruiters from top companies visit the university each year in a hope to find a handful of bright stars, and 95% of students receive employment within six months after leaving their college life.
Vocabulary:
Significant [sɪɡˈnɪfɪk(ə)nt] | interdisciplinary [ɪntəˈdɪsɪplɪn(ə)ri] |
throughout [θruːˈaʊt] | leadership [ˈliːdəʃɪp] |
prominent [ˈprɒmɪnənt] | assign [əˈsʌɪn] |
debate [dɪˈbeɪt] | beforehand [bɪˈfɔːhand] |
capacity [kəˈpasɪti] | arranged [əˈreɪndʒd] |
apply [əˈplʌɪ] | akin [əˈkɪn] |
self-governing [self ˈɡʌvənɪŋ] | analytical [anəˈlɪtɪk(ə)l] |
undergraduate [ʌndəˈɡradjʊət] | ability [əˈbɪlɪti] |
graduate [ˈɡrædʒuət] | assistance [əˈsɪst(ə)ns] |
pastoral care [ˈpɑːst(ə)r(ə)l keə] | welfare [ˈwɛlfɛː] |
social facility [ˈsəʊʃ(ə)l fəˈsɪlɪti] | income [ˈɪnkʌm] |
responsibility [rɪˌspɒnsɪˈbɪlɪti] | aid [eɪd] |
tutorial [tjuːˈtɔːrɪəl] | employer [ɪmˈplɔɪə] |
collegiate [kəˈliːdʒ(ɪ)ət] | seek [siːk] |
vast [vɑːst] | handful [ˈhan(d)fʊl] |