Text B The Russell Group Universities

The Russell Group is a collaboration of twenty UK universities that together receive two-thirds of research grant and contract funding in the United Kingdom. The Russell Group is so named because the first informal meetings of the Group took place at the Russell Hotel in Russell Square, London. It was established in 1994 to represent their interests to the government, parliament and other bodies. The group is chaired by Professor Michael Arthur, Vice Chancellor of University of Leeds. The Russell Group contains many of the United Kingdom's leading universities; 18 of its 20 members are in the top 20 in terms of research funding.

In May 2004, Russell Group universities accounted for 65% of UK universities' research grant and contract income, 56% of all doctorates awarded in the United Kingdom, and over 30% of all students studying in the United Kingdom from outside the European Union (EU).

Obtaining a place at a Russell Group university is becoming competitive. In total, the 20 universities take in about 75,000 new students in the first year, every year. The Russell Group states that among its objectives are to: lead the UK's research; maximize income for its member institutions; attract the best staff and students to those institutions.

16 members are from England, two from Scotland, one from Wales and one from Northern Ireland. The following universities are the members of the Group:

University of Birmingham, University of Bristol, University of Cambridge, Cardiff University, University of Edinburgh, University of Glasgow, Imperial College London, King's College London (University of London), University College London (University of London), University of Leeds, University of Liverpool, London School of Economics and Political Science (University of London), University of Manchester, Newcastle University, University of Nottingham, University of Oxford, Queen's University Belfast, University of Sheffield, University of Southampton, University of Warwick.

 

University of Cambridge

9. Read the text C ‘University of Oxford’ and be ready to

a) explain what makes Oxford different from other UK universities;

b)speak about its peculiarities.

 

Text C University of Oxford

The University of Oxford (informally Oxford University, or simply Oxford) is the second oldest surviving university in the world and the oldest in the English-speaking world. Although the exact date of its foundation remains unclear, there is evidence of teaching there as far back as 1096.

The peculiarity of Oxford is that it is a collegiate university. It comprises over forty self-governing colleges and halls. Central administration is headed by the Vice-Chancellor. The academic departments are not affiliated with any particular college. Departments provide facilities for teaching and research, determine the syllabi and guidelines for the teaching of students, perform research, and deliver lectures and seminars. Colleges arrange the tutorial teaching for their undergraduates. The members of an academic department are spread around many colleges.

Oxford has more than 100 libraries, nearly 40 of which make up the Bodleian library system. Oxford's central research library is the Bodleian, founded by Sir Thomas Bodley and opened in 1602. With over 11 million volumes housed on 120 miles of shelving, it is the second-largest library in the UK, after the British Library. It is a legal deposit library, which means that it is entitled to request a free copy of every book published in the UK.

The various academic faculties, departments, and institutes are organized into four divisions, each with their own Head. They are the Humanities Division; the Social Sciences Division; the Mathematical, Physical and Life Sciences Division; and the Medical Sciences Division.

The University of Oxford is a “public university” in the sense that it receives a large amount of public money from the government and from local authorities, but it is a "private university" in the sense that it is entirely self-governing and could choose to become entirely private by rejecting public funds. There are 38 colleges of the University of Oxford and 6 Permanent Private Halls with its own internal structure and activities. The heads of Oxford colleges are known by various titles: warden, provost, principal, president, rector, master and dean. Colleges have responsibility for admitting undergraduates and organizing their tuition. They provide social, cultural, and recreational activities for their members. As for graduates, this responsibility falls upon the departments.

Undergraduate teaching is centered on the tutorial, where 1–4 students spend an hour with an academic discussing their week’s work, usually an essay (humanities, most social sciences, some mathematical, physical, and life sciences) or problem sheet (most mathematical, physical, and life sciences, and some social sciences). Students usually have one or two tutorials a week. These tutorials are complemented by lectures, classes and seminars, which are organized on a departmental basis. Graduate students are usually instructed through classes and seminars, though there is more focus upon individual research.

The academic year is divided into three terms lasting from October to December; from January to March; and from April to June. Academic dress is still commonly seen at Oxford; until the 1960s students wore it at all times. It is required for examinations and when visiting university officers. Other traditions and customs vary by college, one of the most common being the requirement to wear gowns for dinner in hall.

Oxford has no upper or lower limit on the age of those admitted as undergraduates. Historically, it was common for boys to become members of the university between the ages of fourteen and nineteen. At the present time, the usual age range of those admitted to study for first degrees begins at about seventeen, although the majority are eighteen or nineteen. In theory, much younger people can still be admitted to the university if they meet the entrance standard e.g. Ruth Lawrence entered Oxford in 1983 at the age of twelve.

Prospective students can apply to one of the individual colleges, which work with each other to ensure that the best students gain a place somewhere at the University whichever college they choose. Shortlisting is based on exam results; school references and, in some subjects, written tests or candidate-submitted written work. Approximately 60% of applicants are shortlisted, although this varies by subject. The colleges then invite shortlisted candidates for interview, where they are provided with food and accommodation for at least three days in December. Offers are sent out shortly before Christmas for graduate student admissions. Many colleges express a preference for candidates who will be undertaking research in an area of interest of one of its scholars. There are many opportunities for students at Oxford to receive financial help during their studies.

There are many notable Oxonians (as alumni of the University are known): among them 26 British prime ministers, Margaret Thatcher, Tony Blair^[ and David Cameron including; 30 other international leaders such as Prime Ministers of Australia, Canada, India; a number of economists, composers, actors. The long list of writers associated with Oxford includes John Fowles, Lewis Carroll, Oscar Wilde, J. R. R. Tolkien, Graham Greene. 47 Nobel laureates have studied or taught at Oxford.

10. Assignment for a curious student.

Find out the role of Oxford in Cambridge foundation.

Look for additional information about Oxford and explain its coat of arms.