University of Oxford

The University of Oxford, located in the city of Oxford, England, is the oldest university in the English-speaking world.

Related Topics:
Oxford - England - Oldest university - English-speaking

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The university traces its roots back to at least the end of the 11th century, although the exact date of foundation remains unclear. According to legend, after riots between scholars and townsfolk broke out in 1209, some of the academics at Oxford fled north-east to the town of Cambridge, where the University of Cambridge was founded. The two universities have since had a long history of competition with each other, and are widely seen as the most elite and prestigious universities in the United Kingdom (see Oxbridge rivalry).

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11th century - 1209 - Cambridge - University of Cambridge - United Kingdom - Oxbridge rivalry

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Oxford has recently topped two university-ranking league tables produced by British newspapers: it came first according to The Guardian and, for the fourth consecutive year, in The Times table. Although widely contested (as with most league tables) on the basis of their ranking criteria, recent international tables produced by The Times Higher Education Supplement and Shanghai Jiao Tong University rated Oxford fifth and tenthhttp://ed.sjtu.edu.cn/rank/2005/ARWU2005_Top100.htm in the world respectively.

Related Topics:
League tables - The Guardian - The Times - The Times Higher Education Supplement - Shanghai Jiao Tong University

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Oxford is a member of the Russell Group of research-led British universities, the Coimbra Group (a network of leading European universities), the LERU (League of European Research Universities), and is also a core member of the Europaeum.

Related Topics:
Russell Group - British universities - Coimbra Group - LERU - Europaeum

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