University of Oxford

Key facts

Checked against the sources listed at the bottom of this page on 9 November 2026.

About the University of Oxford

Oxford describes itself as the oldest university in the English-speaking world. There is no clear date of foundation, but teaching existed at Oxford in some form in 1096, and the university grew quickly from 1167, when Henry II banned English students from attending the University of Paris. The first colleges, University, Balliol and Merton, were established between 1249 and 1264.^[8]

The university is collegiate: students belong to a college or permanent private hall, and Wikipedia counts 43 of them in total.^[7] Oxford has no central campus; its colleges and halls are spread across the city centre and beyond.^[10] On 1 December 2024 the University had 26,595 students: 12,375 undergraduates, 13,650 graduates and 570 visiting, recognised and other students. International students made up 43% of the student body.^[1]

How is the University of Oxford ranked?

In the QS World University Rankings 2027, published on 18 June 2026, the University of Oxford is 4th in the world, the second-highest UK university after Imperial College London (2nd). Cambridge is 6th and UCL 8th.^[2][11]

The university’s own facts page states that Oxford was ranked first in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings for nine consecutive years, 2017 to 2025.^[12] Rankings differ by publisher and year, so treat one position as one view. How we compile rankings. See also the UK university ranking.

What can you study at the University of Oxford?

Oxford offers undergraduate courses, taught and research graduate degrees, and doctorates. The facts page reports that some 450 postgraduate courses received applications for 2022/23 entry, and that there are usually only around 3,300 undergraduate places (over 23,000 people applied to start in 2024).^[12]

Undergraduates apply to a course and can either express a preference for one of the colleges that offer it or make an open application, in which case a college is assigned.^[4] Graduate applicants have the same choice on graduate course pages.^[13] Some courses require an admissions test; the Computer Science course, for example, requires the Test of Mathematics for University Admission (TMUA) from all applicants.^[4]

How much does the University of Oxford cost in 2026/27?

Undergraduate course fees (2026 entry, per year)

This is from the University’s undergraduate fees and funding booklet for 2026 entry (the University-hosted copy was blocked to us, so we read the identical booklet hosted by Lincoln College).^[3] For example, Computer Science lists £62,820 for overseas students.^[4] Medical students with overseas fee status should expect considerably higher course fees in the clinical years, and the University caps the amount by which it can increase fees each year.^[3] The Home fee follows the UK Government cap and rises to £10,050 in 2027/28.^[4] Fee status depends on nationality and where you usually live; students from the Republic of Ireland, and those with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, are charged the Home rate if they meet the residence requirements.^[3]

Graduate course fees (examples)

Graduate fees are set per course and academic year, so check the page of your course. Fees for multi-year courses usually increase annually.^[9][13] Course fees cover teaching and academic services but not accommodation or other living costs.^[9] The University estimates living costs of £1,405 to £2,105 per month spent in Oxford in 2026–27.^[9] Our United Kingdom guide covers wider costs.

How do you apply to the University of Oxford?

• Undergraduate: complete an online UCAS application a year before your course starts. When filling in the form you either express a college preference or make an open application.^[4] Some courses also require an admissions test that you register for separately.^[14]
• Graduate: apply for a specific course. For the MSc in Advanced Computer Science an application fee of £75 is payable, fee waivers exist for eligible applicants, interviews may be held, and you can state a college preference or ask Oxford to find a college for you.^[13]

We give no deadlines here because they change every year and differ by course. Check the course page and the University’s admissions timeline before you start.^[14]

Which English level do you need?

All undergraduate courses require the University’s higher level of English. If English is not your first language you may need to show the level; those who have always been residents and citizens of a majority English-speaking country recognised by UK Visas and Immigration do not need to.^[5]

Oxford recommends the IELTS Academic option; IELTS General and IELTS Online are not accepted. All components must be reached in a single test session, and if you are offered a place you must show the level by 31 July in the year of the offer. The University lists further accepted tests.^[5] The two graduate courses we checked also require the higher level (IELTS Academic 7.5 overall and 7.0 per component).^[9][13] TOEFL iBT results taken from 21 January 2026 were not accepted at the time of the pages we read, because the University was reviewing the revised test.^[5]

More about studying in United Kingdom (UK)

• United Kingdom (UK): best universities
• Cost of Studying Abroad
• International Student Scholarships
• University Ranking Methodology

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