Oxford University (0)

The University of Oxford
The University of Oxford, located in Oxford, England , is the second oldest and still remaining university in the world. The first one is the University of Bologna in Italy . But as for English speaking countries – Oxford is a firm leader .
There are evidence of teaching going far back to the 11th century , but a clear date is not known . In 1167, Henry II banned English students from studying in France which made Oxford's popularity grow rapidly. From then on, Oxford was named a real university and got it's first chancellor in 1201.
For years , Oxford only accepted male students until four womens' colleges were opened thanks to the Association for Promoting the Higher Education of Women . First of them was Lady Margaret Hall, which was opened in 1878. Women have been able to be full members of the university and to take degrees since 7 October 1920, almost 900 years after the University was established .
Nowadays, Oxford has built itself up to be one of the biggest universities in Europe . It has a collegiate system, which means that Oxford has 38 colleges and 6 private halls all over the city of Oxford. The university also has over 100 libraries . The central library is the Bodleian, which ranks in second place right after the British Library for the most volumes.
Oxford also has a number of museums and galleries in addition to the libraries. The Ashmolean Museum , which was founded in 1683, is the oldest museum in the United Kingdom, and the oldest university museum in the world. It holds significant collections of art and archaeology, including works by Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, Turner , and Picasso , as well as treasures such as the Scorpion Macehead, the Parian Marble and the Alfred Jewel. It also contains "The Messiah", a Stradivarius violin, known as one of the finest examples still existing.
Other significant museums are the Museum of Natural History, the Museum of the History of Science and the Pitt Rivers Museum. Oxford also has the Botanic Garden , which is the oldest botanic garden in the United Kingdom, and the third-oldest scientific garden in the world.
Oxford is known as one of the best universities in the world and the best univerisity in the United Kingdom. Its' list of alumni has a lot of known people, such as famous writers Oscar Wilde and Tolkien – the author of the Lord of the Rings . Tim Berners -Lee, the co- inventor of the World Wide Web studied science in Oxford. Even well-known names such as Einstein and Andrew Lloyd- Webber have been associated with the university. Actors Hugh Grant and Kate Beckinsale may sound familiar aswell .
There is no question in why the University of Oxford is often referred as the Ivy League of England. That rich history and inviting surroundings have lured in over 20 000 students, who are studying at Oxford at this moment.
The University of Oxford is included in many guided tours of the city which gives you a chance to explore everything by yourself. Oxford also has virtual tours and a YouTube homepage for more information.