Is Oxford or Cambridge a better university?

Answer 1

they are the most prestiges universities in England. They are famous for everything.

But they distinct from one another as follows:

Cambridge is superior in natural sciences, engineering, medicine and mathematics.

Oxford is superior in humanities, politics, history and literature.

Answer 2

If you are an intellectual snob, a dullard and super serious about your academic subject go to Cambridge.

If your a fun go getter with a good social life who wants to achieve in business or politics it's Oxford.

Well that is one comment from someone who is biased, but you won't get a definite answer because they are both good uni's and people will stick up for whichever one they attended.

Answer: Whilst generalisation is always dangerous, there is some truth in the comment above!

Historically, Cambridge has tended to be the more radical of the two universities: eg it was a hotbed of Reformation zeal, & produced many "Puritan" leaders (eg Cromwell), & has more recently generated a fair number of Communists, Russian spies & traitors - eg Cambridge Spy Ring. On the other hand, Tariq Ali was President of the Oxford Union!

Keynesian economics originated in Cambridge (JM Keynes was a college fellow & bursar), but it was also a major centre of "monetarist" thinking during the 1960s, '70s & '80s. Many leading "new right" Conservatives of the Thatcher/ Major era were Cambridge products (eg Geoffrey Howe, Leon Brittan, Michael Howard, Michael Portillo), but Thatcher herself went to Oxford, & Major did not go to university.

Today, "Cowley Tech" appears to be very much back in the "driving seat" where UK Govt is concerned: Cameron, Hague, Osborne, Gove, Alexander, Boris et al are all Oxford products, although The Clegg & Vince Cable went to "Fenland Poly"! Many of the last Labour Govt (eg Blair, Balls, Cooper, Mandelson, the Milibabbles & Co.) were also Oxonians, although the "colourful" Campbell (not an MP, nor technically a member of the Govt) was a Cambridge man.

During the English Civil War, Oxford was the Royalist capital, and it's probably broadly true that Oxford students still often tend to be more "Cavalier" in attitudes/ behaviour than those at Cambridge. Arguably, there is a greater variety of "interesting" student clubs/ societies at Oxford, and drama/ theatre/ performing arts are more vibrant in Oxford (eg the city has more, & better, theatres) than Cambridge. It has often been said that Oxford is a real city which happens to contain an ancient university, whereas Cambridge is a large town dominated by an ancient university: there is some truth in this assertion in terms of the respective atmospheres of the two places, & many find Cambridge the more insular & "provincial".

Cambridge's traditional focus on mathematics & science has tended to produce an ethos in which Cartesian logic, calculation/ quantification underpins intellectual activity, & in my experience Cambridge people are often quite cool & aloof - supercilious even - in manner. I have found, on average, Oxford people to be less intellectually precious, & more "rounded"/ worldly wise, than Cambridge products.

IMO, Cambridge often seems to attract/ produce clever people who are more than a little pleased with themseves, but who frequently lack "people skills" & are sometimes quite a long way along the Aspergic continuum! Oxford products seem more "grounded", are generally less intellectually arrogant, & are usually more fun to be with. That stated, without doubt, both contain, by normal standards, very high numbers of eccentrics, "oddballs", & pretentious thunderprats.

A totally subjective opinion; probably very unfair, I know. Academically, it should not be forgotten, both universities are nationally & internationally outstanding, & few can match "Camford's" output of World leading research (eg King's, Cambridge has produced more Nobel prize winners than France & Russia combined!), & it's particularly impressive when compared with that of vastly better funded American universities.

Answer 3

All the constituent colleges of Oxford are known as 'Oxford University' collectively. However when you apply to the university, you must apply to a specific college (of which there are 38 to choose from).

Answer 4

Both universities are equally prestigious. However, in the UK, Cambridge is known more for the sciences while Oxford is considered to be better for the humanities. In all, it largely depends on the specific course you wish to do. Try looking for league tables that give the specific breakdown of which school ranks the highest in your chosen course.

Answer 5

It depends - if you are applying as a UK applicant through the UCAS system you can only apply to one. Postgraduate students or international applicants can if they wish, but it's not advised as both require sufficient time to prepare for interviews and exams, and both hold interviews at the same times.

Answer 6

to be honest in terms of education, they are both as good as each other. people are either on the Cambridge side or the oxford. whichever you like more go for it they are both really good universities. but if you're thinking of applying, only apply for one because if you put cambridge as your first option dont put Oxford as your second. they wont accept you because you put your name down for Cambridge. they have been rivals for years.