| | One of the most influential universities in history, the '''University of Oxford''' was founded in 1167. Located in the city of [[Oxford]], [[England]], it is the oldest university in the English-speaking world. It is organised into 39 colleges, each of which has its own buildings, staff and students; the college is the primary focus of teaching at [[undergraduate]] level, although lectures and degree programmes are organised by the University faculty boards. The oldest of these, [[Balliol College]], was established in 1263; the second-oldest, [[Merton College]], was established in 1264 A.D. Oxford also has a number of "Permanent Private Halls," which are run by churches or [[religion|religious]] orders; the oldest of these is [[Blackfriars Hall]], founded in 1221. | | One of the most influential universities in history, the '''University of Oxford''' was founded in 1167. Located in the city of [[Oxford]], [[England]], it is the oldest university in the English-speaking world. It is organised into 39 colleges, each of which has its own buildings, staff and students; the college is the primary focus of teaching at [[undergraduate]] level, although lectures and degree programmes are organised by the University faculty boards. The oldest of these, [[Balliol College]], was established in 1263; the second-oldest, [[Merton College]], was established in 1264 A.D. Oxford also has a number of "Permanent Private Halls," which are run by churches or [[religion|religious]] orders; the oldest of these is [[Blackfriars Hall]], founded in 1221. |
| − | As it is, Oxford University is one of the most respected universities in the world, with many in the Japanese royal family studying for degrees at the university, amongst many others. Oxford's chief rival is [[Cambridge University]], which has a similar reputation. | + | As it is, Oxford University is one of the most respected universities in the world <ref>[http://www.topuniversities.com/worlduniversityrankings/results/2007/overall_rankings/top_100_universities/ Times Higher Education survey]</ref> <ref>[http://newshub.nus.edu.sg/headlines/0610/ranking_07oct06.htm National University of Singapore's University rankings]</ref>, with many in the Japanese royal family studying for degrees at the university, amongst many others. Oxford's chief rival is [[Cambridge University]], which has a similar reputation. |