If you’re considering studying in the UK or simply want to know more about one of the world’s leading institutions, here’s an in-depth overview of the University of Oxford. We’ll cover general information, organisational structure, academic divisions, key facts and figures, and research highlights — all written in clear, accessible language.

1. General Overview

The University of Oxford is located in Oxford, England, and is one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in the world. It has a collegiate system (many colleges within the university) and offers a broad range of undergraduate and postgraduate courses.

Studying at Oxford means joining a community with deep academic traditions, with opportunities for world-class teaching and research, and access to historic libraries, museums and resources.

2. Key Facts & Figures

Here are some of the notable statistics and facts about Oxford:

1. There are more than 26,000 students at Oxford, including about 12,470 undergraduates and about 13,920 postgraduates. University of Oxford+2University of Oxford+2
2. Each year, approximately 3,300 undergraduate places are available, and around 5,500 graduate places. University of Oxford+1
3. Admissions are highly competitive: over 23,000 people applied for undergraduate places in 2024. University of Oxford+1
4. The university is structured to have a global outlook, and it consistently ranks very highly in world university rankings. University of Oxford+1

These figures give a sense of scale: Oxford is large enough to offer major opportunities, yet specialised and selective enough to maintain high academic standards.

3. Organisational Structure & Academic Divisions

One of the features of Oxford is its clear organisational structure that supports teaching, research and administration.

a) Academic Divisions

Oxford is organised into four main academic divisions:

1. Humanities
2. Social Sciences
3. Mathematical, Physical & Life Sciences (MPLS)
4. Medical Sciences Wikipedia+2Oxford Staff+2

Each division has its own leadership (a divisional head and board), and within these are many departments, faculties, schools and research centres. University of Oxford+1

b) Departments, Faculties & Schools

Under the divisions you’ll find a rich array of subjects and units — from the Saïd Business School, the Department of Computer Science, to the Institute of Archaeology and many more. University of Oxford+1

c) University Administration & Services

In addition to the academic side, Oxford has university‐wide services (libraries, museums, continuing education, etc.). The organisational structure supports both academic excellence and student services. Oxford Staff+1

4. Research & Innovation

Oxford is not only about teaching — it is also a major research institution.

1. The research at Oxford spans a wide range of fields: from medical sciences and physics to humanities and social sciences.
2. Because of this breadth and depth, students and scholars at Oxford benefit from pioneering work, strong industry links, and a globally networked academic environment. University of Oxford+1
3. The institutional structure (divisions + departments) helps promote collaboration across disciplines, which is important for modern research challenges.

5. Why It Matters & If It Might Be Right for You

Choosing to study (or work) at a place like Oxford offers many advantages, but it also comes with expectations. Here are some thoughts:

Benefits

1. A global reputation: Being part of an institution that is widely recognised can help in future careers and global networks.
2. Diverse opportunities: Because of the many divisions and departments, there is flexibility in subject choice and interdisciplinary paths.
3. Excellent resources: Libraries, museums, specialist research centres add value beyond the classroom.

Considerations

1. Competition: Entry is very competitive, so preparation is key.
2. Fit: The university culture, city life in Oxford, course structure, and your personal goals should match.
3. Costs: Tuition, living costs, support services (especially for international students) are important to evaluate.

Suggested Image Placement

1. At the top (already placed) showing the campus or student life.
2. After the Key Facts & Figures section: a visual infographic or photo of Bodleian Library or student in study.
3. After the Organisational Structure section: an image of one of the major departments or divisions (e.g., the Radcliffe Camera, or a science lab at Oxford).
4. After the Research & Innovation section: a photo of a research team, or one of Oxford’s famous museums or research buildings.

Source Links:

Divisions & Departments: https://www.ox.ac.uk/about/divisions-and-departments University of Oxford

Facts & Figures: https://www.ox.ac.uk/about/facts-and-figures University of Oxford

Research Divisions: https://www.ox.ac.uk/research/divisions University of Oxford

Organisation & Departments A-Z: https://www.ox.ac.uk/about/departments-a_z University of Oxford