Oxbridge.

Oxford and Cambridge are the oldest and most prestigious universities in Great Britain.

They are often called collectively Oxbridge. Both universities are independent. Only the

education elite go to Oxford or Cambridge. Most of their studentsare former public schools

leavers. The normal length of the degree courseis three years, after which the students take

the Degree of Bachelor of Arts (B. A. ). Some courses, such as languages or medicine, may be

one or two years longer. The students may work for other degree as well. The degrees are

awarded at public degree ceremonies. Oxford and Cambridgecling to their traditions, such

as use of Latin at degree ceremonies. Full academic dressis worn at examinations.

Oxford and Cambridge universities consist of a number of colleges. Each college is different,

but in many ways they are alike. Each college has its name, its coat of arms. Each college is

governed by aMaster. The larger ones have more than 400 members, the smallest colleges

have less than 30. Each college offers teaching in a wide range of subjects. Within the college

one will normallyfind a chapel, a dining hall, a library, rooms for undergraduates, fellowsand

the Master, and also rooms for teaching purposes.

Oxford is one of the oldest universities in Europe. It is the second largest in Britain, after

London. The university’s earliest charter is dated to 1213. There are now twenty-four

colleges for men, five for women and another five which have both men and women

members, many from overseas studing for higher degrees. Among the oldest colleges are

University College, All Souls, and Christ Church. Cambridge University started during the 13th

century and grew until today. Now there are morethan thirty colleges. On the banks of the

river Cam willow trees drown their branches into the water. The colleges line the right bank.

There are beautiful college gardens with green lawns and lines of tall trees. The oldest college

is Peterhouse, which was founded in 1284, and the most recent is Robinson College, which

was opened in 1977. The University was only for men until 1871, when the first women's

college was opened. In the 1970s, most colleges opened their doors to both men and women.

Almost all colleges are now mixed The universities have over a hundredsocieties and clubs

enough for every interest one could imagine. Sport is a part of students'life at

Oxbridge. The most popular sports are rowing and punting.