Best universities for a master’s in Oxford

Oxford is one of the most famous university cities in the world, often referred to as the ‘City of Dreaming Spires’, drawing learners and visitors due to its prestigious institutions, impressive architecture and rich educational history. 

Located just 55 miles from London, Oxford is a compact city of 150,000 in the south of England. It’s a quintessential student city, with 40,000 students supported across two universities and a third of its population under the age of 30.  

Oxford’s origins date back to Saxon times where its name, meaning ‘Ford of the Oxen’, originated from. The UK’s oldest university, the University of Oxford, was established sometime in the late 11th century and has been at the heart of the city’s development since. The city has always been renowned as a centre of learning and innovation. In the past it was the home of historic writers such as J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis and Oscar Wilde, while today it is the base for many of the country’s leading science and technology companies. 

CONTENTS 

• Which universities are in Oxford?
• University of Oxford
• Oxford Brookes University
• Entry Requirements
• What to do in Oxford

Which universities are in Oxford? 

University of Oxford 

The University of Oxford traces its history back across centuries, with its first colleges thought to have been established sometime between 1249 and 1264. With a 1st place ranking in the Complete University Guide 2023 league table, along with leading ratings from various global league tables, it’s safe to say that it’s one of the best universities in the world. It’s a collegiate institution, with 38 different colleges spread around the city and housed in stunning period architecture. It hosts 22,000 students across a wide range of disciplines. 

With 70 research departments to its name and many of the world’s leading academics, the University of Oxford has an almost unparalleled research pedigree. The university excels across a number of academic areas, most notably arts and humanities. It’s also a leader in the natural and life sciences, as well as medicine and the social sciences. There are more than 350 graduate courses available, including taught and research programmes on a part-time or full-time basis. Every postgraduate student is assigned an academic supervisor who are an expert in their field, providing regular and personalised support or guidance. 

Postgraduate students at the university will be a member of their faculty or department, giving them access to world-class teaching and research facilities, in addition to the unique facilities of their chosen college. Students will also benefit from access to a variety of renowned museums, galleries and libraries, with unique and rare resources as well as a learning environment like no other. The university’s colleges are home to sports clubs and common rooms, sweeping dining halls and other facilities exclusive to their students. 

Go to: Search courses at University of Oxford

Oxford Brookes University 

Oxford Brookes University is a modern higher education institution that is known for its innovation, focus on graduate employability and broad postgraduate curriculum. It’s a well ranking university, having placed 51st in the country according to the Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2022, while also taking 45th place in the Complete University Guide 2023. While it began in 1865 with a focus on art, it has developed into a wide reaching university that offers a range of postgraduate programmes across three campus sites around Oxford.  

Students can choose from over 140 taught courses at Oxford Brookes, along with a range of impactful research programmes. The university is known for its strength across disciplines such as architecture, engineering, publishing, and sport science, among others. With connections to industry and other universities around the world, postgraduate students can benefit from teaching and research with a truly global outlook, as well as unique professional and academic experience opportunities. A number of professional accredited courses are available, in addition to part-time and distance learning options, which allow for student success whatever their circumstances. 

Oxford Brookes is home to contemporary learning spaces, modern facilities, and a range of specialist resources. As a result, postgraduate students can work to an industry-standard and conduct truly impactful research, achieving their potential and standing out to potential employers. Whether it’s a robotics lab pushing the limits of artificial cognition, state-of-the-art engineering test facilities, or exhibitions for showcasing student work, the university provides ample opportunities for students to achieve their best. 

Go to: Search course at Oxford Brooks University

Entry Requirements 

Each university in Oxford will have its own entry requirements for postgraduate courses, which will vary according to the course being applied to. Entry onto courses may be competitive. 

Typically, students will need to have an undergraduate degree in a related area at 2:1 level or above. International equivalents and professional qualifications may be considered during the admissions process. Completion of an interview or submission of a portfolio may also be required. 

You can use our course finder tool to find details of the entry requirements for your chosen course. 

What to do in Oxford 

Oxford is an ideal student city for postgraduate students, offering a relaxed pace of life suited to focused study while still having plenty to see and do. It’s one of the UK’s most attractive university cities, with historic collegiate buildings, museums, libraries, churches and other buildings for you to admire.

Fans of films ranging from Harry Potter to His Dark Materials and James Bond can explore an array of iconic filming locations, whether they’re just passing by, sitting down to study or on the way to their own great hall! 

Numerous parks, gardens and riverside lawns make for perfect spots to study or socialise in the summer, while the classic English landscapes of the Cotswolds and Chilterns are easily explored just a short distance from the city. Oxford’s numerous bars, restaurants, cafes and pubs flourish year round, with inns like the Eagle and Child being famous as the meeting place for the authors of some of the 20th century’s most renowned novels including The Chronicles of Narnia and The Lord of the Rings. 

Oxford is home to an endless variety of arts, music and entertainment all year round, with various theatres, cinemas, music venues and sports venues dotted around the city. For art and history lovers, places like the University of Oxford’s museum of art and archaeology, The Ashmolean, are home to unique exhibitions ranging from Ancient Egyptian artefacts to Pre-Raphaelite rarities.  

With central London less than an hour away by train, students at Oxford have everything they could want at their fingertips. 

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