Oxford vs Cambridge: Difference and Comparison

Oxford and Cambridge are two renowned universities in the beautiful country of England.

Almost every year, many students apply for both Oxford and Cambridge as they dream of going to such prestigious universities to pursue their further education.

We can also say that it is very hard and competitive to get into any of these universities. But, it is not impossible unless an individual works hard and prepares for it accordingly.

In this article, we are briefly going to discuss both universities.

Key Takeaways

1. Oxford focuses more on the humanities, while Cambridge excels in scientific and technological research.
2. Oxford utilizes the tutorial system, whereas Cambridge employs the supervision system for teaching.
3. Cambridge has a more compact layout, with most colleges close to each other, while Oxford has a more sprawling layout, with colleges scattered around the city.

Oxford vs Cambridge

Oxford and Cambridge are two prestigious universities in the UK, with Oxford, recognized for its strength in humanities and natural sciences. Cambridge is praised for its exceptional programs in technology, engineering, and mathematics.

Oxford is a famous city in England that is popularly known for its famous university, and that is none other than Oxford University.

Oxford is considered to be a bigger place where the campus is very big and spacious. Also, it has more students as Oxford’s population rate is higher.

Worldwide, it is ranked as the fifth-best university in the field of teaching.

On the other hand, Cambridge is also a famous city in England that is popularly known for its famous university, and that is Cambridge University.

Cambridge is considered to be a smaller university than Oxford as its area is comparatively less. And, its population of students is also less.

Worldwide, it is ranked as the third-best university in the field of teaching.

Comparison Table

Parameters of Comparison	Oxford	Cambridge
Foundation Year	Oxford was founded earlier than Cambridge in the year 1096.	Cambridge was founded after a few decades of the foundation of Oxford and in the year 1209.
Population	Oxford has a comparatively more population rate.	Cambridge has less population as compared to Oxford.
Campus	The Campus of Oxford University is considered to be more spacious and bigger.	The campus of Cambridge University is a bit smaller than Oxford University.
Ranking in the field of Teaching	Oxford University has been ranked as the fifth-best university in the field of teaching.	Cambridge University has been ranked as the third best university in the field of teaching.
Tradition	Generally, Oxford can be said to be more traditional as it follows some sort of orthodox rituals.	Generally, Cambridge can not be termed as traditional as it does not follow any rituals like Oxford.
Weather	The weather of Oxford remains like the average annual rainfall is around 660 mm. Also, it is only 6m above sea level.	The weather of Cambridge remains like the average annual rainfall is around 576 mm. Also, it is only 72m above sea level.
Region	Oxford can be considered as a city.	Cambridge can be considered aa a town.
Social Life	Oxford has more of a vibe of social life. It always seems busy.	Cambridge has a comparatively less social life. It can be considered a quiet and calm place to live in.
Women’s Education	Oxford for the first time considered women as a full members in the year 1920s.	Cambridge for the first time considered women as a full member in the year 1940s.
Courses	Some courses that are offered by Oxford University are Bachelors of Civil Law (BCL), Bachelors of Philosophy (BPhil), Masters of Fine Arts (MFA), Magister Juris (MJur), etc.	Some courses that are offered by Cambridge University are Archaeology, Computer Science, Economics, Chemical Engineering, Architecture, etc.

What is Oxford?

Oxford is a beautiful place in England that is not only famous for its amazing chill vibe but also for the topmost university in the world, Oxford University.

It was founded many, many years ago, in the year 1096. And, to date, it is still intact as the best university in the world.

Oxford University not only gives importance to academics but also maintains its social as well as cultural life.

To date, Oxford University practices some orthodox rituals or specific days such as May Day, Ascension Day, etc.

Oxford is termed to be bigger and more spacious in terms of area. And hence, it has a comparatively more population rate.

One more reason is that since it is big, more seats and courses are offered by Oxford. Sometimes, it is compared to a city, and therefore we can conclude its area.

Also, Oxford University has been ranked as the fifth-best university in the field of teaching.

The weather of Oxford remains like the average annual rainfall is around 660 mm. Also, it is only 6m above sea level. And hence, it is cold and a bit warm and rainy during the summer season.

It offers various courses, and they are Bachelor of Civil Law (BCL), Bachelor of Philosophy (BPhil), Masters of Fine Arts (MFA), Magister Juris (MJur), etc.

One can pursue these courses by following the methods and tests to get into Oxford.

What is Cambridge?

Cambridge is a famous small city in England that is known for Cambridge University. Cambridge University has been ranked as the third-best university in the field of teaching.

It is not only famous for its teaching but many factors. Also, it is competitive to get into Cambridge University as thousands and thousands of aspirants want to get into Cambridge University.

Hence, it requires a lot of preparation to be a student at this University.

Cambridge was founded after a few decades after the foundation of Oxford and in the year 1209.

Since we know that Cambridge University came into existence many years after Oxford University, therefore it is noted that a group of scholars from Oxford University founded the prestigious Cambridge University.

It is smaller and compact, like the size of a town. And therefore, the population is also less. The weather of Cambridge remains like the average annual rainfall is around 576 mm.

Also, it is only 72m above sea level. Hence, the weather remains cold and chilled throughout the year.

Cambridge offers courses for all types of streams. It also offers some courses such as Archaeology, Computer Science, Economics, Chemical Engineering, Architecture, etc.

And one major point that is to be noted for Cambridge University is that it was the first University that accepted women’s education. And giving them the position of full members in the year 1940s.

Main Differences Between Oxford and Cambridge

1. Oxford was founded earlier than Cambridge in the year 1096. On the other hand, Cambridge was founded after a few decades after the foundation of Oxford and in the year 1209.
2. Oxford has a comparatively more population rate. On the other hand, Cambridge has less population as compared to Oxford.
3. The Campus of Oxford University is considered to be more spacious and bigger. On the other hand, the campus of Cambridge University is a bit smaller than Oxford University.
4. Oxford University has been ranked as the fifth-best university in the field of teaching. On the other hand, Cambridge University has been ranked as the third-best university in the field of teaching.
5. Generally, Oxford can be said to be more traditional as it follows some orthodox rituals. On the other hand, generally, Cambridge can not be termed as traditional as it does not follow any rituals like Oxford.
6. The weather of Oxford remains like the average annual rainfall is around 660 mm. Also, it is only 6m above sea level. On the other hand, the weather of Cambridge remains like the average annual rainfall is around 576 mm. Also, it is only 72m above sea level.
7. Oxford can be considered as a city. On the other hand, Cambridge can be considered as a town.
8. Oxford has more of a vibe of social life. It always seems busy. On the other hand, Cambridge has comparatively less social life. It can be considered a quiet and calm place to live in.
9. For the first time, Oxford considered women as full members in the 1920s. On the other hand, Cambridge, for the first time, considered women as full members in the year 1940s.
10. Some courses that Oxford University offers are Bachelor of Civil Law (BCL), Bachelor of Philosophy (BPhil), Masters of Fine Arts (MFA), Magister Juris (MJur), etc. On the other hand, some courses that are offered by Cambridge University are Archaeology, Computer Science, Economics, Chemical Engineering, Architecture, etc.

References

1. https://philpapers.org/rec/CUROAC
2. https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=EW2DDwAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PP1&dq=oxford+vs+cambridge&ots=IA7XiIR-OK&sig=BJDyODFjGPOW3IBlp4EqWlqZtDo