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People in the UK often refer to Oxford and Cambridge universities together as ‘Oxbridge’ because of the similarities in their reputations. The actual cities, though are quite different. There’s a lot of rivalry between the two universities, too. This is most obvious in sporting competitions such as the annual boat race and rugby match between the two universities.
We’ve already seen tips on studying English in Cambridge on the World of Words but what about studying English in Oxford?
You might have seen Oxford already in movies such as Harry Potter. It’s a very common location for filming because of its beautiful architecture. I’m sure you’ve read books published by Oxford University Press, too. They do some great guides and the Oxford English Dictionary
Parking is very difficult in Oxford so it’s best to walk or cycle around the city. It’s easy to get there from London by train with fast trains leaving from Paddington station regularly. There is an airport in Oxford, too. It’s just for domestic flights, though, so you can’t fly there directly from overseas.
Although it’s possible to study English all year round in Oxford, many people like to attend a summer school. During the summer holidays, most Oxford students move out of the university accommodation and it is rented out to other people. This means that if you study in Oxford during the summer, you might even get a chance to stay in the historic university buildings.
When you’re not studying, you can explore the city. Oxford is quite a small place but with so many historic buildings and museums, there is a lot to see. You could even take a romantic trip on the river to get to know the local area better.
There are some good pubs, bars, and restaurants in Oxford, but mostly the nightlife is fairly quiet. If you like to party, Oxford might not be an ideal destination for you. If you are interested in history and English culture, or if you are a big Harry Potter fan, Oxford could be the perfect place for you to come and learn English.
