Oxford vs Cambridge: Ultimate Comparison Guide

Old Rivalry#

The historic rivalry between Oxford and Cambridge is perhaps the most famous academic rivalry in the world. While Oxford was founded in 1096, Cambridge was founded in 1209 by a group of scholars fleeing from riots and disorder in Oxford. Over the centuries these institutions have battled for academic superiority, regularly leapfrogging one another in the university rankings. One of the most famous symbols of this rivalry is the Oxford vs Cambridge boat race, which captures the competitiveness and mutual respect that pushes both universities to be among the world’s best.

Further cementing this rivalry, aspiring scholars can only apply to one of the two universities: if you’re set on applying to Cambridge you can’t apply to Oxford in the same year, and vice versa. There’s already a lot to think about when choosing which universities you’ll apply to, but deciding between Oxford and Cambridge will have a significant impact on your university experience, personal development, and future career.

Comprehensive Comparison: University Rankings and Reputation#

University rankings are a significant contributor to the international reputations of every university, and Oxford vs Cambridge is a main point of interest when the annual rankings are published. Both universities rank consistently highly, but due to their intense rivalry, the Oxbridge universities are keen to beat one another each year.

Naturally there’s some variation depending on whose rankings you look at, but the Times Higher Education rankings are widely used and well trusted. For 2024, Oxford placed first in their global rankings, while Cambridge placed a respectable fifth (just behind Stanford, MIT and Harvard in the United States). Oxford also outperformed Cambridge in teaching quality, with the two universities placing fifth and seventh respectively. However, both universities were evenly matched in terms of research environment, a metric representing the reputation, income and productivity of a university’s research. 

The QS World University Rankings, on the other hand, have Cambridge in second place and Oxford in third place for 2024. It’s important to remember that these are incredibly marginal differences in the grand scheme of things; both are elite universities that consistently place highly across all ranking systems. With this in mind, it might be more helpful to consider how they compare for the subject you want to study.

Academic Offerings: Courses, Specialities, and Teaching Styles#

One thing that sets Oxford and Cambridge apart from the majority of universities is the emphasis on tuition in small groups. While you’ll have the lectures and practical sessions typical of any university, Oxford and Cambridge degrees will also include several small-group teaching sessions each week, called ‘tutorials’ at Oxford, and ‘supervisions’ at Cambridge. In these sessions you’ll work with a tutor and one or two other students to do a deep dive into a particular topic and engage in challenging discussions and debates.

Oxford and Cambridge also offer a different range of courses, so you may find only one offers a specific field of study. For example, only Cambridge offers undergraduate degrees in Architecture and Veterinary Medicine, while you’ll only find Fine Art at Oxford. Additionally, the approach to some disciplines varies significantly; at Cambridge you can enrol on a broad Natural Sciences programme (similar to studying Triple Science at A-Level), while Oxford requires you to pick a specific scientific discipline.

Admission Process: Entry Requirements and Application Insights#

There’s a lot to think about when applying to university, such as the entry requirements, the documents you’ll need to submit, and the logistics of any in-person events such as exams or interviews. For a general overview of what’s required, check out our ultimate guide to the UK university application process.

In this article, we’ll just focus on the quirks of applying to Oxford or Cambridge. As you might expect, the admission process for both of these universities is more rigorous than most of the other universities on your shortlist, so it’s important to know what’s expected of you.

Of course, your grades will be an important factor determining which university you’ll go to. The Oxbridge entry requirements vary depending on your course, but are generally some of the highest in the country. Oxford typically requires AAA-A*A*A, whereas Cambridge generally requires A*AA-A*A*A.

As with any other UK universities, you’ll need to send a UCAS application including the application form and a personal statement. Applications to Oxbridge should focus more on your academic interests, ambitions and accomplishments, and less on your extracurricular activities. One thing to note is that if you’re applying for either Oxford or Cambridge you’ll have an earlier deadline, around three months before the deadline for other universities. For your application reference, you’ll also want to let your referee know as early as possible that you’re applying to Oxford or Cambridge so that they don’t miss the earlier deadline. For Cambridge, you’ll also need to complete two additional forms: My Cambridge Application (MyCApp) and an Additional Applicant Information Form (AAIF).

Before you get to any interviews, both universities might require you to sit some tests, depending on the course you’re applying to. You’re responsible for arranging to sit these exams, so make sure to research the exact requirements for your course and plan your studies accordingly. Note that most Oxford courses will require a pre-interview test, while they’re less common at Cambridge.

Next, you might need to submit some examples of your written work, whether that’s a recent project or essay, or a purpose-written piece related to your field of study. Check the exact requirements for your course and choose your best work to submit.

Finally, you wait to hear back to see if you’re invited for an interview. These interviews with academic tutors normally take place in December, and you should get your invite around two weeks in advance. Oxford and Cambridge will both let you know whether you’ve been accepted in January (Cambridge also has a second round of offers called the winter pool), and then it’s just up to you to study hard and achieve the required grades!

Campus Life: Accommodation, Facilities, and Extracurricular Activities#

Accommodation options are broadly similar at Oxford and Cambridge, with student halls available for undergraduate students on or around the campus, with catered and self-catered options available. At Cambridge most students will stay in college-provided accommodation for all three years of their undergraduate studies, while some Oxford colleges only provide accommodation for first-year students.

Oxford and Cambridge also offer some of the best facilities in the world, both for your academic pursuits and a wide range of extracurricular activities. You can spend hours browsing Oxford’s Bodleian Library or the Cambridge University Library, as well as numerous college-specific libraries. If sports are your thing, you can join various college- and university-level sports teams - you might even be able to take part in the famous boat race. If you’re not the sporty type, both universities have theatres, museums and music venues you can enjoy. Finally, you’ll have access to cutting-edge facilities, including research labs, seminar rooms, lecture halls, practice rooms and performance spaces.

City Life: Oxford vs Cambridge#

Oxford is a larger and busier city, while Cambridge is often described as having more of a small-town vibe. Oxford and Cambridge both offer stunning views and architecture, so which is more beautiful comes down to personal taste.

Oxford and Cambridge aren’t just for students - they also have a lot to offer in terms of tourism. As a student or tourist (or even a tour guide when your family comes to visit) there’s plenty to see and do. In Oxford, you can see Oxford Castle, Blenheim Palace, Christ Church Cathedral, or even the Headington Shark. In Cambridge you can visit the Fitzwilliam Museum and Cambridge Market Square, or try your hand at punting on the city’s famous canals. Both cities are cyclist- and pedestrian-friendly, allowing you to save some money in your budget (and stay fit).

If you’re more interested in the weird and wonderful, both cities have fascinating history and culture to offer. One strange fact about Cambridge is that Oliver Cromwell’s head is said to be buried in an unknown location somewhere in the city - the holy grail of many a freshers’ week scavenger hunt. The Oxford University Museum of Natural History, on the other hand, has the only mummified dodo parts in the world.

Global Impact and Employability Post Graduation#

In terms of graduate employability, it’s another close call. For 2024, Times Higher Education placed Cambridge fourth and Oxford eighth, meaning graduates have a high probability of getting employed at top firms after completing their studies.

Both universities are well known for their global impact, leading in academic research across countless fields. There’s one interesting metric for which Cambridge has the advantage: Cambridge has 125 Nobel prize winners (the most of any university!) compared to Oxford’s 73.

The Big Debate: Which is Better for Your Chosen Field?#

As we discussed earlier, a big factor in your decision is the degree you’re intending to apply for. Plenty of universities punch above their weight for specific subjects, and Oxford or Cambridge may offer you more for your chosen subject. For example, Oxford’s Politics, Philosophy and Economics (PPE) is considered to be one of the most prestigious degrees in the UK. On the other hand, Cambridge is renowned for its Law, Medicine and Natural Sciences degrees.

There are a few factors to take into consideration when choosing your university:

- The reputation of the specific degree, college and department you’re applying for

- Whether the department or college is better known for its teaching or research impact

- The style of teaching provided at each university

- The facilities available in your department (such as laboratories or workshops)