Oxford is an independent and self-governing institution consisting of the University, its divisions, departments and faculties, and the colleges.

The 36 colleges and three societies are a core element of the University, to which they are related via a federal system.

Each college is independent and self-governing, having a charter approved by the Privy Council, under which it is governed by a Head of House, elected and appointed by the governing body directly. The governing body comprises a number of Fellows, most of whom also hold University posts.

The three societies – Kellogg College, Reuben College and St Cross College – operate very much like the other colleges but are considered departments of the University rather than independent colleges because, unlike the others, they do not have a royal charter. One of the main differences is that the governing body recommends a president, who is then appointed by Council.

There are also four permanent private halls, which were founded by different Christian denominations, and still retain their religious character today.

Undergraduates are admitted to 32 of the colleges and permanent private halls. All colleges accept applications from mature students, while Harris Manchester College is solely for mature students.

Campion Hall and Green Templeton, Kellogg, Linacre, Nuffield, Reuben, St Antony’s, St Cross and Wolfson Colleges admit only postgraduate students. All Souls is unique among Oxford colleges because it has no student members; all are Fellows, except the Warden.
University, Balliol, and Merton Colleges are the oldest and were established by the 13th century.

Green Templeton, which came into existence in 2008 following the merger of Green and Templeton Colleges, is the University’s newest college, and Reuben College, which was founded by the University in 2019, is the newest society.

If you are interested in undergraduate study at Oxford, please consult our information on colleges for prospective undergraduates.

The role of the colleges and halls and the University in student life
Colleges, societies and halls:
select and admit undergraduate students, and select postgraduate students after they are admitted by the University
provide accommodation, meals, common rooms, libraries, sports and social facilities, and pastoral care for their students
are responsible for students’ undergraduate tutorial teaching and welfare
The University:
determines the content of the courses within which college teaching takes place 
organises lectures and seminars
provides a wide range of resources for teaching and learning in the form of libraries, laboratories, museums, computing facilities, etc
admits and supervises postgraduate students
examines theses
sets and marks examinations
awards degrees
Divisions, departments and GLAM
Oxford University is divided into four academic divisions. Within these divisions are numerous departments, faculties and schools. Oxford’s museums, libraries and collections provide an outstanding resource for the University and work closely with divisions to deliver teaching.

Oxford University Press, one of the largest and most successful university print presses in the world, is also a department of the University, while the Department for Continuing Education exists to enable Oxford to reach students beyond the full-time student body.

Academic Divisions
There are four academic divisions within Oxford University. All have a full-time divisional head and an elected divisional board:

The Humanities Division brings together nine faculties plus the Rothermere American Institute, the Ruskin School of Art and the Voltaire Foundation. The faculties are among the largest in the world, enabling Oxford to offer an education in arts and humanities from music and fine art to ancient and modern languages. Oxford was named as the best university in the world for arts and humanities in the 2022 QS World University Rankings by Subject.

The Mathematical, Physical and Life Sciences Division is home to the non-medical sciences at Oxford. The nine academic departments in the division span the full spectrum of mathematical, computational, physical, engineering and life sciences, and undertake both research and cutting-edge applied work. In the Times Higher Education subject rankings for 2024, Oxford was ranked first in the world for Computer Science for the sixth year in a row.

The Medical Sciences Division is the largest of the four academic divisions within the University and is internationally recognised as a centre of excellence for biomedical and clinical research and teaching. In the Times Higher Education subject rankings for 2024, Oxford was, for the 13th year running, ranked first in the world for clinical, preclinical and health subjects.

The Social Sciences Division brings together departments, faculties and schools committed to tackling some of the major challenges facing humanity, such as sustainable resource management, migration, global governance, justice, poverty and development. In the Times Higher Education subject rankings for 2024, Oxford was the highest ranked university from the UK and Europe in Social Sciences.