Oxford or Cambridge?

The University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge are England's oldest and most prestigious universities, with a rivalry stretching back over 800 years. The two halves of "Oxbridge" may have much in common — residential colleges, tutorial-based teaching, centuries of tradition — but as any Oxford or Cambridge graduate will tell you, that's where the similarities end.

When choosing which university to apply to, applicants through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) can only select one of Oxford or Cambridge, so getting the decision right is crucial.

So, which one would you choose?

2020 QS World University Rankings

In the 2020 QS World University Rankings, Oxford ranks higher than Cambridge, though only just. It's important to remember that at this level, the differences between institutions are often marginal — as longstanding members of the global top ten, both Oxford and Cambridge have firmly established themselves among the world's higher education elite.

The Oxford brand is exceptionally strong, and both halves of Oxbridge score highly in QS's international surveys of academics and employers. In the latest results, Cambridge ranks 2nd in the world for both academic and employer reputation. Meanwhile, Oxford ranks 3rd globally among both graduate employers and academics. In short: if you want to study at a university with outstanding international prestige, a degree from either Oxford or Cambridge is hard to beat.

Oxford scores slightly higher for citations per faculty — an indicator designed to reflect the impact of research conducted at each institution — though Cambridge is not far behind. Oxford also leads on faculty-student ratio (students per faculty member), but both rank in the global top ten and are renowned for their commitment to small-group teaching and individual supervision.

When it comes to international diversity, Oxford and Cambridge both score highly once again. Unsurprisingly, both are popular destinations for scholars and students from around the world. Despite recent criticism of Oxford's lack of diversity, Oxford holds the edge in the proportion of international students, though Cambridge scores slightly higher for international faculty.

Subject Strengths

The QS World University Rankings by Subject confirm that Oxford and Cambridge are world leaders across a wide range of fields. In the latest edition, Oxford features in 38 of the 48 possible subjects, while Cambridge appears in 39. As the table below shows, both universities rank in the top ten for the vast majority of their listed subjects.

Oxford and Cambridge in the 2019 QS World University Rankings by Subject

Location

Technically, Oxford is a city and Cambridge is a town, but in practice both are relatively small and compact, easily navigable on foot or by bicycle (which is extremely popular).

Both are picturesque, featuring charming historic architecture and rivers running through the city center. There, you'll find students training for inter-college rowing competitions or the annual Oxford–Cambridge Boat Race — perhaps the fiercest single day of the Oxbridge rivalry each year.

Oxford and Cambridge are also both close to the English capital. The train from Oxford to London takes about an hour, while the journey from Cambridge is just under an hour. As for the differences between the two, it's widely considered that Cambridge is slightly more picturesque, while Oxford has more going on — though of course, it depends on who you ask.

Tuition Fees and Living Costs

Oxford and Cambridge charge different tuition fees depending on whether students come from within the EU or outside it. The result of the UK's EU referendum meant that EU students may have worried about whether their fees would increase during their course. However, the UK government confirmed that current students and those admitted for the 2019 academic year would continue to pay the current home/EU rate for the duration of their course.

The table below outlines roughly how much you can expect to pay per year for a full-time course, depending on your level of study and nationality. Check the university websites for exact rates, and keep in mind that fees for postgraduate courses and for non-EU students on undergraduate programs vary significantly depending on the specific program.

Annual tuition fees at Oxford and Cambridge (2019/20, full-time)

Overseas students are also charged additional "college fees," which also apply to UK/EU students who are not undertaking their first publicly funded degree. Currently, overseas undergraduates at Cambridge pay £7,116 to £9,500 per year (depending on the college), while overseas undergraduates at Oxford pay £7,570 per year.

Beyond course fees, Oxford advises students to budget between £12,168 and £18,655 (~US$16,120–24,700) per year for living costs, covering accommodation, food, study resources, social activities, and other expenses. Cambridge recommends a minimum of £10,950 (~US$14,500) per year for living expenses. You can find more information about the cost of studying in the UK here.

Financial Support

All in all, studying at Oxford or Cambridge adds up — though it still comes in below the sticker price of a degree at most top US universities. For many students, some form of financial support will be needed.

Undergraduates from the UK and other EU countries can apply for funding from the UK government. These cover tuition fees, are interest-free, and are repaid gradually once the student starts working and earning above a certain threshold (the current repayment threshold for Plan 2 graduates is £25,000). Full-time UK undergraduates can also apply for additional loans and grants to help cover living costs.

Both Oxford and Cambridge offer a range of scholarships and financial support programs. At Cambridge, UK and EU undergraduates can apply for bursaries of up to £3,500 per year, and various funding opportunities are available to students from a variety of backgrounds. Oxford's website allows students to search for scholarships they may be eligible for based on their course and nationality.

The individual colleges that make up both universities also offer their own scholarships and bursaries. Of course, the greatest scholarship of all when it comes to Oxford or Cambridge is one of the most competitive in the world — gaining admission in the first place. But if your application is successful, you will likely enjoy an experience that is both intellectually challenging and aesthetically inspiring.