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University of Oxford

The University of Oxford

An Academic Centre of Excellence

Oxford was the first UK university to ever occupy the top position in the global university rankings. The University of Oxford has, for the seventh year in succession (2023), been ranked number one in the world in the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings.

In the 2022 subject rankings, Oxford, for the tenth-year running is ranked first in the world for Clinical, Pre-Clinical and Health subjects and for the third consecutive year was ranked first for Computer Science. It also ranked first in the world for Social Sciences as well as third globally for Life Sciences. It is amongst the top four universities globally for Arts and Humanities, Law, Education and Business and Economics.

The University of Oxford is the oldest in the English-speaking world, and the second oldest globally, making it a unique and historic institution. There is no clear date of its foundation, but teaching existed at Oxford in some form in 1096 and developed rapidly from 1167.

Over the centuries, the University strengthened its traditional role as an international forum for intellectual debate and learning, adding major research capacities for natural and applied sciences to become the UK’s home of scientific discovery.

Oxfordshire is one of Europe’s leading centres of enterprise and innovation, with particular strengths in biosciences and new technologies, and many of the region’s high-tech companies have links with the University. Oxford University, through Oxford University Innovation, is the UK leader in generating spinout companies, creating 19 for the academic year 2018-2019. Overall, Oxford has created over 190 spinouts, more than any other UK institution.

Find out more here

EDU047, Oxford Christ Church College, Education, Social

Harwell is the UK’s leading science and innovation campus.

Commercial Offerings

The University of Oxford is renowned for research excellence, having the largest volume of world-leading research in the country and being home to some of the most talented people across the globe. The university’s research activities involve more than 1,900 academic staff, more than 5,800 research and research support staff, and more than 6,300 graduate research students.

Research on topics related to the challenges of globalisation is carried out in several departments, including the Oxford Internet Institute, dedicated to the social science of the Internet, and the Environmental Change Institute, Oxford’s interdisciplinary institute for research on the complex processes of global environmental change and the promotion of change for the better through partnership and education.

Oxford University’s Economic Impact

Published in 2021, the Economic Impact of the University of Oxford, carried out by London Economics, measured the University’s impact on the UK economy in 2018/19. The economic impact of the research and knowledge exchange activities was estimated at £7.9bn, with 28,000 full-time equivalent jobs supported.

Oxford’s economic contribution is widespread, as the report finds the impact of the university includes:

£1.8 billion contribution to health

Commercialisation of Oxford University research estimated to contribute £320 million to the UK economy

Partnerships with business and industry, including their science parks estimated to be worth £439 million

Oxford University spinouts have a collective estimated turnover of £600 million globally

To read the full report, click here

This report provides evidence for something long known around Oxford: the university drives the economy, both locally and nationally, as well as having a significant international presence. We provide jobs, attract investment and conduct globally recognized research that improves the lives of the people of Oxfordshire and of the United Kingdom. We are a global institution deeply rooted in a vibrant local community and can be an engine of the British economy into the future.

The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Oxford, Professor Louise Richardson

The Saïd Business School

Saïd Business School at the University of Oxford blends the best of new and old. Founded in 1996, it is one of the highest-ranking business schools in the world, with a reputation for entrepreneurship and innovative business education.

The Oxford Saïd Finance Lab is a joint venture between the Private Equity Institute and the University of Oxford. It is a tailored financial graduate training programme that is highly respected by financial services recruiters and senior finance professionals.

The Lab is a series of practical workshops on financial modelling and real-life case studies, connecting business plans with financial statements, structure, valuation, risks and investment returns. It offers students the occasion to understand key concepts, instruments and models required for finance courses and interviews. Applying theory-based learning from the programme and combining it with practical training, each workshop is followed by a networking opportunity with company representatives.

Man and woman walking on footpath through Oxford University, JPG

University College

Medical Sciences Division

An internationally recognised centre of excellence for biomedical and clinical research and teaching, it is ranked amongst the best five biomedical institutions in the world. One of the largest biomedical research centres in Europe, the Medical Sciences Division comprises of over 5,500 academics, researchers, NHS clinicians and GPs, and 3,000 postgraduate and undergraduate students.

The Division has steadily grown with the opening of the Big Data Institute, Target Discovery Centre and BioEscalator, generating an annual research income of around £12.5 million.