Campus Life - Letters from Oxford University

The college system

By Wahei Aoyama

左側の建物はオックスフォード最古とされる University College

Recently I was strolling down Magpie Lane, the street where former U.S. President Bill Clinton used to live during his time at Oxford, when a Jamaican couple pulled up beside me in a red Peugeot and asked, "Excuse me, sir, but where is Oxford University?" I replied, "All of this city is Oxford, but finding the 'University' will be difficult." They stared at me with puzzled eyes, and before I could explain myself, thanked me for my time and zoomed away.

I remember looking just as confused as the couple in the car when I first came to Oxford, for Oxford is unique, or shall I say eccentric, compared to other universities - save Cambridge.

Hertford College の「ため息の橋」

Oxford is comprised of nearly 35 independent colleges. Each college is like a miniature university, colored by its own distinct history, architecture, wealth, prestige, professors and students. Although by matriculating, a student at Oxford becomes a member of Oxford University, most students associate themselves not with Oxford but with their college, like Pembroke or New College.

Imagine, for example, a fantasy federation, consisting of tiny kingdoms, each with its own king. Each kingdom has its own government that governs its territory, is run by its own politicians, and has its own citizens. There are ancient rivalries between each kingdom, and all compete to become the most prominent kingdom in the federation.

This federation is analogous to Oxford. The kingdoms are different colleges, each with their own principals (kings), students (citizens) and professors (politicians). Furthermore, all 35 colleges compete in academic and sporting activities in order to become the best college in Oxford. Students live in their college, eat in their college hall and are taught by their college dons.

University College is supposedly the oldest college at Oxford, with a history dating from 1249 A.D. It is also the college attended by Bill and Chelsea Clinton, although Mr. Clinton left Oxford without ever graduating. The Crown Prince of Japan spent a year at Merton, which is known to have many students of royal lineage. Princess Masako, however, was educated at Balliol, a college that historically is bitter enemies with its next-door neighbor, Trinity.

Prime Minister Tony Blair went to St. John's, a college reputed to own a continuous stretch of land from Oxford to Cambridge. My college, Hertford, is architecturally famous for its Bridge of Sighs. And Magdalen is a tremendously wealthy college that resembles a medieval castle and is so large in size that it can keep a forest within its castle walls. Pembroke, on the other hand, is in debt. Rumor abounds that Pembroke will be bought by Christ Church, the wealtiest college in Oxford. Founded by Henry the VIII, it alone has produced an astonishing 13 prime ministers.

Thus, colleges are vastly different from each other, yet what is common to all is that each is affiliated to an entity called the University of Oxford. It is the University that links the colleges together in common ceremonies like matriculation, examinations and the conferral of degrees. And the University provides several key buildings for all the students, such as the renowned Bodleian Library.

Furthermore, a student does not apply to the University, but to a respective college. Embarrassingly enough, I must admit that I didn't have a clue as to what colleges were when I applied to Oxford. It was simply a matter of serendipity that led me to Hertford. I have no regrets at all.

Shukan ST: Nov. 29, 2002

(C) All rights reserved