One of the most influential universities in history, the University of Oxford was founded in 1167. Located in the city of Oxford, England, it is the oldest university in the English-speaking world. It is organised into 38 colleges and 6 permanent private halls (PPHs), each of which has its own buildings, staff and students; the college is the primary focus of social life at undergraduate level, although lectures and degree programmes are organised by the University faculty boards. University College founded in 1249 is generally considered the oldest of the Oxford colleges, although other institutions of learning existed in the city prior to this.
As it is, Oxford University is one of the most respected universities in the world.[1][2] It is consistently ranked as the top university in the UK and amongst the top 5 in the world. Oxford's chief rival is Cambridge University, which has a similar reputation.
All members of Oxford University are also members of the Oxford University Student Union (OUSU), a statutory body under the 1994 education act. However, due to the collegiate nature of the University, all students are also members of a student body organization within their college, known as a Common Room: Junior Common Rooms (JCRs) are comprised of undergraduates, and Middle Common Rooms (MCRs) for postgraduate students. OUSU fulfills its statutory role as a provider of welfare and representation for its members. On representation, its executive members (including some of its seven salaried sabbatical officers) sit on several University committees, and lobby colleges, the University, and national and local government bodies, in addition to providing support for Common Room officers. On welfare, OUSU vigorously supports members with a listening service and support for common room officers in mental health, sexual health and family planning issues. It also supports Oxford's Diversity Week.
The following is a list of Oxford colleges and permanet private halls as of 2008.[3]