Ministry of Education, Culture and Research of the Republic of Moldova

Center for Excellence in Economics and Finance

The "Web Application Management" specialty

Report in English language with subject

"THE UNIVERSITY OF
OXFORD"

Elaborated: Golban Ionuț-Pavel

Controlled: Mrs. Cojan Svetlana

Chisinau, 2018

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 Content
Introduction 3
Chapter I ,,Governance” 5
Chapter II ,, Finance and funding” 7
Conclusion 12
Reference 13

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 Introduction
As the oldest university in the English-speaking world, Oxford is a unique and historic
institution. There is no clear date of foundation, but teaching existed at Oxford in some form in
1096 and developed rapidly from 1167, when Henry II banned English students from attending
the University of Paris. In 1188, the historian, Gerald of Wales, gave a public reading to the
assembled Oxford dons and in around 1190 the arrival of Emo of Friesland, the first known
overseas student, set in motion the University's tradition of international scholarly links. By
1201, the University was headed by a magister scolarum Oxonie, on whom the title of
Chancellor was conferred in 1214, and in 1231 the masters were recognised as a universitas or
corporation. In the 13th century, rioting between town and gown (townspeople and students)
hastened the establishment of primitive halls of residence. These were succeeded by the first of
Oxford's colleges, which began as medieval 'halls of residence' or endowed houses under the
supervision of a Master. University, Balliol and Merton Colleges, which were established
between 1249 and 1264, are the oldest.
Less than a century later, Oxford had achieved eminence above every other seat of
learning, and won the praises of popes, kings and sages by virtue of its antiquity, curriculum,
doctrine and privileges. In 1355, Edward III paid tribute to the University for its invaluable
contribution to learning; he also commented on the services rendered to the state by
distinguished Oxford graduates.
From its early days, Oxford was a centre for lively controversy, with scholars involved in
religious and political disputes. John Wyclif, a 14th-century Master of Balliol, campaigned for a
Bible in the vernacular, against the wishes of the papacy. In 1530, Henry VIII forced the
University to accept his divorce from Catherine of Aragon, and during the Reformation in the
16th century, the Anglican churchmen Cranmer, Latimer and Ridley were tried for heresy and
burnt at the stake in Oxford.The University was Royalist in the Civil War, and Charles I held a
counter-Parliament in Convocation House. In the late 17th century, the Oxford philosopher John
Locke, suspected of treason, was forced to flee the country.
The 18th century, when Oxford was said to have forsaken port for politics, was also an
era of scientific discovery and religious revival. Edmund Halley, Professor of Geometry,
predicted the return of the comet that bears his name; John and Charles Wesley's prayer meetings
laid the foundations of the Methodist Society.
The University assumed a leading role in the Victorian era, especially in religious
controversy. From 1833 onwards The Oxford Movement sought to revitalise the Catholic aspects
of the Anglican Church. One of its leaders, John Henry Newman, became a Roman Catholic in
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1845 and was later made a Cardinal. In 1860 the new University Museum was the scene of a
famous debate between Thomas Huxley, champion of evolution, and Bishop Wilberforce.
From 1878, academic halls were established for women and they were admitted to full
membership of the University in 1920. Five all-male colleges first admitted women in 1974 and,
since then, all colleges have changed their statutes to admit both women and men. St Hilda's
College, which was originally for women only, was the last of Oxford's single sex colleges. It has
admitted both men and women since 2008.
During the 20th and early 21st centuries, Oxford added to its humanistic core a major
new research capacity in the natural and applied sciences, including medicine. In so doing, it has
enhanced and strengthened its traditional role as an international focus for learning and a forum
for intellectual debate.

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 Chapter I
,,Governance”
Oxford's distinctive governance structure stems from its long history.
Congregation
Congregation is the sovereign body of the University and acts as its ‘parliament’. It has just over
5,000 members, including academic staff; heads and other members of governing bodies of
colleges; and senior research, computing, library and administrative staff.
Congregation has responsibility for:
 Approving changes to the University’s statutes and regulations;
 Considering major policy issues submitted by Council or members of Congregation;
 Electing members to Council and other University bodies, and approving the
appointment of the Vice-Chancellor.
Council
Council is the University’s principal executive and policy-making body. It has up to 28 members,
including up to four from outside the University. It is responsible for the academic policy and
strategic direction of the University, for its administration, and for the management of its
finances and property. It has five major committees: Education Committee, General Purposes
Committee, Personnel Committee, Planning and Resource Allocation Committee, and Research
Committee.
More information on Council, including its membership and meetings, can be found here.

Colleges
The 38 colleges, though independent and self-governing, form a core element of the University,
to which they are related in a federal system. Each college is granted a charter approved by the
Privy Council, under which it is governed by a Head of House and a Governing Body
comprising of a number of Fellows, most of whom also hold University posts. There are also six
Permanent Private Halls, which were founded by different Christian denominations, and still
retain their religious character today.
The Conference of Colleges represents the common concerns of the colleges on Council, its
committees, and the four Divisional Boards, and acts as a body for intercollegiate discussion and
decision-making.

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Divisions and departments
The University’s academic departments, faculties and research centres are grouped into four
divisions: Humanities; Mathematical, Physical and Life Sciences; Medical Sciences; and Social
Sciences. Day-to-day decision-making in matters such as finance and planning is devolved to the
divisions. The Department for Continuing Education is the responsibility of a separate board.
Chancellor-The Chancellor, who is usually an eminent public figure elected for life, serves as
the titular head of the University, presiding over all major ceremonies.
Vice-Chancellor-The Vice-Chancellor holds office for seven years and is the senior officer of the
University.
Pro-Vice-Chancellors-There are five Pro-Vice-Chancellors who have specific portfolios in
Development and External Affairs; Education; Gardens, Libraries and Museums; Planning
and Resources; and Research and Innovation. In addition, the University’s Head of Brexit
Strategy and its Advocate for Equality and Diversity are Pro-Vice-Chancellors. There are
also up to eight Pro-Vice-Chancellors without portfolio, who undertake a range of duties
on behalf of the Vice-Chancellor, including presiding at degree ceremonies and chairing
electoral boards.

Further information about University governance on the Council Secretariat website

Information on and links to the main bodies involved in the University's governance, its
legislation, its elections, and on the team supporting the governance structures.

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 Chapter II
,, Finance and funding”
The key financial objectives of the University are to provide the long-term resources to
strengthen and further its pre-eminent position – nationally and internationally – as a place of
outstanding learning, teaching, and research; and to enable it to provide additional support to its
three core priorities of students, academic posts, and buildings.

The University of Oxford’s funding comes from five main sources.

1. The largest source – £564.9m, which accounts for 40% of total income – is external research
funding, from bodies such as research councils, charities, trusts, foundations, and industry.
Oxford consistently has the highest external research income of any university in the UK.

2. 14% comes from government grants through the Higher Education Funding Council for
England and the National College for Teaching and Leadership.

3. Other income includes annual transfers from Oxford University Press, income from the
commercialisation of research, and philanthropic support (23%).

4. Academic fees, from both undergraduates and postgraduates (22%).

5. Investment income (1%).

University consolidated income and expenditure account 2016/2017

University income £m
Tuition fees and education contracts 307.2

Funding body grants 194.6

Research grants and contracts 564.9

Other income 227.7

Investment income 14.4

Donations and endowments 88.4

Donation of heritage assets (eg works of art, historical 3.2

antiquities)

Total income 1,400.4

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University expenditure £m
Staff costs 714.8

Staff costs - movement in pensions provision (6.5)

Operating expenditure 576.2

Depreciation/amortisation 102.6

Interest and other finance costs 9.9

Total expenditure 1,397.0

Surplus before other gains 3.4

Investment gains 218.1

Share of surplus/(deficit) on Joint Ventures (0.2)

Surplus before tax 221.3

Taxation (1.6)

Total comprehensive income 219.7

Colleges

The colleges of Oxford University (apart from Kellogg and St Cross) are independent, self-
governing and financially autonomous. In 2016/17, the total annual incoming resources of the 36
colleges (including donations for capital projects or endowment) amounted to £516m. The three
main sources of income are: (i) teaching, research and residential; (ii) legacies and donations
(towards both annual expenditure and endowment); and (iii) investment income, as illustrated in
the chart below. Other income derives mostly from trading activity such as vacation conferences.

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Total resources expended in 2016/17 amounted to £408m. 84% of this expenditure was directly
attributable to the core charitable activities of the colleges, activities, including teaching,
research and residential services. The balance was split between the costs of fundraising, running
trading activities such as conferences and tourism, and investment management costs.

Endowments

The University has endowment assets of £989m. Individual colleges have their own endowment
assets, which amount to more than £4.6bn.

Total students
All figures are taken from the Student Statistics website and date from December 2017.
Undergraduates make up 49% of the total student body, graduate students 49%,
and other students 2%.
Men Women Total
Undergraduates 6,196 5,551 11,747
Graduates 6,526 5,161 11,687
Visiting, recognised and other students 212 329 541
Total 12,934 11,041 23,975

Graduate students by academic division

53% of graduate students at Oxford are reading for degrees by research.
47% of graduate students are studying for a taught degree.
Taught degrees Research degrees Total
Humanities 873 1,022 1,895
Mathematical, Physical 249 1,382 1,631
and Life Sciences
Medical Sciences 605 2,412 3,017
Social Sciences 3,023 1,238 4,261
Continuing Education 794 89 883
Total 5,544 6,143 11,687

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Students by nationality
International students make up 43% of Oxford students.
64% of all graduate students are from outside the UK, as are 20% of all
undergraduates.
UK EU International Unknown Total
Undergraduates 9,302 1,087 1,358 0 11,747
Graduates 4,313 2,751 4,621 2 11,687
Visiting, recognised 13 88 440 0 541
and other students
Total 13,628 3,926 6,419 2 23,975

Students by country
Over 140 countries and territories are represented among the Oxford
student body. The largest groups of international students are those
from:
1. USA - 1,572
2. China (including Hong Kong and Macao) - 1,299
3. Germany - 937
4. Italy - 462
5. Canada - 377
6. India - 368
7. France - 332
8. Australia - 307
9. Singapore - 300
10. Ireland - 260

Oxford Thinking: The Campaign for the University of Oxford

In 2008, the University of Oxford launched the biggest fundraising campaign in European
history, aiming to raise a minimum of £1.25 billion. We passed this initial target in March 2012
and the University has now set a new target of £3 billion.
The Campaign aims to:
 support the very best students, especially those with the greatest potential who do not
have the financial means to come to Oxford;

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 invest in our academic staff and their work, securing existing posts, endowing new ones
and safeguarding the Oxford tutorial system;
 provide new resources and infrastructure, from student accommodation to new academic
buildings.
We need help to secure the future of the University and, in doing so, provide a lasting foundation
for our academics and students – a world-leading talented community that will continue to make
a global impact for generations to come. Thank you for joining us in securing a better future.

Conclusion
Oxford is a world-leading centre of learning, teaching and research and the oldest university in
the English-speaking world.
There is no clear date of foundation, but teaching existed at Oxford in some form in 1096 and
developed rapidly from 1167, when Henry II banned English students from attending the
University of Paris.
The University of Oxford undertakes a wide range of activities to inform, attract, and support
the most able candidates from all socio-economic, cultural and geographical backgrounds. We
know that our main challenges lie in encouraging students from under-represented groups to
apply to Oxford and in helping them to make competitive applications. As a result our outreach
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activity has become increasingly targeted at those groups that are under-represented in higher
education in general and the University of Oxford in particular.
The University of Oxford is the oldest university in the English-speaking world and is regarded
as one of the world's leading academic institutions, with 38 independent colleges and 6
permanent private halls. The University is a member of the Russell Group of research-led British
universities, the Coimbra Group (a network of leading European universities), the League of
European Research Universities, and is also a core member of the Europaeum. Academically,
Oxford is consistently ranked in the world's top 10 universities.

Reference
1. http://www.ox.ac.uk/
2. https://en.wikipedia.org
3. http://www.studyin-uk.in

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