Can anyone explain how Oxford Uni works please?

[BasketofFriedeggs]

So I think I understand that Oxford uni is really a collection of colleges? So if you want to do maths do you go to the maths college? Or does each college house people doing every subject? Or is it a case that each college is different for other rules, like female only or something? Many thanks.

Yes - each college is pretty autonomous, but is part of the university. Each college admits students for (nearly) all subjects. There’s one all female college left and a couple of theological colleges.

Not the best analogy, but think of the womenswear floor in a department store. They’re all part of that store, but equally separate - you buy Whistles stuff in Whistles and Hobbs in Hobbs, but they’ll all sell jumpers, skirts etc. They’re part of the same shop, but they’re their own “bit”.

Colleges are where you live. Lots of students doing different subjects together. Then you go to your faculty for lectures in your subject.

Most colleges have undergraduates doing most subjects. Some colleges are only for postgrads, there aren't any more women-only colleges.

The university is made up of the colleges and of the divisions (research departments, teaching faculties, etc), plus some central admin. Teaching - such as lectures and exams - is coordinated by the divisions, and then delegated to the colleges who arrange tutorials, often weekly.

I don't know if that helps!