Oxford’s Funny Gowns

WINDSOR, England – Contrary to popular belief, there isn’t a University of Oxford.

Well, there is a University of Oxford, but it’s not quite like what you’d imagine.

The University is actually a collection of smaller colleges all with specializations in different fields. Each of the colleges has a unique curricula, programs, residence halls and outfits.
As of right now, there are 38 colleges at the University of Oxford for nearly 20,000 students (undergraduate and graduate).

While the colleges might have some similarities, each serves a different purpose.

Every Oxford college is different, with some built in the 1400s and others emerging only a year ago. They all have a story to tell. Why were they built? What famous architect was behind the design? What kind of classes do they teach? What is the history of this college?

It’s such a different system from the United States that it’s weird to think of attending a university made of up smaller colleges. Can you imagine dining in the halls you see in Harry Potter movies, which are at Oxford?  The colleges’ inherent uniquenesses enhance the differences between Oxford and American universities - while we have one quaint campus, Oxford has 38.

But Oxford is notorious for being one of the most challenging Universities to gain acceptance to – so who gets the pleasure of being educated in buildings more than 500 years old?

Unfortunately, only the most elite of the accomplished – the average GPA of an accepted student at Oxford is 3.8 and most of them have attended the first-class private schools of England.

Once accepted, the colleges then work with each other in order to give the student a
place at Oxford so they get their own unique course curriculum .

And even with all the requirements Oxford has, students still must wear a funny academic dress for dinner, chapel and even taking exams. These gowns are different for every type of person who attends Oxford; there are scholar’s, bachelor’s, master’s and doctorate gowns.

The hoods hang halfway down the back in an “Oxford simple-shape” (sort of like a thin cone) and are generally lined with crimson if the graduate is an MA, while graduates with a BA have their gowns bound by white rabbit fur (like a scarf), yet the gowns can only be worn after 21 months of being educated at Oxford.

It really is a unique University with its traditions, architecture and history. Given that it’s so exclusive, Oxford reserves the designation of being one of the world’s top universities.

The academics are structured so meticulously that each student gets enough personal attention to stay on track through the grueling process.

The problem is – no one will take you seriously in one of those outfits.