擁有美麗風光的劍橋大學。（中央社黃貞貞）
Oxbridge 撰文及考題設計 英國文化協會 Jeremy Beacock
N
o one in the UK has ever studied at Oxbridge, but everyone knows where it is – or rather,
where they are. The name is a compound of two of the
Influence
world’s most famous universities, Oxford and Cam-
Thanks to their position as the only two universities
bridge. The two universities are traditionally rivals,
in England until the 1820s, Oxford and Cambridge were
but they have a great deal in common: a shared history
centres for the country’s intellectual life. Cambridge
and structure and a central role in the intellectual, po-
alumni include the physicist Newton (Trinity), the bi-
litical and social life of the UK.
ologist Darwin (Christ’s College), and Oxford boasts
History and Structure
116
visitors demanding to see “The University”.
figures such as dictionary writer Dr. Johnson (Pembroke) and political economist Adam Smith (Balliol). Their
The first clear references to teachers and students
dominance has continued into the 20th and 21st cen-
at Oxford was in 1169. Cambridge, founded by a
turies, with the two having 131 Nobel prizes between
splinter group of Oxford scholars, is a little younger,
them : 32 of them held by Trinity College, Cambridge.
dating from 1209, although neither were recognized
But the two have not just had an intellectual influ-
formally as universities until the middle of the 13th
ence. They have had an enormous effect on the UK’s
Century. Their special collegiate system stems from
political history, too. 26 of the UK’s Prime Ministers,
the slow growth of the universities over the following
including the current incumbent, David Cameron,
centuries.
went to Oxford – 13 at one college alone, Christ
Each university is made up of associations of col-
Church. 13 more past Prime Ministers went to Cam-
leges, with each college having roughly 500-1000 mem-
bridge, and only 3 prime ministers were not Oxbridge
bers, including both teaching staff and students. Colleg-
graduates.
es have their own buildings and their own identity. For
This effect does not make everyone happy, how-
example, the oldest college in Cambridge is Peterhouse,
ever. Their admissions procedures are often criticized
founded in 1258, and maintains its own traditions, such
for favouring students from private schools over state
as a Latin grace at college meals. On the other hand,
school students. Although only 7% of British pupils
Oxford’s newest college, Kellog College, was created
attend a fee-paying school, they make up 40% of Ox-
in 1990 – and only accepts postgraduate or mature stu-
bridge undergraduates. Many people feel the universi-
dents. People are often confused by this system, and
ties should do more to encourage applicants from state
there are jokes, probably apocryphal, about bewildered
schools, since many are put off by the perception that
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