As the two oldest universities in the UK, Oxford and Cambridge are very similar in terms of their prestige, collegiate structure, teaching style and rigorous application process – so what sets them apart from each other?
If you've set your sights on Oxbridge but aren't sure which of the two universities is most suited to you, we've highlighted some of the key differences.
Oxbridge course choices
Even though there are a lot of similarities, Oxford and Cambridge don’t offer exactly the same courses – there are certain courses that are only available at one of the universities.
For example, you can only study politics, philosophy and economics (PPE) at Oxford, while Cambridge is the only one of the two to offer education at an undergraduate level.
The science courses also vary between the universities. Cambridge has a flexible natural sciences degree that lets you to which biological and physical sciences you'll study, while Oxford offers single-subject science courses.
Oxford offers more combinations of subjects for joint honours degrees, while Cambridge only has a few options – like history and politics or history and modern languages.
Course over college?
Make sure that the course you want to study is top on your list of priorities when it comes to choosing between the universities:
And just as the content of similar courses will vary at different universities, modules at Oxford and Cambridge won't be exactly the same either – so it's worth checking which modules best match your interests.
Also, take a look at the split between exams, coursework and practicals and see what suits you – and visit the relevant department at both universities on an open day so you can get a feel for what the course is like.
Both universities offer general institution-wide open days where you can visit departments and different colleges, but also look out for open day activities organised by the individual colleges themselves.
Finally, you'll need to make sure your grades match what both universities are looking for too – see our guide to Oxbridge applications for more. Not all successful applicants to Oxford and Cambridge have a clean sweep of A*s at GCSE and A-level – but quite a few do.
Oxford versus Cambridge: city showdown
With their ancient architecture and world-famous universities, both cities are tourist hotspots – but they each offer a different student experience. Here’s an overview of each city:
Cambridge
- A small city where almost 20% of the population are students and the centre is dominated by the university; it could be the place for you if you’re after a small town feel.
- Cambridge is more laid-back than Oxford and it has a river flowing through the city centre – as well as countryside surroundings.
- If you’re into pubs more than clubs, Cambridge fits the bill.
Oxford
- If you’re after a bustling city, Oxford is livelier and busier than Cambridge – but it’s still small enough to cover on foot.
- The city may appeal to culture fans with its museums and galleries – and it’s got more shops.
- Oxford has more nightlife options than Cambridge with a selection of bars and clubs.
As with the universities, the only way to really know which city will suit you is to go there and see what it's really like in person.
Best of the best
Both Oxford and Cambridge have prestigious reputations – and there isn't much that seperates them. You can often find Oxford or Cambridge alternating between first and second place in the annual university league tables, and they are both respected by academics and employers globally.
Cambridge tops The Complete University Guide's UK league tables for 2025, with Oxford in second. Whereas Oxford is first on The Guardian's 2025 university rankings, with Cambridge in third.
And their prestige is reflected in the grades you'll need to secure a place. Here are the typical entry requirements are for a selection of courses at both universities...
Course | Cambridge | Oxford |
|---|
Computer science | A*A*A | A*AA |
Engineering | A*A*A | A*A*A |
English | A*AA | AAA |
History and politics | A*AA | AAA |
Law | A*AA | AAA |
Maths | A*A*A | A*A*A |
Oxford and Cambridge quirks
A lot of unis have special traditions or traits – and Oxbridge are no different. Here are some facts about the two universities.
- The teaching style is the same at both universities, but the very small study sessions are called ‘tutorials’ at Oxford (also referred to as 'tutes') and ‘supervisions’ at Cambridge.
- Cambridge has the May Week tradition, a period of celebration following end-of-year exams. Expect balls, events and garden parties.
- 31 British prime ministers went to the University of Oxford, including David Cameron, Sir Tony Blair and Sir Keir Starmer.
- The University of Cambridge has its very own private police force, the Cambridge University Constabulary. There are around 20 to 30 constables – commonly known as 'bulldogs' – patrolling the campus.
Finally, once you've decided decided between Oxford and Cambridge, you'll need to have a think about which of their colleges you'll apply to. There are 31 colleges at Cambridge.) and 43 at Oxford – so make sure you take a look at them on their websites.
