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OXFORD UNIVERSITY 牛津大学 Oxford University once famously claimed to have been founded by Alfred the Great in the 9th Century, but in fact, the University as we know it today began to take shape in the 12th Century when English Scholars were exiled from Paris University and began to congregate at Oxfords Abbeys and Priories, which were buy then already established centers of learning. Today, 39 independent, self-governing colleges are related to the University in a type of federal system. Each is governed by a Head of House and a number of Fellows, who are academics specializing in a wide variety of disciplines, most of whom also hold University posts. Across both the Arts and the Sciences, Oxford research consistently ranks top both nationally and internationally. As well as being in the forefront of scientific, medical and technological achievement, the University has strong links with research institutions and industrial concerns both in the United Kingdom and overseas. The University is income from externally funded research grants and contracts in 1996-7 totaled over ￡107 million. The Universitys great age also allows its teaching staff and research students to draw on a heritage of magnificent library and museum collections. Students working for higher degrees are an important and valued part of Oxford University. They currently make up over a quarter of the total student body of 15,641, drawn by the excellent facilities for research, which the University can offer; therefore the proportion of graduate students is increasing. | 
