In this case, I'd say they're fairly similar. Both have strong establishment links, both have conservative societies, both are based around tradition and formality. It's a bit of a non-question, and I'd certainly make no decision based upon any answers to it.

Reply 7

nuodai

The differences between colleges is a lot greater than the differences between the two unis. Take a look here for example -- my college was 71% Lib Dem, whereas Caius was 50.2% Conservative.

Reply 8

Picnic1

This begs the question as to what constitutes being more conservative and whether this is a good thing.

I think that many might see Oxford as more conservative but the reasons for this are sometimes a bit nebulous. Oxford is the older university (although only slightly, relative to their overall ages) and several things at Cambridge are older than their more famous equivalents at Oxford. The Cambridge Union is older than the Oxford Union. The Cambridge Printing Press is older than Oxford's.

Maybe it's because of Cambridge's long reputation in the sciences, dependent on new discovery, that it has less of a conservative image with some than Oxford.
But if 'conservative' is associated with respecting tradition then the continued tradition of the wearing of gowns for exams at Oxford may make it appear more conservative, if only in a very infrequent ceremonial way.

It wasn't especially conservative of Oxford to refuse to give one of its graduates Margaret Thatcher an honourary doctorate.

But I think that Oxford is more conservative because Cambridge has made some of the most notable advances (e.g. in Philosophy and Economics) in what was traditionally supposed to be Oxford's main territory, the arts.

Reply 9

BJack

u_dun_noe

Bullingdon Club speaks for itself.

Quite right, insofar as it doesn't speak for the rest of Oxford.

Reply 10

didgeridoo12uk

oxford, but only slightly.

there are huge differences between how conservative and modern different colleges are though, so i'd concentrate on that rather than the universities

Reply 11

Bobifier

u_dun_noe

Bullingdon Club speaks for itself.

So you're saying that because 20 odd years ago there were at least about 10 conservatives at Oxford, Oxford MUST be more tory? :confused:

Reply 12

Teebs

Vazzyb I expected better of an actual Oxbridge student. What do you expect to get from a TSR poll other than a series of applicants airing their unfounded prejudices?

Reply 13

Realism

Oxford is a hell of a lot more formal. However, it still has it's liberal arty colleges like Wadham, so the Unis shouldn't really be generalised as they vary so much within the colleges.

Reply 14

rockrunride

Oxford. The course I applied to at Cambridge had elective papers in the first year; the respective Oxford course didn't.

Reply 15

7589200

Teebs

Vazzyb I expected better of an actual Oxbridge student. What do you expect to get from a TSR poll other than a series of applicants airing their unfounded prejudices?

So, who in your opinion, can answer this question? There is no objective way of doing it.

Reply 16

Copacetic

It's a stupid question and could only really be answered by carrying out an extensive survey of all the students. Up until that point the answers are based on guesswork from those who may never have been near the city and bias from those who attend one or the other of the universities.

Reply 17

Picnic1

It needs to be defined more what people are concentrating on when they consider what is 'conservative' and what positve and negative attributes they associate with that. Duran Duran might be more conservative than The Beatles but does that mean that they are superior or more elite? No.

For me, Cambridge University is the most 'conservative' in positive respects. It's based in a more rural city (a town until recently) and the grand landscaping of the colleges (which are much better preserved than at Oxford) is done in a way that makes the university the focus of the area.

Reply 18

Phalanges

nuodai

The differences between colleges is a lot greater than the differences between the two unis. Take a look here for example -- my college was 71% Lib Dem, whereas Caius was 50.2% Conservative.

2 students voted BNP. Bet they had a good old chortle while they were doing that. :holmes:

Reply 19

Helenia

The Bullingdon Club does still exist AFAIK. But then so does the Pitt Club...

I honestly have no idea. I never found Cambridge particularly conservative, but that could have just been my group of friends. And from what little I know of Oxford, it's not either, though does retain a few more unusual traditions such as the whole sub-fusc for exams thing.

Oxford or Cambridge - Which is a more conservative university?

Which is more conservative, Oxford or Cambridge?

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