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Reply 1
Twinkle-toe
Theres one thing in this world that I just can't understand. Why the hell are some people so bothered if they don't get into Oxbridge. I mean, what is so special about Oxford and Cambridge?. They're only universities just like let's say Leeds and Sheffield. :confused: :mad:


Because the quality of professor, and pupil is higher at Oxbridge, and because it presents better career prospects - not least internationally. Oh, and Oxford is a really beautiful city, as are its colleges.
plus you get very small teacher to pupil ratio and mainly because its a damn good university
It isn't really as special as it is perported to be (especially on this forum). A good degree from Oxbridge no longer opens doors that were inaccesible to graduates from 'other' universities. Oxbridge offers a specific type of learning environment, which I wouldn't say was any better than the other top unis, but it could benefit you if you are a certain type of person (and hinder you if you are not). Oxford and Cambridge are great centres of Research excellence, but they are certainly not the only ones in this country and aren't as far ahead as some people would have us believe.
The environment and the history cannot be matched by any other university in the world, thats what makes them so special.
an Siarach
The environment and the history cannot be matched by any other university in the world, thats what makes them so special.


Apart from the Sorbonne, which is older and in Paris. Oooh and The University of Bologna in Italy (founded in 1088) and The university in Cairo that was founded in 985. But hey.... :smile:
ChemistBoy
It isn't really as special as it is perported to be (especially on this forum).

Very true; the quality gap imagined between Oxbridge and the rest of our elite is nowhere near as big as most pretend it to be on here. Personally, holding the status of Oxford or Cambridge alumna isnt going to wow me anymore than being a graduate of LSE or Imperial or a number of other universities. Unless youre comparing a top 10 institution to a bottom 10 institution i generally consider a 2:1 to be a 2:1 with no major difference in quailty.
ChemistBoy
Apart from the Sorbonne, which is older and in Paris.

Age isnt what i was referring to by history my good man!
Reply 8
an Siarach
Very true; the quality gap imagined between Oxbridge and the rest of our elite is nowhere near as big as most pretend it to be on here. Personally, holding the status of Oxford or Cambridge alumna isnt going to wow me anymore than being a graduate of LSE or Imperial or a number of other universities. Unless youre comparing a top 10 institution to a bottom 10 institution i generally consider a 2:1 to be a 2:1 with no major difference in quailty.


I can agree with the general notion that the gap is often exaggerated. However, the truth of the matter remains - in many fields the brightest and best professors are at Oxbridge. This in turn tends to lead to better teaching. As such there is SOME level of difference in quality. That that difference is less than commonly propounded is not to say it is non-existent or negligible
Lawzzzzzz
in many fields the brightest and best professors are at Oxbridge. This in turn tends to lead to better teaching. As such there is SOME level of difference in quality. That that difference is less than commonly propounded is not to say it is non-existent or negligible

This is true, however, what i was disputing is the notion commonly held that a graduate of any non-Oxbridge university may as well not turn up if they have competition form the aforementioned which is a load of nonsense.
Lawzzzzzz
the brightest and best professors are at Oxbridge. This in turn tends to lead to better teaching.


I'd suggest this is a false assumption - the brightest and best in their field are in most cases not the best teachers.
Lawzzzzzz
I can agree with the general notion that the gap is often exaggerated. However, the truth of the matter remains - in many fields the brightest and best professors are at Oxbridge. This in turn tends to lead to better teaching. As such there is SOME level of difference in quality. That that difference is less than commonly propounded is not to say it is non-existent or negligible


It is neglible when you are comparing apples and apples, i.e. graduates from Oxford and Imperial say, which ones are better? I would disagree with the direct link between better teaching and top class professors (whilst I often argue that good research is essential to good teaching it must be backed up with good method). Oxford and Cambridge are not top of class in a lot of things and leading professors and researchers are spread far and wide across our higher education sector.
Reply 12
an Siarach
This is true, however, what i was disputing is the notion commonly held that a graduate of any non-Oxbridge university may as well not turn up if they have competition form the aforementioned which is a load of nonsense.


Oh most certainly. I think that in many career paths, the first thing to look at (if you are a top 10 uni grad.) is the grades you get. As such a 1st from LSE, KCL, LSE, Durham, Bristol Etc would beat out a 2:1 in the same discipline from Oxbridge. However, the Oxbridge name is still a sizeable +... as such all things being equal employers will generally take the Ox/Tab candidate.
Lawzzzzzz
Oh most certainly. I think that in many career paths, the first thing to look at (if you are a top 10 uni grad.) is the grades you get. As such a 1st from LSE, KCL, LSE, Durham, Bristol Etc would beat out a 2:1 in the same discipline from Oxbridge. However, the Oxbridge name is still a sizeable +... as such all things being equal employers will generally take the Ox/Tab candidate.


Where is your proof for this assumption? I have never seen oxbridge graduates being favoured over other graduates from top unis in any of the selection procedures I have been in.
Reply 14
ChemistBoy
It is neglible when you are comparing apples and apples, i.e. graduates from Oxford and Imperial say, which ones are better? I would disagree with the direct link between better teaching and top class professors (whilst I often argue that good research is essential to good teaching it must be backed up with good method). Oxford and Cambridge are not top of class in a lot of things and leading professors and researchers are spread far and wide across our higher education sector.


Hehe ... I knew someone would make this point - thats why I was prefacing everything with "generally". I have to admit on the science front I am not really "in the know". However I think if you look at everything as a whole, the point rings true.

As to top class professors being better teachers - I never said they were. However they are just as likely to be good teachers as less eminent ones really, and if they are both, the total package is a better one.

Again - In general :smile:
Reply 15
ChemistBoy
Where is your proof for this assumption? I have never seen oxbridge graduates being favoured over other graduates from top unis in any of the selection procedures I have been in.



Well in Law it most certainly happens - statistics will bear me out. In Banking it regularly happens. In Political jobs it regularly happens. I have to admit I dont have direct statistical quotes to hand, but there is a Oxbridge bias among many recruitment staff. Just speaking to some of them you can tell it.
Lawzzzzzz
Hehe ... I knew someone would make this point - thats why I was prefacing everything with "generally". I have to admit on the science front I am not really "in the know". However I think if you look at everything as a whole, the point rings true.


Not really.


As to top class professors being better teachers - I never said they were. However they are just as likely to be good teachers as less eminent ones really, and if they are both, the total package is a better one.

Again - In general :smile:


Again, in general, the top class researchers are not confined to the hallowed cloisters of Oxbridge by any stretch of the imagination, other universities have lots of eminent professors too.
Reply 17
ChemistBoy
Not really.



Again, in general, the top class researchers are not confined to the hallowed cloisters of Oxbridge by any stretch of the imagination, other universities have lots of eminent professors too.



This is fairly cyclical - I KNOW that other universities have top class professors - Did I say it was the preserve of Oxford? Not at all. However, in general, the name and financial power of Oxbridge allows them to attract a greater number of people at the top of their field.
Lawzzzzzz
Well in Law it most certainly happens - statistics will bear me out. In Banking it regularly happens. In Political jobs it regularly happens. I have to admit I dont have direct statistical quotes to hand, but there is a Oxbridge bias among many recruitment staff. Just speaking to some of them you can tell it.


By 'In law' I presume you mean chambers, 'Banking' I presume you mean investment banking and merchant banking, and politics, well look at the politicians we have at the moment all over 40? Not to mention the fact that we have a Scottish parliament and Welsh assembly now.

You have picked three very specific things, I don't think it is fair to generalise at all from this.
Lawzzzzzz
This is fairly cyclical - I KNOW that other universities have top class professors - Did I say it was the preserve of Oxford? Not at all. However, in general, the name and financial power of Oxbridge allows them to attract a greater number of people at the top of their field.


Scratch financial power.