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Whilst the college provides for the day to day needs of
an undergraduate, the university makes available
libraries, facilities and infrastructure, determines the
content of courses, provides lectures and seminars and
is responsible for setting examinations and for awarding
degrees.
Radcliffe Camera, 1748.
There are three full terms in the academic year, each
only eight weeks long. These are named Michaelmas
(Oct - Dec), Hilary (Jan - Mar) and Trinity
(May - Jul). Because they are so short, term time tends
to be extremely intense, with weekly essays to write,
lectures to attend and, of course, a great deal of
socialising to be done!
The learning environment at Oxford is steeped in 800
years of jealously guarded ceremony and tradition, much
of which is totally impenetrable to both visitors and
locals alike! The aura of 'other worldliness' is
perpetuated by the University through its seemingly
arcane ceremonies (always conducted in Latin!),
bizarre dress code and generally, indefinably lofty
atmosphere. Even the calendar is discarded in term time,
with university officers and students alike referring to
important dates as, for example, 'Tuesday of Third
week'.
To gain entry into the University, students
must first win a place at one of the colleges (which have
their own admissions policies). Full membership of the
University is conferred upon new students (Freshers) during
the long winded matriculation ceremony, conducted throughout
in Latin and held on the first Saturday before Michaelmas
Term (or Saturday of naught week).
Matriculation is the first time that
students are obliged to dress in full academic dress (called
Sub Fusc). Comprising dark suit and white bow tie for
men or dark skirt, white blouse and tie for women, with
mortar board and gown compulsory accessories for both, sub
fusc is the official academic dress of the University. It is
worn much less now than even in the recent past when it was
required for attendance at lectures, library and other
official University events. However, it is still compulsory
attire for matriculation, graduation and for attending
examinations.
Encaenia. Annual honorary degree
giving ceremony.
Sub Fusc is next required when applying for
an admission ticket to the Bodleian library. As well as
presenting a passport sized photograph, students also have
to swear an oath on the Bible that they will not steal or
mark the books and manuscripts and that they will 'not
kindle any flame herein'.
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During May and June of their final year, most
undergraduates begin their final examinations. Unlike at
many other universities these days, where performance is
measured throughout the course, everything depends on
how the candidate performs during finals. There are no
second chances. The solemnity of the occasion is
emphasised by the rather severe architecture of the
Examinations Schools on the High Street, where most
Finals are taken. On the day of their examination,
candidates gather in the foyer of the Schools and
identify their room and seat number from a public notice board.
At 9am prompt, a bell sounds and the main doors are
opened. The clock is now ticking into their allowed time
and there is real tension in the air as candidates rush
through the building to find their seats.
This outlandish scene is very typical of Oxford,
where tradition is King and reform anathema. University
folklore tells of a candidate in the 1950's who banged
on his desk during an examination and demanded a jug of
beer - as is every Scholar's right, according to an
obscure medieval ruling on examination protocol. The
beer was duly served, but the unfortunate candidate was
later fined 5 Guineas for failing to wear his sword - an
even more obscure ruling which he had apparently
overlooked!
Results are announced in July, with the vast majority
of candidates scoring 'Upper Second Class Honours'.
Avoiding this result in either direction is
considered a remarkable achievement in Oxford!
Sheldonian Theatre
For most students, their active association with the
University ends with their Graduation, though they do
remain members of both college and University for life
(a fact of which they are frequently reminded as they
pursue their professional career and make lots of
money!). Graduation takes place at the magnificent
Sheldonian Theatre during a colourful and musical
ceremony. The Sheldonian has been the focal point of
university ceremony since it was completed in
1669.
Oxford graduates typically attend a graduation
ceremony months or even years after passing their
finals. The Undergraduate Degree is called the Bachelor
of Arts (BA) even if it is awarded to scientists. This
degree automatically matures into a Master's Degree (MA)
5 years after matriculation, on payment of a small fee.
Many students come to collect both awards at the same
time. The ceremony itself is held about a dozen times a
year. Proud parents pack the gallery and look on as the
graduands approach the Vice Chancellor's throne to have
their honours bestowed upon them by a tap on the head
with an ancient copy of the Bible. No scroll is
presented - the symbolism is confined to the swapping of
the commoners gown for the Bachelors gown. Proceedings
are lengthy and conducted throughout in Latin. These
days, students are prompted to laugh politely or bow
solemnly in all the right places by their Dean of
Degrees. These officers themselves usually have the
barest grasp of Latin and often resort to reading their
lines from the inside of their ceremonial hat, which,
conveniently, they must remove before speaking!
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