If you’re applying for university in the UK, you’ve likely heard about the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge. These are considered the two best universities in the country and, in some cases, the entire world. But why is this?Â
The two universities have built amazing reputations over their centuries of history, and they still stand tall as two of the best options for students in 2025. That’s because they still offer world-leading education in a wide variety of subjects and offer their graduates some of the best prospects out of any university in the world.Â
In this guide, we’ll explore just how valuable it is to be an Oxbridge graduate and why it’s worth putting in the extra work to try and get your offer there.Â
Oxbridge’s Academic Excellence
Firstly, let’s consider the main reason anyone should go to university: the education. With how high the entry standards are for applicants and how difficult it is to get a place at either university, it’s expected that the teaching they offer will match the expectations they place on students. Naturally, this is the case and both universities are generally regarded as two of the best in the world for both undergraduates and graduates.Â
University Rankings
If you look at any UK-specific or world university rankings, Oxford and Cambridge will almost always be near the top of the list. While these tables take multiple factors into account – such as research, spending and employment prospects – both Oxbridge universities consistently earn high scores for their teaching quality and resources.Â
Statistics such as student satisfaction, faculty spend and staff-student ratio are all high for both universities, which contributes to their overall scores. For example, Oxford was the highest-rated university for student satisfaction in teaching on The Guardian’s 2025 ranking, achieving a score of 94.3/100. It also had the most favourable student-staff ratio (10.3) and the highest spend per student (10/10) for that year.Â
As for international rankings, Oxford and Cambridge achieved teaching scores of 96.8 and 95.9/100, respectively on the Times Higher Education 2025 ranking. This put them at 5th and 6th on the table in this category.Â
In these rankings, Oxford has generally performed better than Cambridge, but this isn’t the case every year. There are also many other things to consider besides rankings when deciding between Oxford and Cambridge but know that either university is going to give you a world-class experience.Â
There are multiple things that set Oxford and Cambridge apart from other universities, all of which cement their reputations as two of the best universities in the world:Â
Tutorials And Supervisions
Oxford and Cambridge deploy a unique teaching method designed to give students a more intimate space to express their thoughts with peers and lecturers. These sessions are known as Tutorials at Oxford and Supervisions at Cambridge, but they function mostly the same at each university.Â
Many students at Oxbridge find these sessions to be incredibly valuable and see them as a highlight of their week. Being given the time to engage with the faculty in such a free space allows students to fully explain their opinions and ideas while also giving them a chance to learn from their peers. This learning experience generally opens students up to new ways of thinking and makes them more well-rounded individuals.Â
Expert Faculty and Guests
Oxford and Cambridge are each known for their team of expert staff members from a wide variety of fields. Each college has faculty members from all walks of life, each ready to provide their knowledge and experience to their students. The amount of expertise at each university ensures students are taught in many ways and come out of their course with many new perspectives.Â
Beyond standard classes, colleges frequently invite guest speakers who have a similar calibre of expertise to the faculty. These include experts from every field who may speak about subject-specific topics or general life lessons. Students can expect to see Oxbridge alumni speaking on a regular basis.Â
World-Class Resources
Although the architecture at each university looks classical, they also house an immense selection of cutting-edge facilities for students to utilise. From the Nuffield Department of Medicine at Oxford to the Dyson Centre at Cambridge, students will have access to everything they need in their studies and more.Â
Another major benefit to studying at Oxford or Cambridge is the easy access to libraries both big and small. As well as the major university libraries like the Bodleian at Oxford and the UL at Cambridge, each college is also equipped with a library containing texts for every subject taught there. The vast majority of books that a student may need will be accessible in one way or another at Oxbridge.Â
Create your path to Oxbridge success with support from UniAdmissions
You can ensure your place at Oxford or Cambridge with the comprehensive support offered in our Full-Blue Programme, featuring unlimited one-to-one tuition, expert resources, intensive courses and much more. Each year, we get hundreds of students their university offers, so join this year’s cohort and boost your chances of getting a place.Â
Discover our Full-Blue Programmes by clicking the button below to learn how your child can enrol and triple their chances of success.
The Oxbridge Experience
Outside of classes, most Oxbridge applicants are aware of how different the lifestyle is for those studying at Oxford and Cambridge. Each university has built years of traditions that students are immersed in every day, which often influences applicants to apply. This can all be broken down into several major categories:
Oxbridge Formal Events
From Balls to Bops, Oxbridge students are invited to countless events during their time at university. These can range from formal dinners to full-on parties with famous artists performing, all of which are bound to provide unforgettable memories. These events can be hosted by both colleges and societies, ensuring students always have something to look forward to during their academic year.Â
College Traditions
Speaking of college traditions, practically every college at Oxford and Cambridge will have its own unique rituals and lore, making your time there even more unique. These can range from exclusive events to strange rules, but everything is based on the history of the college, helping you feel a part of the Oxbridge legacy.Â
Oxbridge Sporting
Sports are a big deal at Oxford and Cambridge, with teams available for almost anything you can imagine. It is traditional for the two universities to regularly compete in everything from football to boxing. You may already be aware of one of the most famous Oxbridge sporting events, The Boat Race.Â
Oxbridge Terminology
Considering their age, it’s only natural that the two universities have adopted unique slang throughout the years, many of which is still used to this day. This terminology covers everything from academic events to locations and even specific types of students. Be warned, this language can be hard to unlearn once you graduate!
Miscellaneous Traditions
Beyond these categories, there are plenty of other traditions held at each university. From Matriculation to tortoise races, there’s always an interesting face to discover about Oxford and Cambridge.
While not all of this may be fun in the moment, it all combines to create a university experience like no other, leading to unforgettable and (mostly) fond memories that will stick with you for life.Â
Access "The Big Book Of Oxbridge Applications" For FREE
Are you convinced that Oxbridge is right for you? Now you need to learn about the admissions process in order to earn your offer. The Big Book Of Oxbridge Applications is available for free and guides you through everything you need to know about Oxford and Cambridge admissions. Through over 350 pages, you’ll find:
- 28 example Oxbridge Personal Statements
- Over 40 admissions test practice questions
- Interviews with Oxbridge students and graduates
- Additional downloadable resources
Fill in your details below to claim your digital copy today!
Oxbridge Employment Benefits
While the experience you have during your university years is important, the primary reason for studying is to prepare yourself for a career in your desired field. Thankfully, Oxbridge graduates have some of the best career prospects in the world.
The reputation that the two universities have amassed is often recognised by employers, who understand that applicants need to be very gifted or extremely hard working in order to both be admitted into the university and to earn their degree. As such, Oxbridge graduate are more likely to be favoured for higher level roles earlier in their careers.Â
Oxbridge Employment Rates
This is backed up by data provided by both the universities themselves and the ranking tables discussed before:
Oxford Employment Rates
Oxford reported that, for the 2017/18 graduate cohort, 79.6% of graduates were employed within 15 months of graduation. This isn’t an extremely high figure, but consider that many students continue onto other channels of education or self-employment. Of this cohort, only 2.6% claimed to be unemployed and looking for work.Â
Cambridge Employment Rates
In a similar survey, 89% of 2021/22 graduates at Cambridge were employed or in further education after 15 months. Of these graduate, 61% were employed full-time, while only 5% were unemployed and looking for work. Of those working, 91% of graduates were in high skilled positions.Â
Based on the ranking tables’ scoring metrics, Oxford and Cambridge both consistently perform well in regard to graduate prospects. Here are the scores achieved by the universities in some of the major league tables:
| Ranking Table | Oxford Score | Cambridge Score |
|---|---|---|
| Complete University Guide (Graduate Prospects) | 92% | 93% |
| The Guardian (Career After 15 Months) | 93/100 | 94/100 |
| QS World University Ranking (Employment Outcomes) | 100/100 | 100/100 |
| Times Higher Education World Ranking (Industry) | 99.6/100 | 97.1/100 |
Based on the data provided by Oxford and Cambridge, we can also see that some of the top industries that Oxbridge graduates entered include education, healthcare and banking/investment. Average salaries for Oxford graduates ranged from £20,900 (humanities) to over £31,000 (medicine), while over 65% of Cambridge graduates were earning a salary of more than £27,000.Â
These are all very positive statistics for Oxbridge applicants and show that they can expect to perform above average in terms of employment and salary.
Oxbridge Graduate Benefits
If everything mentioned already hasn’t convinced you that studying at Oxbridge is worth it, there are also several benefits that you’ll have access to once you’ve earned your degree.
Access to Facilities
Both Oxford and Cambridge offer graduates continued access to many facilities at the universities, as well as a wide selection of online materials. For example, Oxford applicants are able to continue using the Bodleian, while Cambridge graduates can still visit the UL.
Graduates at both universities can also book venues within colleges to host events, either for free or for a fee. This can include dining halls and social spaces, allowing graduates to reconnect with their old college or experience new ones.Â
The Oxford and Cambridge Club
The Oxford and Cambridge Club is an exclusive venue in Central London that is reserved for both Oxford and Cambridge graduates. The club hosts regular events and can house up to 40 guests, complete with sports facilities and a library. It’s a very classy location and one that every Oxbridge graduate should aim to visit at least once!
Additional Benefits
Each university offers a range of additional benefits, ranging from discounts on goods and services to exclusive memberships to clubs specifically for graduates. As well this, graduate will have access to various career support to further support them with finding employment.Â
With all of this in mind, it should now be easy to see why so many people apply to study at Oxbridge each year. Not only will you have a world-class education and an unforgettable experience while you’re there, but you will also be supported through both benefits and the reputation of the universities for the rest of your life.
We hope this guide has helped you see the value of studying at Oxbridge! If you’re planning on applying and want to boost your chances of getting an offer, discover UniAdmissions’ Full-Blue Programme to access comprehensive, unlimited support for all aspects of the application process. Thank you for reading and good luck!
Ready to become an Oxford or Cambridge student? Prepare for your application with Oxbridge experts
UniAdmissions offers world-leading support that manages every aspect of your application, from the first steps to your final interview. As a UniAdmissions student, you will have access to unlimited one-to-one tuition, intensive courses, a large suite of resources and much more – everything you need to get your offer.
Discover our Full-Blue Programmes by clicking the button below to learn how your child can enrol and triple their chances of success.
