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Oxbridge facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Couple walking into St Johns College Oxford
An Oxbridge college seen from the outside

Oxbridge is a word that is used to mean the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge in England. It used to mean a fictional mix of the two universities, but now refers to both in real life.

The word 'Oxbridge' started because the two universities are very similar:

  • They are the two oldest universities in England; both were started more than 800 years ago.
  • They were the only universities in England until the 19th century.
  • Between them they have produced a large number of Britain's most well known scientists, writers, and politicians, as well as famous people in many other jobs.
  • Also, they both share a similar college system, as each university is made up of separate colleges.

The competition between Oxford and Cambridge also has a long history, dating back to the days when Cambridge was founded by unsatisfied scholars from Oxford.

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See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Oxbridge para niños

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