The University of Oxford was founded in Oxfordshire, England around 800 years ago. Along with Cambridge, it is considered the most prestigious institution for higher education in the United Kingdom. The University currently has a student body of over 18,000 which represents more than 130 nationalities. The institution exists as a collection of 44 colleges, all based in or just outside Oxford City centre. Students receive teaching through faculty lectures as well as classes and tutorials organised by their college. Science students also do much of their work in the University laboratories.

Oxford has a vibrant history of academic excellence and intellectual stimulation. Many famous literary figures studied here including John Donne, W H Auden, Evelyn Waugh, John Wilmot, Matthew Arnold, Lewis Carroll, J R R Tolkein, Oscar Wilde, and Philip Pullman to name but a few.

The University has frequently appeared in films or been the inspiration for works of literature.

Students at Oxford have always shown enthusiasm and initiative for their own cultural projects. For the past hundred years or so, student journalism has thrived at the University and Etcetera is a very recent addition to the many magazines and newspapers produced entirely by and for students.