In this article, we’re diving deep into what makes Oxford and Cambridge the most prestigious and worlds best universities and why they stand out from other top universities in the QS World Rankings.  We are going to explore the world of Oxbridge universities and its importance.
Moreover we also, discuss how Pakistani students can get the chance to study at these esteemed institutions. Let’s get started.
Why Oxbridge?
For those who are unfamiliar, Oxbridge refers to the prestigious British universities of Cambridge and Oxford. These universities are well known for their high academic standards, notable alumni, and demanding entrance requirements.
A Legacy of Excellence
Oxford and Cambridge, often referred to as ‘Oxbridge,’ have been around for centuries. Founded in the 12th and 13th centuries, these universities are not just institutions, they are symbols of academic excellence. Over time, they’ve nurtured some of the brightest minds, including famous alumni like Stephen Hawking, Margaret Thatcher, and even 28 British Prime Ministers.
What sets Oxbridge apart?
It’s not just about their rich history. These universities have created a system that focuses on high-quality research, world-class teaching, and an unrivalled academic reputation.
Oxbridge universities, like Oxford and Cambridge, are known for their academic prestige.
Oxbridge vs. Ivy League: Key Differences
In the United States, the Ivy League universities are often compared to Oxbridge. Both have a reputation for excellence and are highly selective, but their approaches to admissions and education differ. The Ivy League consists of eight prestigious universities, each with its own unique culture. When it comes to getting in, Ivy League schools tend to focus a lot on extracurricular activities and leadership skills, in addition to academic performance. In contrast, Oxbridge places a stronger emphasis on academic achievement and intellectual curiosity. They want students who excel in their studies and can handle tough academic challenges.
Looking at the global picture, both Oxbridge and Ivy League universities attract students from all over the world. They are known for their diversity and inclusivity, aiming to bring together people from different cultures and backgrounds. While Ivy League universities focus on diversity, Oxbridge universities have a long history of being international hubs for students who want a traditional and intellectually rich university experience.
Comparing Oxbridge with Other Top Global Universities
Other top universities worldwide, like the University of Tokyo, ETH Zurich, and the Australian National University, also emphasize academic excellence and have tough admissions. But their student life and the extracurricular activities they offer might differ from what you’d find at Oxbridge. These universities have its own way of balancing academics with social and extracurricular opportunities, making each one unique in its approach to educating the next generation of global leaders.
So, while Oxbridge stand out for their prestige and academic rigor, universities across the world each bring something special to the table in terms of culture, diversity, and student experience!
Comparing Teaching Style of Oxbridge with IVY League Universities
How do you choose the best university for you, then? The choice between the USA and the UK ultimately falls down to personal preference and your individual learning habits because the approaches to teaching on both sides of the Border are so different.
Ivy League Teaching Style
Ivy League colleges provide significantly greater flexibility than those in the UK, With the option to “major” and “minor” in several areas. Ivy League universities furthermore provide interdisciplinary Liberal Arts courses that allow you to learn a wide range of topics in-depth in a manner “not possible in the British system.
Oxbridge Teaching Style
Conversely, for people who already know what their passions are, the Oxbridge technique of specializing in a particular field is excellent and interests, as well as those who want to explore more deeply into the basis of their field of study. The variety of extracurricular activities, such as debate groups and language classes, indicates that this more focused approach is by no means unique.In the first year of study, Cambridge also provides a more general curriculum that gets increasingly specialized as the course progresses, giving you a taste of the American system in the UK.
Oxbridge in Global University Rankings
When you look at university rankings, you’ll often see Oxford and Cambridge near the top. These rankings consider factors like research, funding, and job prospects, but both Oxbridge universities consistently score high for their teaching quality and resources.
Things like student satisfaction, faculty spending, and the staff to student ratio are all excellent at both universities, which boosts their overall rankings. For example, in The Guardian’s 2025 rankings, Oxford received the highest rating for student satisfaction in teaching, scoring 94.3/100. It also had the best staff to student ratio (10.3) and the highest spending per student (a perfect 10/10) for that year.
On international rankings, both Oxford and Cambridge scored very well for teaching quality on the Times Higher Education 2025 list, with Oxford getting a score of 96.8 and Cambridge scoring 95.9/100. They ranked 5th and 6th in this category.
Although Oxford tends to rank slightly higher than Cambridge and other top universities overall, this can change from year to year. It’s important to remember that rankings are just one factor to consider when choosing between the two. As compared to other universities both universities offer a world-class experience, so you can’t go wrong with either.
Insights from HEPI Higher Education Policy Institute
They conducted a new analysis in 2025 to compare the student experience at the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge to the student experience at other Russell Group universities and to students at all UK universities. The work is based on data from six waves of the large annual Student Academic Experience Survey. The results show that, compared to other Russell Group students as well as students across all UK universities, Oxbridge students:
- Are more satisfied with their courses.
- Are less likely to wish they had chosen another course.
- Are more likely to say they receive good value for money have higher life satisfaction.
- Are more likely to feel their lives are worthwhile.
- Are happier have a higher workload (across a range of disciplines) spend more hours per week studying outside of class.
- Are more likely to have classes with 0 to 5 other students receive more useful feedback believe that they are learning more.
Course Satisfaction Statistics
Significantly more Oxbridge students (59%) than students from other Group universities (31%) are very satisfied with their course. Overall, 95% and 89% of Oxbridge and other Russell Group students, respectively, are either very satisfied or fairly satisfied with their course.
You can check the statistics data report by HEPI
Course Choice statistics
Fewer Oxbridge students (13%) feel they might have chosen a different course compared to those at other universities (20%). More Oxbridge students (52%) say they definitely would not have chosen a different course, compared to 38% at other Russell Group universities.
This shows that Oxbridge students are generally more satisfied with their courses.
Cost of Course at Oxbridge Universities as compared to other universities
A much higher proportion of Oxbridge students perceive their course as either good or very good value for money (77%) when compared to other Russell Group students (46%). Overall, 45% of all UK students say their course is good or very good value for money but a quarter (25%) say their course is poor or very poor value for money.
Oxbridge Application Process for Pakistani students
If you’re a Pakistani student hoping to apply to Oxford or Cambridge, here’s a breakdown of the key steps and options you’ll need to consider. The process is similar to students from other countries, but there are some specific details to keep in mind.
- Research the Course and College
- Check the Entry Requirements
Check Cambridge or Oxford’s official website for the specific subject requirements and minimum grades.
- Admissions Tests
Some popular tests for Pakistani students applying to certain subjects include:
- BMAT (Biomedical Admissions Test) for medicine-related courses.
- TSA (Thinking Skills Assessment) for subjects like Economics and Politics.
- MAT (Mathematics Admissions Test) for Mathematics.
These tests are usually taken in Pakistan at a designated centre, and you’ll need to register for them in advance. Remember that October 15th is always the deadline for applications, so make a note of that date!
Notable Courses Offered at Oxbridge
Some of the famous courses are list down. These courses are offered in a distinctive format or with a unique teaching methodology, making them stand out from other universities.
- PPE [ Philosophy, Politics and Economics]
- HSPS [human, social and political science]
- Experimental Psychology
- Anglo-Saxon, Norse, and Celtic
- Mathematics with Computer Science
Conclusion
So, why are Oxford and Cambridge the best universities? It’s the rigorous teaching system, unparalleled research opportunities, a global network, and the prestigious alumni who have shaped the world. For Pakistani students, the dream of studying at Oxbridge is achievable with the right resources, preparation, and dedication.
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