1.
What is so special about Oxford and Cambridge, the two oldest universities in England? Why do so many students want to study there?

2.
These two universities are very old and very beautiful. Oxford dates from 1249 and Cambridge also dates from the thirteenth century. Some of their colleges, chapels and libraries are three, four and even five hundred years old. Most colleges are full of very good books and paintings.

3.
Both towns have many beautiful gardens, where students can read and relax in the summer months. There is even a special name to refer to them: Oxbridge.

4.
Oxford University now has thirty-four colleges and about twelve thousand students, many from other countries. Oxford is, of course, famous for its first-class education. Some very intelligent men and women in the country live and work here. Oxford gives them what they need: a quiet atmosphere, nice colleagues and the Bodleian Library (It is four hundred years old and has five million books).

5.
It is not easy to get a place at Oxford to study. But outside the university there are many small private colleges, with not so difficult courses. The students in these schools study business, secretarial or English language courses.