OXBRIDGE is a combination of two famous names - Oxford and Cambridge. They are the oldest universities in Great Britain. They have dominated British education for seven centuries.
OXFORD is the older university of the two. The first of its colleges was founded in 1249. The university now has 34 colleges and about 12000 students, many of them from other countries. There were no women students at Oxford until 1878, when the first women's college, Lady Margaret Hall, opened. Now there are 5 women's colleges.
CAMBRIDGE was founded in 1284 when the first college, Peterhouse, was built. Now there are more than thirty colleges founded at different times, three of them are women's colleges.The first women's college was opened in 1869.
Oxford and Cambridge are famous for their first clss education. the universities have societies and clubs for different interests. Sport is an important part of students' life.
Both of these university towns are very beautiful. They have some of the finest architecture in Britain. some of their colleges, chapels and libraries are very old and full of valuable books and paintings. Both towns have many lovely gardens.
During term time the university towns are full of bicycles. Students ride along the streets on them, and there are rows and rows parked outside the colleges. In the towns of narrow streets, a bicycle is the best means of transport.