<p>I've been observing this site for a while and have noticed that many people are interested in applying to these two English universities (or at least intested in discussing/talking about them). </p>
<p>Since I have studied at both univesities, I can say something about them here since some of you guys may not have vivid ideas about them. </p>
<p>1 Their financial situations
It is true that Oxbridge can't compare with IVY League in terms of endowments. One major reason is because they are government universities and according to English laws, they can't charge their students a very high tuition fee. Even as international students, you still pay far less at Oxbridge than at IVY Leagues. What's more, they don't require admissions fees, nor do they require a tuition fee after your third year as a PhD student. Since they earn less, they are less wealthy, which is a very simple fact. Some academics say Oxbridge should privatise themselves in order to compete with Top US schools in terms of financial situations. However, many people don't like this idea since fewer people would be able to attend Oxbridge. </p>
<p>2 Facilities
They are actually not as bad as many would think (based on their beliefs about their financial problems). Oxford has just built a new chemistry laboratory building, which is believed to be the best of its kind in the world (with the most modern equipment, of course). It is also investing a lot of money in facilities for its medical school. In general, facilities in Oxford are pretty good (although they may not be as good as what IVY leagues have in certain subjects). In humanities subjects (like English literature philosophy, classics), Oxford have "among the best if not best" resources and facilities in the world. Cambridge has an "amazing" Maths/Statistics complex (consisting of 11 buildings with more than 300 offices). The university is also expanding its science and engineering departments. I'd say Oxbridge may lag behind Top US schools a bit but they can still compete with American big names in certain fields. </p>
<p>Many students (especially science students) get research grants/conference travel grants quite easily. Students can apply for those grants and allowances both through their departments/schools and their own colleges.
Many students receive these things from at least two sources. The university itself also provides several of these small grants.<br>
Some oxbridge colleges are very generous towards their students. I was at one of the smallest and poorest colleges in Cambridge, yet I learnt that all PhD students could receive book/research allowances worth 250 pounds yearly throughout their 3 years. I even got free 25 meals in a year in my college dining hall (as did all of my college-mates). Of course, these things vary from college to college. Some many not be as generous, while others may be very generous. </p>
<p>3 tutorials
This is a distinctive feature of Oxbridge education. In fact, the tutorial system also exists in many master's programmes at Oxford. Graduate students benefit even more since graduate tutorials tend to be one-to-one rather than small groups, as in the case for undergrads . And they have a chance to discuss their work weekly with some of the "highly-respected" people in their fields. They are taught individually by professors and lecturers in their department/schools - not by college fellows as in the case for undergrads. Graduate tutorials generally exist in humanities and social-sciences subjects. </p>
<p>4 Research/teaching
In terms of research, I'd say Oxbridge perform as well as American big names.
For example, a recent news report says Oxford is undertaking the biggest and most comprehensive genetic study in the world. Much innovative research like needle-less injection for vaccine, and real-time video-editing cameras are being undertaken at Oxford with very promising and successful results. Oxford is also the world pioneer in producing digital texts for several ancient and extremely rare manuscripts, and not to mention the most widely-consulted English-language corpus.
For teaching, this may be seen as an inferior part from an American point of view. British universities generally do not require students to take a huge number of courses in their degrees. For example, you may take only 6 courses in an English literature programme at the master's level with only, say, 2 hours/week in each course. Generally, you take very few or none for your PhD (except for those American-style PhD programmes that have recently been incorporated in the UK system). This is because people here believe that students should do all their learning on their own and be very self-independent and self-motivated. So you may not get as much work from your courses/professors as in the States. This is also true for a doctoral degree. It seems easy as there aren't many requirements, but it's tough when one begins his/her PhD thesis, since they have to build up their background knowledge on their own (mostly).</p>
<p>5 Financial support
This is one area Oxbridge can't compete with top US schools. However, they do far better in providing financial support for international students, I think.
A number of scholarships offered by Oxbridge are specially reserved for applicants from certain countries, which ensures that the universities are well-represented in terms of students' backgrounds. Cambridge, for example, have special scholarships for certain African and Asian nationals. While US schools offer non-discriminatory finanical-aid, and because of this it's Americans who secure the financial aid (in most cases). Take Harvard's Education school, for example, only 10% of its student body are from abroad. Presumably, most international students can't get into Harvard because of its high tuition fees and very little financial aid allocated specifically for international students - my counsin was a visiting student at Harvard and he was told by a Harvard professor that as an international student it is extremely difficult to receive funding for your studies (at least at the beginning), unless you are super-intelligent student.<br>
Oxbridge do have plenty graduate scholarships for international students. Oxbridge also have non-discriminatory scholarships (called studentship)
(both UK/EU and overseas students are eligible to apply). These studentships are funded by UK research councils and in many cases overseas students can apply. But you have to pay the difference in amount between home and overseas tution fees. Cambridge seems to have many more scholarships than Oxford. But the sad thing is you can't reply on TA/RA assistantships. There aren't many at Oxbridge.</p>