On The Collegiate System Of Oxford University And Cambridge University: 1249-1636

The collegiate system of Oxford University and Cambridge University dated from the Middle Ages during which the two universities appeared. Colleges were different from Houses. Colleges were built for the teachers and students who were studying in the senior faculties. The first colleges of Oxbridge were born in the late 13^th century. The expansion of the colleges affected the development of Oxbridge. At the middle of the 16^th century, colleges replaced the Houses and became the main places to live for the students of Oxbridge. At that time, colleges also became the center of teaching in the two universities. In 1570 and 1636, Cambridge and Oxford promulgated their own statutes, which were the sign of the establishment of the collegiate system of Oxbridge. To some extent, the formation of the collegiate system of Oxbridge was an automatic process, and it related to the characteristics and the cultural tradition of English nation. The collegiate system of Oxbridge made some impacts on the development of the higher education of Europe and America both in idea and practice. This thesis expounds the development of the collegiate system of Oxbridge from 1249 to 1636 by the retrospect of the origin, establishment, characteristics and influence of the collegiate system.