Oxford Brookes University vs University of Oxford, Which is better?

Oxford Brookes University vs University of Oxford

Oxford Brookes University is a top public university in Oxford, England in the UK. It has a mid-size student body of 16,900 students. Admissions are quite selective since the Oxford Brookes acceptance rate is roughly 31%. Some of the most popular majors are Business; Engineering (particularly Automotive & Motorsport); Hospitality; Law; Architecture; Health & Life Sciences; Technology; and Design & Environment. Graduating 90% of students into work or further study within 15 months, Oxford Brookes alumni have a median starting salary of £31,800.

University of Oxford is a prestigious public collegiate research university based in Oxford, England in the UK. The university is of large size with an undergraduate student population of around 3,200 annually. Admissions are extremely competitive since the Oxford acceptance rate is merely around 17%. More popular subjects are Computing, Law, Business & Management, and demanding academic subjects of international renown. Getting 93% of students into good outcomes, Oxford graduates have an average salary of approximately £46,000 within five years after graduation—with high-earning subjects such as Law averaging £64,600, and Computing, Law, and Business graduates well above the national average.

Overview Comparison
Oxford Brookes UniversityUniversity of Oxford
Collegedunia Score4.2 Out of 108.9 Out of 10
ranking (overall)# 55 The Guardian 2026
# 374 QS World University 2026
# 801 Times Higher Education 2026
# 1 Times Higher Education 2026
# 1 The Guardian 2026
# 4 QS World University 2026
Subject Strength# 333 for Engineering by QS World University 2025
# 451 for Medicine by QS World University 2025
# 102 for Law by The Guardian 2026
# 2 for Engineering by QS World University 2025
# 3 for Data Science and Analytics by QS World University 2025
# 2 for Medicine by QS World University 2025
ProgramsUG Programs -79
PG Programs -93
UG Programs -22
PG Programs -43
Doctorate Programs -17
Acceptance Rate72.0 %0.0 %
Exam ScoreGMAT-590
IELTS-6
PTE-51
SAT-1250
GMAT-595
GRE-320
IELTS-7.5
TOEFL-110
Cost to StudyAverage Tuition Fees   17746.4
[For UG Program]
Average Tuition Fees  16998.0
[For PG Program]
Hostel + Meal - 16061 Per Year
Average Tuition Fees   51763
[For UG Program]
Average Tuition Fees  37894
[For PG Program]
Hostel + Meal - 13680 Per Year
placement (average package)

Some of the programs and the average salary are as follows:

PhD: $168,000

Doctorate: $112,000

MBA: $103,000

Masters in Finance: $62,000

Master (Other): $59,000

Other Degree: $53,000 


University of Oxford is one of the top public universities in Oxford, United Kingdom. It is ranked #4 in QS World University Rankings 2023.

  • Executive Masters  : $140,000 
  • Masters in Management  : $135,000 
  • Executive MBA : $127,000 
  • Masters of Arts :  $107,000 
  • LLM : $101,000 
  • Bachelor (Other) : $99,000 

application requirements

Submit official transcripts

Applicants must have minimum 65-70% on an average

Submit English language proficiency scores

Check program specific requirements

CBSE/ICSE/State Boards certificate with 85-95% (varies with program); 2-3 LORs; Personal Statement; Resume; Standardized test scores; Interview; Proof of English language proficiency; Additional Requirements (Work experience, Research proposals, etc.)

Campuses and B-SchoolsNASaid Business School
CollegeDunia Reviews6.5/10 Read 6 reviews8.3/10 Read 10 reviews

Top Courses Comparison

Top Courses Comparison

ranking# 49 for Business by The Guardian 2026
# 111 for Business by QS World University 2026
# 301 for Business by Times Higher Education 2025
# 1 for Business by The Guardian 2026
# 2 for Business by Times Higher Education 2025
# 5 for Business by QS World University 2025
exam scoresIELTS - 6.5/9PTE - 71/90TOEFL - 88/120IELTS - 7.5/9TOEFL - 110/120
cost to studyTotal Cost (Tuition + Living) -Total Cost (Tuition + Living) -106080
documents required#Letter of Recommendation + Statement of Purpose#Letter of Recommendation + Statement of Purpose
application datesSep 1, 2025 (Application Deadline For September 2025 Intake)
Sep 1, 2025 (Stage 1 Application Deadline For 2026 Intake)
Oct 1, 2025 (Stage 2 Application Deadline For 2026 Intake)
Oct 17, 2025 (Stage 1 Decision Deadline For 2026 Intake)
Nov 3, 2025 (Stage 3 Application Deadline For 2026 Intake)
Nov 14, 2025 (Stage 2 Decision Deadline For 2026 Intake)
Dec 12, 2025 (Stage 3 Decision Deadline For 2026 Intake)
Jan 7, 2026 (Stage 4 Application Deadline For 2026 Intake)
Mar 6, 2026 (Stage 4 Decision Deadline For 2026 Intake)
Mar 16, 2026 (Stage 5 Application Deadline For 2026 Intake)
Apr 24, 2026 (Stage 5 Decision Deadline For 2026 Intake)
General Facts Comparison
General FactsOxford Brookes UniversityUniversity of Oxford
Type of UniversityUniversity
University
Established1865
1096
Student:Faculty Ratio17:1
:1
Male:Female41% Male, 59% Female2597% Male, 0% Female
Location Facts

University has four campuses. Headington Campus is the largest campus and is set across 3 sites (Gipsy Lane, Headington Hill and Marston Road). Harcourt Hill Campus is 3 miles from Oxford city centre and a 30-minute bus ride from Headington Campus. Swindon Campus is located in the Delta Business Park in West Swindon.  Wheatley campus is seven miles east of Oxford city centre and a short bus ride to Headington Campus.


A collegiate research university in Oxford, England; 39 Oxford colleges; located in south England, 90 minutes from London.


Library

The university has 4 four libraries with one library at each location. The library provides various resources like e-books, journals, publications, databases etc. 


University has over 100 libraries. Bodleian Libraries include university’s main library and 30 other libraries across Oxford having over 12 million printed books and  80,000 e-journals. Also, every college has its own library.


Campus Life

Oxford Brookes Students' Union is the students' union of the university. It is a member-led organisation and all students are automatically members. The union offers a range of services for students; it hosts a number of student societies, a safety bus service, an advice service, and a system of student representatives.There are currently 12 student halls four of which are on Headington campus, two on the Harcourt Hill campus, one on the Wheatley campus and three more halls around Headington. In addition, there are five privately operated halls of residence which are managed in partnership with the university by housing associations: Slade Park Student Apartments, Parade Green, Sinnet Court Student Apartments, Beech House Student Accommodation and Dorset House Student Apartments. BrookesBus is a public bus service operated under contract by the Oxford Bus Company which operates between all Brookes campuses and student halls in Oxford. Headington Campus is home to the award-winning John Henry Brookes Building, which extends over six floors, providing a stimulating space in which you can study and research. There are a wide range of facilities across these floors including a library, teaching rooms and lecture theatres of various sizes. There is also a social area to meet your fellow students for coffee, work and a catch-up. It is open round-the-clock during revision times with a help zone, roving advisors and assisted learning facilities. There is a purpose-built Students' Union and the support and health services are brought together in a convenient one-stop shop - Student Central. University has an excellent sports centre at Headington, offering something for everyone, whether you want to use the fitness suite or heavy weights room, or join one of the many university sports teams. Facilities include badminton courts, squash courts, basketball courts, football, hockey and rugby pitches and a climbing walls. 


University has over 400 student societies including Oxford Union (debating society), Music Society, Dramatic Society, etc. Two weekly university newspapers are published: Cherwell and The Oxford Student. 


Hostel#Rooms - $12261
#Accommodation - $9900
Famous Alumni

Edward Abel – cricketer
Maitha Al Mahrouqi – Undersecretary for Tourism in Oman
Masih Alinejad – Iranian-American journalist, author, and women's rights activist
Adeel Akhtar – actor, and BAFTA award winner
Peace Anyiam-Osigwe – lawyer and the founder of Africa Movie Academy Awards.
Lady Margarita Armstrong-Jones – granddaughter of Princess Margaret and grand-niece of Queen Elizabeth II


30 British Prime Ministers, 55 Nobel Prize winners, 120 Olympic medal winners; Helen Fielding (author), Edward de Bono (philosopher), Hugh Grant (actor), Stephen Hawking (physicist), Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi (cricketer)


City Life

Oxford is a diverse and historic city, just a short distance to the west of London. It’s a major British and European centre for the arts, science, technology and innovation, and a fantastic place to live and study. For centuries, scholars, artists, writers, scientists and film-makers have found inspiration in Oxford’s spectacular architecture—the city’s famous ‘dreaming spires’. Oxford’s complex history has given rise to its unique character. Around the splendid, medieval core of the ancient University and its colleges, there’s a bustling, welcoming modern city. Oxford is one of the most culturally diverse cities in the UK, with a vibrant and cosmopolitan community. Home to two major universities, it has some 40,000 students, almost a quarter of the city’s population, who come from all over the world.  In Oxford, you’re never far away from green spaces—there are parks, gardens and meadows throughout the city, which is also surrounded by rolling countryside. The rivers running through the city give rise to Oxford’s famous traditions of rowing and punting, with miles of scenic waterways to enjoy. Importantly, Oxford is also well known as a safe city. 


The city is center for art and culture and has an amazing nightlife to offer. It has museums with ancient Egyptian artifacts, a new theatre dedicated to comedy scenes, and modern art galleries. The rive Isis beautifies the whole city. There are various authentic cuisine cafes and restaurants in the city offering a wide variety of food and drinking options. The unemployment rate is 3.1%


Weather
Comparison Notes

Difference between Oxford Brookes University vs University of Oxford

Subject Strength


Oxford Brookes University has a good standing in certain applied fields. Oxford Brookes University ranks 374 worldwide in QS World University Rankings 2026. It is especially recognized for Hospitality & Leisure Management (#21 internationally), Architecture, and Business-related applied research. Oxford Brookes also enjoys a good standing in Automotive Engineering and Nursing within the UK context.

The University of Oxford, position #3 in QS 2025, is one of the world's most elite universities. It is a leader in many subjects: Medicine (#2 in the world), Law (#2), Arts & Humanities (#2), and Computer Science (#3). Oxford's subject strength is practically unbeatable, covering a wide range of sciences, social sciences, and humanities.

General Information


Oxford Brookes University, originally a School of Art established in 1865 and later evolved into a polytechnic before it became a university in 1992, is located in Oxford, England. It hosts around 16,000 students and is known for its innovative teaching style, global collaborations, and professional studies.

The University of Oxford, founded in 1096, is the world's oldest English-speaking university. It has more than 27,000 students, a student-to-faculty ratio of roughly 11:1. Oxford is composed of 39 independent colleges, blending ancient traditions with advanced research.

Acceptance Rate


Oxford Brookes University accepts around 31% of applicants, making it relatively selective, although admission requirements are different for each program.

The University of Oxford is very selective with an acceptance rate of around 17% for all undergraduates, though courses like Medicine, PPE, and Law take in fewer than 10% of applicants.

Location Facts


Oxford Brookes University is based in the city of Oxford alongside the University of Oxford, where students enjoy access to the city's academic and cultural heritage. It operates from several campuses, with Headington being the biggest. The city's lively student population and good transport connections to London are enjoyed by the students.

The University of Oxford is also Based in the city of Oxford, with colleges, libraries, and ancient buildings contributing to the identity of the city. Oxford itself is renowned for its scholarly environment, historic appeal, and cultural heritage, attracting students and tourists from across the globe.

Hostel Fees


Oxford Brookes University provides accommodation from around £6,800 to £8,500 per year, depending on the hall and facilities.

The University of Oxford fees between £7,800 to £9,500 annually for college living, varying by room category and meal availability.

Salary Package & Recruitment Process


The average starting salary earned by Oxford Brookes University graduates is approximately £27,000. Employability is strong in business, hospitality, design, and engineering. Companies employing graduates include BMW (with its Mini facility in Oxford), NHS, Deloitte, and AccorHotels.

University of Oxford alumni are the recipients of average starting salaries of around £46,000, with certain subjects (e.g., Law, Consulting, Finance) substantially above this. Oxford graduates possess a unique international network, including among top recruiters McKinsey, Goldman Sachs, Google, the UN, and top law firms.

Infrastructure


Oxford Brookes University boasts of contemporary campuses with top-of-the-line teaching facilities, simulation laboratories, and innovation hubs. Its collaboration with BMW provides it with a competitive advantage in the field of automotive engineering. It also has libraries, sports centers, and a prominent student union.

The University of Oxford has more than 100 libraries, such as the Bodleian, which is one of Europe's largest. Its facilities for research, museums (Ashmolean, Natural History), and international resources are unparalleled. Oxford's facilities blend old architecture with cutting-edge labs, which make up for its balance between tradition and modernity.