Top subjects to study at Oxford in 2025

The University of Oxford is one of the oldest teaching establishments in the world. It’s made up of 39 colleges and six private halls. Each college has its own distinct identity, traditions and facilities within the larger university community. Home to the Bodleian Library, one of the oldest and largest university libraries in Europe, its extensive collection of books, manuscripts, and historical documents makes it a valuable resource for academic research. 

Why study at Oxford 

Oxford has a strong connection to literature with famous authors such as J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis and Oscar Wilde having been associated with the university. This literary heritage along with a wide range of cultural, artistic, and sporting activities including the annual Oxford-Cambridge Boat Race, adds to its unique character. It also attracts many international students, giving the city a more multicultural feel.  

Best subjects to study at Oxford 

The University of Oxford has a long-standing rivalry with the University of Cambridge and has consistently taken first or second place in our UK league table rankings over the years. For example, Oxford was number one in 2023 but lost its crown to Cambridge in 2024 and again this year, slipping to second spot.  

Oxford appears an impressive 38 times in our top ten subject tables. It comes in as the number one place to study eight of those subjects including English, which is no surprise given its literary history. The full list includes:

• African & Middle Eastern Studies
• Anthropology
• Art & Design
• Asian Studies
• Biomedical Sciences
• Business & Management Studies
• Chemical Engineering
• English

Apply for courses at the University of Oxford

To find out more about any of the subjects above or the careers you can do after studying them, take a look at our subject and careers guides. If you're considering studying any of these subjects elsewhere, why not explore our subject league tables to see who else ranks highly for these subjects, or try Uniselect to find the best university for you?