University of Oxford

The world's oldest English-speaking university, teaching there began in 1096, and arguably the most famous. When the University of Paris made the fateful decision to expel all foreign students in 1167, many English scholars returned from France to swell the campus student population. They were soon followed by the first known foreign scholar, Emo of Friesland, who arrived in 1190. The city still has a reputation for attracting students from all over the globe.

Oxford is famous for many traditions - one of which is its debating society's knack of regularly inviting controversial figures and authors to address the students and stir up adverse press coverage and protests. Notable people to have graced the colleges' lecture theatres since it was founded in the 11th century include actor Hugh Grant, British prime minister Tony Blair and US president Bill Clinton - all of whom had the chance to prepare for their careers by joining the Oxford Dramatic Society.