Oxford and Cambridge Rivalry - Oxbridge Co-operation

Oxbridge Co-operation

Despite the impassioned rivalry between the two universities, there is also much cooperation when the need arises. Most Oxford colleges have a sister college in Cambridge (but because Oxford has more colleges than Cambridge, not all Oxford colleges have a "sister"). Some Oxford and Cambridge colleges with the same name are 'sisters': for example, Jesus College, Cambridge and Jesus College, Oxford. However, namesakes are not always paired up: for example, St John's College, Oxford is the sister college of Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge, while St John's College, Cambridge is the sister college of Balliol College, Oxford. Arrangements between sister colleges vary, but may include reciprocal offers of accommodation to students from the other university when they are visiting.

Concerns are often raised that Oxford and Cambridge do not project a socially inclusive image to potential applicants from state schools, and thus Oxbridge students are disproportionately from wealthy backgrounds. The two universities have made individual and combined efforts in recent years to promote themselves to potential applicants from disadvantaged backgrounds. Each year, the Universities spend around £8 million on access schemes and there is a designated Access Officer in every JCR and students' union.