The Peculiar Affairs of the English Universities

Here are revealing reasons as to why England only had two universities in the middle-ages to now becoming the best in the world today. A fascinating read.

What was the oath that prevented England having more universities in the middle ages?

The oath that significantly limited the establishment of new universities in England was known as the "Test Act". Specifically, the Test Act of 1673 required all public officeholders and university graduates to take an oath of allegiance and adhere to the doctrines of the Church of England. This effectively barred Catholics and dissenters from obtaining degrees and holding positions in the universities, which stifled educational diversity and limited the ability of non-Anglican faiths from establishing new universities.

Additionally, there was a historical context involving the “Act of Uniformity” and other acts that enforced a strict Anglican orthodoxy in English society, leading to significant restrictions on educational establishments that did not conform to these religious standards. The impact of these acts lasted for many years, contributing to a stunted growth of universities in England compared to other countries, particularly in the fields of science and dissenting thought. The situation did not begin to change significantly until the 19th century with the rise of new universities and the eventual repeal of these oaths and acts.

Historically, England had few universities, primarily the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge, founded in the medieval period. Several factors contributed to this limited number:

1. Historical Development: The earliest universities, which arose during the Middle Ages, focused on religious studies and were influenced by the Church's authority.
2. Limited Demand: The demand for higher education was low, mainly serving clergy and the elite, as the majority of the population did not require advanced education.
3. Regional Nature: Education was often localized, with vocational training provided through apprenticeships and guilds rather than universities.
4. Regulation and Tradition: The establishment of new universities was hindered by the power and prestige of existing institutions and regulatory barriers set by religious and governmental authorities.
5. 19th Century Expansion: The landscape of higher education began to change in the 19th century, with new institutions like University College London and Durham University emerging in response to societal needs driven by the Industrial Revolution.
6. Later Developments: The 20th century saw a significant increase in the number of universities, including polytechnics, as the demand for higher education grew.

Overall, while England historically had only a couple of universities, the higher education landscape evolved significantly, leading to the diverse range of universities available today.

Two Posters replies on why England only had two universities:

• The reason is was the Stamford Oath, which was introduced in the reign of Edward III. This meant that there was an effective ban on the creation of any universities other the Oxford and Cambridge in England. This was successfully challenged in the 1830s by the creation of University College, London. The focus had been on Colleges within those 2 universities, which they had loads.

Another poster said:

• "Professors in Oxford and Cambridge had to give an undertaking not to start another University. But those undertakings could not apply in Scotland, due to the different legal systems, so in due course, Scotland had four universities to England’s two. I studied in Edinburgh after not getting into Oxford (so relatively familiar with Oxford too), I always feel the part of this claim that is missed out is that Oxford and Cambridge are a collection of colleges, and as such each one of them alone would've been much larger than all 4 ancient Scottish universities combined, particularly in the middle ages/early modern period, when Edinburgh for example didn't even have a formal college building, and professors simply used to invite students into their homes for lectures!"

And what were these colleges? Before the English Reformation, the University of Oxford (which is one of the oldest universities in the world) had a number of colleges: University College, founded around 1249, Balliol College in 1263, and Merton College in 1264. By the time of the Reformation in the 16th century, there were around 15 colleges at Oxford. The exact number can vary slightly depending on how one counts the establishment of various institutions, but significant colleges like Exeter in 1314, Oriel in 1326, and others were established before this period. The process of foundation and formal recognition continued throughout the Middle Ages and into the early modern period.As regards Cambridge, Peterhouse College was founded in 1284 (the oldest college in Cambridge). Clare College in 1326 (originally founded as "University Hall" and refounded as Clare College). Pembroke College 1347; King's College 1441 (one of the most famous colleges, known for its chapel and choir). Queens' College in 1448, and St John's College in 1511 (though technically founded shortly after the start of the Reformation, it was established as a response to earlier collegiate models). These colleges were established during the late medieval period, leading up to the Reformation, which began in the early 16th century. The exact number of colleges varied over the years, with other lesser-known or informal institutions existing prior to the Reformation. However, the above are the main colleges recognized today. And just out is:

• Oxford, named the best university in the world for a record ninth consecutive year. by the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2024.

Oxford University's claim to fame is:

• 27 UK Prime Ministers, 20 Archbishops of Canterbury, 12 saints, 28 Nobel laureates, 50 Nobel Prize winners, and one Sir Stephen Hawking.

Cambridge University's claim to fame is:

• 121 Nobel laureates, 15 British prime ministers, 11 Fields medalists, and one Sir Isaac Newton.

Cambridge was granted a royal charter in 1231 from King Henry III, and it is the second oldest university (after Oxford 1096, Cambridge 1209) in the English-speaking world.

Nottingham too is also one of the best. If you go to the website ‘Russell Group’ online, it has 24 world-class members. On Nottingham it says:

• “It was the first British university to establish a campus in Malaysia, in 2000, and the first foreign university to open a campus in China, in 2004.”

Continuing with Nottingham University, it goes on to mention Nottingham physicist Englishman Peter Mansfield and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI):

• “In UK universities, 32% of the university’s research was rated world-leading, and a further 49% rated internationally excellent. One example of great research that has had global impact is that of Professor Sir Peter Mansfield, who was awarded the 2003 Nobel Prize for Physiology or Medicine for his discovery of magnetic resonance imaging, now used in hospitals worldwide.”

We also have some of the oldest public schools, having 7 of the top 10 schools in the world are in England:

1. Sherborne, Dorset 705 CE
2. Beverley, East Riding of Yorkshire 700
3. Royal Grammar, Worcester 685
4. Thetford, Norfolk 631
5. St Peter's, York 627
6. King's, Rochester 604
7. King's, Canterbury 597