Divisions of the University of Oxford


The academic faculties, schools, and departments of the University of Oxford are organized into four divisions, each under the leadership of a divisional head and a divisional board. The divisions are the Humanities Division; the Social Sciences Division; the Mathematical, Physical and Life Sciences Division; and the Medical Sciences Division.

Humanities Division

The Humanities Division comprises the following faculties and departments:
The Humanities Division has been physically expanding into the new Radcliffe Observatory Quarter in Oxford. The current Head of the Humanities Division is Professor Daniel Grimley, who was appointed in January 2022. Professor Sally Shuttleworth was Head from 2006 to 2011, Professor Shearer West served as Head between August 2011 and 2015, and Chris Wickham until 2018.

Medical Sciences Division

Medicine has been taught at the University of Oxford since the 13th century. In 1770, John Radcliffe, an Oxford-educated physician founded the Radcliffe Infirmary.
The Medical Sciences Division comprises the following departments:
For the research institutes:
The current Head of the Division is Gavin Screaton, the current Divisional Registrar & Chief Operating Officer is Chris Price. Professor Alastair Buchan was head from 2007 to 2017

Mathematical, Physical and Life Sciences Division

The Mathematical, Physical and Life Sciences Division comprises the following academic departments:
The current head of the Mathematical, Physical and Life Sciences Division is Professor James Naismith, appointed in 2023 and taking office in October 2023. From 2007 to 2015, the head was Professor Alex Halliday. Professor Sam Howison led the division from 2019 to 2023.

Social Sciences Division

The Social Sciences Division represents the largest grouping of social sciences of any university in the United Kingdom. As a major provider of social science research, it is accredited by the Economic and Social Research Council as a Doctoral Training Centre of excellence in research training.
The Social Sciences Division comprises the following schools and departments:
From 2021 the division's head is Professor Timothy Power. From 2008 to 2017 the head was Professor Roger Goodman.

Gardens, Libraries and Museums

The Gardens, Libraries and Museums administers the following entities:
In 2016, Academic Services and University Collections changed its name to Gardens, Libraries and Museums. GLAM is overseen by the directors of the six GLAM departments chaired by the Pro-Vice-Chancellor, as of 2024 Richard Ovenden.

Department for Continuing Education

The Department for Continuing Education works with the divisions to promote continuing education.