Oxford University considering to open foreign campus first time in 700 years

LONDON: Oxford University could break with 700 years of tradition by establishing its first foreign campus after UK leaving the European Union.

According to the Telegraph report, the former director of the French ministry for education, Jean-Michel Blanquer, confirmed French authorities and institutions were working to bring the UK’s most revered universities to France and said officials had also spoken to representatives from the University of Warwick.

The University has concerns over funding especially after the Brexit vote.

Other universities, including Warwick, were approached with the idea to build a new campus in Paris in 2018.

It comes after France launched a charm offensive earlier this month to lure Britain’s bankers across the Channel after Britain voted to leave the EU. Oxford has been told that any campus opened in France could have French legal status and would continue to receive EU funding.

As part of the plans, British universities would “relocate” degree courses and study programmes and create joint degrees and research laboratories.

An Oxford spokesperson said no decision had yet been taken, but added: “Oxford has been an international university throughout its history and it is determined to remain open to the world whatever the future political landscape looks like.” Last month, Oxford University’s head of Brexit strategy Professor Alastair Buchan said being in Europe meant the university could “play in the top league”.

At an Education Select Committee meeting he said: “This a Manchester United problem isn’t it?”

“The idea that Manchester United would not recruit players and wouldn’t have fans and wouldn’t play abroad really means that we have got to do three things.