Radcliffe Camera as seen from the steeple of St. Mary's Church in Oxford. The first colleges of Oxford were built in the 13th century, but it wasn't until 1878 that women were admitted to the university, 1920 when they were awarded degrees, and 1974 when the last of the all-male colleges opened their doors to women. There is also a legend that Hitler was intending to use Oxford as his capital if he conquered England.