They were quickly seen as opportunities for great men to enhance their prestige through generous endowments and substantial buildings. Each is governed by a Head of House and a number of Fellows, who are academics specializing in a wide variety of disciplines, most of whom also hold University posts. There are also six Permanent Private Halls, which were founded by different Christian denominations, and still retain a religious character. The halls have similar powers and duties as colleges. Thirty colleges and all six halls admit students for both undergraduate and graduate degrees.
Colleges receive fees for educating students, board and lodging charges and income from endowments.
Through a College Contributions Fund, better endowed colleges contribute to the needs of poorer colleges. No student can become a member of the University without being admitted by a college or hall. Colleges and halls select their own students, provide accommodation, meals, common rooms, libraries, sports and social facilities and pastoral care. They provide teaching through the tutorial system which plays an essential role in all Oxford courses. The University The University, in the narrower sense of the central institution, provides the curricular framework within which college teaching takes place, as well as a wide range of resources for teaching and learning in the form of libraries, laboratories, museums, computing facilties and so on.