The system of academic degrees in the University of Oxford can be confusing to those not familiar with it. This is not merely because many degree titles date from the Middle Ages, but also because many changes have been haphazardly introduced in recent years. For example, the (medieval) B.D., B.M., B.C.L., etc., are postgraduate degrees, while the (modern) M.Phys., M.Eng., etc., are undergraduate degrees.

In postnominals, "University of Oxford" is normally abbreviated "Oxon.", which is short for (Academia) Oxoniensis: e.g. M.A. (Oxon.), although within the university itself the abbreviation "Oxf" is now officially preferred, despite its unpronounceability.