I'm really interested in this conversation, because I'm currently applying for fall 2014, and I'm looking at schools in the UK (including Oxford) and schools in the US. My principal area of interest looks at elements that emerge out of western European pre-medieval and medieval literatures and folklores, and are carried forward to appear in modern works (largely fantasy, but not limited to this). For instance, my undergraduate thesis dealt with the concept of Faërie/the Otherworld, primarily in pre-medieval mythology and medieval literature, but also in Tolkien's fiction. I'm wondering if you have any suggestions as to whether Oxford would be a good or poor fit for this kind of research. On the one hand, they have a good medieval program, which is essential, but I would also need advisors who are supportive of extracanonical research.
Also, regarding the issue of teaching while studying in Britain and the limiting effect of the job market, I wonder if you have any advice for me. While I'm looking at schools in the US, I would greatly prefer to study and work in Britain for a number of years. The problem is, I don't really want to stay there for my entire career, and my understanding is that it's harder to study in one country and work in another. Are there things that can be done to mitigate this issue?