Oxford University’s college system is in need of reform, the vice-Chancellor has said, as she bemoaned the “waste of resources” that the current set-up gives rise to.

Professor Louise Richardson said that “much of the success of Oxford University can be attributed to its devolved structure” but expressed concern about the “duplication” of bureaucracy.

She suggested that unless Oxford reforms its “sclerotic” administrative structure, the university faces “slow but definite decline”.

Attempts to centralise functions at Oxford have in the past been controversial as the autonomy of colleges is fiercely defended by dons.

Addressing academics and lecturers at her annual Oration, a special meeting of Congregation which takes place at start of each academic year, she that changes are necessary at a time of “ever increasing regulatory burdens” on universities.