There had been speculation for some time that Chelsea Clinton planned to follow in her father's footsteps and take a postgraduate degree at the university.

Helping to entertain a crowd of 15,000 people as rain interrupted play, Mr Clinton said: "I'll be back next year - my daughter is about to enrol at Oxford for graduate studies, so I'll be coming back a lot".

"Maybe you can find some way to require me to pay taxes here since I'm coming back so much."

It is believed Chelsea will study for a Master of Philosophy on an International Relations course at University College.

Graduation

Chelsea has just graduated from Stanford University in California where she majored in history.

Stuart Hudson from Oxford's Student Union welcomed news of Chelsea's imminent arrival.

"We were delighted that she applied to Oxford and delighted that she was accepted," he said.

The fact that Chelsea had chosen Oxford for her post-graduate studies over the American Ivy League confirmed Oxford's reputation for excellence, he added.

University's silence

But the university has refused to confirm news of Chelsea's place.

A university spokesperson said: "We understand that a number of options for further study at Oxford have been discussed with Ms Clinton".

"However, we are unable to comment on the individual application of any student, as the application process is confidential."

Mr Clinton studied politics at University College, Oxford between 1968 and 1970 under the Rhodes Scholarship scheme, which helps students from the United States to study at the University of Oxford.