A vote of the university "congregation" was 351 to 153 against the proposal.

The rejection of the scheme, part of a reform package, was said to be "to ensure the paramount principle of academic freedom".

Afterwards the university registrar said it was clear there were concerns on which Oxford's policy-making council would now wish to reflect.

The resolution approved by congregation rejected any "mandatory system of joint university-college review of individual contributions, with scope to enhance financial rewards, re-balance academic duties, and address under-performance".

The proposed scheme is part of a reform package proposed by the new vice-chancellor, John Hood.

The registrar, David Holmes, said: "This afternoon's debate was an opportunity for members of congregation to discuss one specific aspect of the green paper on the University's Academic Strategy.

"It is clear that there are concerns about how a contribution review system would work in practice, and council will now wish to reflect on these."

While the university council sets policy, final responsibility for legislative matters rests with congregation - comprising more than 3,200 members of the academic, senior research, library, museum and administrative staff.