Oxford University

The Oxford (and Cambridge) education model differs from Mount Holyoke and study at other UK universities. Instead of lectures and seminars, Oxford offers a tutorial system, where students meet one-on-one or in small groups with a subject tutor (professor) who will provide guidance and feedback on your studies. Students meet with tutors and attend lectures for eight weeks a term during three, ten-week terms a year. During the long breaks between teaching terms, students consolidate and extend their reading and work in a subject.

No syllabi are available since you will create your curriculum with your personal tutor though tutorial descriptions may be available. Tutorials at Oxford are comparable to independent studies at Mount Holyoke.

Generally, you will meet your tutors on a weekly or bi-weekly basis over the term. You can expect your principal tutor to assign readings, lectures, practical laboratory work, and a topic for you to prepare and present, often in the form of a tutorial essay. These essays, based on extensive independent reading, are concentrated expressions of your analysis of each weekly topic. You can expect to prepare one or two essays per week, which your tutor will critique and help you develop.

Laboratory-based tutorials at all Oxford Colleges are limited in availability.

Grading in the UK is different than in the US. A grade of C- or better is required for transfer toward your Mount Holyoke degree. UK grades from 0-39% are considered failing.

The University of Oxford academic calendar is comprised of three eight-week terms, Michaelmas, Hilary and Trinity, separated by three vacations. Mount Holyoke students may choose from the following study periods:

• • Fall: Visiting student September seminar + Michaelmas term (early October to early December): Sept seminar and two tutorials

  • Spring: Hilary term ( mid-January to mid-March) + Trinity term (mid April to mid-June): four tutorials (two per term)

  • Academic Year: Michaelmas term + Hillary term + Trinity term (early October to mid-June); six tutorials (two per term)

• Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.7 (3.5 for Middlebury's Oxford Humanities program)

• Declared major with substantial coursework in the major and at least 4 semesters that will be completed prior to proposed term of study at Oxford

• Proof of Engish proficiency (for non-native English speakers who have not commpleted at least 2 years at Mount Holyoke at time of application): See Oxford University’ English language requirements for details.

Submit Mount Holyoke’s Request to Study Abroad in my.mountohlyoke by November 30 for the following academic year (fall, spring or year).

Oxford deadlines are earlier and admission is more competitive than other study abroad programs.

MCGI will review requests and make decisions for Oxford no later than mid-December. If approved, you will need to complete the Oxford application by mid or late January. You should be prepared to submit the following with your Oxford application, if approved by Mount Holyoke: an official transcript, two academic letters of recommendation, tutorial requests, personal statement of at least 500 words, and two (graded) academic writing samples.

You must also be accepted by the Oxford program. Because of Oxford's selectivity (due to limited space in the tutorial system), you are encouraged to also apply to a non-Oxford program.

It is strongly recommended that you only apply to one Oxford College. If the college you've applied to is oversubscribed in your subject area, they may ask you if they can share your application with another College.

Mount Holyoke College students may apply to study abroad via the following ways:

1. Direct enroll at St. Anne's College--Mount Holyoke has a longstanding partnership with St. Anne's.

2. Direct enroll at an Oxford University college--a number of Oxford College reserve a number of spots for visiting study abroad students.

3. Through Arcadia or IFSA, US-based study abroad providers--they have relationships with several of Oxford's colleges and will serve as an intermediary for your application, and provide advising, excursions and programming:
   Arcadia Abroad University of Oxford (Hertford, College, Lady Margaret Hall, Mansfield College, St. Anne's College, St. Catherine's College, St. Edmund Hall)
   IFSA Oxford University Partnership (Hertford College, Lady Margaret Hall, Mansfield College, Regent's Park College, St. Anne's College, St. Catherine's College, St. Edmund Hall, Worcester College)

4. Middlebury College-CMRS Oxford Humanities Program Affiliated with Keeble College, students participate in two tutorials, a seminar and research paper during the fall or spring.

In 2022-23, total costs for study during the fall at St. Anne's or one of the other Oxford colleges or either semester at Middlebury's program are roughly $33,000. Spring term via St. Anne's direct or another Oxford College direct is roughly $50,000 and a year is $80,000. St. Anne's direct requires full tuition payment in August whether you are studying abroad in the fall, spring or academic year. You will receive a detailed budget with your approval to study abroad.

Applying through IFSA or Arcadia will increase the cost as they provide additional services, excursions and support.

You will pay the programs directly for tuition and room fees.

The Oxford programs are not Laurel preferred programs. Students seeking Laurel fellowships (and/or seeking a back up alternative to Oxford) might consider the University of St. Andrews, the 3rd oldest university in the UK founded in 1413, (after Oxford and Cambridge). In 2021, St. Andrews took the top spot in The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide, beating Oxford and Cambridge for the first time in the guide's 30-year history.