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St. Peter's College, Oxford University

  • Required GPA: 3.0 (4.0 scale)
  • Length of program: 6 weeks, early July to mid-August
  • Application deadlines: April 1
  • Program advisor: Beth Ehrsam
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Program Snapshot

oxford

We’re so excited that you’re considering an IFSA-Butler program for your summer abroad and have chosen St. Peter's College, Oxford University as your destination. Oxford is a beautiful city with a wonderful mix of the ancient and modern. We’re sure you’re going to love studying there!

There are a few specific forms for this program that you will need to complete along with your IFSA-Butler application. You can find the forms under the Forms tab.

What St. Peter’s College has to offer

  • Intensive study at one of the most prestigious universities in the world
  • Location in the heart of Oxford, near libraries, museums, theatres and shops
  • Weekly field excursions designed to introduce you to sites of exceptional importance in England’s literary heritage
  • Evening lectures given by distinguished speakers from the university and wider world that are organized around special banquets and receptions

Housing

  • Single bedrooms
  • Housing is within walking distance of the college
  • Program fee includes three meals a day Monday through Saturday and dinner service only on Sundays

Academics

  • Choose one of three program options: English Literature; Environmental Studies; and Medieval Studies
  • Courses are taught through a program of tutorials, seminars and lectures
  • English Literature and Medieval Studies students earn 6 U.S. semester credit hours for program; Environmental Studies students and those who opt for the four-day field excursion earn 8 credits
  • Tutorials are shared with other international summer program students

We look forward to working with you!


Academics

Academic Structure

St. Peter’s offers three programs:
• English Literature
• Environmental Studies*
• Medieval Studies*

*St. Peter's College charges an additional £495 for participation in the four-day field excursion. It is a required component of the Environmental Studies and Medival Studies courses, and is optional for the English Literature course. Students who participate in the field excursion (including those who are required to participate) must pay the excursion fee to the College directly.

Within each program, there are three to four course options that may be available to you. Although the topics will differ, the general structure of each program is the same. Programs are taught through a combination of tutorials, seminars and lectures. Students in each program will go on field visits ranging from a sightseeing trip of British landscapes to a Jane Austen country excursion.

Tutorials: The weekly tutorial is the cornerstone of the course. Each student prepares an essay for the upcoming tutorial session in which students meet in a small group (maximum of six people) to discuss their essays with a tutor or don, a specialist in the respective field of study.

Seminars: Seminars allow a larger group of students (10–15) to gather and discuss broader topics related to the program, without focusing so much on the individual essays prepared for the tutorials.

Lectures: Lectures offer students the opportunity to listen to distinguished speakers on a variety of interdisciplinary topics, both in and out of their field of study.

4 day excursion: Development of British Landscapes
Many parts of the British Isles record almost continuous human settlement from the end of the last global episode of the Ice Age 10,000 years ago, embracing inter alia periods of Neolithic (upper Stone Age), Bronze & Iron Age, Roman and Anglo-Saxon settlement prior to the Norman Conquest, the High Middle Ages, Industrial Revolution and Modern periods. They provide a magnificent opportunity for direct study of a full range of environmental changes in an enjoyable academic and social atmosphere.

How do I prepare for a tutorial?
In researching and writing the assigned essay, students consult a list of books, journals and/or research materials they have received from the tutor and also explore related materials. In this
way students bring to the essay and the subsequent discussion a variety of information, which will also stimulate their thinking on the subject. This is a highly individualized method of learning, and tutorials can often be tailored to the student. Keep this in mind when discussing the subject for the next tutorial.

Preparing for a tutorial is much different than studying for a class or a test. It requires independence, self-discipline and self-motivation. The great advantage of the tutorial is that for an entire hour, a student has the undivided attention of an expert in the subject at hand. However, be prepared for the fact that Visiting Students, like degree students at Oxford, must become accustomed to self-directed study and working independently. Tutors will not simply offer facts and information because they will expect students to present their own thoughts and ideas.

When will I know if I’ve been accepted?
Your program advisor will contact you via phone and/or e-mail when you’ve been accepted by St. Peter’s College. Acceptance decisions generally take about two to three weeks once your application is complete and sent overseas. 

Courses

What courses am I eligible to take?
Students at St. Peter’s will only register under one program and will take only one course within that program. The courses tend to be very in-depth and intensive. You must take courses for academic credit, and you must complete all course work and exams (if applicable) to obtain credit on the Butler University transcript. 

English Literature - 6 credit course:
Option 1: Studying Shakespeare
Option 2: Reading Jane Austen
Option 3: The Inklings in Oxford (J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis et al.)
Option 4: Introduction to Topics in the English Language

Medieval Studies - 6 credit course:
Option 1: Medieval Britain: 1042-1321
Option 2: Death, Nature and the Supernatural in Medieval Literature
Option 3: Medieval Margins: Identity and Otherness

Environmental Studies:
Option 1: Climate Change: Global Risk & Management
Option 2: Environmental Change: British Landscape Development From 11,500 BP-1700 AD

What if I need to take a required course?
Please be aware that IFSA-Butler cannot guarantee that your host university will offer a particular course, or that you will be allowed to take that particular course. However, if you need to take a required course, you may indicate that it is required on your tutorial preference form. Your IFSA-Butler program advisor will communicate your needs to your host university.

For more information, please click here.

Course Restrictions

As an IFSA-Butler student, you are entitled to enroll in undergraduate courses for which you are qualified and in which space is available. Course descriptions in the online course catalog include prerequisites you must fulfill in order to enroll in each course when applicable. You can only under one program and will take only one course within that program.

Credits

How many courses am I eligible to take, and how do I determine U.S. semester credit hours?
IFSA-Butler requires students to enroll in a full summer course load at the host institution as determined by IFSA-Butler. At St. Peter’s a full summer course load consists of one course for 6 U.S. semester credit hours. Completion of all coursework, exams and field trips are included in the 6 U.S. semester credit hours. Environmental Studies students will receive 8 U.S. semester credit hours for an intensive field excursion required for their course. Students studying within English or Medieval Studies have the option of earning an additional 2 U.S. semester credits if they would like to participate in the field excursion and write an additional 2000-word paper on a subject of their choice relating to the excursion and approved by St. Peter’s College.

Registration

What are the registration conditions?
You must take a full University of Oxford summer course load as determined by IFSA-Butler. Credit will be awarded on a Butler University transcript based on a typical U.S. full course load. All courses are graded on an A–F scale, and there is no provision for auditing or pass/fail courses unless pass/fail is the only method of assessment for the course. You are not allowed to register for online, distance education or hybrid courses.

You should also be aware that you may be charged additional fees by your home institution or host university to take or process additional credits. Taking less than a full course load may jeopardize your student status and result in personal academic repercussions and/or loss of financial aid.


Exams

What do I need to know about exams?
Because of the differences in the academic systems, most students will not take exams at the St. Peter’s summer school. However, you will need to complete and submit all academic work prior to departing the program. Please refer to your program calendar to review the program dates. 

Transcripts

How will my home university know what my tutorials were and what grades I received?
After you have returned to the U.S., your home university will receive a Butler University transcript with the credit you earned at the University of Oxford.

The Butler University transcript will report the equivalent U.S. semester credit hours and letter grades. We also will send an official transcript to your permanent address. After you receive your Butler University transcript, both you and your home school advisor will receive copies of your tutorial reports containing helpful feedback from your tutors.

Housing

Housing Options

What are my housing options?
Summer school students will live in college (on-site dormitory housing) at Magdalen College. A typical room is a single-study bedroom with a desk, wardrobe (closet) and sink. Bed linens and towels are provided. Many of the bedrooms are en suite (bathroom included) with a shared common area, but this cannot be guaranteed. Please keep in mind that while IFSA-Butler guarantees housing, we cannot guarantee your preferences.

What other facilities are available?
Summer students will have access to the Bodleian Library, the main university library. The Bodleian is not a lending library, so all books must be read on the premises. The great advantage of the Bodleian is that it is one of a handful of copyright libraries in the United Kingdom, which means that it receives a copy of every book published in the U.K. It also is the repository for many valuable manuscripts and early printed editions and is a world-class research library, hence the restrictions on its use. The student union and Oxford sporting facilities will not be available to summer students.

 

Meals

Is there a meal plan?
Three meals are included Monday through Friday and brunch on the weekends. Once a week, the college holds a reception with a lecture from a distinguished guest speaker, followed by a formal dinner in the dining hall. Students should dress appropriately (no jeans) for these occasions.

Housing FAQs

Is my housing included in the program fee?
Yes. Your program fee includes accommodation at the university while classes are in session.

When will I receive my housing assignment?
You will most likely receive your housing assignment one to two weeks before your departure. However, in some cases you may not receive your housing assignment until you arrive in England for orientation. Your program advisor will notify you of your housing assignment via e-mail when it is released by the university.

Please keep in mind that while IFSA-Butler guarantees housing, we cannot guarantee your preferences.

Do I have to pay a housing deposit?
No. Summer students are not required to pay a housing deposit.

Can I arrange my own housing?
Yes. IFSA-Butler recognizes that some students require independent housing for their time abroad. If you choose not to take advantage of our guaranteed housing, you may sign up for independent housing on the housing preference form. Once you’ve made this choice, we will not provide housing for you or bill you for the accommodation fee.

Please be advised that housing costs can be high abroad, and many times students living independently end up spending more money than students living in IFSA-Butler arranged housing. If you are hoping to save money by arranging housing on your own, please research your options early so you can compare costs. You must notify us of your intention to live in independent housing May 1 for summer programs. We are not able to accommodate independent housing requests after this date.

Location Info

Living and Studying Abroad in Oxford, England

About Oxford
Population: 170,000
Location:Oxfordshire, in south central England

City features

  • Bustling, modern city anchored by an air of academic tradition
  • A diverse population and an urban edge
  • Incredible architecture, from medieval to Victorian to modern
  • Museums, theatres, cinemas, concert halls, drama clubs, debating societies, river sports and a wealth of entertainment resources.
  • In addition to many cultural events at the colleges, the city offers plenty of pubs and bars for nightlife

Do more!

  • Participate in Oxford traditions such as punting (boating) on the River Isis (Thames) and Cherwell and caroling from the Magdalen church tower on May Day
  • Take day trips to the beautiful Cotswolds, Warwick Castle, Blenheim Palace and Stratford-upon-Avon, home to William Shakespeare
  • Catch a bus or train London, about an hour away

Links
Oxford University
Oxfordshire Link
Cotswolds Tourism
Stratford-upon-Avon
Warwick Castle
This is Oxfordshire

Dates & Fees

Program Dates

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Your program end date may change due to circumstances beyond IFSA-Butler's control. Upon arrival at your host university, be sure to verify your exam schedule and program end date. We also strongly recommend that you investigate fees and penalties associated with your airline tickets in case you need to make date or route changes.

Program housing is available only until the day shown on the calendar as “Program ends.”

Exams must be taken where and when scheduled. Under no circumstances may students request that an exam time be changed. 

Program Fees

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What's included in our summer program fees
Expense calculator

 

Payment Due: May 15

Program Fee Bills
IFSA-Butler will send a single bill for the entire program fee, which includes tuition, services and housing. Students who opt for independent housing will not be charged the housing component of the program fee.

Housing
The housing component of our program fee is based on the average cost of local student self-catering accommodation, usually a shared room in a regular dormitory, apartment or house without any extra features.

**The program fee includes three meals per day Monday through Friday and brunch on weekends.

Personal Cost Estimates

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Expense calculator

These figures are designed to assist students with financial planning but are only estimates based on past students’ experiences at the current exchange rate. They do not include any entertainment or vacation travel costs.

The above numbers are general estimates of expenses during a program abroad. We recommend taking into account your current spending habits, the cost of living in your host country and the current exchange rate. Your IFSA-Butler program advisor can be helpful as you attempt to work on a personal budget for your experience abroad.

**Meals: The housing component of our program fee includes three meals per day Monday through Friday and brunch on weekends.

Personal Miscellaneous: Covers general expenses of college life, including course supplies, photocopying, toiletries, snacks, personal care, etc.

All costs are in U.S. dollars.

Forms

To apply to the St. Peter's College summer program, use our easy online application.

Applicants to the St. Peter's College summer program must complete additional forms as part of the application process:

We must receive these forms before we can send your application to St. Peter's College for an admissions decision. They can be sent to IFSA-Butler via email, fax or regular mail. Please submit these forms with the remainder of your program application.

If you have already started an application to the St. Peter's College summer program, you can track which forms IFSA-Butler has received by logging into the student portal.


Meet Your IFSA-Butler Team

IFSA-Butler has a dedicated team of staff who are here to help students prepare for their program in England:

beth oxfordProgram Advisor Beth Ehrsam assists with the application process and is here to answer program, cultural and academic questions before departure. Beth can be reached at the email link above or at 800-858-0229, ext. 9279. Beth has been with the Institute for Study Abroad for the past three years. Beth spent her junior year studying abroad at Trinity College Dublin with IFSA-Butler and now enjoys being on the other side of the application process advising students during the application and pre-departure process.


altStudent Accounts Coordinator Angelita Shaffer assists with the financial side of study abroad and processes payments and invoices. Angelita can be reached at the email link above or at 317-940-4221.

 

 

 

altStudent & Parent Services Manager Donnetta Spears is available to both students and parents for travel questions and information. Donnetta has worked with IFSA-Butler since 2000, and she has traveled through parts of Europe, Latin America, Australia and New Zealand. As the mother of 4 college students (including one who studied abroad on an IFSA-Butler program), she has a deep understanding of the ins-and-outs of study abroad from a parent perspective. Donnetta can be reached at the email link above or at 317-940-4252.



Once abroad, our students are in the capable hands of our on-site office, including our resident directors. Click here to read more about Resident Directors Lynne Alvarez and Andrew Williams.


altUpon return from your study abroad program, Assistant Director for Academic Affairs Rhonda Hinkle processes your Butler University transcript and assists with any academic record queries. Rhonda completed her undergraduate coursework at the University of Evansville and received her master's degree from Bowling Green State University. Currently she is working on her Doctorate in Adult, Community and Higher Education at Ball State University. For Rhonda, study abroad not only increased her awareness of the world around her but also ignited her passion for travel and education. Rhonda can be reached at the email link above or at 800-858-0229 ext. 4259.

 

Get Connected

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Connect with IFSA-Butler Students

If you really want to know what it's like to study abroad, connect with IFSA-Butler alumni and students who are currently abroad on an IFSA-Butler program. Check out the following:
Student Network
Student Blogs
Experiences Abroad Videos
For Students

 
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