England Study Abroad Program at Worcester College

Academic Structure

How is the University of Oxford structured?
The University of Oxford is a federation of 44 autonomous colleges and halls that have separate grounds, their own tutors and administrators, and distinct personalities. The colleges organize admission, accommodation and tutorial instruction for students. College tutors and administrators have their offices in the college as well. Seminar and lecture halls and a library are located in each college for academic purposes. The colleges are also responsible for providing sports and social facilities. Not only do students live, study, socialize and dine at their college, but they may also take their tutorials in their college. As a result, students often have a stronger allegiance to their college than to the university.

The university determines the general content of each discipline, organizes lectures, regulates degree exams and provides excellent resources like the Bodleian Library, faculty (departmental) libraries, laboratories, museums, computing facilities and more.

Students are members of both their college and the university. Compared with U.S. institutions, each of the member colleges is quite small, few having more than 500 students. The combined full-time enrollment of undergraduate and graduate students at Oxford is about 20,000 men and women who are among the brightest, most motivated students the world has to offer.

What does Worcester College look for in potential candidates?
Worcester Faculty members who review applications are primarily interested in the following:

• A student's overall academic background.
• Achievements in the student's major area(s) of study. Typically all Oxford Colleges prefer students who have taken three to five courses in their tutorial field prior to the term they are studying abroad.
• The tutorials requested by the student.
• Writing samples-These show off your writing style and background in your subject(s) of study.

Who are the tutors?
Most Visiting Students are instructed by tutors from their specific University of Oxford college, but sometimes by tutors from other colleges. The main criterion is that students should have the most appropriate tutors for their own particular interests and needs. Visiting Students may be taught by Fellows, lecturers or advanced graduate students.

During their period of study at Worcester, Visiting Students will be under the general supervision of the Tutor for Visiting Students, a Fellow of the college who is appointed to oversee the program. In addition to coordinating the study program, the advisor will be available for consultation on both academic and personal matters.

How does the tutorial system work?
The tutorial system is at the heart of Oxford's approach to university education. While most universities in the U.S. and the U.K. rely on lectures, classes and seminars as their main mode of teaching, Oxford places the emphasis on tutorials. Other methods are used, but they are secondary to tutorials.

Oxford's tutorial system consists of an hour in-depth discussion between one student or a pair of students and a tutor assigned by the college. Tutorials that take place once a week are called the primary or major tutorial, and tutorials that take place once every other week are called a secondary or minor tutorial. Visiting Students take one primary and one secondary tutorial per term.

At the center of each tutorial is an essay that a student researches and prepares in the week prior to the meeting. In the traditional tutorial, students will read the essay aloud to the tutor, although today many tutors might ask to take the essay home with them or will request the essay early in order to read it prior to the meeting. Discussion of the essay will often lead to further conversation of the topic at hand or a related topic.

Tutorial meeting times are traditionally arranged between the tutor and the student upon arrival. Tutorials can also be held in a variety of locations: a college room, university building or even in the tutor's own home.

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 Worcester. Acceptance decisions generally take about 6-8 weeks once your application is complete and sent overseas.

Will I be fully integrated into the Oxford Community?
Yes. All IFSA-Butler students studying at Oxford are awarded Visiting Student status, as opposed to the more restrictive Associate Student status. Visiting Students are considered to be full members of the college and have access to all University facilities, libraries, societies, and sports teams with the exception of the University rowing team. Visiting Students are also full members of their college's Junior Common Room (JCR) and enjoy full college privileges, including college-owned accommodation with other undergraduates of their college.

Most importantly, Visiting Students are taught in the same manner and assessed by the same standards as other degree-seeking undergraduates at Oxford. Tutors expect the same quality of work from Visiting Students as they do from degree-seeking undergraduates. Visiting Students are considered alumni upon successful completion of their term or year abroad.