Call us now on (001) 917 720 3220 or email contact@campusoxford.com
Call us now on (001) 917 720 3220 or email contact@campusoxford.com
The prestigious Oxford Gap Year was established in 1988 by Ralph Dennison, the Campus Oxford Director, originally taking place at Oxford Tutorial College. Over thirty years later it remains a unique study opportunity for US and International high school students and graduates who wish to refine their academic skills, before starting college and as a ‘semester abroad’ during a student’s college course. Highly regarded for the quality of teaching and student-centred approach, the programme provides individualised and inspiring study courses, which foster confidence and motivation, enabling both academic and social success in college. The experience provides an invaluable foretaste of college life and of student life in Oxford.
Students are given the opportunity to experience the more personalised method of instruction and study favoured by the Oxford and Cambridge universities; they pursue their academic interests through meeting in small seminar groups and individual tutorials, with close tutor contact. The programme provides a stimulating study and extra-curricular environment, allowing students to explore their study interests without a set curriculum.
Students typically join for a semester or a full academic year, although courses of a specifically-requested duration can often be arranged, given the flexibility of the tutorial method. Four seminar subjects and a tutorial class are normally taken, in a range of subjects. Details of the subjects offered are set out below.
The Gap Year is an opportunity to study at leisure or reinforce areas of knowledge, and our students are typically from one of the following stages in their education:
High School graduates during their ‘Gap Year’, taking courses that interest them and preparing for college-level work.
College students taking an overseas study semester or year, developing subject knowledge and academic skills.
High School juniors or seniors taking a semester overseas, earning additional credit towards graduation.
Mature students taking ‘time out’ to undertake an academic or research project, with one-on-one tutor mentoring.
The life of the college is enhanced by a varied range of extra-curricular activities, including cultural and historical visits, activities, music and sports. Oxford itself provides a rich opportunity for joining student clubs and societies and offers a unique student-centred backdrop.
Students enrol for one or two semesters, normally selecting four seminar subjects and one tutorial subject.
Classes are taught in small group seminars or one-on-one tutorials, true to the Oxford model. Reading and written preparation is set to reinforce understanding and themes are explored in depth during seminar sessions, with students encouraged to further explore the areas that interest them, with their tutor’s support. Direct access to tutors helps students with understanding and assimilation of the material covered.
As part of the experience, a wide range of extracurricular activities is available, ranging from cultural immersion and visits, music, theatre and sport. Social events take place regularly each semester, enabling students to meet and develop friendships.
The Oxford Gap Year offers great scope for academic and personal development. Students who join us invariably leave as more confident and academically-capable people.
The emphasis throughout is to help develop academic maturity and self-reliance, with an interactive teaching style that encourages questioning and feedback. The small teaching groups and ensure student participation in the learning process. By including a tutorial subject, students are able to follow a bespoke study programme. The choice from an extensive list of course options allows students to create their ideal program.
The college has an outstanding faculty of permanent staff and specialist teachers, who work with students to create the exact academic options they need. In Oxford, there are specialists in virtually all fields of study.
At Campus Oxford we give the student the opportunity to choose from a list of bespoke courses, with teaching in the Oxford tutorial model. Small groups may be formed in the more popular subjects and students are otherwise taught through one-to-one tutorials. The following gives a list of the more popular subjects recently studied and currently available. Other subjects of a student’s choice may be available – please contact us for advice and information.
We are now offering a 4-week Gap ‘Mini’ course for university undergraduates or gap year students who wish to earn credits for their home degree or dedicate more time to their studies to improve their grades. We have a range of course options. Also, you can select from either one course (3 credits) or two courses (6 credits).
We have strong links to many US universities. You will also benefit from the expertise of our academic teaching staff and being on the doorstep to the famous academic city of Oxford.
This course includes trips to Bath and London, as well as a wonderful outing to the Globe to watch a Shakespeare play.
The following subjects may be studied as ‘A-level’ courses, leading to an examination, and as an alternative to a non-exam Gap Year course. The A-level is the normal route to UK university and gives a solid grounding in the subject chosen. Two or three subjects are normally taken.
Art & Design, Business Studies, Biology, Chemistry, Chinese, Computer Science, Economics, English Language, English Literature, French, Geography, German, History, History of Art, Italian, Law, Mathematics, Media Studies, Philosophy, Photography, Physics, Politics, Psychology, Religious Studies, Russian, Sociology, Spanish.
For further details about A- levels, please click here
9.15am – 10.15am: Seminar subject 1: Introduction to Philosophy. Try out a new subject you were not able to learn at school.
10.15am – 12.30pm: Seminar subject 2: Oxford Art & Architecture. This class takes you outside into Oxford, among the art and buildings of the city.
12.30pm – 1.45pm: Lunch at one of Oxford’s many independent cafes, or pick up something locally at nearby ‘North Parade’.
1.45pm – 2.45pm: Seminar subject 3: Fundamentals of Marketing. Explore a new field of study you might be thinking of taking at college.
2.45pm – 3.45pm: Tutorial: Contemporary British Fiction. Learn in an ‘Oxbridge style’ tutorial class capped at two students. Your tutorial teacher is also your ‘personal tutor’ to help guide you through your studies.
3.45pm – 4.45pm: Free lesson: Pick up some books and resources at the college library.
5pm – 6.30pm: Get to know your fellow international students through some fun local activities: learn to ‘punt’ on the river, try out Go Karting, Ice Skating, Bowling or Football.
| Hilary Term (Spring) | Summer Term | Michaelmas Term (Fall) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Term Begins | 16 January 2022 | 25 April 2022 | 5 September 2022 |
| Term Ends | 14 May 2022 | 17 June 2022 | 16 December 2022 |
| Half-Term | 20-26 February 2022 | 22- 29 October 2022 | |
| College Holidays where accommodation is not available | Spring Break 10 - 23 Apr 2022 |
There is an initial placement & support fee, payable on registration of $400.
Fees are charged in pounds sterling (GBP) and are currently £11,265 per semester, plus £100 college fee per semester, to cover all teaching, supervision, assessments, college application advice (US or UK), social activities, course materials (except books), use of computers and internet, regular visits to places of interest, activities and insurance. There is a refundable fees deposit of £500.
For bespoke courses, fees are charged on a weekly basis of £180 per subject.
Lunch is available in college, costing from £3 per day.
There is no additional charge of VAT on any of the fees.
Term dates are as stated above. The flexibility of courses means that it may be possible to enrol for a shorter time, especially for bespoke courses.
The programme fee for this is £4,100 plus accommodation.
A wide variety of options ensure that all students feel comfortable, happy and at home during their stay in Oxford. Some students are ready for fully independent living, while some opt for a university student experience; others prefer to live in a family environment. Our Student Housing Director helps arrange suitable accommodation and provides pastoral support. All accommodation hosted by the College is situated within an eight-minute bike ride from the city centre.
Students over eighteen are offered accommodation in college self-catering houses with kitchens. There is a choice of standard rooms with shared bathrooms or superior en-suite rooms, also a choice of single or twin rooms. All rooms are well-furnished, with a desk and study area and plenty of space for clothes and possessions. Students can cook their own meals, although when at college during the week most will take the option of lunch in our dining room.
Younger students may live in one of several supervised student houses, all in close proximity to the college. These houses are managed by a warden who has a separate apartment in the house, and cares for the welfare of each of those under their supervision.
A popular choice for those wishing to live with a local family is to take homestay accommodation, normally close to the college in North Oxford. Each student guest has a single study bedroom and meals are normally half board. Living with a family conveys the additional benefit of providing further insight into local life in Oxford. Close contact is maintained with homestay families, most of whom have been housing our students for a number of years.
College accommodation costs are in the range of £3,690 to £5,835 per semester for a self-catering room, depending on the type of room chosen. Half-board homestay costs are from £3,690 to £4,875 per semester.
Allowance should be made for living expenses and pocket money during a student’s stay in Oxford. Where accommodation includes breakfast and evening meal, a weekly allowance of around £120 to cover lunches, bus fares and other miscellaneous costs such as toiletries, travel and entertainment is sufficient plus a termly amount of about £120 per subject for books and stationery. If a student is responsible for his or her own catering, an additional £80 per week will cover this adequately.
Where this is preferred, the college can open a trust account which handles a student’s accommodation payments and living expenses. The agreed amounts for each term must be deposited in the student trust account at the beginning of term.
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