Menu
The Gap Year offers study opportunity and cultural immersion to high school graduates who wish to gain academic and travel experience before they start college. It’s also a ‘semester abroad’ course for college students. Enrol for one or two semesters; shorter courses are also possible, given the flexibility of tutorial teaching.
The personalised teaching offered, as favoured by Oxford and Cambridge universities, caters to each student’s specific needs; teaching is in small seminar groups and through individual tutorials, with close tutor supervision. You are able to explore your study interests without a set curriculum.
The rich academic environment of Oxford provides an impressive scholarly backdrop and the overall experience is a foretaste of college life. The Gap Year encourages confidence and motivation to enable academic and social success in college.
Although not directly affiliated with Oxford University, many of the course tutors also teach at the university.
The Gap Year enables you to pursue your academic interests in chosen subject areas, reinforcing knowledge. It enables you to enhance and refine your study methods, without the pressure of exams.
Our students are typically :
The balance of academic study and social interaction – activities, visits and sports are organised (see below) – provides a well-rounded, memorable experience.
Those who take a Gap semester or year invariably develop as learners and become more confident and highly motivated, given the close support and encouragement they receive. Areas requiring further attention are highlighted in a supportiver way.
A recent gap year student, Elisabeth Westermann talks to us about her time in Oxford. Thank you for such a glowing recommendation, Elisabeth!
Click here to watch it.
“My time on the Oxford Gap Year was life-changing and unforgettable. There is a wonderful opportunity to meet people from all over the world and improve oneself by diving into the education offered there. In a typical week, I would feel both accomplished and grateful; accomplished because I knew that the papers I just finished made me a better writer and thinker, and grateful because I got the chance to celebrate by going out to dinner with friends in the lovely city center. In short, it’s the best of both worlds for someone like me that is both social, but also very invested in advancing their career through formal education under some of the best professors in the world.”
Elias, Gap Year student, 2022
Students have specific needs and our ability to match these with a suitable programme is one of our strengths. You are given choice in how you organise your studies.
A popular choice is the seminar-led course, whereby you select four subjects, which are taught in small groups, plus a one-one-one tutorial subject. The choice is wide; subjects offered are listed.
A course of individual tuition is often the best option and this can be arranged in one or more subjects, typically two or three. This allows a free rein in subject choice and enables the teaching to be at the right pace.
For both options above, the classes take place in a college setting. There is also the option for a bespoke individual course to simply place a student with a tutor for a specific length of course and frequency of tutorials.
The college experience includes a varied extra-curricular schedule, including visits to cultural and historical sites and to musical and theatrical events. A range of (optional) sports activities are available. Regular social events enable students to meet and develop friendships.
A dynamic and interactive teaching style encourages student participation, questioning and feedback, giving emphasis to the development of academic maturity and self-reliance. Motivation is developed, with students taking greater responsibility for their own learning.
Small teaching groups help to ensure full student participation in the learning process. For a tutorial subject you are able to work at your own pace with undivided tutor support.
Topics are explored in depth, with reading and written work set to reinforce understanding and prepare for later teaching sessions. You are able to explore topics that interest you, with tutor support. Ready access to your tutor helps you understand and assimilate the subject material.
Given the wealth of top-class teachers in Oxford, you benefit from working with inspiring and knowledgeable experts. Subject specialists, and support staff, work with you towards success.
Helping students gain a place at their top choice colleges, in the UK and internationally, is part of the college offer. Those who have yet to secure a university place, are able to discuss their options with staff, bearing in mind their qualifications and aptitudes.
Specialist advice and support is available, with guidance from The International Association of College Admission Counselors. Experts work closely with students, their academic and personal tutors, and where needed their former high school, to build a strong application.
Support is ongoing and in order to thrive and succeed in Higher Education, you will need to develop effective study methods. Encouragement of these is emphasised in the teaching, and you will be given the tools necessary to become competent in the following areas :
In order to thrive in Higher Education, you need effective study methods. These are encouraged throughout the teaching. You’re given the tools necessary, as follows :
“I am with the greatest roommate in the world, honestly. Everyone has been so lovely, and everyone in the house has been so welcoming. There’s a common room where any evening of the week you can find people hanging out there, preparing to go out on the weekends, or just doing homework together, there is a pingpong table that’s recently been added, and everyone is so willing to let you in and make a seat for you.”
Lucia, Gap year students 2024
9.30am – 10.30am. Seminar subject 1: Introduction to Philosophy. Try out a new subject.
10.30am – 11.30am. Study and preparation, or free time.
11.30am – 12.30pm. Seminar subject 2: Oxford Art & Architecture. This class may take you into Oxford, visiting the art and buildings of the city.
12.30pm – 1.45pm. Lunch in college. Meet other students.
1.45pm – 2.45pm. Seminar subject 3: Fundamentals of Marketing. Explore a new topic you might be thinking of taking at college.
2.45pm – 3.45pm. Tutorial: Contemporary British Fiction. Take an ‘Oxford style’ tutorial. Your tutorial teacher is also your personal tutor to help guide you through your studies.
3.45pm – 5.00pm. Free time: private study or collect books and resources at the college library, or from a local bookshop.
5.00pm – 6.30pm. Social activity: Get to know other students through a local activity or visit. Learn to ‘punt’ on the river, try out Ice Skating or Bowling, visit a local gallery.
(The above is merely an example. You will have your own specific timetable, according to your subject choices).
Please make allowance for living expenses and pocket money during your stay in Oxford. As a guideline, for full board accommodation, a weekly allowance of around £120 to cover travel and other costs, such as personal supplies and entertainment should be sufficient, . For self-catering , £150 – £160 per week should be adequate.
You should allow a termly amount of about £150 per subject for books and stationery.
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.
Email us now at contact@campusoxford.com
Sign up to receive our newsletter with discounts and special offers!