St. Clare's, Oxford

An outstanding choice option for Education majors, licensure students and Teaching Fellows to gain practical experience of the English school system, earn 4 units of credit while immersing themselves in English life and culture. This programme will enable you to be a more informed and effective educator. Moreover, it will enhance your profile and allow you to distinguish yourself to future employers.

Students have a unique opportunity to compare, theoretically and practically, the British and American educational systems. Our Comparative Education course (three units of transferable credit) will contrast and differentiate the goals and practices of primary and secondary education in the UK and the USA. Moreover, students are assigned a placement as a classroom assistant at a local primary or secondary school for 1 day a week for 4 weeks (1 unit of transferable credit).

Course details

• All students are assigned a placement as a classroom assistant one day a week in a primary or secondary school. Placements are based on age range students plan to teach. (1 unit of credit) Students may also choose a placement in the Autism Center located in one of the primary schools.
• All students take the Comparative Education course. (3 units of credit) This course will critically analyze educational systems, processes and outcomes in the USA and the UK. Students will also consider the nature and value of international comparisons for education. The aim of the course is to ensure familiarity of the UK and USA educational systems and to develop the ability to make basic and meaningful comparisons of educational systems across both countries. Moreover, students will be encouraged to reflect upon, explore, and refer to the practical experience gained as a result of their placement. (Syllabus available upon request)
• The Comparative Education Course is taught by a member of the Department of Education, University of Oxford. Moreover, students will have access to the well resourced library at Department of Education located a block away from our main teaching site.

In order to secure a placement in a school, students must secure a full student visa and submit proof of a clean criminal record (for e.g., police certificate or FBI clearance) Students are responsible for all costs associated with securing a full student visa.

Fees include:

• Tuition and course materials
• Placement in a local primary (K-year 6) school or secondary school (year 7 to year 12); 1 day a week for 4 weeks. (1 unit of transferable credit)
• Earn three units of academic credit for Comparative Education course (40 hours tuition over 4 weeks);
• Cost of credit transfer, if required
• Airport transfer from/to Heathrow Airport coordinated around the majority of arrivals and departures;
• Full orientation, including walking tour of St. Clare’s facilities and Oxford city;
• Welcome and departure dinner
• Accompanied trips to London and Bath
• Theatre ticket (plus transportation) to either Royal Shakespeare Company, Stratford Upon Avon or The Globe Theatre in London;
• Ticket to Oxford Coffee Concert at the Holywell Music Room (the oldest custom-built concert hall in Europe)
• Access to full range of activities programme (excursions; leisure and cultural events) open to all St Clare’s students either free or at a subsidised cost;
• Free internet access (all St. Clare’s buildings are wireless);
• Access to St Clare’s library and Department of Education Library, University of Oxford;
• Accommodation in St. Clare’s residence: twin superior rooms with private shower and toilet. All college houses have a resident House Manager; fully equipped kitchen facilities; laundry facilities; bed linen and towels are provided. College residences are located within 15 minutes walk or a short bus ride away.
• Alternatively, homestay accommodation can be arranged with one of are carefully selected homestay families. Living in a private home is a wonderful and enriching opportunity to experience the British way of life and culture and seeing a different side to life in Oxford than students living in residential accommodation.

Dr Ines Molinaro, Director of the Programme, can give you more detailed information about the 2014 course, what the requirements are and what to expect from this intensive programme. Email - ines.molinaro@stclares.ac.uk or call +44 1865 517715.