Liberal Arts Programme
• Semester programmes
• A challenging option
• Small classes
• Live and study in Oxford
Why not choose Oxford for your study abroad experience?
Established for over 30 years our Liberal Arts programme is designed to enable visiting undergraduates and gap year students to have a comprehensive study abroad experience while earning 15 to 18 units of transferable credit.
Every year, students from many different nationalities come here to gain access to a first-class education and an exceptional cultural experience.
When you join the Liberal Arts programme, you can expect:
- the very best teaching that meets your academic requirements with transferable credits across a wide range of disciplines
- to be intellectually challenged while receiving the individual support you require
- small seminar classes of 3-12 students
- one-to-one tutorials with your tutor
- to study alongside a genuinely international community of students
- active collaborative learning, directed to instil critical thinking and independent thought
- support and guidance to make full use of the rich resources and opportunities which our Oxford location provides
- a rich and varied programme of extra-curricular activities and excursions allowing you to engage with a genuinely international and diverse community
- to take the opportunity to explore Oxford and the UK with new friends
- travelling to Europe on weekends and during breaks
Students are advised to select 5 courses: each course carries 3 units of credit. They can choose 4 seminar courses taught in small classes (maximum 12 students) and 1 tutorial class. Tutorial classes are similar to the Oxford and Cambridge tutorial method of teaching. Students are taught individually (occasionally in pairs). The tutorial class is a weekly meeting of the student with a tutor; the student is expected to be fully prepared to discuss and debate the assigned readings or topic. The tutorial enables students to develop further their independent study skills.
A wide range of courses is available within the following disciplines:
| Art History | Business and Economics | Communication Studies |
| Education | English | History |
| Interdisciplinary | Language Courses | Liberal Studies |
| Mathematics | Philosophy | Political Science |
| Psychology | Sociology | Theatre Arts |
| Theology & Religious Studies | Visual Arts |
Learn actively, engage fully and experience a ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ opportunity to study abroad in one of the most celebrated academic cities in the world, Oxford!
Contact the Department
| Louis Jobin |
|---|
| Client Relations Coordinator |
| Tel: +44 1865 517184 |
| louis.jobin@stclares.ac.uk |
| Manuela Williams |
| Admissions Registrar |
| Tel: +44 1865 517706 |
| manuela.williams@stclares.ac.uk |
Speakers confirmed for Summer Leadership Course
Our first Leadership Course starts on 9th July and we are delighted to confirm two high profile guest speakers, who will come and talk to our students about leadership and management styles, their successes and personal attributes that got them where they are today.
A Day in London
Students on our Summer Junior courses have 9 excursions - 3 full day and 3 half day trips - as part of their package. Obviously, one of the most popular trips is a day in London. Buckingham Palace, Trafalgar Square and the Science Museum are some of the highlights....
A fabulous day in Brighton
All our students enjoy a trip to the seaside. Brighton is not too far away for a day visit and it is so beautiful in the sunshine. The best bits are the fabulous Royal Pavilion, the pier and the promenade. If it gets too windy or too hot we head into the cafés and...
Programme Dates
- Liberal Arts Programme – you can choose a 14 week semester system during the academic year. Autumn semester from early September to mid-December, with a one-week break mid-semester. Spring semester from early January to mid-May, with a two-week break around Easter, and a week in February
- Education Studies Programme – this is offered as a full 14 week semester during the academic year OR as an intensive 4 week summer course in May / June.
- Summer Academic Programme – this is a 4 week course in May / June for students interested in combining academic study, and gaining credits, with a summer visit to Oxford
| Programme | Dates |
|---|---|
| Autumn Semester 2017 | Sunday 3 September – Saturday 16 December 2017 |
| Spring Semester 2018 | Sunday 7 January – Friday 5 May 2018 |
| Summer Education Studies Programme 2018 | end May – end June |
| Summer Academic Programme 2018 | end May – end June |
Autumn Semester 2017
| Arrival date | Sunday 3 September |
| Induction | Monday 4 September |
| Semester break | Monday 23 October – Friday 27 October |
| Students return | Sunday 30 October |
| Classes end | Friday 15 December |
| Departure date | Saturday 16 December |
Spring Semester 2018
| Arrival date | Sunday 7 January |
| Induction | Monday 8 January |
| Mid Semester Break | Saturday 10 – Sunday 18 February |
| Easter Break | Saturday 24 March – Sunday 8 April |
| Classes resume | Monday 9 April |
| Classes end | Friday 4 May |
| Departure date | Saturday 5 May |
Programme Fees
| Tuition Fees | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Autumn Semester 2017 | 14 weeks | UK £10,568 | |
| Spring Semester 2018 | 14 weeks | UK £10,568 | |
| Summer Academic Programme 2018 | 4 weeks | + 3 credit courses – UK £ to be confirmed + two 3 credit courses – UK £ to be confirmed |
|
| Summer Education Studies Programme 2018 | 4 weeks | UK £ to be confirmed | |
Accommodation fees per semester
| Twin Standard | Twin Superior | Single Standard | Single Superior | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Autumn Semester 2017 | £3435 | £4170 | £4425 | £5430 |
| Spring Semester 2018 | £3435 | £4170 | £4425 | £5430 |
| Homestay Standard | Homestay Superior | |
|---|---|---|
| Autumn Semester 2017 | £3435 | £4530 |
| Spring Semester 2018 | £3435 | £4530 |
| Lunch – Monday-Friday | £44 per week | |
Optional college weekend trips / theatre visits / excursions, etc.
- Day excursions at weekends – £20 to £25 (though some are free of charge)
- Theatre tickets and transport – £15 to £40
- Weekend trip with overnight stay (2 nights) – £70 to £300
- Additional sports and other activities
- Allow – £10 to £15 per week
- Lunch if paying cash – £8.00
- Stationery / book purchase (loan of books is included in fees)
- General spending money – allow around £70 per week
- Remember, key deposit, police registration (for students from countries outside the EU) and book purchase all need to be paid for in the first week
What the Accommodation Fees include
College houses
- Supervised accommodation from the day of arrival to the morning after the last day of the course; bed linen and towels; room cleaning (weekdays); heating and lighting.
- Accommodation fees include your stay in your house during the mid semester breaks but not the two week spring break.
- If you have chosen to include meals you are entitled to lunch Monday to Friday (excluding the semester breaks)
Homestay
- Fees include accommodation as a guest with a local host (appraised and inspected regularly by our Student Services Officer), single room, bed linen and towels, laundry facilities, breakfast and dinner every day (lunches can be bought in college Monday to Friday) and support provided by the Welfare and Accommodation Officer in college. Some of our hosts offer a single superior option (ensuite facilities).
Admissions
If you are attending one of our affiliate organisations or if you attend another US university, please visit the Study Abroad Office at your home institution to discuss your plans.
If you are applying independently, please contact our advisors to discuss your plans and request an application pack. We have two application deadlines: the end of July (for the autumn semester), and mid-November (for the spring semester). If you are a late applicant contact us to discuss availability and eligibility.
Application for admission
Prospective students need to apply by downloading and completing this application form. The St Clare’s Liberal Arts application form consists of a number of sections:
- Personal details
- Educational details
- Academic registration
- Accommodation options
- Deposit and balance of fees payment
Please make sure you complete the application form in full before returning it by mail or email.
Please read our Terms & Conditions
It is very important that you read carefully through all of the course choices detailed in the Courses Information section as well as the Tutorial options and Language Tutorials before completing the course registration section.
Be sure to include your first choice for courses (4 Cores and 1 Tutorial/Language Tutorial); your alternative choices (at least 3 Cores and 1 Tutorial/language Tutorial); and if a course is an absolute requirement (e.g. for next semester graduation) please indicate this clearly.
Before completing the accommodation options section of the application form, please consult the accommodation section of this site.
Students applying for the Liberal Arts Programme at St Clare’s need to send the following with their application:
- a full transcript of courses you have taken to date, with grades and grade-point averages
- a written reference from a current or former professor / teacher who knows you well
- a personal essay giving your reasons for wishing to study at St Clare’s and outlining what contribution you hope to make to the College
- evidence of your level of English if you are a non-native speaker (eg. a copy of an English Language examination certificate such as TOEFL, Cambridge examinations, IELTS, etc.)
- The Academic Statement signed by the appropriate authority (US students only)
- Registration fee and enrolment deposit
- Two recent photographs
Acceptance
Once your application form with all the necessary documents, fees and deposits have been received your application will be considered by the Director of Studies (Academic). All your course choices and supporting academic references will be checked.
If you are offered a place on the programme you will receive an official Letter of Acceptance and a Study Certificate confirming your programme and the dates. You will also receive a comprehensive information pack giving details of orientation, arrival procedures, trips and excursions, campus facilities and city information.
Please note: it is your responsibility to ensure that your current institution authorises appropriate credit transfer for the courses you have taken.
This is a once in a life-time opportunity
Challenge yourself in the glorious city of Oxford