Overview

The University of Oxford is one of the most prestigious universities in the world, founded in 1250 with some colleges’ histories stretching back even further. It is also member of the prestigious Russell Group of major research universities in the United Kingdom (similar to the Ivy League).
St Peter's is proud of its Visiting Students Program. It has been running for many years, and is one of the most successful in the University. Not only is student feedback positive, but many of our former Visiting Students return to do their graduate work at St Peter's and at Oxford.
Admission to the program is competitive as there are a limited number of places. Most students attend this program during their junior year. Admitted students will generally have a minimum cumulative GPA score of 3.7 or equivalent, but all elements of the application are carefully considered.
More information about application procedures is available on the University of Oxford website.

Academics

We welcome applications in all subjects offered in College, with the exception of Law, Music and History of Art. This includes most subjects offered at Oxford. This link will give you some information on courses available in some of the subjects that can be studied by Visiting Students.
The duration of the program is one academic year, from early October to late June. The Oxford academic year is divided in three terms: Michaelmas term (Oct-Dec), Hilary term (Jan-Mar) and Trinity (Apr-Jun). The standard workload is two courses per term, although this may vary across subjects.
Teaching at St. Peter's - and Oxford generally - centers on tutorials. These are weekly meetings with a tutor (usually the equivalent of an American Professor, but in any case an expert in the field) and usually one or two other students (although some tutorials may be one-on-one). The tutor will usually be a Fellow of St Peter's College although for specialist options you may be assigned to a tutor from another college, Colleges routinely swap students to ensure that they are taught by somebody with expertise and research interests close to the course. This allows you to interact and discuss your ideas and questions with an academic actively involved in research on the topic, and it is one of the most exciting aspects of academic life at St. Peter's.
As well as tutorials, you will also attend larger classes and lectures in the University, and there are numerous special seminars, talks and other events. As a Registered Visiting Student you will have access to all events that are open to regular undergraduates.

Student Life

Tutors consistently welcome the fact that Visiting Students participate actively and successfully in both the academic and social life of the College. So not only do Visiting Students benefit from their time with us; the College also benefits from their presence, their enthusiasm and international outlook. We make every effort to integrate our Visiting Students with our regular undergraduates, and to foster the program's central role in College life.
Out of term time, life quietens down significantly. You will be allowed to keep your room, which will be in one of the College's residential annexes, throughout your vacation, and you will use this time to reflect on what you have learned and revisit some of the topics studies that you feel need some consolidation. This may also be an opportunity for some travelling in Britain and elsewhere in Europe.

Location

The City of Oxford blends medieval charm with the buzz of a modern city. Although Oxford has given its name to a world-famous dictionary and a less well known marmalade, it is best known for the University of Oxford. Over the past 800-years it has produced an eminent list of Nobel Prize winners, scientists, philosophers, authors, archbishops, explorers and politicians: walk in the footsteps of Professor Stephen Hawking, Edwin Hubble, Prime Minister Theresa May, Aung Sang Suu Kyi, Harper Lee, Sir V.S. Naipaul, and Seamus Heaney to name a few.
Oxford is an international city on an intimate scale and despite the intellectual influence of the University, the city is modern, multi-cultural and lively. Cafés, shops and restaurants stand shoulder to shoulder with cobbled alleyways and the cloistered, enigmatic world of the 39 Colleges and Halls.