The Scholar's Semester In Oxford

The year-long Scholar's Semester in Oxford (SSO) is designed for students who want to study intensively and to a high standard.  Students develop their academic writing and research skills and explore the disciplines and interests of their choice. As Visiting Students of the University of Oxford and members of Wycliffe Hall, students study in the oldest university in the English-speaking world. 

Concentrations for study are available in:

• Classics
• English Language and Literature
• History
• History of Art
• Modern Languages
• Musicology
• Philosophy
• Psychology
• Theology and Religious Studies

VISION
Through work with academic tutors, students at SSO hone their skills and delve into their individual areas of scholarly interest. Keat's "city of dreaming spires" provides the arena for a rare opportunity to engage in scholarly fellowship and development.

QUALIFICATIONS
Eligibility requires:

• 3.5 GPA or above
• Junior standing
• Possess a strong commitment to academics and Christianity

CREDITS
A total of 17 credits are possible each term.

Fall or Michaelmas term is divided into 3 required components:

• Primary and Secondary Tutorials (6 and 3 credits)
• British Landscape (4 credits)
• Integrative Seminar (4 credits)

Spring or Hillary term is divided into 3 required components:

• Thesis (4 credits)
• Primary and Secondary Tutorials (6 and 3 credits)
• Further Studies in the British Landscape (4 credits)

For the British Landscapes Course students may elect to take credit in one of six ways:

 
For the tutorials the SSO has 18 interdisciplinary thematic concentrations:

Any student wishing to fulfill a thematic core requirementsuch as Aesthetics Sensibilities and Practices, Civic Responsibility, or Human Person with their fall semester session of British landscapes must talk with the Core division representative before hand. Please see the Global Education Office for assistance.

While Oxford is a full-year program, with the recommendation of their advisor students may petition to participate for one semester only.

Global Understanding core credit can be fulfilled by this semester program when students participate in the pre- and post-departure New Perspectives course. Lab fees apply as of Fall 2013. Visit the GEO for details or go to the GEO Global Understanding webpage.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE & DEADLINES
Gordon students wishing to apply for SSO must submit an academic paper and have a formal interview with the GEO staff as well as complete the online seat application (link available to Gordon students only) to participate in this Best Semester Program. Only after you've been approved by the Global Education Office, may you proceed with the BEST SEMESTER's online application for SSO.

1. Online seat application for the full-year Oxford program and a sample of the applicant's academic writing must be submitted online by December 5. 
2. The formal interview with the Global Education Office must be conducted by December 15.
3. The BEST SEMESTER's application must be submitted by February 1 (the Best Semester early admission deadline).

Guidelines for the paper to be submitted to the GEO in support of the seat application:

Students should submit a paper in the discipline they want to study in Oxford (a history major should submit a history paper, and so on). The paper should provide a strong example of the student's analytic and writing skills and be written for a 200-level class or above (not TGC, please).  Clean, hardcopy (no professor comments, no email attachments). Minimum 6 pages, maximum 25.

COSTS
The cost is generally equal to a 16-credit semester at Gordon and includes:

• Tuition
• Fees
• Room
• Immigration and Visa expenses
• Program-related travel

Please note that board is not included in the Best Semester costs. Accordingly, Gordon College will not bill students for board.

Should the costs of the Best Semester Oxford Program exceed the cost of Gordon's tuition, room, and comprehensive fees, students are responsible for the difference.

Not included in regular tuition costs are such items as:

• Board
• Travel to and from Oxford
• Personal expenses
• Books
• Fee for International Student ID Card (ISIC)
• Personal medical expenses, if incurred

Note: The exchange rate currently favors the British. Plan your budget accordingly when thinking about personal expenses.

Apply to participate in Global Education Programs with the Online Seat Application. After being approved for participation you may apply to the SSO.