The Scholar's Semester In Oxford

VISION

The Scholarship and Christianity in Oxford (SCIO) program—both semester and year-long options—is designed for students who want to develop their academic writing abilities and hone their research skills while studying areas of individual scholarly interest with advanced academic tutors. As Visiting Students of the University of Oxford and members of Wycliffe Hall, participants study in one of the oldest universities in the English-speaking world. Keats's "city of dreaming spires" provides a rare and rarified setting for engaging in scholarly fellowship with other young Christian scholars.

The year-long program may be attractive for students with a single major whose curriculum can be adapted to a small set of major and minor tutorials, and who expect to go on to graduate-level study. The year-long option is limited to three students, selected through a more rigorous application process.

LOCATION

WYCLIFFE HALL, UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD
The Scholar’s Semester in Oxford program (SSO) is housed at Wycliffe Hall, one of the six private halls which, along with another 38 colleges, make up the University of Oxford.

Students participating in SSO can live either in the North Wing of Wycliffe Hall (located on the north side of town center) or in The Vines, a late-Victorian mansion overlooking the University from Headington Hill.

Read more on the SSO Student Life page.

LIBRARIES, UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD
After the British Library in London, the Bodleian Library at Oxford is the largest in the United Kingdom. A number of colleges from All Soul’s to Worcester have their own libraries, generally geared to the interests and specialties of the college’s members. Over the years, many Gordon students have declared the Radcliffe Camera their favorite spot for reading.

OXFORD, OXFORDSHIRE, AND BEYOND
From museums like the Ashmolean—the world’s first public museum— to its gardens, rivers and parks, Oxford and its environs offer rich terrain for walking, biking and, of course, punting. (A few years ago a student took his skateboard and did not ingratiate himself with the neighbors, but that’s another story.)

In addition to the program travel included in the British Landscapes course, students have opportunities for independent travel over the course of the semester. London is easily reached by public transportation in under two hours, as are many historic sites such as Blenheim Palace (Winston Churchill’s home).

CREDITS

A total of 17 credits are possible each term.

Each term is divided into the following required components:

• Primary Tutorial (6 credits)
• Secondary Tutorial (3 credits)
• Selected Topics in British Culture (4 credits)
• Undergraduate Research Seminar (4 credits)

Tutorials are available in 16 areas of study:

Students wishing to use Selected Topics in British Culture to fulfill a Core requirement must consult with their Core division representative beforehand. Please see the Global and Experiential Learning Office for assistance.

Students participating in the year-long Oxford program have the opportunity to further develop their research and writing skills by completing a major thesis, with guidance from a specialist, on a topic of their choice, normally chosen from amongst those in which tutorials are offered.

COST

The cost is generally equal to a semester at Gordon and includes:

• Tuition
• Fees
• Housing
• Program-related events

Student Financial Services will reassess each applicant's financial aid package for their off-campus semester and provide a breakdown of costs after acceptance from the GEO. Federal and private aid will not be affected. Please contact SFS with specific financial questions. 

Additional expenses include:

• Travel between home and program
• Meals
• Security deposit (refundable, collected upon arrival)
• Personal expenses
• Textbooks
• Laundry
• Personal medical expenses, if incurred 

HOW TO APPLY

QUALIFICATIONS
SSO welcomes applications from students who enjoy academic challenges and desire to sharpen their research and writing skills in their subject areas. To be eligible students must:

• have a 3.7 GPA or above,
• have Junior or Senior standing when they attend the Semester Program,
• possess a strong commitment to both their academics and their Christian faith.

All Gordon students applying to the single semester Oxford program with BestSemester must first submit an online seat application to the Global Education Office by March 1 before applying to the program itself

Students interested in applying for the year-long Oxford program through BestSemester may click here for additional information.

Applicants approved by the Global Education Office then proceed with the BestSemester application. BestSemester has a rolling admission policy. Spring applications are accepted until October 1. Fall applications are accepted until May 1.

APPLY