Oxford, England

Direct Enrollment - St. Catherine's College

Study Abroad
Program Options:
Direct Enrollment
Length:
Fall, Spring, Academic Year

At a Glance

Housing:

Residence Hall

Credits:

15 to 24 per Semester

Language of Instruction:

English

Language Prerequisites:

None

Visa Required:

Maybe

About the Program

Our program offers you the opportunity to directly enroll in St. Catherine’s College, one of the 38 self-governing colleges that make up the prestigious University of Oxford.

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Be Part of a Legacy

Enjoy studying at one of the oldest universities in the world.

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Learn with Students from Around the World

140 nationalities represent Oxford's study body.

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Personalize Your Coursework

Select a highly personalized course of study.

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Work Closely with Your Professor

You will meet with a tutor on a regular basis.

Program Advisor

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Camilla Alway

Once you’ve applied for a program, I’ll be your direct point of contact. From housing to course registration and everything in between, I’m here to help you prepare to study abroad. Once you’re accepted to your program, you’ll find even more detailed information about what you need to know before you depart in your Predeparture Guide. Let’s get started!

📱 800.995.2300 ✉️ study@IESabroad.org

About the Destination

a panoramic photo of Oxford

Why Oxford?

Imagine yourself sitting in class, listening to your professor lecturing about Shakespeare’s plays or Winston Churchill’s policies. But you’re not at your home university—you’re learning in England, where these famous figures lived. This is your chance to study at one of the most prestigious universities in the world: the University of Oxford.

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Get to Know Your New City

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Discover Blenheim Palace

Wander the gardens and state rooms.

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Picnic in Port Meadow

Unwind in this 70+ acre park along the River Thames.

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Take a Punt

Climb aboard and cruise down the River Cherwell with your friends.

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Support from London

On-the-ground staff are available at the Center in London.

The Student Experience

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Housing

A student walks by rows of modern, square buildings with multiple large windows in Oxford.
  • St. Catherine’s Residence Hall
  • Residence Hall

St. Catherine’s Residence Hall

Live on campus in either single or double rooms with shared facilities. If you select a double room, IES Abroad and St. Catherine's try to pair a St. Catherine's student as your roommate, wherever possible. All rooms have internet access. 

You have access to basic kitchen facilities, and the college has a dining hall on campus that provides meals throughout the week. When you arrive, you are issued a pay-as-you-go photo ID card, which is debited every time you take a meal and can be added to throughout the term. You are responsible for loading money onto your own card—meals are not included in the program cost. 

Like all Oxford colleges, breakfast, lunch, and dinner are cooked onsite and served in the dining hall at set times. Meals are available to all enrolled students, not just to residents living on campus. 

Academics

Our mission is simple: to provide you with the best study abroad program possible—which includes the highest quality academic and cultural experiences. That is why we partnered with St. Catherine’s College. 

Academic Environment & Expectations: The Tutorial System 

Education at St. Catherine’s is based on the tutorial system. Typically, you have two lectures per week for each class and one tutorial, or small group meeting, for which you’re expected to prepare a list of readings and topics to discuss. There is a high expectation that you will put in a significant amount of independent study in addition to classroom, laboratory, and tutorial hours. 

Using the resources available, you must engage in extensive independent reading and research under the broad guidance of a tutor. Your tutorial sessions require you to discuss your weekly reading and essay. This methodology sharpens the learning skills of critical evaluation and organization of ideas. You are taught by the same tutors, in the same manner, and held to the same standards as matriculated Oxford students. 

Partner Institution

A modern gray school building with fall trees leaning against it. The trees have bright yellow, orange, and red leaves.
  • St. Catherine’s College

St. Catherine’s College

St. Catherine’s College, whose foundation stone was laid by Queen Elizabeth II on November 4, 1960, welcomed its first undergraduates two years later. Although St. Catherine’s is the youngest college in Oxford, it is also one of the largest with almost 500 undergraduates and 400 postgraduates, as well as 70 fellows and lecturers. In addition to its formal academics, St. Catherine’s is known for its extracurricular opportunities in music, drama, and sports, and is generally regarded as one of the friendliest and most open colleges in Oxford.  

St. Catherine’s modern buildings—located on the east side of Oxford—are the result of an international competition won by renowned Danish architect Arne Jacobson. The college was designed to be a modern reflection of a traditional Oxford college. At the heart of the college lies a rectangular quad, its sides flanked by student rooms built in the conventional Oxford “staircase” format, and its ends consisting of the dining hall and library. 

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Courses

Study abroad students usually apply to one or two academic departments and then propose to study topics within those departments. St. Catherine’s offers a wide range of disciplines. Past IES Abroad students have proposed to study the following topics: 

  • Aesthetics in Plato & Aristotle 
  • The American Revolution 
  • Anglo-Norman Literature 
  • Behavioral Economics 
  • Behavioral Genetics 
  • Behavioral Neuroscience 
  • British Politics Since 1945 
  • Cellular Signaling 
  • Computer Architecture 
  • Confessional Latin 
  • Ethical Theory 
  • Global Health Epidemiology 
  • History of Chinese Philosophy & Religion 
  • The Islamic Civilization/Golden Age 
  • James Joyce 
  • Macroeconomic Analysis 
  • Metabolic Biochemistry 
  • Middle Eastern Politics 
  • Neuropathology 
  • Probability 
  • Radical Social Theory 
  • Renaissance, Humanism & the Church 1300-1600 
  • Theological Understandings of Gender 

For more details about course options, visit the  "CATZ" website. 

Contact Hours

Each Oxford course will have a maximum of eight hours spread evenly through the term. It's expected that students spend on average 14 hours per tutorial (14 x 8 x 2) for the term in hours engaged in study and consideration. You will also be attending lectures on subjects of your choice. 

IES Abroad Pre-Semester Tutorial in London 

To ensure fall and academic year students receive the 15 credits per semester required by IES Abroad, we require a 3-credit, pre-semester tutorial in London. You live and study in London for four weeks prior to the start of the term in Oxford. 

Designed to prepare you to succeed at the University of Oxford, this independent study tutorial sharpens your skills in oral and written rhetoric. You work one-on-one with IES Abroad London tutors (some of whom also teach at Oxford). The subject for the tutorial is chosen from the standard IES Abroad courses.* While in London, you live in a residence hall. 

PRO-TIP

Apply for your passport today!

Getting your passport is a crucial step for studying abroad. With processing times taking longer than usual, consider this a gentle reminder to not procrastinate on getting or renewing your passport.

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Field Trips

Even though your adventure starts in Oxford, our field trips take you beyond the city to discover the culture and traditions of your host country. All trips are included in the program fee unless otherwise noted with ($).

NOTE: IES Abroad field trip destinations, activities, and lengths of stay may vary according to term and availability. 

stonehenge

Bath & Stonehenge

2 Days ($) Fall

Visit mysterious Stonehenge and the ancient Roman baths in Bath. Marvel at the collection of world-class couture at the Fashion Museum and explore the Jane Austen Centre.

Students explore the rocky inclines off the coast of Dover on a sunny day.

Canterbury & Dover

1 Day ($) Fall

Visit the Canterbury Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the beautiful Dover Castle. After the visit, go for a short hike along the White Cliff of Dover National Trust.

Program Cost

Consider these prices as a starting point. We encourage you to contact your current college or university to determine the actual cost to you when factoring in financial aid, scholarships, your school's policies, and other factors.

Spring 2024

Tuition
$
26,450
Housing
$
7,770
Insurance
$
230
Total
$
34,450

Fall 2024

Tuition
$
20,656
Housing
$
6,087
Insurance
$
245
Total
$
26,988

Academic Year 2024

Tuition
$
37,160
Housing
$
18,730
Insurance
$
490
Total
$
56,380

Use Our Budget Worksheet to Calculate Your Costs

See the Worksheet
APPLY FOR SCHOLARSHIPS

$7 Million in Scholarships & Aid

We firmly believe that financial limitations should not prevent a qualified student from studying abroad. This is why we commit millions of dollars to our study abroad scholarships and aid.

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About the IES Abroad Center

The Center is where our highly trained local staff provide on-the-ground support throughout your time abroad.  

The IES Abroad London Center is in a centrally-located Georgian building with green space called the Honourable Society of Gray’s Inn. Whether you’re grabbing lunch at the Leather Lane food market, or visiting the Rosetta Stone at the British Museum, the Center is your study abroad hub. 

 

Orientation

Start at Home
Our Comprehensive Orientation & Re-Entry Experience (CORE™) begins at home with our virtual orientation to meet the IES Abroad Center staff, fellow students, and the city.
Arrive in London
Orientation continues when you arrive onsite with activities focusing on adjusting to London. Detailed information about other important topics is also covered.
Fall Only Tutorial
This program begins with a 3-credit, pre-semester tutorial that prepares you to succeed at the University of Oxford by sharpening your skills in oral and written rhetoric.
Get to Know the University
Once you arrive in Oxford, you'll join an orientation that covers topics like accommodation, academic policies, registration, student life, travel, and safety.
Prepare to Learn
Feel prepared to begin classes with practical lessons, activities designed to help you learn your way around the area, and support from our dedicated student staff.

Health & Safety

With 70 years of experience, we are proud to set the standard for health and safety in study abroad. Our Chicago-based and on-site staff are all highly trained and experienced in the matters of health, safety, and crisis management. We are here for you from predeparture to your return, and are ready to support you—no matter which time zone you’re in. We plan for "what ifs" so that you don’t have to. From international health insurance included in the cost of your program to highly-trained local staff who can connect you to English-speaking healthcare providers, we are working around the clock to ensure your health and safety while abroad.

Support You Can Expect to Receive on Our Programs

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CISI International Health Insurance

In the case you need to see a doctor or mental health professional.

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24/7 Emergency Support

Whether you encounter an issue while traveling or in your host city.

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Mandatory Cell Phone Policy

Receive any emergency updates from IES Abroad staff via call or text.

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Location-Specific Information

Health and safety information presented at orientation by on-site staff.

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TripTracker System

Allowing you to share independent travel plans.

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Crisis Drills

So that you feel prepared to respond to an emergency should one arise.

Program Dates

Spring 2024

Program Dates:

January 08 - June 15

Application Deadline:

Fall 2024

Program Dates:

September 03 - December 07

Application Deadline:

Academic Year 2024

Program Dates:

Early September - Mid June

Application Deadline:

Spring 2025

Program Dates:

Mid January - Mid June

Application Deadline:

Requirements

  • Eligibility Requirements
  • Application Requirements
  • Passport & Visa Requirements

Eligibility Requirements

  • 18 years of age 
  • In good standing at your home school 
  • 3.85 GPA (on a 4.0 scale) or better and in good standing at home college or university (GPAs above 3.7 will be considered on a case-by-case basis)
  • Junior or senior standing when program begins

Frequently Asked Questions

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Student Ambassadors

No one knows the IES Abroad experience better than a student who has lived it! From budget tips to housing experiences, our volunteer Ambassadors are here to share it all.

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The Student Experience

How will study abroad redefine your world? We can’t wait to find out.

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